Name: Maureen
Age: 32
Family Situation: Living with Chris, who has his own health problems, due to a bike accident last year. No plans for kids. The rest of my family is back home in Scotland
PCOS symptoms: still waiting on a scan for a final diagnosis. I had various blood tests done last week. Three different doctors have confirmed that my syptoms strongly suggest PCOS, though.
Main syptoms at the moment are obesity, darkening of skin, skin tags, facial hair, and tiredness. In my teens, my periods were very irregular and painful, but that was back in the days when it was "just part of being a woman, so deal with it." I've been on the pill since I was 19 - Cilest up until 2 years ago, then onto POP pills. First Microval which played havoc with my weight and skin, and I'm now on Cerazette which has stopped things getting worse, even if they're not getting better. It was the Doctor at the FP clinic I saw about changing from Microval who first suggested PCOS.
Worst thing about PCOS: The fact that no-one, even me, thought of it before, and everyone seemed to assume I'm just fat and lazy. Plus I'm a beauty therapist, and people assumptions about my abilities based on my appearance.
Medication: At the moment, still on Cerazette. My GP mentioned Metaformin, though, if and when my diagnosis is confirmed.
NHS or private: NHS
Action taken: Finally getting up the courage to ask about diagnosis was a big step. I'm currently taking a good look at my eating habits, and trying to change them to keep a more stable blood sugar level. I'm still trying to find out information in general about what I can do!
Name: Theresa
Age: 28
Occupation: Teacher
Family Situation: Live with my husband and 2 cats. No plans for kids since we both have fertility issues.
PCOS symptoms: After having probably about 30 periods from the age of 14 - 25 in total I am now in the situation where they just don't stop. Had constant bleeding for 9 months then a break of 2 months then contant for 6 month then a break of 1 etc. At present I've been bleeding solid for 7 months and I am exhausted. Excess hair EVERYWHERE!! Anaemia (goes without saying really). Weight issues. Infertility. Highly emotional.
Worst thing: Plucking the hair out of my face and neck on a daily basis just so I can face the day.
Medication: None. I will take additional iron when I need it but thats as far as it goes. My Doc did prescibe hormones to stop the bleeding but it was only a temporary fix. I lost 42lbs last year and it lessened my problems but the weight piled back on and so did everything else. I know if I tackle the weight issue then I have a better chance of getting my body to cooperate.
Private or NHS: original diagnosis done private but fertility testing done via NHS
Action: Making the decision to cut the carbs again. It's difficult though as I am a veggie and have been for 10 years but I know from past experience that a low carb diet gives me more energy. Carbs make me want to sleep. If I can get my weight down and the bleeding continues then I will talk to the doc about meds but I need to try and do this without them first. Wish me luck!!!
Family situation: Married to the fantastic and gorgeous Darren since May 2003.
PCOS symptoms/History: I was diagnosed around March 2003
I was diagnosed by accident really. I had been on the pill (dianette) for a couple of years and when i went to get some more of the pill from my doctor my blood pressure had gone really high so he said i would need to take a break from the pill for a while. So i stopped taking it and within weeks i was getting Acne, hairs on my chin and major period pains but no period! So i went back to my doctor and described the symptons. Straight away he said he though i had PCOS and sent me for blood tests and a scan (which i ended up paying for privatly as the N.H.S waiting time was so long)
Anyway PCOS was confirmed.
I went back on Dianette but came off again in Nov 2004 to TTC (although thats on hold at the moment due to other medication I am taking for anxiety)
My symptoms are weight, Acne and facial hair
Medication: None at the moment but want to go Metformin
NHS or Private: On the NHS but if I could afford it I would go private all the way.
Anyway thats about it, I am always happy to hear from fellow cysters so if anyone wants to e-mail or PM me please feel free
__________________ Me 28 DH 31
Married 24th May 2003
DD - Holly born 30th Dec 2005
Dx (PCOS)March 03
1 fur baby (cat) Millie
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Family situation: Married to Alan since June 2004. All my family live back home in Manchester (Mum, Dad and 1 Sister)
Occupation: I work Full-Time as a PA for our large sales department. My company is American owned. We supply Metal Cutting Machines all over the world. We also have offices in Germany, Switzerland and Taiwan.
PCOS symptoms: Excess Hair, Bad Skin, Hair Loss, No Periods, about 6/7 stone Overweight, Multiple cysts on both ovaries
Medication: None at the moment
NHS or Private: Neither at the moment
Action taken against PCOS: Again, nothing much at the moment, have been very naughty !
PM or Email? I'm happy for anyone to PM or email me, my email address is kjones6780@hotmail.com. Would be very happy to hear from anyone, could do with the support, struggling to get started with healthy eating and REALLY need to give up the fags !
Hobbies: Films, Music and Cardmaking
Take Care all
Katherine
__________________
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Family situation: Living with my wonderful fiance, getting married December 2006 & can't wait! No children as yet, however will be thinking about trying after we get married (terrified about not being able to concieve!)
Occupation: Occupational Therapy student
PCOS symptoms: Weight gain, acne, very irregular (at the moment non-existant) periods, not sure about infertility yet! terrible cramps and lots of back pain
Medication: Was taking metformin but had to stop it due to it upsetting my stomach so much, very effective in restarting my periods though!
NHS or Private: NHS and what a waste of time that is! Very un-sympathetic doc who I'm sure thinks that I enjoy living with PCOS
Very happy for people to pm me!
Be strong, do your research and don't let ignorant male doctors dismiss you!
Mel xxx
__________________ Me (29) DH (33) Married 30th December 2006
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Name Alison Age 27 Family situation Single PCOS symptoms Irregular & Heavy Periods spacing anything between 4 months to 10 months without, Weight Gain from around the age of 13, Acne even now in my 20's with regular break outs, slight excess hair problem on my neck and face (which has not bothered me so much), Mood Swings and Depression - Mood Swings being the worse and getting worse because I seem Worst thing about PCOS The Mood Swings & Depression, been hell for about the past 2 years! Medication used NHS or Private NHS - I attended my GP yesterday 05/04/05 for the first time with my concerns after putting it off for years... been before seen another GP who told me I was depressed but never asked any other quesitons, new GP yesterday was really nice. Did the blood tests yesterday and am awaiting 3 weeks for the results... although I am pretty certain it is PCOS as everything fits... Action taken against PCOS I am going to change my diet and overhaul my life... PM or Email? I'm happy for anyone to PM or email me Jumpyjoyrider@aol.com
Sorry just noticed this thread despite it havng been around for ages!
Name: Naomi
Age: 22
Family situation: Living with boyfriend, no kids as yet but would be wonderful if some decided to some along
Occupation: Student til June, then have to find a job!
PCOS symptoms: Weight gain, went for 6+ months with no periods but now they are semi regular, some hair but not too bad, hair loss from my head i think I will look like a middle aged man soon!
Medication: Metformin
NHS or Private: NHS and so far they have been brilliant cant complain one bit!
PM or Email: pm i lurrrve getting them!
__________________ Naomi 24, Chris 28, DD Lola
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Name: Anne
Age: 48
Family: Divorced, 2 sons, 1 gorgeous grandson.
PCOS Symptoms: Where do I start? Painful, heavy, but very irregular periods, central obesity, skin tags, unwanted hair, brown skin patches, insulin resistance, depression, etc. etc. All this complicated by being peri-menopausal and recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Medication: Irbesartan (for hypertension,) Betoptic drops (for glaucoma), self medicating with Chromium polynicotinate, cinnamon, Vitamin B complex and 5-HTP.
NHS or private: Both, my G.P.is a waste of space (in process of changing), the gynae she referred me to even more so. Quotes--"Lose weight and give it a few years until you've finished the menopause and you'll be fine. Take these anti-depressants and come back in 6 months!" Scraped the money together to see an endo privately--he was great. Trying the natural way for 3 months, with IR Diet and natural meds. Then back for a Met prescription if things don't work out. He even said we could consider surgery if things got too bad.
Worst thing about PCOS: the attitude of health care professionals and others who think you're fat, lazy AND stupid! Having been diagnosed at 23 and told it was nothing serious, just meant that I'd have awkward periods!
Best thing about PCOS: Finding this site!
Family situation: Lived with boyfriend Andy (who is wonderful) for 2 years. No children.........but heres hoping!
PCOS symptoms: Not officially been diagnosed yet. Have always had irregular periods. Went onto the pilll at 19 and seemed to solve all my problems. Briefly came off the pill at 23 due to high bp and periods stopped. I asumed the absence of periods were to do with coming off the pill, and did nothing about it. Went back on the pill 8 mths later and periods started again, withiout problem. Stayed on the pill then until May 2004 as we decided to ttc. Only had one period since. Went to dr last week and am awaiting further investigation. Dr says all signs point to pcos. I have excess hair in unwanted places, luckily not to the extent some of you mention. Weight gain (if I am not careful), spots and low sex drive. And awful mood swings.
Worst thing about PCOS: Low sex drive, fertility problems, acne, mood swings.......and a moustache!!
Medication used: None as yet. Willing to try anything though!
Private / NHS: GP has been good so far. Hope that continues. Would consider private.
Action taken against PCOS: I am trying to educate myself at the moment. Although I am still awaiting official diagnosis, it all fits into place. Its a comfort to see so many success stories and to know there is somewhere I can come, to talk to other people in the same boat as me.
PM or Email? Dont mind.......any.
Any other information: I am lucky enough to have support and help from my friends and family. I have always been a positive thinker and that really does help me during the low times. I am glad to have found this site also.
Family Situation: Single and without children. I am lucky to have an extremely supportive family and a great network of supportive friends.
PCOS Symptoms: Irregular and painful periods, excess hair in places where it shouldn't be!, acne and oily skin, fatigue, anxiety and depression. I have cysts on the outside of my body which I have been told are related to ovarian cysts, luckily they are only around the groin area so they are not noticeable. They are bloody painful though!
Worst thing about PCOS: Fatigue, anxiety and depression all seem to come at once and are almost disabling at certain times of the month. Excess hair is time consuming to get rid of (and painful, especially the facial hair!!)
Meds used: Dianette (which did wonders for my acne, it has now completely gone!) and sertraline (anti-depressants). I reguarly use relaxation methods and like aromatherapy techniques too.
NHS/Private?: Both. I first went to my GP with problems when I was 14 years old. I am now 26 and only got my PCOS diagnosis a year and a half ago! I was finally referred to a specialist who I saw privately.
Action Taken: I had a laproscopy which diagnosed PCOS. But then I was told that there is very little you can do. I was prescribed anti-depressants and Dianette. I later found out through my own research that diet can help, so I have taken the necessary steps to eat more healthily.
PM or E-mail: I am happy to be contacted either way.
Any other info: Without ranting I have to say I feel I was totally let down by doctors. I believe that if PCOS was a wider known syndrome then I would not have had to go through 11 years of believing I was cracking up before I got any help. I am really happy to have found this site, just reading other women's experiences and attitudes gives me the boost I need to get on with things.
Family situation: Married to Morgan for just over a year (got married on the beach in Hawaii last March!) but together for 6 years.
Work: I work as an Administrator in the National University of Ireland in Maynooth.
PCOS symptoms: Irregular cycle - Was on Microgynon for 5 years and came off it last year but didn't have a period for 6 months. I went to my GP, got sent for blood tests and scans and was diagnosed last summer. Multiple cysts on both ovaries. Excess hair down below. Brain fog and tiredness
Worst thing about PCOS: Feeling nauseous on the meds, having to watch my diet and the brain fog
Medication: Glucophage 500mg twice a day,ocp.
NHS or Private NHS:This doesn't apply in Ireland. I see a gyne in a private clinic and my GP. Don't find either especially helpful.
Action taken against PCOS: Taking Glucophage for 6 months now, but still running to the toilet every time I eat. Trying to change my diet to wholegrain carbs, lots of fresh veg and fruit and cutting back on chocs and cakes (God I miss danish pastries). However - Lost too much weight doing this and at my second scan I had even more cysts on both ovaries.
Any other information: It's been nearly a year since I was diagnosed and I still can't quite get my head around it. Hoping to try for a baby soon and kind of scared..
Family situation Engaged to Adam, 22, for 3.5 years, been together 4. No children, but we've been trying for 10 months now. We also have a hamster called Caramel
PCOS symptoms Difficulty conceiving, excessive hair, acne all over my chin, shoulders, back and chest, cholesterole problems, depression, hair loss, fatigue, irregular periods, horrible PMS and cramping, obeseity.
Worst thing about PCOS I'm not pregnant
Medication Anti-depressants are the only thing I'm on at the moment, as I'm yet to be diagnoised.
NHS or Private NHS Haven't been here long enough to know the difference.
Action taken against PCOS I've started the IR diet and have so far lost 8kg's (15lbs)
PM or Email either, I'm easy
Any other information I'm an Aussie (but my dad is from Wales, hence the Welsh name), but we're living over here until Jan 2007 for Adam's work.
__________________ Bethwyn ~ 25 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DF Adam ~ 27 DS Bailey (Feb 2007) ~ our Soy & Metformin baby!
DS Lucas (June 2008) ~ another Metformin baby! 3 Angels in Heaven.
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NAME- Andrea
I'm 26, will be 27 in august
FAMILY SITUATION- Newly married to Stuart (only three weeks ago)
Mother to fish, cat, dog and hamster- think I am over compensating with the pets!
SYMPTOMS- don't have periods, bad cramps(especially in right side)
acne, and tend to sweat alot but don't know if that is related.
Got diagnosed 3 years ago by default!
WORST THING- used to think it was the acne and cramps, but know married, thinking it's the ? over fertility
MEDS- started on metformin when first diagnosed but reacted badly to it. Now on Dianette to maintain some sort of normality!
NHS/PRIVATE- NHS
OTHER- Saw endocrinlogist when first diagnosed but she told me to come back when I wanted children as metformin didn't work.
Now moved from london to Kent so not seeing anyone at present.
