Looking for a better treatment plan

lenxuto · 07-01-2008, 07:22 PM

I am 33 years old and have 3 children. I was diagnosed in April 2008 with PCOS. I was bowled over in January 2008 with abdominal pain in the right flank. After trans-vaginal and abdominal ultrasound, I was found to have quite a large cluster of cysts in my right ovary. Following Lab results, my androgen level is off the chart and my estrogen level is non-existant.

I've had excess facial hair for 2 years and had laser therapy to get rid of it 1 year ago. It's all back (new growth) on my chin and areola. I've had beyond heavy 5-7 day periods for the past year. My cholesterol level has been rising steadily over the past 3 years to 192 this year. I am not diabetic and have all my blood labs drawn every year. All other values are normal except I was anemic this past January.

I am 5'2 and until the beginning of this year 115lbs. I used to weight train 2x per week, bike 25 miles per week and rollerblade 8 miles per week. Starting around the beginning of the year I had absolutely no energy and attributed it to after X-mas blues and my hectic school/work & children's schedule. This progressed to being dead on my feet exhausted after a day's work or a work out. Then I must have had a cyst burst b/c I was fine 1 min and litterally bent in half crying the next.

I had to seek treatment at that time. Jump forward to July. I weight 125-130lbs depending on the day. I have terrible swelling in my abdomen and a constant pressure on my right side. I am uncomfortable wearing anything against my belly. I have sweats, my skin looks like crap, my breasts are so sensitive and HUGE! I am either nauseous and sometimes vomit or are so ravenous I could eat the whole house and I really am getting depressed. I still don't have any energy and can barely make it through my 10 hour work day. I still bike but am totally dead after it.

I was started on YAZ! in April and have had N/V totally with it and breakthrough bleeding. I'm also breaking out on the underside of my chin? Weird. I wanted to tear my eyes out (I wear contacts) for the past month. My OB/GYN is switching me to Aviane but I am concerned that this is just a crap shoot and I'm not really doing anything for what's going on.

As far as sex. I had a raging sex life, very active and creative with my husband of 15 years. As of this moment, I am honestly avoiding contact. I've got no interest. Since the pill, it doesn't hurt anymore, but it also doesn't feel good, forget the awesome orgasms that I am missing big time!
I've also noticed that it seems like my uterus is falling into my vagina. There is definitely something putting pressure on the area and my hubby "feels" something in there. I know that lack of estrogen reduces uterine tone and can allow for it to press down with gravity into the vagina. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am not interested in having anymore children and am wondering if it is reasonable to just have my Right ovary removed? I can't stand this and all is well with my left side re: ovulation. I've never not had my period, it just must always come from my left side now.

I would appreciate any suggestions. I eat very healthy and have for a long time. I think this is probably why I never had typical symptoms associated with a PCO until the size of the darn thing got me.

Thank you all so much for any help. I can truly appreciate the absolute suckiness of this problem.

Tummy · 07-02-2008, 04:43 PM

Having your right ovary removed will unfortunately not solve your problems, so I'm not sure it's worth that. (PCOS is systemic, and the cystic ovary is just one manifestation of the syndrome). As far as advice goes, are you seeing an endocrinologist who is well-versed in PCOS? That is probably the best person to see to get you as "regulated" as possible with all of your hormonal issues.