New/Scared

Angel32314 · 06-12-2008, 01:13 AM

Hi everyone! I'm new here and after reading some of the threads on here, I'm absolutely terrified. I've had PCOS symptoms since I was about 12/13 and was diagnosed probably around 16 (22 now) where I was put on BCP for it. I've always been very thin, but if i do gain weight it is in the tummy area, which I know is common. I have never seen an endo/RE, but am thinking of going to one now.

The reason I'm so scared is because I suffer from typical symptoms like oily skin/acne/excess facial hair and from reading the threads on here...it sounds like there actually isn't much hope!

I was thinking of finally getting laser/electrolysis done, but more than half the threads say "no, it doesn't work" or it can make it worse in some cases. On top of that, everyone also says that hirstuism only gets worse with time! Seriously!? this is only going to get worse??? I can't handle what I have now.

Also, I'm obsessed with being thin, I eat healthy and work out almost everyday and it sounds like most people say even though we're thin now, we're pretty much doomed to become obese with time as well. Between the thought of growing more hair, possibly losing the hair that I want to have on my head and becoming obese...I can't deal with this.

oh and having kids, even though i'm not ttc.....near impossible.

There is no real way to manage this because I think being on meds to manage something is awful because you can never stop or you're back at square one. Being thin already, losing weight won't help (not yet at least). Not to mention the side effects and the damage prolonged medication use can do to a body.

This is a nightmare, how do any of you cope knowing what's to come most likely when there aren't any real answers to this problem??

avenue · 06-12-2008, 05:04 AM

Everyone goes through that worrying stage, its really not so bad though! Im 22, thin, get the belly "pooch", was on bcp from age 14-21 and now Im actually doing Ok. Taking a bit of metformin, a bit of thyroid pill (you do NOT have to be overweight to be hypothyroid), eating a little better, playing wii fit, going for walks and tadaa got a monthly cycle...still trying to make it a bit more stable though.

Theres so many things you can do to help with pcos, for example if your not TTC spironolactone will prevent acne, excess hair and thinning hair, metformin helps the so-called root of the problem. Many people use herbs *me* they can do wonders! Someone was just telling me about lunarconception which I find super interesting and will definetly give a whirl! Im in nursing so Im starting to understand some of this stuff and its really not so horrible.

Chances are you wont be obese or go bald because the second it starts creeping up on you (if it does) then you will know why and therefore you can fix it easier. But like I said I have the "pcos" stuff, high LH, high testosterone, high prolactin, etc etc and so far its not so bad. And for the pregnancy part chances are you will have a baby someday I mean just take a look at all the pregnancy threads and all the people on the mommy board, anythings possible. I was even pregnant once. It was even by accident. Go figure. But every PCOS'er gets in these slumps!

And everyones different too, personally I believe PCOS has many different causes. Some of us are overweight, some arent, some have cysts, some dont, some have high testosterone, some dont, some have high LH, some dont, etc. If you go get blood tests drawn you will be closer to knowing exactly what is abnormal in your case and therefore how to treat it. Just dont let any doctor tell you what will happen to you, its your life and you can make changes. They told me I would be obese. I am 115 pounds. Screw them! They said I wasnt hypothyroid, guess what, the tests said otherwise

And for laser, I *think* Ive read that it works once your hormones are under control. Like if you go on met for a year and it balances your hormones (just an example) then laser would probably work. And for the real answers to the problem part...well we know our problems. And we have lots of answers. Its just the cause thats the hard part. Post a problem on here and chances are you will get a reply with some sort of solution. For almost anything it seems!

Angel32314 · 06-12-2008, 03:33 PM

Thanks for the support/advice avenue! I wanted to ask you, I've been on BCP for a long time as you were too. When you went off of them, did anything get worse like acne, excess hair? I've been on them so long I honestly don't even know if they are helping anything anymore or not, but I think they are. What herbs do you take and what do they help? I've been reading a lot of about this "Saw Palmetto" or whatever it is, I'm not sure.

Also, what would anyone recommend seeing, a regular endo or RE. I'm not ttc so maybe a RE isn't needed yet? My mother had hyperthyroid so it's def. possibly that I could have thyroid issues as well, hyper or hypo.

I'm sorry my last post was so negative, but you're right, I'm def. in a major slump. I was just diagnosed with some other chronic, incurable, difficult to treat health problems and I've had enough!

Btw, has anyone on here ever tried electrolysis for hair removal? I've read a lot of laser stories, but not so much electrolysis. I think it's more painful but might have better outcomes? Not too sure.

Rose28 · 06-12-2008, 04:26 PM

Hi Angel,

I remember being 22 and completely freaked out by PCOS. I was diagnosed as a young teen and am now 28. It's totally normal to feel so overwhelmed and confused right now but I have to say that aside from ttc issues, PCOS does not affect me anymore. I have learned to control my diet and take care of my health and that has helped
so much with any symptoms that I have. It does not have to get worse with age, it definitely hasn't for me.

SandV · 06-12-2008, 04:47 PM

Welcome Angel! I was officially dx when I was 24 but a few years earlier a dr told me thats what I probably have. You will be able to control the symptoms through diet and exercise. Over the years, I have not developed more hair on my face and rarely have acne (that is usually around AF). My biggest issue is tackling my weight. I have found if I try to eat the right foods and exercise, I can keep that under control. I also believe that water helps a lot.

Good luck!

avenue · 06-12-2008, 05:01 PM

I am DETERMINED to be healthy! If you go off the birth control maybe ask your doctor for spironolactone in the mean time...I used to be on it and it works wonders, but one day when you want to TTC you ll have to go off of it months ahead of time...metformin helps with the route of the problem *insulin resistance" which is hard to detect I believe. The only things I take are spearmint tea, low dose of metformin, synthroid, and vitex&red raspberry leaf along with a good multi vitamin.

And even though we are thin excercising still helps control our sugar levels...I (and some other people on here) have been using spearmint/green tea to control testosterone levels...I drink a few cups a day and its been going good. Also vitex can is a balancing hormone, it giives you more of what your lacking and vice versa. I dont use electrolysis/laser because I dont really have a hair problem anymore...

I mentioned the other day about lunarconception, I tried it last night (the Idea is sleep in darkness days other then 3 days before you want to ovulate, in which you keep a light in your room-I used a night light, then you back to darkness again) and somehow my chart says I O'd so maybe its a coincidence...maybe not!

Oh and saw palmetto is the natural version of spironolactone pretty much.

Eva37 · 06-15-2008, 07:41 AM

welcome to sc

i know how scarygetting dx pcos is. That's why this site is so amazing!! There is so much to learn, and everyone is so friendly.

I personally have spiro for the hair, which does help reduce it.
eva

TrishainAZ · 06-16-2008, 12:30 PM

I don't have hair issues, but I can reassure about the weight. I'm 31, have had 3 kids and I weigh 117 lbs at 5'4.5"(6 months postpartum) I don't believe that I'm going to all of a sudden start gaining weight now. (I was diagnosed 6 years ago and am actually thinner now than when I was diagnosed) PCOS doesn't necessarily mean weight gain.

Lone_Cyster · 06-17-2008, 09:08 PM

hi,
slumps are very common, i'm in one now too, still in denial as only diagnosed last year. i'm not thin, so can't help you there, but i can empathise at being overwhelmed and thinking it all is too much, it definitely feels like that sometimes!