Well, this is my first post. And it's probably going to be a long one. I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of days ago. I've already had some blood work done to check hormone levels and rule out thyroid problems (which was the first concern since my mom has Hashimoto's disease) and an ultrasound that found multiple cysts. I am getting my insulin checked in Monday. Having done a lot of reading over the last few days I can look back and say that I've probably had PCOS since high school. My periods have always been a bit irregular despite being on BCP and once I graduated high school and stopped playing competitive soccer year round I started gaining weight in sudden spurts despite eating well (my mom started working for weight watchers when I was in elementary school, so healthy eating is, luckily for me, second nature) and exercising (though probably not as much as I should). But it all got about the time I graduated from college. I'd gained weight when I went to college, but just dismissed it as the 'freshmen fifteen'. Thing was, it didn't really seem to want to go away. Then when I graduated I realized somehow I had gained another ten pounds in the last year. Then I moved home and started job hunting. In the meantime I managed to gain another fifteen pounds despite the fact that I was eating less and no longer consuming alcohol. Then because I was poor and not involved with anyone, I decided to stop taking BCPs (which I'd been on since high school). As soon as I did I stopped having periods and started having some really bizarre emotional swings. For days and sometimes week as a time it was like as soon as everyone in the house went to bed I would get really depressed and start crying for no reason. So after six months without a period I went to talk to my doctor and that is where I'm at now.
I'm 21, very very single, and planning to go back to school in a year to get my Masters and probably continue and get a PhD (Middle Eastern studies ). So I never really had plans for children, so I haven't quite figured out how I feel about the issues related to fertility. I know that as an exceedingly rational, calm person that suddenly feeling like my body and brain are out of control is not something I appreciate or am comfortable with.
Well that's all I have to say at the moment, I haven't talked to my friends or family (my parents know the diagnosis but not much else) so I really appreciate the opportunity to vent a little bit here.
I know how terrifying this can all be, especially when you're first researching the disease after your diagnosis. The best thing you can do for yourself, is make sure that you have a doctor that is either extremely well informed or find a specialist near you. There is a lot involved with PCOS; a lot more than the average PCP is prepared for! I was extremely lucky and the first doctor l went to actually specializes in PCOS and other conditions like it.
If you ever have questions about anything that you can't find on the boards or just want to talk, just personal message me!!
Thanks! By the way, apparently Dr. Oz was talking briefly about PCOS on Oprah a week or two ago. It's kind of like the blue car phenomena (you don't notice how many blue cars there are until you buy one). Since I was diagnosed a week ago I keep hearing about other people who have it. Anyway, thanks for the welcome!
__________________ So never mind the darkness,
we still can find a way.
'Cause nothing lasts forever,
even cold November rain.
Hello everyone! 
). So I never really had plans for children, so I haven't quite figured out how I feel about the issues related to fertility. I know that as an exceedingly rational, calm person that suddenly feeling like my body and brain are out of control is not something I appreciate or am comfortable with. 
there is a link to the newbie roadmap in my siggie for you
Anyway, thanks for the welcome!
