Hi ladies! I'll try to explain my sitch and hopefully you can direct me to the best place to get the appropriate info. I'm 52, so fertility issues are not what my problem is. Is this site just for women with fertility issues due to PCOS, or are other issues addressed?
In my 20s my GYN thought I might have PCOS. I had irregular periods, some hirsutism(sp?), and some male pattern baldness. However, I got pregnant really easily in my 30s and my periods were regular from then on. Fast forward to 2003 and 2004. Some intense crisis situations hit my life which I now believe began to throw my body out of wack, specifically hitting my adrenal gland, producing excess amounts of cortisol, etc. in January 2006 my periods began getting irregular because I was in perimenopause. I proceeded to gain about 10 lbs in 3 months, and actually have gained 30 lbs in 3 yrs. At least half of that weight has nothing to do with overeating. My gut is huge now, bloated all the way up to my breasts.
I ended up having a colonoscopy, endoscopy, vaginal and abdominal ultrasound. I did have an ulcer, but everything else was fine. The GYN told me to tell my internest to prescribe a water pill for me. The internest wouldn't because she felt it would be hard on my kidneys. They both just told me this is what happens during perimenopause. Meanwhile I knew my body was not acting normally, I felt like crap, and my BMI was way too large. My mom dies of a massive heart attack at 56.
Since 1/07 I have been seeing a doctor of functional medicine. I have mixed feelings about her. Too many visits and too many supplements, however, she does try to get to the cause of your problem. She found out I have candida, and also says I am insulin resistant. She claims all the stress combined with the perimenopause and my genetic history(PCOS) all came together to mess my body up. Since seeing her I have only lost a few lbs, and last week I suggested to her that maybe I should be on metforum. She prescribed that I take 2 500 mg pills a day and see if it helps. It bothers me that I had to tell her about the metforum. This doctor has done a ton of bloodwork which shows high testosterone, high DHEA, and other things not right.
I saw my GYN yesterday who kind of freaked out over my seeing this other doctor. She admitted she was trained in the old school and doesn't understand the supplements I'm on. After she calmed down she finally said I have PCOS syndrome, and acknowledged that later in life it can cause heart disease, diabetes, etc. Great! She is encouraging me to see an endo, which I wish I would have done a year ago. I am really kind of POed that I haven't been treated for this sooner.
So any suggestions of where to begin? If this site isn't appropriate for me, is there another site you'd recommend? Sorry this was so long. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!
Welcome to sc! This site is not only for women who are trying to concieve although there are many of us here because pcos is the leading cause of infertility in women. I think a good place to start of in would be the getting to know you section. I am sure you will find cysters there who are not ttc and are in a similar boat.
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The basic treatments for PCOS are Metformin, Spiro, and BCPs. Metformin might help you since you are IR. Spiro is for hair issues and you might also benefit from that. You will need to talk to your GYN about hormone therapy, if needed.
You are going in the right direction by seeing an endo. It's important that you get treatment to prevent diabetes and such, so make sure they are knowledgeable about PCOS and treat you with the right medications.
Welcome to SC, hopefully it will help answer your questions.
Thanks TechLady! I think my hair loss occurred in my 20s. Having children seemed to really get rid of my overt symptoms. I was very thin in my 20s, but every decade I have struggled more with my weight, which does collect in my gut. However, this is the 1st time I have gained weight without overeating, and can't seem to lose it like I always could before.
Any advice on how to find a good endo? I really am getting tired of screwing around with these doctors. I'm feeling like I know more than they do because of all the reading I'm doing.
the first step is to go to your insurance company's website and look for endocrinologists in your area. some company's have ratings next too the dr.'s name. I also suggest trying to scope people out at work or social groups that can recommend a great endo. i live in the metro atlanta area and can give you a great one if you live near atl.
Need some guidance! 
