WLS, PCOS, Other hormone problems

melsreturn · 07-01-2008, 02:45 PM

I have had PCOS, Insulin Resistance since I was a freshman in high school, or at least that's when it started affecting my life. I gained weight, then had wls Oct 2006. I was never told that it would cure my PCOS... but that it could help it. I was wondering what symptoms that other weight loss surgery patients still have, and how you deal with it. it is different than when prior to wls I think....

Where to start: hirsutism - I did get relief from laser hair removal and the first year of my wls. It cut way back even without using spironolactone. Then started growing again. More hair removal txs done, got back on the spironolactone. While its not as bad, I still have the problem and pluck, tweeze most days for about 10 minutes to 15 mins. 30 mins on a bad day.

Mood Swings - Lord during my period does it ever get kinda unpredictable at my house. Just feel like a caged animal sometimes! I get really short and crabby. Then other times, I just cry a lot for a day or two. Sometimes I want to be left alone (not often) while others I ask my boyfriend to come lay down with me (when I have cramps) so he can hold me.

Bloating - oh doesn't this do wonders for a girl who has lost 135 lbs? It makes me feel crazy sometimes... I just keep in mind that soon and hopefully VERY soon it will pass.

PMS / PMDD - While I have not experienced this in a few years, I used to! It was the closest thing to being mentally unhealthy that I have ever experienced. It is awful. I did experience it last month, however, and oh my... "crazy" is just the only word I can use to describe how it made me feel. There are no words to express the frustration.

CRAVINGS VS NO APPETITE - Sometimes I have absolutely no appetite at all. My tummy/abdomen feels so bloated from my period that I can't even eat! Even 3 oz of liquid makes it feel like its going to explode. Then other times, for no reason I start wanting food that I don't normally allow myself to have. Sometimes I give in because I know its my period, other times I do not.

What have you experienced on your wls journey and PCOS?

goddess819 · 07-01-2008, 03:14 PM

Melinda - HI! Long time no see. How've you been aside from hormonal? Unfortunately I've not experienced any of the PMS/PMDD aside from some low back ache, bloating & minor moodiness just before AF. As for my hirsutism mine's gotten a little better but I do still have to shave every other day (plucking just hurts too much and I can't afford laser tx). I see you just got the Mirena IUD. How is that working out for you? I loved mine. I noticed that I still had my typical PMS eventhough AF was absent. Have you had your hormone levels ran lately? With your hirsutism kicking back up it might be worth checking your testosterone levels and of course bringing this all up with either your primary doc (if he/she's PCOS knowledgeable) or your OB/GYN.

Regardless I want to give you congrats on loosing 135lbs! That's more than what some of my cousins-in-law weigh! LOL! Anyway I bet you'd get lots more answers if you posted this also on the Divas thread.

GL!

melsreturn · 07-01-2008, 04:51 PM

This message board is much different than what I am used to... I wasn't sure to post it on the wls diva july thread or not?? Should I ? I wasn't sure if that was Highjacking their exercise thread... I'll toss it on over there though.