Help!!

Kir · 04-21-2005, 05:26 AM

Hope somebody out there can help me.

I stopped having periods when I came off the pill at 16, (i'm 22 now). Ended up at a dozen dr's, they had no explanation for me, then the migraines started, off to more dr's, still no explanation.

At 18 my gall bladder had to be removed and my new ob\gyn said that I will never be able to go back onto the pill or take hormones, at the same time I asked why I wasn't having periods, he said I shouldn't complain, that I'm actually "a lucky little girl, because loads of women would love to stop menstruating"!! and that if I ever want to fall preg there's treatment that can help. He sent me on my way confused but thinking that its not a big deal.

I did manage to fall preg at 20, had a horrible pregnancy, prem labour at 6 months preg, stopped that one and my son was born a healthy 2kg, 6 week prem.

I still havent ovulated since his birth, saw a new ob\gyn who diagnosed PCOS.
She didn't however tell me anything about it, or what meds I should take etc.

(sorry this is so long) So I guess my Q's for anybody out there with the time to answer is, has anybody else got PCOS but not allowed to take the pill? What do you take instead? Is the migrains, gall stones, and itchy skin all connected to PCOS? could my early labour be connected to it, and all my preg complications. (I have since had one miscarriage)? I'm also concerned that I may gain weight, I'm 5ft 6" and 56kg's (don't know what that is in pounds) and don't want to get bigger. Should I be eating low carb? I havent had a pimple in my life, so i'm scared that I'm going to get sudden acne? I'm constantly dizzy, and suffer depression could this also be part of PCOS? Does anybody else get bad cramping all the time? And finally, does anybody know what my next step should be, ie. what kind of dr I should go to and what to ask and what tests to have.

Sorry for the long mesg. I'm new to all this and would really appreciate any help I can get.

Cozumel · 04-21-2005, 11:04 AM

You should try to see an endocronologist. They are usually knowledge about PCOS. Also, you should defintely start researching for yourself as doctors do not know everything and often give bad advice to us!! It is NOT ok for a woman to not menstruate, it is NOT healthy and you are NOT "lucky!" (I wouldn't say you are UNlucky, but to say you are lucky makes him an idiot.) That said... :p

I share your concerns about symptoms popping up that I don't currently have. I think the best answer is that you just can't know that. PCOS rears it's ugly head in many different ways for every woman. I'm not sure there are any symtoms that we ALL share.

You do not have to take the pill. The pill doesn't take care of our problems, it only masks them. Some women take Glucophage or the generic Metformin which helps to resensitize our cells to insulin thus helping with the IR. Some choose to work really hard at diet and exercise to help control symptoms.

Women with PCOS are at a greater risk for miscarriage. It is thought that it is because the lining of our uterus becomes so thick. Also, our hormones are just plain messed up. That said, though, it is possible for women with PCOS to have normal pregnancies and healthy deliveries.

Stick around, read a lot, and ask a lot of questions.

Kir · 04-21-2005, 12:46 PM

Hi, thank you so much for your advice. I only got diagnosed the tuesday after a m/c on monday, and with the Dr not giving much advice I spent the last 2 days heart broken from the m/c, scared and confused. Neadless to say there were lots of tears. I was getting desperate to get some advice.

I'll start looking for a new Dr right away. I'm so glad I found this site.
Thanks

amym · 04-21-2005, 07:28 PM

Kirsty,
Reading your post reminded me of a doctor I went to once. I told him that I was not having periods, was having bad headaches and weight gain even though I walked up to two miles a day.

His advice---take the pill if you want a period, be glad you don't have one every month and the weight gain is because you are married and have gotten lazy. I almost jumped across his office and clawed his eyes out. After that I went two years without going to another doctor. When we started TTC I finally went to see someone else, she did not work either but the third time was a charm, I found a great OBGYN who was knowledgable of PCOS.

I use to get migraines real bad also. Cozumel was right, everyone has different symptoms. My doctor told me that I did not appear to have that bad of a case. He said he has seen worse symptoms.

My doctor put me on Metformin. I went from having periods once every 4-6 months to having a regular 30 day cycle. The migraines have stopped also. I would also look into some books. I went to Amazon.com and bought some good books on PCOS. It is best to go to the doctor full of knowledge so that when they try to brush you off when you talk about your symptoms you can come back at them with the facts. If a doctor does not work out for you don't be afraid to search again for a better one. I asked several friends who they suggested because we were new to the area and they pointed me in the right direction.

Hope this helps some. If you have any questions let me know!!
Amy

joanne23 · 04-21-2005, 07:47 PM

I used to not get periods but once or twice a year and then I started Atkins. Well within one week of starting Atkins I got it. I have had a period every 30-32 days since then for the past two years. So to answer your question about if low-carb works, I'd have to say yes. But again, everyone is different though it wouldn't hurt to try.

Curiousme · 04-21-2005, 08:04 PM

Kir, both amy and cozumel are right, met or gluc help immensly (sp?). Pay attention to WHEN you get the headaches they can be due to fluctuations in your sugar levels.
Also, cozumel is right about PCOSers being more prone to miscarriages and pregnancy complications than other women there is a section here dedicated to pregnancy losses if you would like to check that out.
Instead of the pill, perhaps you can suggest trying Provera for a couple days, I'm not too sure how your body would react seeing as I'm not a doc but its an option. I too get itchy skin, but I believe that mine is simply due to dryness, though perhaps it can be connected to a chemical imbalance I honestly dont know.
As for weight gain, I do not suggest "low carbing", but rather make sure that you get lots of protein and fiber and do your best to stay away from sugary foods and friuts like strawberries as they turn to sugar quickly. Drink plenty of water. And if you have a Sams Club near you ckeck out their Slim Lite Diet drink, it tastes yummy and I have had no side effects when drinking it or go with green tea.
Depression is also a "side effect" of PCOS, its a drag but there is also a board here for depression and one of the Cysters has created her own depression board if you'd like for me to look it up for you.
I dont get cramps per-say (sp?) but I am in loads of pain a lot of the time, it is another of the hazards of PCOS. I suggest looking up PattyAnnRuss (shes a cyster on here) because she has a lot that she can say about pain with suggestion that are simple and human.

As for a doctor, again an endo is wonderful however you cn go to a gyne who knows a thing or two about PCOS for treatment.

I know it gets overwhelming, but hang in there it gets easier as you learn your way around this board and PCOS itself.

Luck and feel free to PM me anytime (if you dont know how to do that just place your arrow over the persons name and a drom down thingy apperas I believe teh second choice is "send this person a Private Message")