Newbie from NY thankful for this forum

Macauley's Mommy · 04-10-2008, 02:06 AM

Hi cysters, my name is Kelly, I live in Queens, NY and I'm 30 years old. I've been aware of this site since 2000 but until recently I wasn't strong enough to face all the issues that come with PCOS. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1996. My symptoms started in 1994. I went from 125lbs. to 180lbs. in two years. The doctor that diagnosed me back then was quite obnoxious. He actually told me that I should not concern myself with college or a career but with finding a mate as I had only a few years to conceive. He wasn't warm and I was young and I slipped into a deep depression. I feel like I was in sort of a mental coma. Three years ago I had a pretty severe anxiety attack. By then I had lost at least 50% of my hair. I'm lucky that my hair was very thick to start with. But of course I have hair everywhere else. By then my period was 22 months apart. The day after my attack, I started dieting. I lost 35 lbs quickly as I was finally motivated. I met the guy I had been talking to online for two years that I had been refusing to meet because of my deep fear of rejection. He is the first man that knows everything and he accepts me and loves me. I don't have to hide from him. I am so grateful for him. He actually read about the benefits of doing Atkins for those with PCOS. I lost another 30lbs. on Atkins, my periods were more regular and I found out in 2006 that I was pregnant. *My advice to all pregnant PCOSers...get proper pre-natal care, get tested early for gestational diabetes and listen to yourself. I didn't and my son was born 11 weeks early and died after living only 10 hours. For those of you who have suffered loss of an infant...I am so sorry. No one should have to feel that pain and my little boy did not deserve to suffer the way he did. I miss him everyday. On a positive note, I managed to get pregnant again three months later and after great medical care and a lot of work my son Macauley was born in September 07. He did not come easy but he is perfect and I love him to bits. Now that I have my big guy and my little guy, I want more. I want to kick PCOSs butt...hehe. I'll be getting a referral for an endocrinolgist next week. I'm looking for any doctor recommendations. I'll travel anywhere between NYC and Long Island. Most pressing to me right now is the issue of my hair. I have lost so much that I am no longer comfortable being seen. After the two pregnancies and all of the hormonal changes I can't hide the loss well anymore. Last week I went for a hair transplantation consultation with the top NY hair loss surgeon and he informed me that I was not a candidate for surgery because my loss is hormonal and genetic and I have no healthy growth. So at this point I am looking for a wig. This whole experience has been so disheartening. It's so hard to talk about...being robbed of your femininity. I know you know. I wish I could give you all a hug! I'll take any advice you've got for me and I'm looking forward to sharing support with all of you.

Thank you for taking time to read my little intro.

Kelly

Janette36 · 04-12-2008, 12:19 PM

Welcome to SC

NinaRoux · 04-12-2008, 11:52 PM

Hi all -
Just officially diagnosed TODAY with PCOS. I've known for some time that "something" was going on (I freaked myself out years ago when I didn't have insurance, and did a bunch of research on PCOS, and realized all signs pointed to cysts), but have been on the pill for so long that any symptoms and worries were kept at bay.
Now my husband and I are trying to have kids - and after going off the Pill last july and gaining about 25 pounds, I decided it was time to follow through with the ultrasounds. Sure enough, I'm not ovulating.
Well, I have a fantastic doctor - Dr. David Friedman (he has offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan) who happened to have his powerpoint presentatin on PCOS on his laptop from a presentation he gave yesterday! He knows his Cysters.
He has prescribed Metformin, and after reading all the success stories here, I am so excited to start! Here's hoping this will do the trick!

Kelly: I'm not sure about your insurance, but I have Oxford and Dr. Friedman accepts many insurance companies, and is affiliated with more than one hospital in NY. His Brooklyn office is on Cropsey ave, and his Manhattan office is on E. 77th I think...

I really feel full of hope after finding this community. Whatever obstacles I face, I have support. And remember, obstacles are only there for us to overcome them!

Eva37 · 04-13-2008, 08:04 AM

welcome to sc, ladies

there is a link to the newbie roadmap in my siggie, in case you havent seen it already
eva

NinaRoux · 04-13-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macauley's Mommy

After the two pregnancies and all of the hormonal changes I can't hide the loss well anymore. Last week I went for a hair transplantation consultation with the top NY hair loss surgeon and he informed me that I was not a candidate for surgery because my loss is hormonal and genetic and I have no healthy growth. So at this point I am looking for a wig. This whole experience has been so disheartening. It's so hard to talk about...being robbed of your femininity. I know you know. I wish I could give you all a hug! I'll take any advice you've got for me and I'm looking forward to sharing support with all of you.

Thank you for taking time to read my little intro.

Kelly

Hey kelly - Have you tried Metformin? Many women who have tried it are having positive results with hair growth (where they want it

) I am only just going on it this week, so I'm not speaking from personal experience...Check out the "metformin success stories" thread.
just thought I'd pass it on!

Macauley's Mommy · 04-14-2008, 03:10 PM

Nina,
Thank you for the doctor referral. I will look into it. As for Metformin, I took it during my last pregnancy to help regulate my blood sugars. During both pregnancies I had Gestational Diabetes and needed both Metformin and insulin. My hair growth was decent during my pregnancy but I wasn't sure if it was the medication or the pregnancy itself that contributed to that. I don't think it will grow back enough for me to be comfortable though. I think I just need to get a good wig and work it.

I will definitely ask to be put back on Metformin for its other benefits. Thanks so much for your recommendations. I really appreciate it.

Janette and Eva,
Thank you for the warm welcome. I will check out the newbie roadmap as soon as I reach my 10 posts.

Kelly

battlingPCOS · 07-01-2008, 02:21 PM

Hi Kelly,
I just wanted to say that I can completely relate....and I also live in Queens. I'm trying to find a good RE to help me get pregnant. As far as the hair loss thing goes, I bought a "top piece" a couple weeks ago. My loss is on the top in the front, so this covers the area without needing a full wig. They can get quite expensive, so I started with a synthetic piece to see if I like it, before forking over $500 for a high quality one. I haven't had the guts to wear it out in public yet, although my husband can't tell the difference when I have it on. I think it's natural looking, but I'm too self-conscious to wear it...and also self-conscious not wearing it. Good luck!
D-

RaineBeau · 07-01-2008, 11:40 PM

Welcome to SC!!