Hey girls so I was just diagnosed with PCOS today and I have so many emotions about it... in a way its a relief because now I finally have an answer but at the same time its is frustrating and just ugh idk I feel horrible. I have been TTC for over a year with no luck. I really have no idea about PCOS I just know that I do not have increased sugar levels. Dr is starting me on metformin... Id appreciate advice and stories from you lovely ladies.

What would you like to know? I do better when I'm answering a question.

But yeah, I remember feeling all kinds of emotions when I got the dx. Part relief "See! I KNEW I wasn't crazy!" and part anger "WTF! I didn't ask for this!" and part grief "Does this mean I'll never have a kid?" and just all over the map.

In time, I moved forward, got better educated, started learning to manage this condition and I did have my kid.

So don't lose heart or hope!


A.

This is actually great news! Better to have a Dx than no Dx. And you're doing everything right. I'm sure if your doctor is savvy enough to prescribe Metformin for you, then she/he also gave you the spiel on diet & exercise. Use these boards for support -- it's hard, but diet, exercise, and Met are the best treatment for us. A lot of us find that a South Beach-style way of eating is best, even when insulin resistance isn't involved (I'm in the same boat -- no IR, but on Met, and living a South Beach lifestyle ) because it's a sustainable way of dropping weight and keeping it off. Read up on low-glycemic index if you're not already aware.

As far as TTC, I don't know much about that since I'm not there yet. But there are plenty of successful stories of PCOSers getting pregnant, especially with Metformin as a treatment!! And if that doesn't work, there are other drugs that can help (I'm not the one to ask about those).

I remember when I was first diagnosed (at age 14), and then after years was in denial about it because I wasn't being treated properly, and then being re-diagnosed ten years later...it's not easy. But always keep in mind, this disease is totally manageable, and it could be much worse. I'm not saying I'm happy to have PCOS, but I think I'm making healthier choices because of it, which will pay off in the long run.

Best of luck. This forum is a terrific resource for all of us!! Keep us updated!

Questions would be great.

My general, generic advice would be to read as much as you can about PCOS and start treating it. I didn't know anything when I was diagnosed, I was just told to take BCP and I would be fine. I was never really told that diet and exercise are going to be critical and that it's easier to treat it when you're younger than when you're older.

So, read, read, lose the weight, even if it's hard, make your health a priority, don't let the PCOS get out of hand (insulin resistance, diabetes, etc.).

With us TTC for the past year I guess my first question is when you started tx was it with met or something else? And if it was met how long did it take for your symptoms to improve... I guess assuming you had the typical symptoms of irregular periods, excess facial hair and that kind of thing. Did met help with your weight loss? And how long did it take for you to get pregnant?
Thanks so much girl

When you started tx was it with met or something else?

I was given BCP at 16 for irregular periods. I'm not sure if at the time doc realized it was pcos or not. He mostly spoke to my mom, who didn't really tell me a whole lot other than not to worry, take my pills, and don't tell my father. Weird, huh?

Later in my early 20's I spent a long time trying to get an answer because I felt crazy. Eventually in my later 20's I got the dx when we were trying to get pregnant.

And if it was met how long did it take for your symptoms to improve... I guess assuming you had the typical symptoms of irregular periods, excess facial hair and that kind of thing.

I can't remember details like that. My symptoms appearance will vary -- hair, acne, etc.

Did met help with your weight loss?
No. It stopped me gaining, but no loss.

And how long did it take for you to get pregnant?

A year. Metformin did regulate my cycles to every 60 days. I have been irregular my whole life unless on the pill. I gave it a year on Metformin before thinking about adding Clomid since I read even regular patients take about a year to conceive. The day I went in for the clomid? I was pregnant!

www.tcoyf.com helped a lot to time TTC.

HTH!
A.

Met did not help me (in fact I just wrote a huge blog post about it).

Getting diagnosed with PCOS originally, I felt a lot like you do right now. Keep the focus you have right now though. I lost it and things got out of hand again

For me getting diagnosed was kind of a relief. I had an answer to what was going on with my body, and now I just have to find a way to get past trying to be lazy and make it an excuse or a hindrance.

I fear I won't be so useful for giving advice since I'm still trying to figure all of this out myself, but it would be great to hear your progress and see what's working for you (and for everyone else!).