Family situation: living with boyfriend for 4 years now. (He doesn't believe I have PCOS).
PCOS symptoms: overweight (and so much trouble to lose the pounds), hairy chin/neck/upper lip, acne, painful periods, depression
Worst thing about PCOS: the weight issues, and not understanding my body in general (that's the worse, not knowing what is going on inside you) and definitely the hairy chin, I am so fed up with plucking and plucking and plucking.
Medication: none yet, still waiting for diagnosis, but GP wants me to lose more weight before jumping to conclusions. I have been taking saw palmetto and cinnamon for sometime though.
NHS or Private NHS. NHS
Action taken against PCOS: exercise, healthy diet, cinnamon, saw palmetto.
I'm Manzy, 28 and in Devon. I was officially diagnosed with PCOS in 2005, but I think I've had it since around 1991 when I was at secondary school. Initially I thought that maybe what I was experiencing was normal, but when on a BSc in Midwifery I finally believed that everything I was experiencing was not normal in the slightest.
It's been a mixed bag in getting the diagnosis, but finally I am with an endocrinologist who is wonderful and I cannot sing his praises enough!
Family situation Married with two kids (3 and 18 months)
PCOS symptoms pelvic pain, heavy bleeding (right from the start), acne, excess hair on face , neck, chest and lower half, glucose intolerant, painful joints, weight issues, depression...
Worst thing about PCOS the pain
Medication have been on diannette, but it made me worse. going on metformin end of november
NHS or Private unfortunately NHS. i seem to know more about it than my docs
Action taken against PCOS trying to lose weight through exercise and diet. looking for herbal treatments.
PM or Email? if anyone wants to chat, feel free
Any other information
i would love to chat to anyone here. its good to talk to like minded people who understand what your going through. once you get through my initial shy barrier i can be quite nice! lol
You're more than welcome to PM me - same for any of you on this thread
I empathise with your trouble with Dianette. You don't mention what your trouble is, but for me, it gave me the worst ever PMS I have ever experienced. I felt incredibly violent and aggressive and my thoughts were totally irrational. I actually considered taking myself to the local psychiatric unit, I felt that out of control. Needless to say, I stopped using the drug!
Yes, NHS understanding of PCOS can be a lottery. By nature of their work, GPs are not specialist in any one area, and although you may consult a GP that is interested and well versed in gynaecology, it can be a lottery. My GP admits that gynaecology isn't his strongest point for example. Maybe see if your surgery has one that specialises in "Well Woman Clinics"? Depending on what you want, a practice nurse may be a good point of contact.
Having being a student midwife, I know how hard it is to keep up to date with latest research and practice. Even if you're a gynaecologist, that's an awful lot of information to digest! Even if research suggests something to be a good course of action, the doctor still has to take responsibility for commencing it with you. For example, I had to see an endocrinologist for my cyproterone acetate. It may take some shopping around to find the right person for you.
One of the best things I have found is to arm yourself with the information. 1) So you know what they are talking about and if it's complete and utter hogwash, 2) so you can assist them to help you. You may read of a treatment for example that they don't know about and you are helping them to help you and other women. Not all GPs know about metformin for PCOS treatment for example. Thirdly, it is harder for them to take the "I Know Best" line with you, which sadly some healthcare people are apt to do.
Family situation: single, recently came out and trying to date women - gulp! Coping with that is as hard as coping with PCOS ha ha
PCOS symptoms: main ones are hair top to toe, obese and severely depressed (I suspect PMDD).
Worst thing about PCOS: it destroys your confidence and leaves you a miserable wreck. It is exhausting fighting back but you just gotta!
Medication: main ones vaniqa, 100mg spiro and 1000mg metformin, taken off Dianette as blood pressure went through the roof. Other stuff is in siggie.
NHS or Private NHS: NHS - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, London
Action taken against PCOS: constant hair removal, weight watchers, private psychotherapy, pill popping and trying to live a stress free life.
PM or Email? Would welcome comms from anyone anyhow!
Any other information: Anyone know of a London meet? Am loving the support from this site, you ladies are amazing!!! Would love to meet up with a group in the flesh x
__________________ 31yr old British Cyster To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. My best wishes to all sufferers, may you find the inner strength & support you need - you're not alone! PCOS: Dxd Jan'06 but suffering since '86 - severe hirsutism, mild HS, IBS-D, PMS & depression Meds: Spiro & Gluc SR Considering WLS but scared silly To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. want to do it all naturally myself!
Short Term Goal:
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FAMILY SITUATION - I'm at uni in oxford atm, living with my younger sister and two housemates. I lived in warwick until i was 10 and then moved to LA, and moved back to the UK about 2 years ago for uni.
PCOS SYMPTOMS - weight gain, no periods, fatigue, a bit of hair
WORSE THING - weight gain
MEDICATION - metformin for the pcos, omeprazole for acid reflux, and fluoxatine for depression, anxiety, and paranoia
ACTION TAKEN - metformin, starting a low gi diet. i already walk 2-3 miles 5 days a week and have been since before i was diagnosed.
PCOS symptoms Hairiness, overweight, possible depression, pain, had a cyst removed about 3 years ago
Worst thing about PCOS Constant hair plucking, weight issues and lack of confidence
Medication used None!
NHS or Private - Moved back to the UK from the states a few months ago, not yet regsistered with a Doctor but will be NHS
Action taken against PCOS Nothing yet. I do try and eat healthily but have zero willpower and a hectic work schedule makes it difficult. Excuses excuses, I know.
PCOS symptoms pelvic pain, no periods, excess hair on face, chest and lower half, weight issues,
Worst thing about PCOS difficulty in TTC, excess weight
Medication prescribed metformin and clomid
NHS or Private NHS
Action taken against PCOS trying to lose weight through exercise and diet.
PM or Email? Yes to both
Any other information
I am new to PCOS was dx less than a week ago although I suspect I have had it since my early twenty's, I put on so much weight at an alarming rate and nothing I did could help lose it. I havent seen AF since February this year and have been in out of the GP's office trying to get help. Was finally referred to a a gynocologist and here I am.....
Name Heidi Age 20 Family situation Living with my partner of 5 years. TTC#1 PCOS symptoms errr....everything. Weight issues, far too much hair for my liking, recurrent depression, lack of periods, but that seems to be resolving and now they're every month but light and rather pointless. i think thats it Worst thing about PCOS the hair and lack of conception Medication used metformin and a mulitutde of vitamins NHS or Private crappy nhs Action taken against PCOS metformin and vitamins. thinking about trying chinese meds and acupunture, reflexology also. can't be bothered with weight loss. i'm active enough and don't eat that much so, meh PM or Email? go for it!! Any other information i love animals =]
I've had irregular periods (not too badly irregular at 30-50 days apart) since I started them at age of 11, one ultrasound revealed 'enlarged ovary' when I was 14 but doctor said nothing and put it down to teen hormones, then another ultrasound in which ovaries were all normal when I was 16, so doctor just said I was overweight (I was at the time) and can be on pill if I don't like irregular periods...no word about PCOS, until now...8 years later.
Name: Nastja
Age: 24
Family situation: Married to lovely man. Realized how much we wanted children now rather than 'some time later' after pregnancy scare, which turned out to be 92 day long cycle...
PCOS symptoms: Irregular periods (30-50 days apart usually, rare occasions of freaky long cycles), fat so clustered around my tummy it's ridiculous, dry thin hair. Symptoms not too bad outwards, but apparently have 'multiple tiny peripheral follicles/cysts' on both 'bulky' ovaries - so a bit scared now about infertility...
Worst thing about PCOS: If it ever prevents conceiving! Tried only 1 cycle with FAM so it's early days yet. Apple shaped body.
Medication: I'll have an appointment soon to discuss medications (esp re: insulin resistance)
NHS or Private NHS: NHS all the way...it's free! Even if waiting for appointment is 1-2 months long...
Action taken against PCOS: South Beach Diet to fight insulins
PM or Email? Both sounds good..
Any other information: Also slightly hypothyroid, joy...
Well, after periods disappearing around a year ago...and despite a diet of 1200kcals a day, plus three weekly gym sessions a gain of around 9lbs in a few months...my GP finally realised something was wrong!
Name: Lara
Age: 29
Family situation: Just married!!
PCOS symptoms: apple shaped figure, weight gain, irregular and painful periods, fatigue, irritability
Worst thing about PCOS: Thus far...the weight gain, but yet to start trying for babies, so praying it will have been sorted or stabilised by then.
Medication: Metformin as of today
NHS or Private NHS: Private
Action taken against PCOS: Low GI (except chocolate weakness, but I do combine with nuts) Low carb, frequent gym visits
Name: Fátima
Age 30
Family situation: Married for 2 years, no children
PCOS symptoms: Cysts on both sides, horible period pains, hair, acne, severe migraines
Worst thing about PCOS: migraines and hair
Medication used: Different pills: Dianette, Yasmin, Cerazette (do not take this one if you have PCOS) and now Belara
Hello Ladies! 
Would love to meet up with a group in the flesh x
Hallooo!! =] 
