PCOS Confirmed, my story

jennanoble3 · 04-13-2005, 01:14 AM

In 2003 I worked for a high profile internal medicine doctor and my AF was regular every month...until October. Two weeks after having my period I started spotting. At first it was very light, almost undetectable but three weeks later is was as heavy as a period. I bled for about a month total and I had talked to my employer about this because I did not have insurance. He figured it was a urinary tract infection. I haven't had my period since then. Between then and present-day I was frustrated that I did not know what was wrong with me, and I felt even more depressed that I could not do anything about it because I did not have insurance. Even though everyone kept telling me that I was just having urinary infections or kidney infections, my gut instinct told me otherwise. I would tell everyone about my AF...lack thereof...but everyone just brushed it off.

I would cry for hours out of frustration, thinking the worst that maybe it was cancer or perhaps I was just going through early menopause...I'm 22 but at that point I did not know what to think. About two months ago I started spotting again, this time it lasted three weeks but the same story...started out really light and progressively got heavier, diminishing by night time each night. This time I actually had back pain so I ended up going to the ER even though my insurance didn't become effective until this month. I told the dr. the same thing, haven't had AF for a year and a half, spotting was my last sign of blood, etc. etc. I was literally there 10 minutes. I didn't have to change into a gown, he simply had me take a urinalysis (though I told him I took one two weeks earlier and it was negative--what do I know, I am the patient and not a dr. even though I work for OB/GYN now) which, of course, came back negative except for blood. Once again, he told me he felt that it was just a kidney stone or maybe a kidney infection, and I was sent home with no medication of any kind...not even pain medication.

Finally, my insurance became effective and I saw Dr. Lisa Fishman in Manhattan. She was SO wonderful and asked me a few painless questions, did a quick exam, sent me off for an endo-vaginal ultrasound and wala--PCOS. Even the GYN dr. I work for thought it was just a urology problem. She was appalled at the way I was just tossed out of the ER without even an US or anything even if he did think it was kidney stones.

This explains so many things...weight gain, head on hair thinning, increase in facial hair, anxiety, lapse in meneses, etc. I literally have every symptom except diabetes...my glucose levels are great. On one hand, I feel happy knowing what it finally is, but on the other hand I am sad that there is something wrong. But I am determined to work with this in order to minimize the symptoms. Thanks for letting me share my looooong story!

Jenna

angel_sl · 04-13-2005, 01:27 AM

I'm so happy you found out what was wrong. I had thought for years that I had a hormonal imbalance, but I never went to the doctor becasue I hate going to the doctor (it was the scale issue) My periods were like clockwork (and always had been) so I thought everything was fine. I just drugged up on midol and trudged along. In November My sister went ot the doctor becasue she thought she was dying. Her periods had gone absolutely crazy in just a few months. When she came back with her info, that's when I went to the doctor. Turns out I have PCOS and she doesn't. My glucose levels are also great.

I started treatment on January 21 and I was able to feel a difference almost immedaitely. First let me say, birth-control should be worshipped! I've never had such enjoyable AF visits. I don't even need midol. The facial hair is lessening and lightening (I also do electrolysis). I actually have energy. When I get home form work, I can still move, unlike before. My moods have mellowed out. I can still get irritated but I no longer fly into a rage. My outlook on life is better. I have ambition. It's the craziest thing! Best of luck to you! I hope your treatment goes as smoothly as mine has!

Jashobeam · 04-13-2005, 02:43 PM

Welcome to SC!

CathyWood · 04-13-2005, 07:09 PM

Hi Welcome to SC. Glad you found us. Feel free to contact me if you wish. See you around.

jennanoble3 · 04-13-2005, 08:20 PM

Thanks so much! It's refreshing to know that my irritability is included in this lol. I have always been such a patient person and very tolerant but since all of my symptoms started I just started flying off the cookoos nest. It was around the time that my better half and I moved in and I just thought I was under stress...well, I am always under stress but never to the point of literally shaking from anger. I go back to the doctor (angel!) tomorrow and we'll plan the course of treatment. I am a bit nervous to go on BCP because I am not one to take pills--just a thing i've always had, but at this point I am ready and willing to try anything. Thanks for the support!

Jenna

vegangurl21 · 04-14-2005, 12:05 AM

[b]Hi and welcome to SC!! I'm mostly a "lurker" sister, as I have a pretty severe social anxiety problem, but I just wanted to welcome you. I'm so glad you've figured out that you have PCOS, and that it explains all your symptoms. PCOS isn't fun by any means, but you can breath a big sigh of relief to know that you're going to be okay. Let us know how your doc apt goes tomorrow, and what you and your doc decide on. Good luck!!

jennanoble3 · 04-15-2005, 05:17 PM

Well, I went to Dr. Fishman today but the girls at the front desk forgot to call me and let me know that she would not be in. Frustrated, I asked if they could just give me my blood results...waiting on the lab results, more specifically the TSH Free--the total was normal. However, she said that all my labs came back normal and fine. Can I have PCOS without the odd labs? I find it weird that my levels are all fine because my hair on my head thinned, and I grew more facial hair. Could it be something more serious if I have the cysts and normal lab or maybe nothing at all? How many cysts are considered "too many" before it's considered bad? I had more than 16 spotted on mine. Sorry about the 20 questions, just frusterated...

Jashobeam · 04-19-2005, 02:12 PM

There is a sticky, or a link on the newbie board about labs giving out "normal level" lab results when the women actually had abnormal results. You might want to do a search for it.