Anyone living in/from Caribbean?

[SandV]

I posted this on another thread, but thought to post here since I did not get any responses.

I was hoping to find other cysters from the Caribbean or living in the Caribbean. I have lived here 3 years permanently, but on and off over the last 7 years. Although I see many woman with symptoms of PCOS, you rarely hear of anyone that has been dx with it.
I appreciate all responses.

[~meg~]

I'm not there, but I do hope you can find someone in your area soon!

[SandV]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I know from living here, not many woman get treatment for infertility or anovulation. I am not sure how many would have been diagnosed with PCOS.

[corine26]

i am from jamaica but currently live in texas. How are you doing?

[SandV]

Hi Corine. I travelled to Jamaica and spent much time there some years ago for work. I was curious as how many people you may know from Jamaica or any part of the Caribbean that have been dx with PCOS.
How are you doing?

[soulfulqween]

My family is from Barbados. I haven't heard if anyone being diagnosed with it in the islands. My mother and grandmother didn't really get treatment for their issues until moving to the states. My grandmother didn't have trouble getting pregnant but my mother did. My great aunt had fibroids and refused to have surgery and died in her 30's.

I can ask more to see what else I can find out but that is all I know for now.

[SandV]

Qween, I appreciate if you could ask around.
I am trying to make more people aware and it seems that many people could have this but are not being dx.

I know in St Lucia there is a huge push at making everyone Diabetes alert. The rate for Diabetes compared to population is one of the highest in the world.

[soulfulqween]

Most everyone I know in/from Barbados (women especially) are diabetic. They also have extremely painful periods, they could have pcos and not know it

[corine26]

My sister and I have PCOS and Incompetent cervix but I have never heard of it until a few years ago, but i am quite young so I dont know if has been around there for a while. I have a lot of family members there that can't lose the weight no matter what they have tried but they never had any problems getting pregnant only my sister and I that i know of. I am sure alot of people have it but it is kind of hard to diagnose they say so they might not even know they have it

[SandV]

I appreciate your feedback. I want to try to establish an awareness/support group. I know that women here don't really worry about their female health.

[jade_rs]

Hi, I'm from Trinidad...I know many women here who are also battling with this condition but I believe caribbean women are only now becoming more aware of what PCOS is and it's effects.

[SandV]

Thanks for the reply, Jade. I am trying to put together some type of awareness in St Lucia. Could you tell me, do the dr's in Trini talk about PCOS in detail?
I appreciate any details and feedback you could give me about how you or anyone else you know were dx.

Thanks

[jade_rs]

I'd have to say today doctors here are very much aware of what it is and options available for treatment. There have been in a few seminars here recently about PCOS and PCOS awareness and I've read some articles in the newspaper as well.

I was diagnosed a few years ago, I was about 19 at the time but the GYN did not go into much detail at the time except to say I may have some difficulty in getting pregnant and since that was not an issue for me at that age I didn't pay much attention to it.

When I got married 2 years ago and decided I was ready for children she explained the condition and put me on Metformin.

I've heard of a few doctors who are very good at treating women who suffer from this and want to have children.

I too think that is a pcos is poorly understood by many but I hope in the near future we can explore this condition further and educate women on the topic.

[SandV]

I have a meeting with the Director for Bureau of Health Promotions to try and raise awareness here in St Lucia. I appreciate all of your feedback. I want to see more information be provided around the island. You said there was an article in the paper there a few years ago? I will ahve to see if I can find that "neighbors" are doing to help the situation. I am also looking to start a local support group for those women who do have it or might have it.
I hope all goes well with you and your treatments. Please let me know how things are going with you.