Hi I'm new here! My name's paige and I'm 17 years old. I've been researching info about pcos and I'm curious if my symptoms are consistent with it.
These are my symptoms:
- Extremely painful irregular periods (I'm on birth control for this). Without the birth control, the pain from my periods get so bad that it make me vomit.
-Constant bloating (I'm very thin, and the bloating is so extreme that at times it looks as if I'm pregnant).
-I have very oily skin and acne
-Excessive sweating
-Hair loss on my head
-Extremely fast growing hair on other parts of my body (such as legs, underarms, eyebrows). I can shave my legs at night and not be able to wear shorts the next morning because the hair has already grown back to the point of being noticeable.
-I'm insulin sensitive and hypoglycemic
-I've had two ultrasounds done and neither of them indicated any ovarian cysts; however, I have also had an MRI of my pelvic area which showed small white circles in my pelvic cavity.
-Tests on my thyroid indicate I have low T3 levels.
-I have OCD and anxiety
-I know that weight gain and high blood pressure are also symptoms of pcos, but I actually have the opposite (trouble gaining weight and low blood pressure).
I've been to many doctors for these symptoms. Currently my gynocologist suspects that I may have endometreosis, but he's not entirely sure. Also, I had the MRI done on my pelvis by a gastroenterologist, but no other doctor is willing to look at it to see the small white circles on it. Anyways thanks so much for taking the time to read this, any feedback would be great
Last edited by paigems; 10-03-2008 at 05:32 PM.
Reason: forgot to write something
Your symptoms are definitely worthy of an explanation. Do you have a good relationship with your parents? Especially, your mother? I am asking because unfortunately, at your age, doctors typically have a hard time taking young women like yourself seriously. I went through it myself. I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. Ok-back to about your mom. Is she active in your health care. Maybe you could recruit her assistance for support in your crusade to find out what is wrong. I am no doctor but my opinion is that you definitely have something going on hormonally. Is one of the doctors that you have asked to review your MRI an endocrinologist? And, your gynocologist has not reviewed them? I don't even know if most gynocologists know how to read MRI's. Maybe you could research to see if there are radiologists in your area that specifically read MRI's for gynocological problems.
I am 28 and didn't find out what was wrong with me until I was 23. I had all of your symptoms except I am, and always have been overweight. There are so many women here who are supportive and share similar stories. Hopefully one of us will be able to help.
you might have endo, but I think the only way they can find out for sure is surgery...check out the endo section for more info. there are thin cysters too. PCOS is so complex and not everyone has the same symptoms, but it does sound like you may have PCOS based on what you've listed. have you had any blood tests to check your hormone levels?
Paige, your symptoms seem to be right on the money. I know you said they did an ultrasound and saw no cysts but you're on birth control which should either reduce or prevent new cysts.
I agree with ambular that unfortunately your doctor may not take you seriously. Even at my age (I am 32) I have a hard time getting my doctor to take me seriously. Unfortunately there are many doctors out there who dont know about PCOS and who wont treat you for it.
If your current doctor isnt helping, try to talk to your mother about getting another.
__________________ 5 Clomid. 2 unmedicated and 2 Femara cycles: O'd 7 out of 9-BFN Follistim Cycle #1 w/Timed Intercourse: BFP! 11/1/09 11dpo To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Yes, I do have a good relationship with my parents and they are both very involved with my healthcare. And no, I have never been to an endocrinologist. I tried to make an appointment with the endocrinologist that my aunt sees for hashimoto's, but the endocrinologist won't see me because she only sees patients that have already been dianosed with a disease (which doesn't make much sense to me). And yes, I've been to three different gynocologists and none of them will even look at the MRI's. On wednesday I'm going to see my main doctor (that treats me for insulin sensitivity and hypoglycemia) and I plan on asking him about pcos and having possible blood tests done. I also want to ask him about the drug aldactone. I used to be on yasmin (which apparently has the equivalent of 25 mgs of aldactone in it) and it helped so much with my symptoms until I got off of it 5 months ago.
are you on any other birth control pills now since coming off of Yasmin 5 months ago? If not this may be a good time to have an ultrasound... Like Eva said, you dont need to have cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS, but since you were on birth control when you had your last ultrasound you may want to consider having one while not on birth control since it helps reduce cysts.
At least you have supportive parents. You should have you mom check out the forum. I'm sure she'll back you up and hopefully doctors will take her seriously if they dont take you seriously
__________________ 5 Clomid. 2 unmedicated and 2 Femara cycles: O'd 7 out of 9-BFN Follistim Cycle #1 w/Timed Intercourse: BFP! 11/1/09 11dpo To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Yes, currently I am on Loestrin 1/20 which I believe has androgens in it. I've been using the loestrin for two months now. The symptoms I've been having have been a little worse since starting the loestrin (form the androgens I assume), but they have been going on since about a year after I got my first period which was four years ago.
Also, I have two more questions:
-Is it a possibility that the small white circles on my MRI could be cysts that the ultrasounds did not detect?
-And if I were to have blood tests done to check my hormone levels, would being on birth control effect the results and make them inaccurate?
I had pretty much the same symptoms when I was a teenager! I had great success with Aldactone, and I was on the BCP Yaz for a while. They both helped keep the acne and hair growth down. Good luck! I hope you get a dx soon!
Wishing you the best of luck getting treatment and a good doctor! Stay strong and put your foot down for what you want by way of bloodwork and tests!
__________________ Formerly known as "Alaska4me" ME-Carrie-35, DH-Dan-36,
My miracle daughters, gifts from God
Anna Hope-11 yrs
Brandelynn Faith-5 1/2 yrs DX w/ pcos 02/03, have had it much longer
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New and wondering if I could have PCOS 
we have a lot of simiar symptoms. Im also going through the process of getting dx with endom or something else as well as pcos.
