I think i'm going crazy ...

daisygirl · 07-27-2007, 04:37 PM

So, I have come to the conclusion that I must have a serious illness or else my life is over as I once knew it (or both). I am exhausted... ALL the time. If i could sleep for 15 hours a day I would. I have gained almost 20 pounds in 2 1/2 months. My hair is falling out like never before. My face is breaking out like crazy and I'm 28! I am highly anxious and go back and forth between that and feeling so depressed. Another thing that is probably TMI but i think it's important is that I stay constipated practically all the time and i am taking citrucel. I think the constipation has given me hemmorhoids because many times there is blood on the tissue after I "go". Basically, I just feel like total crap and wish that I could quit school and sleep all the time. Is this what happens when you're practically untreated for PCOS and you continue to get older? I am freaked and I made an appointment with my nurse practitioner in 10 days but I have no insurance and she's not a specialist or anything, just working at a community health center. I don't know what to do... this is so depressing.

soniya888 · 07-27-2007, 04:57 PM

Daisygirl, yes it sounds like your symptoms are from untreated PCOS but you're on the right track joining this forum. There's so much valuable info here and there are many women who have turned PCOS around.

To give you my 2 cents, I would avoid BCP like the plague. Try other approaches and if nothing else works (which I doubt), then use BCP as a last resort for the short term. BCP is not a cure and will only mask your symptoms. Once you get off it, they will return with a vengeance. Consider yourself lucky if you have not been prescribed it yet.

Instead, look into Metformin or take a natural approach as I have so you can perhaps put PCOS into remission. Look into the alternative remedies section. For constipation, juicing works wonders. Fresh organic juice has enzymes and soluble fiber. It will also clear your skin and give you lots of energy if you're consistent drinking it. If you search for the thread by ImCured, you'll get details on this. It sounds too easy but it works.

daisygirl · 07-27-2007, 05:53 PM

thank you so much for your reply

I am definately interested in alternative remedies for PCOS. I will certainly do a search for that thread.

I hope my doctor has some helpful hints and suggestions and doesn't just want me on BCP. When I lived in MI a few years ago, my gyno there put me on Yasmin but it made my periods unbearably heavy and painful. Then she changed to something else, then something else - each one was worse than the one before! I hope I never have to go on BCPs again!

Thanks again,
Candace

soniya888 · 07-27-2007, 06:46 PM

Don't even get me started on Yasmin...

If you're interested in a natural approach, this site is so inspiring: shazzie.com.

Another benefit of juicing (specifically beets, carrots, cucumber, apples, and celery) is that it has an alkaline pH. Interestingly a contributing factor of PCOS might be acidosis:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popu...kalinediet.htm

This juice counters acidosis.

Also look into anti-androgenic herbs to counter the acne and hair loss.

Best of luck!

Allison. · 07-28-2007, 01:19 PM

I had extreme fatigue when my iron was low. Can you ask the clinic to test your iron?
Constipation-I now use Miralax for that. It is not a stimulant laxative. You can actually leave the house after taking it. It is sold at Wal mart and other stores over the counter. I suffered for a year with constipation. I was taking so much fiber and drinking tons of water. I was bloated and miserable all the time.
Miralax should be callled Miracle Lax! I take it every other day. It is tasteless and not addictive.
Can you have your testosterone levels tested also? I take prescription anti androgens for my elevated Testosterone.
It's great that you are being proactive about it. It is a complex frustrating thing to deal with. We just have to keep picking ourselves up and moving on.
I still sometimes get angry about not getting a diagnosis sooner. (I was 35!) I have educated myself about PCOS and have recently gotten my 12 year old niece diagnosed. Now if we can only get her proper treatment.
I take prescription meds,diet and exercise consistently. I have been able to lose a lot of weight. Will I ever be "thin"? Not likely, but I am so much healthier since diagnosis and proper treatment. I never thought that I would enjoy exercise.
I have become addicted to exercise. It helps with my energy level and mood. This is a support board and we are all here for you. I hope that you are better soon.

ecamarret · 07-28-2007, 01:48 PM

I agree, I do think it's largely related to untreated symptoms. My questions is - why don't you have insurance? You mentioned school so you should be able to attend their health center for free, or at the very least get health insurance through them. If all else fails, you might qualify for public aid until you get through school. Just a suggestion. It's always better to be covered. Isn't it interesting how we are required by law to carry insurance on our cars, but no one mandates that we cover ourselves??! *hugs* hang in there.

MendyB · 07-28-2007, 03:10 PM

daisygirl--I feel ya cyster! I have had all those problems for years. I also didn't treat my PCOS until recently. I am seeing a nutritionist that specializes in PCOS and she says constipation is one of the worst things for women with PCOS because it causes depression, fatigue, etc. She recommended this stuff call Renew Life Liquid Greens. I went online and ordered it. I can't remember how much it was but it didn't seem too expensive. Just to warn you, it tastes nasty but believe me it works and you feel like a new person! I have no insurance at the moment because I was downsized and lost it, so I am trying to find the least expensive way I can. Hang in there {{Hugs}}.

VeganMom · 07-30-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Is this what happens when you're practically untreated for PCOS and you continue to get older?

That was me in my early 20's. After 21, I was no longer covered by parental insurance, but I was a starving student and had no extra money. While I could see the health center for free, their range of care was limited, and at the time all my values were "low end normal" but I still felt weird.

I dropped one semster of school -- I felt THAT bad. I returned to school on part time basis because by afternoon I was BEAT. I wanted to curl up and nap.

I married my BF when I was 23 specifically to get on his insurance ASAP. (We were in love, had been living together for 2 years, and planned to marry eventually, but once I started feeling so terrible, we bumped up the wedding date so I could have insurance again.)

From 21 - 23 I was in a No Man's Land. So I determined that I couldn't do some things because of insurance, but the things I COULD do something about, I would start addressing.

I quit eating college junk food.

I started trying to eat more produce to bump up the fiber. In fact, I cut down progressively on heavy foods and cut out meat and went vegetarian.

I started taking a daily multivitamin.

I started trying to keep a more regular sleep/waking schedule.

I joined a water aerobics class full of little old ladies. I was the youngest by 4+ decades! But it got me moving, it was in the cool pool water, and kind to my joints. After I lost some weight, I started walking too.

I bought the "Healthminder" journal from amazon.com and started keeping notes for the day I was insured and could see an endoc.

I started looking at our home through new eyes. I got rid of clutter so I could feel it was truly a haven. I got rid of window dressing and foo foo knock knacks to cut down on dust (allergies). I started cleaning with non-toxic methods. (baking soda, Bon Ami, vinegar, plainest REAL soap possible (ex: Dr Bronner's). I got fussier about what we furnished with. It didn't have to be expensive, but it had to be "real." Cotton sheets, actual wood. Pressboard stuff and synthetic rugs and things can outgas and bother allergies, asthmas, breathing.

Your particular situation will need personalized solutions, but look at how you live and look at what small changes you CAN change now... even without insurance.

GL!
V.