[dorko]

Hello Ladies!

I've been reading up on PCOS and I believe I might have it. I'm going to my regular doctor tomorrow to see what she says. I'm so desperate to have some answers. What I'm scared is that they might put me on some medication that would make me gain even more weight. I've been on every diet on this planet and I'd be successful for the first few months then gain it all back plus some.

I'm going to write down why I think I might have PCOS and please let me hear some of your feedbacks! When I was a highschool freshman-sophmore, I was about 130 pounds which I was satisfied with since I carried the weight well--I'm 5'4" 1/2. I've always had problems with my menstrual cycle and I'm quite hairy--which is not the norm in my family..since my mom and grams are practically hairless. I gain most of my weight in the middle. During the last 2 years of highschool, I started gaining weight steadily..it doesnt help that I worked in the food industry..but I was always aware of my weight so I'd be cutting back calories most of the time. What baffles me is that all I have to do is look at a muffin and I'd gain weight! I got my period in the 5th grade and started growing facial hair. I read somewhere that an early period is a symptom. I also had 2 skin tags but one came off when I accidentally shaved over it (EW). Plus, to the ever disappointment of my bf, I have no interest in sex what-so-ever these days

I'm 21 years old now and I've gained 40 pounds after getting off jenny craig and losing 25 pounds! (I'm at 189 pounds now--I want to be atleast 120) I could just cry and I'm definitely depressed. I got off celexa because my insurance was on hold. I also have a nodule on my thyroid. It feels like everything is piling up on me, I don't know what to do half the time--I have no energy so I just feel like letting it go. I finally got my insurance back so I'm going to be making loads of appointments

I'm so sorry for whining but I just needed to vent.

PS. Does my regular physician diagnose PCOS or gyno? I was going to talk to her about some prescription weight loss pills

[irisheyes213]

Hi

Either or may dx you with PcOS. Some people start with their regular dr and some with their gyn so it just depends.

I hope you get some answers. That stinks that you repounded. I hope that you can get your groove back and get the weight off again. We would love to have you jump in on the Weightloss thread.

Good Luck

[witchyonadiet]

Ughhhh - that stinks - I'm sorry you're having trouble. It sounds like you have a number of the symptoms that can indicate PCOS - but they can be indicative of other things as well. Your primary doctor MAY diagnose but they may refer you to a gyno or endocrinologist. They may run tests first before referring you. If you are not happy with your doctors response to your concerns then you need to follow up with a visit to your gyno. In all honesty - many women have a tough time getting a diagnosis because the symptoms can be so numerous and overlap with other illnesses (ie: diabetes type 2, insulin resistance, thyroid etc).

When I was diagnosed I was also diagnosed with Diabetes Type II and IR. For that I was put on Metformin which helps increase your body's sensitivity to insulin and control the glucose in your blood. Once you tackle those it CAN help you lose weight if you eat properly and exercise. They may also put you on an anti androgen like Spironolactone which CAN help with the excess hair growth - although it is not always successful and can take up to a year to start working. You might also be put on birth control to help regulate your periods. It is VERY important that you get treatment if you do in fact have PCOS. Besides the unpleasant symptoms (weight gain, skin tags, irregular cycles, excessive hair, hair loss, acne etc) - it can also cause complications like heart problems and diabetes. It can cause major fertility issues as well.

PCOS is very complex and hard to get a handle on. IF you are diagnosed there is great support on this board and I would HIGHLY recommend SoulCysters - it is a website totally devoted to PCOS with TONS of info and a very active message board.

I hope you get a correct diagnosis and start treating whatever the problem is. Let us know how your appointment goes and hang in there !