My Story

MorningMuse · 09-22-2008, 02:44 AM

I have been on bcps since I was almost 17 years old. Prior to bcps I had an irregular period and a very messy one. I had fainting spells and sleep issues and yet no one seemed to think anything was wrong with me. I was on bcps for approximately 11 years. There were periods of time when I was down right awful about taking the pills regularly and I never got pregnant. I was always relieved because although I had a serious boyfriend, I was young and in college and had many career goals. Last year, I changed jobs and the new job's insurance did not cover bc, so after talking with my doctor we decided the most cost effective route would be to implant a Mirena IUC. I stopped having periods immediately after implantation and within six months started noticing massive hair loss. I went to the doctor and she ran blood tests and discovered my testosterone was high, but she didn't seem overly concerned and suggested I was just going through a hair shedding cycle. I felt like the problem was the Mirena as that was the only change in my life. In Feb 08 I had the Mirena removed. I had one normal period and as of September no others. I went back to the doctor and she suggested I have PCOS and ran several blood tests. She confirmed that my hormones were reversed, the testosterone was high and that I infact do have PCOS. She did not do a sonogram or any other testing. She asked if I wanted to try to conceive, and if so to go on Met and if not to go back on bcps. She treated the whole thing very nonchalantly and in fact everything I know now, I know from internet research, mainly Soulcysters. I am just one week in on the met and am on day three of a very heavy menstrual cycle. I find the timing of starting the met and the cycle more than a coincidence, even though its only been one week. I am over weight, but not obese, or at least I don't want to call myself obese. I am not a sweets eater, nor am I a healthy eater, but I have noticed I have a significantly harder time losing weight than most people I know. I have also noticed since stopping the bcps increased skin issues, hair on my abdomen and my upper thighs and bikini line... plus, I feel like I have to shave my armpits and legs twice as often as ever before. Not any one symptom in and of itself triggered me or my doctor to consider PCOS, but when i put them all together it is so obvious. Thanks to the board for being here for support and for questions. I am going to have a million questions...

Thank you for listening.

Polkadot · 09-26-2008, 07:10 PM

The doctor that diagnosed me was pretty flippant about it as well. I did my own research on the internet, went in with all my sypmtoms, told her, "I think I have PCOS." And she just kind of looked at me like a bored cow. I have hair on my hands, upper arms under my chin and upper lip. I don't think anyone notices as much as I think they do, but I"m telling you, it's driving me crazy. I have dreams where I have a full beard, and I have to pluck out each hair one by one. I have just gotten back on birth control. When I'm not on it, I have periods about four times a year. I am overweight, not tremendously, but enough to add to my insecureness. My boyfriend has a hard time understanding why I don't think I am as beautiful as he sees me, in fact it drives him up the wall. I have started working out to counteract the way I feel about my body, as well as help with the PCOS. The smartest thing you can do is stay away from foods that make your blood sugar spike, such as cheesecake, donuts, candy bars, ice cream. You know, basically all the good thing?

Thanks for reading this, whoever you are out there in the magical land of the intarwebs.

Marie1234 · 09-29-2008, 09:16 PM

I was diagnosed with pcos about 7 months ago. Im 20 years old and havent started any treatment. I havent had a period in 3 months and have a week before i have another doctors apt. I have already talked to my doctor about having kids someday and all she will tell me is " nothings guarenteed". Am I crazy for feeling like i should get pregnant now while i still can? I know theres treatment but "nothings guarenteed" doesnt sound too promising to me. Being a mom is more important to me then anything else in the world. Im afraid if i wait then one day it will be too late and I will be saying i wish i would have done it when i was younger. What do you think?

awdixon86 · 10-08-2008, 06:15 PM

Hello All! I Am New To Soulcyster And Have Just Been Diagnosed With Pcos In July A Month After My 22nd Birthday...kayla Maybe You Should Switch Drs, Im Sure You Will Find Some Relief...even If Its Just Verifying That You Actually Have Pcos. I Feel The Same Way About Having Kids, When I Found Out That Pcos Is Linked To Infertility, I Cried. But I Have Prayed About It And Have Decided To Leave In In Gods Hands. Polkadot..i Feel Your Pain, I Too Am A Plucker And Waxer! I Hate It

LibraryGrrl · 10-30-2008, 10:49 AM

Kayla -

You wrote that you doctor said this about getting pg:

"I have already talked to my doctor about having kids someday and all she will tell me is " nothings guarenteed"."

Well, she might be right that nothing is guaranteed. I mean, what is? But...I think everyone needs a dr. who's willing to say "let's try." That doesn't guarantee anything but by gosh isnt it better to approach things with hope rather than defeat?

I don't think anyone is wearing the rose colored glasses here and sometimes I know I feel like I'm under a big black cloud...but what about optimism? Geesh. At least the dr is getting paid - so they can clamp it when it comes to negativity and judgement if you ask me.

My doctor (who I am new to) is optimistic. His basic attitude is that when the time comes we'll get it done. I know my PCOS isn't as severe as others and that improves statistics but I appreciate the attitude, you know?

- CHelle