Lini23

Hello all! I'm new to this site but def. not new to PCOS. I do have a few questions because I basically want to know if what I am dealing with is normal with PCOS. Well I guess normal wouldn't be the right thing to say since PCOS is NOT normal, but normal in an abnormal situation. I only go to a clinic in my city because I am a meager college student that can't afford private insurance so obviously my information from my "doctors" are limited.
Heres the deal: Two years ago I was no longer able to afford my birth control, so I went off of it. I wasn't having sex at the time so whats the big deal right? hahahah Thereafter, I didnt have my period for a few months but I thought that this was 'normal' since I had that same problem my whole life and thought I was recovering from the birth control pills. Then when I did have my period it lasted nearly six months with barely in light days. So I went to the clinic. I told them what was going on and they did tests and came back and told me that I had PCOS. Which explains everything my entire life. Unusual hair growths, rapid weight gain, and abnormal periods that I thought were "normal". However, I have no issues with my sugar or hair thinning or loss.
But my questions are: Is it so normal to bleed through a super plus tampon within less than an hour? And to pass so many blood clots that I can't even begin to count!? Heavy bleeding isn't EVERY day but I would say that 5 out of 7 are. Is it normal to have pelvic pain? Even when you are not menstruating? I think I would describe the pain like contractions. Very quick and sharp but VERY painful.
I have went to my "doctor" about this and we did intervaginal ultrasound and they found nothing but one ovary. They didn't seem to want to answer about that and said that it just might not have been visable at the time. So I pretty much felt like they thought I was imagining things but I really am in pain most of the time in my pelvice!!
Also one more thing (i promise!) is there a better treatment for PCOS other than Metformin? I have tried to explain to my "doctors" that Metformin makes me very sick and very tired. I know what the side affects are but they say they are supposed to go away after time but for some reason with me they dont and the docs don't understand this nor do they seem to care if it does or not. I literally can not keep food down or keep off the toilet (tmi) and I am exhausted! I also take Actos but it is mainly for my fatty liver disease. Actos gives me headaches but I can deal with it. If they would allow me to just take Actos for the both I would be happy.
I also recently lost one kidney. Would you know if these things are related to PCOS?

KAMsMOM

I was diagnosed in 2005...

I have never had the acne and hair growth that commonly are seen with PCOS. The only real symptom I had was absence of and irregular periods. I have taken either Actos or Avandia ever since. The Actos induced periods and they were regular ever since, I even concieved my daughter after 3+ years of TTC. I have never taken Met. Perhaps there are varying degrees of severity as with most illnesses. Good luck to you!