Not sure where to put this

basilek · 04-20-2006, 06:32 PM

I'm not sure where to put this, but I figured this would be good since it is general. I was officially dx in 2002, but have had symptoms for much longer (I am 21 now). Currently I am on Ortho Tri Cyclen. My symptoms are excess weight (about 260 lbs and I'm 5'8), some facial hair (laser got rid of the sideburns, but I still have some under my chin which I get rid of with threading, and some on my body, but nothing too bad), and I'm not really sure about my period because I have been on bcp pretty much straight through for 5 years. My question is, I have been reading a lot of posts lately and I am getting nervous about side effects. The side effects I have now aren't too bad, compared to what other people have to deal with, but I had read that some people had mild symptoms and then just suddenly they got really bad. I am so scared of that happening. Things are so hard for me now, and I get depressed a lot thinking about it, and I really don't know what I would do if things started getting much worse one day. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

p.s. sorry if I am being annoying. I know some poeple have it much worse than I do, and I don't mean to complain for nothing.

flamenca · 04-22-2006, 12:21 PM

Hi Katie,
I can understand that you are afraid. And there's really nothing I could say to make you feel less afraid without knowing a little more about your history. Did you see and endocrinologist? Do you have IR? Those things could influence your future tremendously. If you have IR and your endo puts you on medication (e.g. Metformin), you have a good chance your will be able to lose weight easier, which overall seems to be the recommended course of action to get a grip on PCOS. But even if you are not insulin resistant, losing weight (as difficult as it is) might be a good idea. I know, I know, it's darn hard. Trust, me I know all about it! But you could join one of the weight loss groups on this forum - we help each other to stay on track, share tips and support, it makes the process more bearable.

Sorry that I don't have a better answer for you, but I don't think anybody can take your fears away except yourself ....

Good luck!
Tina

basilek · 04-22-2006, 07:13 PM

Thanks Tina. I had blood work done recently and my endo said my blood sugar was high (103) so I am going for a glucouse tolerance test soon. I'm really scared. Diabetes runs in my family, but I'm only 21.

I guess my question wasn't phrased very well. I am just scared of being afraid my whole life of the side effects. I am not ttc or anything, but my endo told me most likely I will not be able to without fertility drugs. So that is something that I am constantly worrying about. And I just seem to be slowly gaining weight all the time. But because my facial/body hair isn't bad, I don't have acne and I don't have AN, I wake up every morning and am afraid to look in the mirror. It's like the side effects are taking over my life. I just wanted to know if there is ever a point when chances are the side effects that you have are the ones you will have and that it won't get worse? I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but I'm trying to get everything out. I living in a college dorm with 5 other girls who don't know what is going on, and I have been on the verge of tears pretty much all the time the past week, and it's pretty much taking all i have to not cry.

LadyDionysus · 04-23-2006, 07:29 PM

Hey Katie,
I understand where you are coming from. I'm in school too, and it's really hard to be the only girl who has to worry about this. I live in a house with 13 other girls, and I am pretty sure no one else has to deal with shaving daily.

From what I understand, controlling the symptoms controls the side effects. For most of us, it's our IR. Once that gets under control, weight loss becomes easier, hair is supposed to slow in growth (still haven't seen that happen), and we feel better.

It's not easy, but hang in there.

basilek · 04-24-2006, 07:39 AM

Thanks LadyDionysus, I'm trying to :/

flamenca · 04-24-2006, 11:21 AM

Katie,
what I meant was pretty much what Heather said as well - you can keep your symptoms in check if you manage your life and health accordingly. For example: If you keep gaining weight, odds are that your symptoms might be getting worse. But you are lucky to have been diagnosed this early, before you've developed any other symptoms, so you can maybe stop the progress with the help of your endo and/or gynaecologist. There is of course no guarantee, but I wish I had been diagnosed 20 years ago (I am 40 now and I only found out about my PCOS and IR a few months ago, after a steady progression of worsening symptoms. Apparently, I have had IR since I was born, and apart from the beard and some body hair - manageable - and being a bit overweight, the "bad" symptoms kicked in after I was 33 or 34) - I would have changed my diet, would have been on medication a long time ago, might still have all my hair, less acne and no skin discoloration...

So don't beat yourself up and don't drive yourself crazy - try to appreciate the fact that you know what it is and that you have a chance to manage it. And talk to your doctor about your fear that the symptoms might be getting worse - he or she should be able to tell you more about the odds.

I don't know what you are studying in college, but maybe it would be a good idea to talk to a med or biology student to start a college-wide survey and bring the PCOS issue out in the open to make people aware in general? You might find that you are not the only girl there who suffers from the symptoms, and at the same time it's up to you whether you want to inform others that you have PCOS - you can scope out their general reaction and decide for yourself whether you consider it "safe". You might find that your dorm mates are sympathetic and turn out to be a big support group for you.
It's just an idea to make you feel less lonely ....

Chin up!!

Tina