I just need some reassurance...or something.

amybell · 05-22-2007, 04:29 PM

Hi,

I'm 20 and I started getting my period when I was 14. Since then I have had them three or four times a year completely randomly. Once I had it for 14 days and a few times I've only had it for 3. I get quite severe pelvic pain in the places where my ovaries are. I've had these pains since I was 16. I did have a scan about 2 years ago and they couldsn't see any cysts.

I have been going to different doctors for four years trying to get one of them to help me. For ages I was told that I had IBS and that I would be fine. Eventually, a few weeks ago I managed to convince my GP to give me a referral to a Gyno after I had to be carried into an emercency room in the middle of the night and sedated because of ovarian pain. (she was STILL reluctant).

I have known for years that I have pcos and I am really angry at all the doctors who fobbed me off. I now have to wait FOUR MONTHS for a private appointment with a gyno and I'm getting so depressed.

I was just wondering does anyone else get pains in their ovaries? Is 20 very late to start treatment? Am I increasing my chances of infertility by not being treated until now? I feel really alone, I don't really have anyone to talk to who understands.

Please respond, I'd really like to hear from you
<3
Amy~*~

threeblessings · 05-22-2007, 05:04 PM

Hi Amy and welcome! You've come to the right place. Everyone here understands just what you're going through. It is never too old to start treating this. I was 23 before I even went to a doc for fertility and had no prob getting pregnant with treatment. I think ovarian pain is common, although I don't have it. Feel free to post any questions you may have!

mtm71401 · 05-22-2007, 05:11 PM

I had pain in my ovaries for years and was found many times to have cysts but not diagnosed with PCOS until I was 28. I was put on BCP at 14 due to irregular periods.

I think 20 is a great start to getting diagnosed and treatment. It will give you a jump when you do TTC. Congrats on finding out the problem and now you can start taking care of things!

WELCOME TO SC!!!!!

Jashobeam · 05-22-2007, 05:44 PM

Welcome to SC! Most on SC were diagnosed past age 20, so don't give up hope! Check this link:

The Newbie Road Map

saiph · 05-22-2007, 05:49 PM

I was 24 when I was finally diagnosed (having complained of stereotypical symptoms for almost 10 years already). 20 is not that old to be diagnosed!

I have mild pain over my ovaries from time to time, especially when ovulating. Twice in my life, once when I was about 14 and once a couple of years ago, I had relatively severe pain in my left ovary area which I'm assuming were little cysts bursting, but I didn't go to the doctor for them b/c I have a fear of being called a hypochodriac (which I am

). I don't know why they didn't see the cysts in your u/s, though... was it a transvaginal one? I think that kind is more reliable.

R0xyg4l · 05-22-2007, 07:07 PM

Hello Amy, I don't think 20 is too young to be treated, unfortunately because of the lack of education surrounding PCOS a lot of women do not get diagnosed until the later s/s of PCOS. Though I can't say for sure when it comes to infertility, the reason behind infertility is the hormones throwing everything in your body off, including ovulation. I think you have a great chance to get it all under control before you get the other s/s of PCOS. Early detection and treatment is the best way to get PCOS under control! I wasn't diagnosed until I was around until last year and I'm 24. The main contributing factor was hirsutism, that finally made them think that something was wrong. If you ever need someone to talk to please let me know! I have every messenger known to man! Welcome to SC!

ShirleyP · 05-22-2007, 07:18 PM

Actually, I think you are very lucky to be getting treatment now. At 20 I didn't even know that this thing existed. I had horrible periods and pain, cramping and ovarian pain since starting my period at 10 an all the docs just looked at me like I was whiner when I would bring it up when I was a teen. So at 16 they stuck me on birth control pills and called it good, what did I know?

So here I am at 35, just dx'd at 34 FINALLY. I think back over the past 15 years or so and think, how could the NOT have known? Why didn't anyone ever tell me that the dark patches and stuff were not normal?

The best thing you can do is be proactive in your treatment, if you aren't who will be? It seems like it is a long time to wait for an appt but it will be here before you know it.

PBLayzod · 05-22-2007, 07:30 PM

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 28 and trying to conceive. I hope you are able to get confirmation of the PCOS and find a doctor who will treat it. You are much better off than most of us were at your age just by knowing PCOS exists. Good luck!

drchickon · 05-22-2007, 08:18 PM

Amy - I agree with the others - you are very lucky to have a diagnosis so early. It's sad that you had to fight to get the proper treatment, but that seems to often be the way it goes with PCOS. One doc knows nothing about it, but the next one knows a lot. My regular doc wouldn't give me any meds for it at all and kept blowing it off. Once I finally got to the gyno, he was much more knowledgeable and got me on birth control to get things under control to begin with and then Metformin. I was 27 by then and ready to start TTC, so not getting to the gyno until then put a kink in my plans, but I definitely think that you have a nice early start compared to most of us and you will do well as long as you keep taking an interest and pushing for the best treatment!

amybell · 05-22-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saiph

I have a fear of being called a hypochodriac (which I am

).....was it a transvaginal one? I think that kind is more reliable.

I'm a total hypochondriac too! I'm convinced that pcos does something to your immune system... It was an ultrasound. Transvaginal scan sounds terrifying. :O

Thanks everyone for being so nice. <3333 This is an amaaaazing board! I feel so much better about waiting four months now! I'm still going to try and push it forward though. I forgot to mention too that I can't take the BCP because of a family history of breast cancer

grapeo · 05-22-2007, 11:41 PM

I, too, have suffered from PCOS for a long time. I started having symtoms at 16 and wasn't dx until 24 and then not treated correctly until I was 28. I was able to conceive 3 times with 2 beautiful boys as the result. I have had ovarian pain for a long time as well. Extreme, intense pain but at least I knew that I might have ovulated.

Hopefully, the gyno that you are going to see will be up to date about treatment options for PCOS. If they are not, find someone who is.

Best of luck to you and keep your chin up!
Tracey

Jashobeam · 05-23-2007, 12:13 PM

I haven't used BCPs, but Met. has been very helpful to me for my symptoms.

saiph · 05-23-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amybell

I'm a total hypochondriac too! I'm convinced that pcos does something to your immune system... It was an ultrasound. Transvaginal scan sounds terrifying. :O

There are two kinds of ultrasound - abdominal and transvaginal. Abdominal you have to drink lots and not pee and they do it on your tummy. Transvaginal you have to pee right before and they stick a wand you know where

. I had a bad transvaginal experience b/c I didn't know what to expect, but if you do know what to expect it's not supposed to be bad. Anyway, I hear the doctor can see more that way.

amybell · 05-23-2007, 04:40 PM

Yep, it was an abdominal ultrasound!