Need help please & my Story

SLR06 · 08-28-2009, 02:31 PM

Well I am new to the site..it's is very informative but also extremely intimidating. My story is..

3 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 20 by my GYN. I really didn't fully understand I just knew I always had a little bit of excess hair which annoyed me but didn't run my life.(Just blonde hair on my face and arms and quick growing leg hair) In high school I played soccer so I was constantly excersing but still was always chubby around the waist. Looking back not nearly as bad as I thought it was. I assumed it was because i didn't always eat right. After being diagnosed my doctor put me on Metformin 1500mg and birth control. The metformin was pretty unbearable so I would never really take it like I was supposed to. BC wasn't a problem. I had blood work done showing high testosterone, bad lipids, and insulin resistance. Of course I still really didn't understand what all that meant. The hair had DEFINETLY gotten worse...especially on my face to the point where people were pointing it out to me and I became so self concious about it. But I lost my insurance so I stopped going to the doctor stopped taking medications as I couldnt really afford them and I seem to have went into denial and depression. 3 Years later now...my body is out of control. I have gained nearly 40lbs (I am 5'0 tall) the hair has reached a point I am embarassed to go outside. It has affected my ability to have relationships as I do not really want anybody touching me. I know that Im a cute girl..but i dont FEEL that way. I feel like I've reached the bottom...I am sad and very angry. I am ALWAYS tired, I never really want to go out and overall I dont feel good most of the time. Also, I feel hungry ALOT even if I know I shouldnt be. If it's all PCOS's fault?..i dont know. I have gotten insurance back through my job and back on Metformin..or at least trying my best to tolerate it. Soon I am seeing an endocrinologist. I am hoping he can help me.

At this point..I feel so hopeless. The hair is so embarassing, Im huge and I just don't know how much longer I can live like this. I am ready to make a change. but no one really understands what I am going through..my family and friends are no support to me. They see it as I am whining about the hair and its just a vanity issue.

So any advice on where to start..how to start or any advice at all for that matter would be so appreciated.

StephW · 08-28-2009, 02:55 PM

Wow girl, I really know how you feel. I have been fighting all the same stuff, and it's really difficult to explain to other people. You're right, they just think you're a big baby! The weight/hunger is the toughest for me. I was so desperate to look better I started taking diet pills last year....lost about 20lbs, but it quit working so it all came back. Be glad you are so young. I just found out I have PCOS yesterday (yes, 8/27/09) and I'm 40 years old. At least you know what the problem is and can do something about it while you're still young and cute. I would've given anything to have this info 20 years ago. I just took my first Metformin tablet this morning, and I'm so hopeful I could scream. I'm told that the abdominal side effects pass. What kind of problems did you have with it?

SLR06 · 08-28-2009, 03:06 PM

I am glad to see I am not alone! It's so hard when that's how you feel..is alone. Thank you for your kind words. I am sorry you even have to go through it..but at least we have the website now. I know it's just a matter of lifestyle changes and figuring out what works for each person but it's hard to just have to sit and wait. Now..as for the metformin...I absolutely HATE this drug but apparently it does wonders for women with PCOS so I am bearing it. Def. do not take it without food or something in your stomach...the first week will be the worst. For me..the side effects eased but never really went away. My stomach hurt, made it hard to sleep(wake up 4-5 times a night), gas & bloating, I was scared to even go far from a toilet if you know what I mean. Really embarassing. I could never really stick to taking it as it was prescribed until now so I am still waiting on the results. Ive read it takes 3-4 months before you really see any results. GOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ambular_342 · 08-28-2009, 05:10 PM

Sweetheart, you are not alone. I was diagnosed when I was 23 and my sister was just diagnosed last year at 27. This disease is very intimidating. Don't let it get you. Keep your head up and remember that its not where we start, its where we finish.
I have the horrible facial hair and I use this stuff called "cream facial hair remover" from Sally Hansen. It comes with a moisturizing face conditioner to use afterwards. I have used it for years and you can get it at most any pharmacy or grocery store in the health and beauty section here in the U.S. It usually lasts me for 9 mos. Just be careful not to leave it on too long because it can cause redness. I have sensitive skin and it doesn't irritate it at all, unless I leave it on for more than 8 minutes. I have to use it on my jaw line, the upper lip and my temple areas. Hope this helps. People just don't realize how much the excess hair and weight messes with our self esteem. Nor do they realize that when you're overweight that little things that may seem trivial to them just add to our image problems. But, the older I get the less I care about what others think of me. How old are you now?

When you get down or discouraged, this website is perfect for lifting you up.
Keep in touch.
Amber

Wendy1 · 08-31-2009, 03:24 AM

Hey Girl, I joined this site 2 years ago in secret. One night like you I was tired of it all. I still have not started any medications. I just deal with it on my own. I have to shave my face everyday! yuck! I can't stand it half the time. Hair, hair everywhere. I'm back to the point of getting serious about my health and this time I think I may be able to at least get my weight under control. Research has brought me to this... Insulin Resistance is one of the major causes of PCOS and excess hair. Your body produces to many androgens which causes the excess hair, and sugar is your worst enemy. IF you eat alot of take out, STOP! Soda, Bread, Potatoes, Pasta and anything white you might say turns straight to sugar in our bodies. Just try this for 2 weeks, No Soda, Bread, Pasta, Potatoes, only meat, cheese, eggs, and veggies eat until you make yourself sick on these, try tea sweetened with Splenda. Try this and write me back. I want to know if you lost a few pounds and if your energy is coming back, MINE DID! Hope to hear back from you.

StephW · 08-31-2009, 06:30 PM

I started Metformin on 8/28, and I'm doing pretty well so far. I've found that as long as I take it with food (low carb of course), it's no problem. I had nausea Sat nite, and I ironically I think it's because I ate too much fat in an effort to eat more protein. (Cheese is tricky!!) Anyway, whole wheat bread/toast is ok as long as I pair it with a good amount of protein (PB no jelly/eggs/turkey). A GREAT anti-gas product is GasX Thin Strips. They're a lot like the old Listerine strips that melt away on your tongue. I will keep in my purse always!! My next goal is to hit the grocery or GNC in search of some serious soy-based crunchy goodness!!! If any of you darlings have ideas for must-have protein snacks I'd love to hear about.

audiejo_ak · 09-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Wow. Well for the first time in a long time I'm able to say you probably know how I feel. I was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 24. Since then I've put on 30 lbs, funny how the more I know and the weight just kind of "showed up."

As far as the facial hair (which has gotten worse with the weight gain) I wax every three to four weeks and shave half way through to my next appt. I found an awesome estitician who has taken the time to learn about PCOS. The $60 a month is just part of life in my world because I have gotten to the point I can't take handling it on my own any longer.

I go to TurboKick four times a week. I started this summer and have been slowly been building the days up. Everywhere on my body is starting to thin out other then my belly so I constantly get asked if I'm prego.

I'm in search of a new doctor as the endro and family practice drs both tell me that I need to just eat better and exercise more. (even after producing a food journal and the exericse I've already been doing) I've always made gym time part of life but I think at some point when you're told to just "run more" there is part of you that just wants to give up and reach for the bag of pasta that you're really craving.

I'm glad to have found this site and hope to be responding and reading more of everyone's posts.

Jenda · 09-02-2009, 02:26 AM

What a great source of support! I was also diagnosed around the age of 19, went through weight gain, I had some excess hair, but my main concern (besides the irregularity or fertility concerns now that I'm in my 30s) has been acne.
Naturopathic medicine and natural solutions has made the world of difference to me. I've been able to keep my weight down, by eating fresher foods and avoiding processed foods altogether. The other good part of that is that I feel like I eat all the time (and feel full) because the food is of better quality. It's helped immensely with energy as well, as did a teaspoon of liquid B vitamins that my naturopath recommended when I first came to him (depressed and after being on the pill for 10 years left my body depleted of B vitamins).
The other thing that has been a godsend is apple cider vinegar for skin problems—it alkalines the skin and makes it less likely to break out. Cheap and easy.
There IS hope. Slowly changing those emotional habits that break us down to the better habits that build us up. Also, therapy helps so much in changing around behavior, knowing we're not alone and knowing that YOU ARE WORTH IT.
Good luck! Much love, JDW

WantsAbaby13 · 09-02-2009, 01:54 PM

I love not feeling alone on this site. I just joined two days ago, but was diagnosed with PCOS June 2009. I completely understand the weight gain and hair growth. I have always had dark thick hair, but now my face looks horrible. I sit on my deck and can pluck for hours. I have gained like 15 pounds around my tummy and it's slowly starting to come off with Metformin. Keep up with it, it's rough in the beginning, but now it's fine.
We have being ttc for 10 months, but it doesnt really matter, because I cant ovulate. It is SOOO frustrating. I go back to the doctor on Sept. 25 to start my first round of Clomid (I think Im suppose to have a period before I can take it though). Is anyone on Clomid? What are the side effects?

kgeinhn · 09-03-2009, 11:56 PM

So sorry to hear. Go ultra low carb, and get the extended release of the metformin. It won't make you as sick. The excessive gas will eventually go away. Try the website netrition.com On there, you can get dreamfields pasta. I replace hamburger helper pasta with my dreamfields pasta now and I buy it by the case. Also, for sweet replacements, anything name branded Big Train you can make up in minutes and will help. However, you're going to have to get those carbs out of your system and lower your insulin production. Good luck!

USBPWIFE · 09-09-2009, 03:07 AM

So several years ago I lost weight, had laser hair removal and felt great about myself! Since then I became lazy and didn't pay as much attention. Now i have gained the weight back and then some and the hair is back worse than ever. It was so discouraging to know that the one "permanant" solution for hair was not permanant at all. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm tired of struggling with this and all the self-esteem issues that go along with it.

kentbird · 09-09-2009, 05:42 AM

Hey girls, just had to chime in with regards to the metformin. mine has played havoc with my tummy for years now, im meant o take 1500mg aday but most days only manage 1000mg as it makes me so bad. But the doc said thats fine.
I have noticed though it plays up worse if i take it when i eat anything sugary, my god my belly goes crazy, but if i take it in the morning with breakfast (it has to be something like toast or weetabix) then its fine, no belly ache. The other one i usually take at night before bed, normally with just a cuppa and thats fine too. So do try eat it with something just nothing sugary or fatty or youll pay for it!! lol xxxx

Good luck girls and i hope you all find your answers xxxxxx