I'm Emily, and I was diagnosed with PCOS about a month ago. I introduced myself on here and started out great for a week, and then fell off track in terms of diet and exercise. I feel like this is mainly because I am terrified beyond belief. I feel like a huge baby admitting this on an online message board, but I now feel like I have nowhere else to turn. Maybe someone here has had similar fears and just knowing that will make me feel like less of a maniac.
I am most afraid of the possibility that this diagnosis might be wrong, and/or that I might really have some sort of cancer. I am probably just a crazy person, but no amount of reading or asking questions has made me feel better. For example, I've read that women with PCOS-like symptoms might instead have a tumor on the ovary or adrenal glands. My mother had to have an ovary removed when she was 25 (I'm 22), because she had a benign tumor that had encompassed her ovary. I've read about the symptoms of an ovarian tumor (bad idea, I know), and they are scary in how much they match up to mine. On top of this, my best friend passed of ovarian cancer when we were 17, so I'm sure that I'm probably over-reacting because of this previous experience. However, even knowing that doesn't make me feel any better.
I've also read that women with PCOS are at increased risk for uterine cancer. My aunt had to have a hysterectomy.
My doctor also mentioned that there seems to be some kind of link between women with ovarian cancer and a family history of prostate cancer in men. My grandpa died of prostate cancer at age 62.
On top of this, I've read that women with PCOS have an increased risk of breast cancer. My mom had to have a lump removed at age 18. She recently had to go back to the doctor for some tests for abnormal cell growth in her breast.
I'm sure I'm over-reacting, but I can't get this off of my mind. It's consuming all of my thoughts and making me into a nervous wreck. The "c" word really freaks me out, and the more I try not to think about it, the more I do!
I asked my doctor about this, and he said that there's not a lot he can say to console me because there are no really good tests or ways to screen for ovarian cancer. It didn't make me feel much better.
I'm going back on the 15th for a gyn. exam with the same doctor. I'd really like to get some answers, but feel like I've hit a wall in communicating with him. I don't really have any other options for doctors, since it's a pay-scale clinic and I don't have insurance.
I'm sorry that this is so long, and if someone takes the time to read it, bless you. I just feel very alone and scared right now, and I'd love to be able to have some peace of mind! That's all I want!
Please, can someone tell me that they've had thoughts like these upon being diagnosed? I feel like a crazy person.
Thanks for any advice. I'm sorry if this is crazy sounding. It's 3:15 AM and I can't sleep for worrying. This routine of losing sleep over "what if" thinking is really getting old!
__________________ "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerfulbeyondmeasure." - Marianne Williamson
Dx with PCOS in June 2009.
1000 mg Metformin, diet, exercise, an amazing husband, and a lot of determination.
Hi,
I don't really know what to say, I hate stressing over something and hearing someone say "oh don't worry!"!
I haven't really had thoughts like that on diagnosis, I'm more an experimental medicator - I get my hopes up that such-and-such will work and then BANG - nothing. So far have tried metformin, dianette, Yasmin, agnus castus, reductil, vitamins, omega 3..... and various combinations of the above.... So I guess if you're crazy then I'm equally crazy
Now, I'm in the UK and as much as we moan about the NHS it IS free, so I'm not sure how your medical system works.
Are there any free clinics - maybe outside your immediate area - that would do some kind of screening given your family history?
As far as breast cancer goes, do you know how to check yourself regularly? If so, that is something that is more "under control" and less scary perhaps?
Also be careful with the reading - if you look close enough, it is possible to find links between anything and everything - this doesn't mean "cause and effect". Plus papers and media tend to publicise the dramatic, the "oh my god eating candy gives you rabies!!!!" headlines - not the boring report that says actually, the people eating that candy happened to live next to a colony of feral, rabid animals......
I hope that doesn't sound patronising - it is something I have to remind myself about a lot!
Also perhaps try meditation or yoga to help switch your mind off and sleep better?
you could ask him for a blood test if your worring about ovarian cancer call ca125, it not definate but it can give some indication.
some info i copied from a website:
A sample of blood can detect a protein called CA-125. The level of CA-125 is high in more than 8 in 10 women with advanced ovarian cancer and in about half of women with early ovarian cancer. Other non-cancerous conditions can also cause a high level. This means that this test does not conclusively diagnose or rule out ovarian cancer, but it can be a helpful test. This test is also often used to monitor the effects of treatment for ovarian cancer.
I now what you mean about worrying, i worry bout everything and all the what ifs?? i'm waiting my 21 day progesterone coming back and i'm sh*tting myself, i wont sleep tonight and then next week i have to go for my ultrasound, so that will be an awful week.
all i can suggest is maybe a nice long bubble bath to relax you ! or a night out with friend take ur mind off it.
As i tell myself (but take notice myself) why worry about it what you gonna achieve by worrying, other than making yourself stressed and crazy woman.
Building up enough determination to reverse your symptoms and deciphering through all of your possible action plans is a crucial step you must take. Personally I choose not to take prescription pills and fight it with a proper diet/calorie intake and a hell of a morning workout. It's worked for me. It took me two years to get sick of myself and actually do something about it.
__________________ -D-chiro-inositol
-Vegetarian / Organic Diet
-Morning Cardio / Two Hours
-Vitamins / A, B, C, D, E, K Books- Skinny B!tch(s), The Ultimate PCOS Handbook Treatments- Laser hair removal, Dermabrasion
Topical Prescriptions- Differin, Vaniqa
well i got my 21day progesterone and guess what it was a big fat 6!!! i work at my doctor surgery and as soon a i saw it my heart sank as the last glimmer of hope left my body. ( was diagnosed in 2004 off random blood alone i had the faint hope it could all be a big mistake loooool) got my scan on tuesday so should see the extent of the problem then.
so far i have lost 2.5 stone thats 35lb, with that i have seen the return of my periods but well i'm not ovulating or may thats just this month with the worry??? but i have another 3 stone to lose it is so daunting, i want a baby so badly, i feel that i'm letting my hubby down. i dont know how much exercise i should be doing i do 50 min of fast walking a day, an hour of belly dance once a week and wii fit every day for 20mins. i have stopped drinking, cut out caffiene, and not had chocolate since christmas. it is so dam hard. i feel hungry most of the time and knackered. rant over
tomorrows another day, chin up . i will not cry, i will not let this get the better of me!! xxxxx
I was diagnosed 8 years ago with PCOS but i was convinced it was cancer. I even wrote letters to all my family in case i died!! Because the symptoms of PCOS can also be linked to other illnesses its easy to get yourself worried! I've only just recently convinced myself it wasn't cancer when i actually saw my cysts on an ultrasound!
Just under 2 and a half years ago i also convinced myself i had stomach cancer because i felt ill, nauseous and tired and my tummy didn't feel right. I discovered that instead of cancer it was a little miracle now 21 months old!
There are some homeopathic remedies that can help with feelings of fear. It might be worth looking into just to give yourself a bit of peace of mind!
As far as testing for ovarian cancer my Dr. told me of a test called the BRCA which can tell you if you a have specific gene believed to be linked to breast and ovarian cancer. It won't tell you if you have cancer or will get it just if you have the gene. Just something to keep in mind-hope it helps!
awwww, hon. I know what you mean, getting diagnosed with pcos can be soooo hard thats why this site is great, theres so much to learn, and everyone is so friendly.
eva
you are definately not crazy. with my experience with doctors not interested in dxing me with anything and also my familys medical history, which shows alot of cervical cancer, endimetriosis among other conditions, none of which are pcos or related to it, has made me really question my doctors dx alot. i was happy to have a doctor interested in finding the root of the issue but was disapointed with what she had come to conclusion with for a while, just cuz mainly i was very uneducated on pcos and was also hoping for something familiar that runs in the family. as i did research on pcos i found out that you can have it and all of the above as well, as i didnt see all of my symptoms within pcos. made me quite paranoid and im still having my doctor run tests to rule things out for me i think more for my peace of mind then anything, which im happy to have this doctor for that reason alone. all the tests so far have come back negative by the way, which makes me feel silly for having felt that way. just wanted to share that with you so you know that you arent the only one that feels that way about it.
good luck and pm me if you need to talk! hope this helped!
Okay, I'm scared and could use some advice. 
thats why this site is great, theres so much to learn, and everyone is so friendly. 
