Hi, recently diagnosed and just now looking into treatments.
I'm 31. I've never had a regular period. My teen years were a nightmare of LONG periods. I'm talking months of bleeding. I was put on BCP at 14 only to have my dad flip out and take me off them. Ultrasounds revealed large cysts on my ovaries.
Miraculously, I was able to conceive my son at 17. He was born 5 weeks after I graduated high school. I was with his father off and on for 8 years. He never mentioned the hair on my face but I know he saw and felt it. Luckily, it wasn't too bad while I was with him.
I married in 1995 but left him in 1996 and went back to DS's father, whom I never married.I was divorced in 1997. That husband never mentioned it but I know he saw it.
I finally split from DS's father for good in 1999. I wanted to remain single but met my now hubby online in Sept. 1999. He lived in New Jersey and I was in Ohio.
When he would visit I would wax and tweeze but he still knew I had abnormal hair on my face. He said then that it didn't bother him. He moved here in Feb. 2000 and we were married in Oct. 2000. I was pregnant with DD by Christmas and she was born Aug. 2001. That's when the hair started coming in thicker.
Right after Joe moved here I had a cyst rupture and he took me to the ER. The poor guy had no idea what he was getting into. LOL He was by my side through the cath procedure and ultrasound. He was freaked but stayed by my side.
While I was pregnant I had a cyst rupture. I was spotting and afraid of losing the baby. Luckily, it resolved and she was fine.
In the last 5 years since her birth I've been on and off BCP. Joe had a vasectomy and I coudn't understand why I had to be on the pill. In Sept. of this year I started bleeding heavily. I called the doc to get in so that we could have an anniversary away. He couldn't get me in. I was given a sample pack of BCP and it didn't stop. Our weekend away was cancelled. No way I was going to pay for a cabin in the woods with a hot tub and not be able to enjoy it. After 4 weeks of bleeding, waking up in a puddle of blood I called the gyno office to see if I could get in sooner. No deal. I was told to call my family doc. He gave me Norethindrone for 15 days till I could get into the gyno. They worked for 10 of the 15 days. Then the bleeding started again. When my appointment finally came around the gyno suggested I get an IUD. Well, my insurance won't cover it. I'm scared of paying the $600 for it and then still bleed inbetween cycles. It seems like a waste of money to me. So, my aunt referred me to her gyno.
I met Dr. Polifrone yesterday. What an emotional rollercoaster that was. He was understanding and sweet. When he mentioned the hair I started to cry. I've tried to pretend it doesn't bother me. No one knew that I hide in my house because I don't want people to stare or make comments. I avoid volunteering at my DD preschool class because I don't want her classmates to ask questions about the beard. I don't see it as "my beard", it's "the beard". I don't want it to be a part of me.
I finally broke down yesterday and told my mom, my aunt and my husband the way I really feel. My mom says to wax it and get on with my life. I do wax, but then it's back in a few days. My aunt is understanding but she's always been thin and attractive. How could she possibly know how I feel? She deals with psoriasis so she kinda understands the pain of dealing with embarrasing body abnormalities. My husband, God love him, is so supportive. He told me that it's not my fault and I shouldn't punish myself for it. But, that doesn't make me want to go out in public with the beard.
My son never says anything about the hair. He's 13 and has watched it get worse through his life. It's just the way he sees me. My daughter is 5 and said once that it poked her. I now hug her with my cheek on her. I avoid putting the stubble to her. She used to rub it once in awhile. I would pull away and stop her.
I don't see how my husband could find me attractive. I have hairy legs because shaving causes irritation. I have a hairy chin and neck. I would shave daily but don't want the razor burn. To me, that looks worse than the hair. I tweeze and wax when the hair is long enough to get. The hair on my arms is thick. I never really knew that was abnormal until recently. I always just thought that my arms were hairy because of genetics. I have thick dark eyebrows so I thought that the arm hair went along with that.
I have another aunt that shaves her chin hair daily. She just has a small patch on her chin. I think that I would rather have the hair out there growing so I could tweeze and wax then be unsuccessful at keeping it hidden with shaving. At least I get a few days hair free with waxing. I make sure I am able to wax before family events. When I go out grocery shopping and I have the hair I keep my head down, I avoid eye contact with anyone. After waxing, my head is held high. I'm not as shy. Most of the time I think I'm nuts.
I also volunteer for a guinea pig rescue. I started out just cleaning cages and caring for the piggies. Now, I'm involved with email and adopters. This past weekend I had to meet with 4 families for adopting. That was stressful. I didn't have time to wax so I had to meet them with the beard. No one said anything because well, that would be rude of them. But, when they are staring at my chin I know what they are thinking. People act like I'm a freak. I'm the bearded lady from the circus. People have made comments about the beard in the grocery store. They stare. It hurts.
I have been on Paxil for years for depression. I've never seen a therapist, even though I'm pretty sure now I should. I can handle the extra weight, the pain from the cysts but this hair has got to go. I don't think I'm a girly girl, but definately want to be more feminine. I don't wear makeup most of the time because it doesn't cover the hair. I will after I've waxed just because that's when I feel pretty.
I'm 5'8" and 240 lbs. I am a 42A but can't find bras in that size so I bought some fake boobs that will make me look like a 42C. I have the hair on my upper lip, chin, neck and a few strays around my cheeks. I have a few long hairs below my belly button and some long dark hairs between my breasts. Nothing on my nipples. The hair on my head is starting to get thinner than it was in my younger years but no noticable thin spots. I started going grey at 14 and now have a skunk stripe on the top. In Feb of this year I felt rebellious and dyed my hair purple only to have the grey turn day glow pink. I felt at the time that if my hair was an odd color then they wouldn't be looking at the beard. Then, I felt silly because when I looked in the mirror I saw a fat chick with a beard and pink hair.
So, that's me. Maybe I'll get a pic of the hair. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to post it though.
What an Intro!!! Welcome cyster!!! I know exactly how you feel. I don't think my growth is as bad as yours, but i refuse to even leave the house unless it's gone. Some cysters have had luck with laser, but I can't afford that, so i just remove it daily, I think it's easier that way for now. When it gets too long for that, i will start waxing.I shave mylegs every other day, because I don't want to be hairier than my Hubby. It's tough to keep up sometimes, but I'm used to it now.
I don't know any words of wisdom here, accept that I know how you feel. All I cna sya is that if you don't like it, then maybe wax it off more often, when it starts to grow back, wax it off. The hair under my belly buton i just shave when i shave my legs and that keeps it at bay. I have one of those Personal touch thingys for my eyebrows that work pretty well and I just deal with hairy arms.
I know it's hard, just take a deep breath, you'll get through it. You've come to the right place, these women here are fantastic! I know how hard this stuff can be, if you ever need to talk, you can PM me anytime!
I can't afford laser either. Too bad insurance won't cover it as part of a mental health plan. They barely cover anything on the Paxil. I pay $25, they pay $1.23. And we are paying them why?
Sorry for the long intro, I wanted to cover all the bases and the next thing I knew it was a book. I've kept my feelings about the PCOS and side effects bottled up for so long that they just kind of exploded yesterday. Then I find this forum and all the wonderful women that know what I'm dealing with. It's liberating and takes a weight off my chest.
__________________ Me - 32 DH - 34
DS - 13 DD - 5
11/06 confirmed PCOS and IR. On met and spiro.
12/21/06 Novasure endo. ablation
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Chas,
Welcome Cyster
I am sooo glad you found us! I cried for 2 days when I found this site.... Just to know I wasnt alone made me feel so emotional. To go through this alone was so hard for me and then I stumbled on this site while doing research. I have gotten so much support and advise here. I see your from ohio... if you get the chance stop into this thread http://www.soulcysters.net/ohio-anyone-191834/
It 's our ohio pen pal thread. Some of us are talking about meeting up soon. Its not a requirement though
If you need anything you can PM me. I am here everyday. I also have yahoo messenger and myspace.
Welcome Chas!
Wow, what a brave post!! I was very moved by the things you said because you and I have a lot of similarities. I am also 31 and married to a wonderful guy who pretends not to notice that I have extra hair on my stomach, chest and toes! LOL. I also am 5'8" and I am very close in weight to you. My hair also went grey at 14. I wonder if that is related to PCOS? I never attributed the two, but with this syndrome, you never know.
I have also been treated for depression/panic/anxiety for many years which I directly attribute to PCOS (some women do....some don't).
You didn't mention if your new Gyn suggested Metformin as a possible treatment for you? Metformin has changed my life. It has helped me change my diet by controlling cravings, it reduced the hirsutism, gave me more energy and seems to be helping to regulate my cycle somewhat ( a little too soon to tell yet on that...). In slightly less than 2 months on Met, I have lost almost 10 pounds. Unheard of for me!!! It is worth asking about. There is a Metformin board here at SoulCysters, I recommend you check that out.
Again, welcome and best of luck to you!!
Amanda
__________________ Me (32) DH (31)
DD (4) DS (1)
DX 7/2006
My 2007 Resolution: EXERCISE! (Please encourage me!)
"If we meet no gods, it is because we harbor none." Ralph Waldo Emerson
New doc didn't prescribe any meds yet. I am having fasting blood work and US next week. He wanted to see what my hormone levels are at now that I'm not on any BCP or other hormones. Depending on what he finds on US he may or may not do a biopsy. I'm guessing this is because he suspects endo along with the PCOS. He did promise to get some treatment going and if he was baffled with my progress he would send me to a fertility endocrinologist. That in itself is more than my previous doctor did in 10 years.
__________________ Me - 32 DH - 34
DS - 13 DD - 5
11/06 confirmed PCOS and IR. On met and spiro.
12/21/06 Novasure endo. ablation
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No, No, don't apologize for the long intro, I enjoyed it!! Your really brave to have wrote all that. I admire you! I'm so sorry that you have had to go through all of this. I hope your new dr is better and gets you on the appropreiate treatment. Please keep us posted, i tend to worry about my cysters! I just love you all so!
Hi Chas,
I felt I had to reply to you after reading your intro. On the one hand it was heartbreaking to read all that you are going through, but you are so so brave in putting your feelings and your true self out there. My hirsutism is not as bad, but I get really self conscious about the excess hair on my toes and tops of my feet, so I can relate in some small way to what you're going through.
It's great that you've found us here at S/C. I hope we're able to help and support you in any way possible. The gals round here are fantastic, and make you feel welcome straight away!
My very best wishes and a great big hug through cyberspace for you!!!!
Dannie.
__________________ Danielle (28) DX: Hypothyroidism - May 05/ PCOS & IR Oct 05 Meds: 1x850mg Metformin + 1x75mg Levotiroxin + Diane 35
"If you can keep your head, when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation"
Hey Chas and welcome to SC. I usually don't like to read long things but I started reading your intro and I couldn't stop. I am so sorry for all the things that you have been through. I know sometimes doctors can be jerks.
i am also from Ohio the south end.
Keep us updated on your tx. and what you decide to do.
I am always here to talk if you want to.
Love,
Emily
__________________ ME-Emily (25) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH-Greg(27) Married 11/20/2004 DX March 2006 TTC since May 07 Meds: Met 2000mg, Prenatal vitamin 4 Failed rounds of Clomid (50mg-150mg) + Trigger 5 Failed rounds of Clomid 150mg + Dexamethasone 0.5mg + Trigger + IUI NOW: Increased Met to 2000mg, Dexamethasone 0.5mg CD 1-14, Clomid 150mg CD 3-9, CD 14 u/s 8/12-1 large follicle, Trigger shot 8/13, and IUI on 8/15.
Aww thanks guys. Your all the best. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be willing to do anything that needs to be done except get the IUD. I just can't see spending that much money on something that may not help control my bleeding.
I also wanted to add that when I was 14 and told I had cystic ovaries the doc said I'd never have kids. Well, a few years of unprotected sex proved him wrong. Hopefully, docs that are diagnosing young girls now are not telling them they WON'T conceive and give them a false sense of security like I got 17 years ago.
__________________ Me - 32 DH - 34
DS - 13 DD - 5
11/06 confirmed PCOS and IR. On met and spiro.
12/21/06 Novasure endo. ablation
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Chas1975,
Welcome to SoulCysters a great community who understands what you are going through! I'm sorry you've had to hide and feel unhappy about the hair growth for so long. I just began growing hair in unwanted places within the last 2 years but I know what it is like to be embarrassed about it. I feel like I constantly have to keep up with it and I feel awkward about it around my husband esp if I haven't kept up with it. Anyways, I'm glad you made the decision to join us and I hope you can find help with the hair growth. My doctor told me there are several things I can try although I'm starting off slowly with Metformin at the moment. We'll see how it goes. Other's here will have more experience on what works best. ((hugs)) Take care!
__________________ - Jen -
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Hello there Chas and Welcome to SC!
You have been through alot....I don't have too much of a problem with excess hair but I am loosing hair on my head.....I DO know what the low self esteem issues are all about and I just want you to know that you are loved by those who KNOW you best for who you are on the inside....not what you look like!
What everyone else may think or say....DOES NOT MATTER!!....You ARE beautiful!!
{{{HUGS}}} & Best Wishes!
Intro of Chas 
I know exactly how you feel. I don't think my growth is as bad as yours, but i refuse to even leave the house unless it's gone. Some cysters have had luck with laser, but I can't afford that, so i just remove it daily, I think it's easier that way for now. When it gets too long for that, i will start waxing.I shave mylegs every other day, because I don't want to be hairier than my Hubby. It's tough to keep up sometimes, but I'm used to it now.
