PCOS - My story. (not sure where to put this)

Rin · 10-19-2005, 01:54 AM

Hi, my name is Erica. I am 18 years old now. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 years old. Though doctors wanted to do more testing and such. I've had two sonograms done. One when I was 15 and one when I was 17. Both showed the same cyst to be there. I tried birth control when I was 15 and I found it so horrible. I don't believe in birth control because it's just making things worse and it's not really helping to solve the problem. It's more like a double-edged sword in a way. It can help for a bit, but once you're off the problem comes back. I don't want something that's gonna treat only the symtoms but maybe something safer. When I took the pills I had horrible side affects too. Nausea, dizziness and fainting spells were just a few. I would have heart palpitations too. I just really am against it. So right now I'm looking for some "treatments". I must really say that doctors haven't been helpful as they just prescribe me pills all the time and tell me theres no other alternative.

While looking online I see that there's alternatives like surgery. Also herbal pills, but they're kinda expensive. I couldn't afford it right now. I know theres no cure for PCOS right now but I'm willing to work with treatments that will help and not cause bad side effects or make matters worse.

Btw, my case of PCOS is kinda "rare" in some senses. I'm not overweight at all, which is what doctors tried to play against me and tell me that I don't have PCOS because of this. My main problems would be around my period, really bad acne, some hair problems and severe mood swings with depression. When I was 15 everything started. I had a regular period from 12 years old to about 15. Then all of a sudden it just skipped 7 months. I was okay with my weight, maybe a little underweight but my parents bone structure would be considered small and so is mine. Then it would skip every two months or so. I lost a lot of weight in 2004 and that increased my period for some odd reason. That same year I gained about 20lbs back and it seems as if it got worse. Btw my starting weight was 89lbs I'm 5'1 1/2. I dropped down to a low 78lbs from my depression. After I was hospitalized for almost two months I went back up to 89. Then I gained 99lbs just to be on the safer side. This all happened in 2004.

In 2004 I had some hair problems like oily scalp and then my hair started thinning out a great deal. I'm grateful to have very thick hair still. Though I have a bald spot somewhere and pieces of hair that are uneven. I've had some acne since I was 11. Then when I was 15 I think it just increased more or something. Now it's just like bad especially from scarring. I still get break outs. Doctors have done testing on my thyroid and adrenal glands. Also my insulin levels are pretty okay. They find my "male hormones" on the higher side though. My androgen levels are really high, which is the cause of my acne I believe. The remaining cyst with flucuating hormones is probably the reason for my irregular and heavy periods. This year I skipped already four months straight. I've been having problems with my medical insurance so I am not able to see a specialist right now. When that's fixed I'm really opting for surgery though the doctors just disagree with me. I don't want to try other birth controls either. What do you think? I've done a lot of research on PCOS.

I'm new to this board and I'm just writing all this for "support". I find it comforting to post to people who probably understand my problem. Any comments on my situation, help/support or anything would be appreciated!

KMJ · 10-19-2005, 10:45 AM

Welcome to SC. I am very glad that you have been diagnosed early. My doctors did not put the pieces together until my mid-thirties. I was like you very thin through my teens and early twenties then the weight started. I wish you all the best. You are part of a wonderful site with lots of support.

10-19-2005, 11:11 AM

Welcome thanx for sharing your story...

maritime chick · 10-19-2005, 11:15 AM

Welcome

I am not sure I can awnser your question about alternative meds or treatments as I am still pretty new at this. I was also never a large person as a child or teen - at 25 I have only had problems with weight in the last couple years. I also have acne, some hair loss, deppresion and of course very irregullar periods. I was only diagnosed in the last year but I know I have had it since I was 14 or 15. I know you don't like the BC pill but I was feeling the same as you - the pill made me feel physically bad and I think triggered alot of my deppresion.
My new Dr convinced me to try a new pill - alesse- it is very low dose hormone and I feel great. It may not work for you and I know it is not a cure but it is a relief for the symtoms. I know this is not the cure but for now I feel great, I haven't taken an anti-deppresant in almost a year, my acne is better, I lost the 45 lbs I had put on in a 2 month period last year and my periods are regular.

I hope you can find something that works for you

Jashobeam · 10-19-2005, 12:17 PM

Welcome to SC!

ERICKA77 · 10-19-2005, 12:44 PM

Welcome!!!
Glad you found us!!!
I was put on BC years ago, and will never go on it again. I refuse!!!
Have you thought about Metformin?
I took it for like a year and a half.
I love it. Once I got passed the side effects it made me feel so good. Regualted my periods. Regulated my hormones. Helped with acne and hirituism.
Try doing some research on it.
There are also many herbs you can try. Such as vitex. Check out the Metformin and Alternative Boards.
Hope to see ya around.

mrsteddy · 10-19-2005, 12:48 PM

Rin, I'm not overweight either - my main problems are acne, body hair and a 6 week cycle. When I went in for my scan on my ovaries, they saw me and pretty much told me I didn't have it (I'd got some sun on my skin which cleared it temporarily so I didn't have any obvious signs at the time! And the room was quite dark so they couldn't see my peach fuzz tache!). Well, I had the scan and it showed the usual cystic ovaries.
Have you looked into alternative treatments like agnus castus/vitex or saw palmetto, green tea, flaxseed etc? They've helped a lot of people. There's loads of info about it on here.
Good luck and welcome

Penelope Pitstop · 10-19-2005, 05:48 PM

Welcome
You'll find a lot of help and support here