PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support Support for us with any of the following: Insulin Resistance, Syndrome X, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or other endocrine disorders.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 12-07-2008, 04:03 PM   #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
PrincessHoagie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 26

S/C/G: 215/203/160

Height: 5'6"

Question Is this normal?

A few years ago my old gynecologist told me that she suspected I have PCOS because I have all of the symptoms, facial and body hair, 4 periods a year when I'm not on birth control, periods that last for 2 or 3 weeks when I'm not on birth control, difficulty losing weight, the inability to get pregnant (back when I was young and wanted a baby, luckily I didn't get pregnant as I wasn't truly ready!). She told me there was no point in finding out if I really had it as I wasn't trying to conceive. She put me on Ortho Trycylin Sept (the highest dose of birth control!) to help with the periods and that was it.

Then I went to a different gyno the next year and got the same speal. I was told to do the South Beach diet and lose weight and then get tested when I wanted to have a baby. So then I went to ANOTHER gyno. She listened a little better, she at least tested my thyroid levels. But they came back normal, so no further testing was needed. Is there anything I can do? I'm tired of looking in the mirror every day to pluck the black hairs on my chin, cheeks, and lips. I'm doing South Beach, but when I've done it for a month and only lost 5 pounds, I get discouraged and quit. I'm back on it now and have lost about 4 pounds so far. Is there really nothing they can do until I'm ready to have a baby? It's so frustrating!
PrincessHoagie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 09:48 PM   #2  
To fly like Nadia again
 
gymlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 387

S/C/G: 242/ticker/115

Height: 5' 0.5"

Default

I would definitely recommend paying a visit to an endocrinologist as PCOS is not just gynocological, it is hormonal as well. Sometimes if you see an endo they can prescribe certain hormone treatments or put you on metformin which is technically a diabetic drug but is also used in PCOS therapy. What the metformin does is that it lowers the levels of androgens (male hormones) that cause the symptoms of the facial and body hair, irregular periods, etc. And depending on the person it can also help in weight loss. So far all my weight loss you see on my ticker is actually from having been on the metformin and very small tweaks to my diet mainly because if I eat certain foods with the met I can feel awful. Well, I hope what I've said helps and you can get into see an endo. I can speak for myself in that seeing my endo has really improved my quality of life. If there is anything else I can help with let me know! Good luck!!!!! <3
gymlee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 09:54 PM   #3  
Senior Member
 
kelly315's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 2,524

S/C/G: 290/ticker/145

Height: 5'4"

Default

I had the same issue. I went back a year later and insisted that they test me, so they did an ultrasound. If you have decent insurance, this should be covered. The ultrasound goes in through the vagina and looks directly at the ovaries to find the cysts. Also, there's more blood tests they can do besides just checking thyroid levels (I forget what else they check, but I know they checked other things for me).

There are lots of other disorders that can cause facial hair/increased testosterone, so they really can't refuse you if you demand they check.

Good luck!

Last edited by kelly315; 12-07-2008 at 09:55 PM.
kelly315 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 11:34 PM   #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
PrincessHoagie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 26

S/C/G: 215/203/160

Height: 5'6"

Default

I had an MRI done for something unrelated, but it showed cysts on both ovaries. I thought that would be enough to make them want to help me out, but just the same old thing. It's nothing to worry about unless you are trying to get pregnant. I will definitely see if my insurance would cover a trip to the endocrinologist. I have BlueCross BlueShield. I just feel awful, I gained almost 100 pounds in 5 years with no changes to my diet or anything. I just started ballooning up and never stopped. I'm worried about diabetes as well, since all my uncles and my grandfather on my mom's side have type 2. I want to get all of this under control before something bad happens. Being able to conceive in 7 years or so would be a great side effect though!
PrincessHoagie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 11:49 PM   #5  
Ufi
Persistence
 
Ufi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 790

S/C/G: 220/ticker/140

Height: 5-4

Default

My OBGYN did not diagnose me and even told me that Metformin was not used to treat PCOS. I was diagnosed by my family doctor, who is a great doctor.
Ufi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2008, 01:07 AM   #6  
Senior Member
 
Lifeguard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In The Prior
Posts: 1,238

S/C/G: 283/253/190

Height: 5'9"

Default

I would try to get in to see an endocrinologist. It is unfair of them to tell you it is only a concern if you are trying to conceive. Having PCOS puts most of us at higher risk for diabetes & for some, heart disease. This means we need to be actively taking care of our health at all times - not just so we can get pregnant.

Staying on top of our weight is important overall for our health. And 5lbs in a month is good weightloss! It is generally more difficult for those of us with pcos to lose weight but whether it is dropping as fast as you would like or not making the healthy changes is still benefitting your health.
Lifeguard is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 PM.


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.