Hello everyone. I was diagnosed this week and wanted to find a place where I could learn more about pcos from other people..I've been reading online about it for awhile.
I'm 21, just moved to a new city to attend college..which I dropped out of this semester due to the emotional mess I've been lately. I starting having symptoms about a year ago..but I've always been overweight besides being very active, and had irregular periods since I started when I was 11. I made an appt with a gyn two weeks ago and had blood work done and he diagnosed me with pcos two days ago. I'm a little worried that he didn't do enough tests..all he did was a regular annual exam (physical,pap..which came back normal) and blood tests..is that normal to be diagnosed from just that? My male hormone lvls were high..and I start a birth control pill (Yaz) and Spironolactone this week. I go back in a month to have my hormones checked again.
I looked at the test results links here but I still have a question about one of them. The DHEA-Sulfate. The normal states that its between 65-380 and mine was 532. Doesn't that have something to do with insulin resistance? I asked him about having trouble loosing weight. I've lost ten pounds in three months and he said that rate was fine. Its really hard for me to keep at this going at that rate. I'm 195 now, with excersizing 3-5 times a week on the treadmill..and I do floor excersizes and weights also..I don't eat unhealthy..no fast food/only wheat bread..lots of fruits/veggies. I don't drink any caffeine anymore..and although I don't drink 64 oz of water a day I do drink five or six glasses..and I have to make myself drink/eat..I can go all day without being thirsty/hungry. I need to loose 45 lbs to be in my weight range.
There are other symptoms that seem to bother me that he kindof brushed off. Any cut or bump that I get heals purple..and stays that way for awhile..and I have red/almost purple patches of skin on my ankles. I also stay very cold almost all the time now..which is completly opposite of how I usually am..I use to not be able to get to sleep without a fan being on me..now I'm wearing long sleeves when its almost eighty degree's outside..and my feet/hands get so cold sometimes that they almost go numb
Sorry for the long post, and sorry for apologizing for it as I know thats why everyone comes here..to talk to people who are going through what they are I'm very happy to have a place where I can come to and vent..I'm pretty reserved when It comes to talking to my close family about myself and these past couple of weeks have been really rough. So thanks..and looking forward to meeting you
Welcome Acadia!!!
This is a great site! I think that your weight loss it great I wish I could loose 10 pounds in general! Congrats on that!
THe Doctor normally can tell if you have PCOS by blood tests and such. For me they also did an inner ultrasound and some other tests. I think that was more for my insur. and my job.... I was trying to get everything covered. But if you feel that your doctor did not do enough tests you can alway request the ultrasound. From what you have said your doc did more for you than alot I had been to.
If you need anything you are more than welcome to PM me
You probably should also see an Endocrinologist -- PCOS isn't necessarily treated by just one type of Dr. and my Endo told me just yesterday that most OB/GYN don't treat with Metformin unless they are well-versed on the disease. Make sure you keep a copy of all test results so that you can take them with you - there's a lot that excess insulin in your blood can cause. You also might want to change your diet to more protein-focused and make sure your carbs are "grown" - like fruit, veggies, whole grains. It has helped me a lot and would be part of your care if you were IR (insulin resistance).
Whatever you decide, don't give up. If you think there is something off, make sure you pursue it. Nobody knows you better than you. It took me years to find out what it was that plagued me for so long and how to treat it. Best of luck to you.
__________________ --Susan To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Dx: 8/28/06
Met - 2000mg, Norvasc 5 mg
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One Furbaby --Freckles the Wonder Dog---
is now an AVATAR!!
Thanks guys. I was going to start walking outside today, but the weather is horrid here! What would an endocrinologist do? As far as blood work/exam..etc? I've never been to one. Do I need to ask or look for one that works with pcos patients?
I'll read more on nutrition today, I probably need to start taking vitamins again..use to take the women's one a day but stoped a couple of months ago. I'm also going to start keeping a food diary tomorrow. I'm horrible at staying on a strict diet..so I guess I really need to learn more about the food I'm eating and what I need to eat more of so I'll stick to it. My mother gave me a free month card at The Rush, which is a big chain of workout places here..so I'm going to try that and hope to loose some more weight..I feel a little uncomftorable exersizing with other people though!
Thanks for the support guys, the same goes to all of you here..I'm more than happy to talk with anyone..you can email me or I'm lady_acadia on yahoo.
I personally don't see an endo, so I'm not much help there. (Long story short, the gyn's and endo's I saw did nothing for me, so I see a family doc for my PCOS).My family doc does all my bloodwork, exams, and prescribes meds. (Met has helped me the most). Many cysters do see endo's, if you're interested you may want to visit the Find A Doctor forum, maybe they can help you find one in your area.
You are doing great with your weight loss and exercise! And the food diary is a good idea.
You know, this may have nothing to do with anything, but I wondered if you've had your thyroid levels tested? I've heard of people being extra cold, or getting cold hands/feet easily when their thyroid hormone is out of whack. And lots of cysters do have thyroid problems. Just a thought...
Hugs cyster
Jenny
__________________ Jenny(30) Josh (30) married 3/30/96
PCOS dx 1/03
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An endocrinologist is a doctor concerned with the study of the endocrine system of the body -- thyroid, pituatary, pancreatic system, etc. When my gyno found the PCOS, he immediately referred me out as I had other hormonal symptoms -- even though he himself said he worked with PCOS patients. I picked an Endo that had no experience in PCOS (I didn't know that I needed one that understood the syndrome) and reverted me back to square one. That was four years ago and I remained untreated and in a high insulin state since then. (Personally, I think they were waiting for Diabetes until they treated me but just my opinion.)
This is based upon my own experience -- others may differ -- but I was better served diagnosing myself and finding a doctor who could run the blood work and prove the problem. It seems to me there can be (not saying this is happening in your situation) a "gap" in treatment between the two.
Here is a web-site that my Dr. (an endo) recommended -- the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Make sure that you find someone with a PCOS speciality. Even though you have a diagnosis, many times, unfortunately, a knowledge gap exists on the treatment.
Newbie here! 
I'm very happy to have a place where I can come to and vent..I'm pretty reserved when It comes to talking to my close family about myself and these past couple of weeks have been really rough. So thanks..and looking forward to meeting you 
