I just found out i have PCOS.(im only 13)

[ShabootieCrazy]

Hi. I'm only thirteen. I'm very active, but i've always been overweight. All my doctors told me my thyroids looked swollen but the blood didn't show anything. I started getting really dizzy (is that a symptom? i'm not sure.) and then the heart doctor also mentioned something about my thyroids being larger than normal. I finally got an ultrasound on my pelvic area and i thought i'd be fine. Now i'm finding out i have PCOS. i just found out yesterday. I cried for an hour or so. It's just nerve wrecking. I'm now gonna see a nutritionist and what not. I'm so shaken by this. Anything anyone can tell me? I guess i'm still shocked. any stories? things to make me feel better? I need someone to relate to. and tell me it'll be okay.

[heather090702]

IT WILL BE OK.

I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but I am glad that you found out about it early. I think my life would be very different now if I had been diagnosed at 13 instead of 21. I exhibited all the signs but I had a mother who felt my weight was due to overeating and inactivity, although I was dancing, playing softball and basketball among all the other normal teenage activity.

So here I am now. I don't know what the course of action is for someone your age, so I can't offer any advice in that area. You should check out the teens forum on this site. There are other girls there who will be able to tell you more. I think you should definitely try to find a pediatric endocrinologist.

Good luck. If you need anything just ask. The women here are incredible and they know so much! You can also private message me anytime you have a question or just want to chat or vent.

((((HUGS))) to you honey.

[Eva37]

welcome
eva

[chelez613]

Everything will be ok. It is great that you found out at an early age because you are now able to take the right approach in addressing your PCOS. I have had symptoms since I was 14 so my life would also be much different if I had known then what I know now. Hang in there. I know that you will find the support that you need here at SC. Good luck with everything.

[canadian mom]

Hi! It WILL be ok hun. I understand your being upset though. My 15 year old daughter was just dx recently and I was very upset myself. The more I've read and learned about pcos here the calmer I have become. My daughter hasn't started any treatment yet so not sure what to recommend to you in regards to that. There are differents medicines to help with whatever synptoms you might be having. I know for my daughter the Dr's have recommended a low dose birth control pill to help her periods regulate. If you haven't already ask to be seen by a pediatric Endo. They specialize in hormonal disorders. My daughter just saw one last week and it was a big relief just speaking with him. As someone else mentioned go to the teen forum here so you are able to communicate with girls your own age..that way you will realize that your not alone with this. Take care of yourself!

Cathy

[Toodee]

((hugs)) It will be OK, Hon. Welcome to SC -- you've found a great site for support and information. And most importantly, now you know you're not alone. The teen forum is a great suggestion. Also we're all here to listen and lend support any time you need it.

[Allison.]

I do feel dizzy sometimes, I think, for me, it's when I forget to eat or drink enough water. It could be other things, low blood pressure, low blood sugar...ask your doctor.
You will learn so much here. When I was first diagnosed, I spent hours here. I was even able to educate (argue with) a few doctors.
I wasn't diagnosed until the age of 35! I so am happy that you are able to seek treatment early.
I am in the process of getting my niece (12 yrs old) treatment for her PCOS.
You should be treated by an Endocrinologist. They will run the right tests for you. If you have a family history of Diabetes let them know.
Please continue to educate yourself about it. I am glad that your being proactive about this and seeking info. Remember, we are here for you Allison

[SuzanneStar]

Hello and welcome to SC!

[keldriv]

You will be fine.
Im glad that you found out at 13 and not 24. I went my whole teenage years and early twentys knowing something was wrong with me but not getting any answers on what it was. Its a blessing finding out now beleve me. I stuggled with infertillity, overweight, moodiness, irreguler periods, and more. Now they have meds you can take that can help you soo much. So dont think you are a freek. There are so meny women out there that dont even know that they have this untill they go to have childern. Maybe by the time you are my age technology would improve greatly. You can go on and live a productive life. Its not a death sentence, but an unknown blessing.

[keldriv]

Its A Blessing Becouse It Can Be Alot Worse.

[keldriv]

By the way i do feel dizzy alot.

[ShabootieCrazy]

thanks everyone.

really. i didnt think i'd get so many replies so fast, and already theres ten.
i'm going to the doctors on monday, and im getting prepared.

[Kimini]

I just found out myself last Monday that I "may" have PCOS. I spoke to a herbalist as well that specialized in fertility and she's absolutely sure I have it.

I originally went to the doctor for "re-occuring bladder infections." I had it about 2 or 3 times confirmed. The other times I had severe pains.

I did a trans-vaginal and 2 pelvic examinations int he past 3 years.

She did NOT tell me that I have several ovarian cysts. She is the kind of doctor that ignores me and I can't even talk to her. She is too busy moving onto the next person and thinks that at 21 years of age I shouldn't be having sex in a commited relationship. Go figure.

I stopped going to her since if she doesn't call when my tests results are not normal (I had to even see a pediatrician in the same clinic just to get my test results which were not normal and he only gave me a few) then why go to her since I'm "healthy."

So, I asked a friend at work for a good doctor and she sent me to hers at the same clinic (it's huge).

I gave her all of my symptoms, weight gain, can't lose it, morning sickness, vomiting, fevers, chills, bladder problems, pelvic soreness, facial hair, severe bleeding, frequent periods, missing periods, spotting, pain at menstration, pain at ovulation, basically everything but balding. I didn't mention that I've had incurable acne since I was 7 (I've had my period since I was 9) and that it shows up int he same areas every time.

She took one look at my acne after actually listening to me (something my old doctor never did) and asked me what testing I did and why I didn't go for a physical and blood work, which my old quack did not recommend.

I've had this problem for so long. My hormones were bad before ovulation at just age 7 because my mother was on hormone therapy to support my twin brother and myself. I am two months short of 22 and have had this problem my entire life.

At your age I am hoping you will be less likely to have more severe symptoms. I wish you all the luck.

I do know that my friend in high school said she needed the pill whens he was 14 to regular her periods. I see now that this is what she had. Hopefully a therapy such as the pill will go well for you and I hope things go well.

Being 13 with this is not as bad as it seems. The longer you go without a proper diagnosis and treatment, the worse it can become.

All I know for me is that it can't get any worse than what I may already have. I am trying to be possitive and look for solutions now that I have suffered needlessly for so long at the hands of an incompetent doctor. I can't even go on a diet until my testing is in.

I'll see what happens after this wendnesday.

A quick question for the experts here as I am a newbie myself.

If this effects 5%-10%+ of women, why aren't enough knowledgable doctors that don't give diagnosis as "axid reflux" "stress disorder" "your period will regulate" etc. Why didn't they tell me I have ovarian cysts? Why can they withold information? Why did I have to suffer so long? Lasly, if it is a 1/10 women issue, why aren't women more informed about their health. I don't remember even hearing about this in gym class and I went to an all-girl's school!

[Kimini]

Also note, I was reading around online and apparently dizziness, lightheadedness, absent-mindedness are also factors. If you have blurry vision but it's 20/20 or better I would say that is common, too. I've had my eyes checked so many times and it's always fine. I also have a sensitivity to florescent lights (like the ones in classrooms and school gyms). I've had dizziness, fainting, etc. This possibly has to do with the hormonal imbalances or insulin problems in PCOS patients.

My mother says this is an estrogen problem. She does a lot of the naturopathic therapies, though she admits she doesn't know much about PCOS.

[happy.tragic.thing]

Hey. My names Melyssa & I'm 16. I just went to see a gynecologist on wednesday (april 19th) & I'm told that I most likely have PCOS...which would make alot of sense. Already I'm taking Yasmin & I just had bloodwork done yesterday (leaving both the insides of my elbows bruised blue & purple). I know I'm no expert on PCOS, but if you would like to talk to me sometimes that would be good. I've been reading up on PCOS for about a year now thinking it may be the reason for all my problems. I was always too scared & embarrassed to ever tell anyone of my problems. Not to mention I always kinda assumed that it was common to have problems with your period when you're a big person. Now I see how naive that was. =)

I get dizzy alot, I forget everything, I have skin discolorations, migrains, no period whatsoever...& a few other things. I was also very active till about a year ago. I played soccer, I was on a jump rope team, & I was captain of the JV volleyball team in junior high. I probably still would be active if there were sports at my high school.

Don't worry. PCOS isn't such a terrible thing. You can still be the same person you were before you found out, just now you'll be healthier with the help of your doctor. & if they put you on metaformin you'll lose weight in a jiffy. Don't let this weigh too much on your head. Don't think too hard on it. Or else you'll get depressed & more sad, when it doesn't have to be that way. There are worse things in life.

Feel better. =) Ciao.