[TaraLee]

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 years ago. I was trying to get pregnant with my daughter and the absense of my periods was creating a problem, to say the least.

My OB/GYN, who had been my doctor for several years at this point started going over my medical records. On average I had a period, maybe as many as 3 in a years time during my early teen years after hitting puberity. I was started on birthcontrol to regulate my periods. When my weight was down and I was off the pills (when I concieved my son, now 4) I mensturated on my own. When my weight went up (I was on bedrest with my son) my periods stopped coming. When I tried to lose the pregnancy weight it wouldn't budge. I joined a gym where I started working out 1/2 an hour a day and even moved up to 2 hours, neither one delivering results, despite carefully watching my diet. It was at this point I went to my OB/GYN for my yearly. I told him about the weight loss effort because my husband and I were ready to try for baby #2. I hadn't been on anyform of birthcontrol for nearly 7 months and had only had one period in that time. I had also noticed a couple chin hairs which require plucking on a regular basis which I had never ever had an issue with facial hair before. He looked through my medical records and diagnosed me with PCOS. I started a provera treatment to bring on a period and chlomid to help me ovulate. I got pregnant on the first cycling. I, and my dr, were pretty amazed.

After delivering my daughter I haven't resumed any treatment for the PCOS. To be honest I don't know much about. Can it go away or is it a permant medical condition? Is treatment important?

My weight has climbed to beyond anywhere its ever been before, I am noticing a few extra chin hairs, I have zero energy, I sleep a ton and a few times a day feel I am in a fog, not to mention some sever moodswings. Can these issues be from the PCOS?

I'm thinking it's probably time to see a dr (we moved to WV from CO where the dr who diagnosed me was) and I'm not sure how to approach her about this. Any advice?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by TaraLee

My weight has climbed to beyond anywhere its ever been before, I am noticing a few extra chin hairs, I have zero energy, I sleep a ton and a few times a day feel I am in a fog, not to mention some sever moodswings. Can these issues be from the PCOS?

I think you answered your own question as to whether treatment is really necessary All of those sound like PCOS related symptoms, as well as the history of irregular TOM.

In terms of who to see, initially it was my gyno who diagnosed me (I left my old one who I just felt was missing something but at the time I never would have thought I had PCOS), I then went on to see an endocronologist but am currently being 'treated' by my GP. A GP should be able to get you all the right tests etc to confirm the diagnosis.

After the diagnosis though . . . trust me a year into this and I still have no idea what to "do" . . . if you read some of the stickied posts above there is some info on PCOS and there are also loads of great books if you read the posts here you can see ones that people have recommended to give you some background.

Its the fact that there isnt a specific thing that just "fixes" it all that is the thing that I get frustrated by. I am starting to see that it has to be a change in the way that I lead my life that gets me the best results (healthier weight, regular periods, more energy and more level moods).

My endo put "treatment" down to the following:

- exercise (daily) - this is first on the list
- keeping stress levels down
- changing diet . . . to low GI
- and lastly medication

Good luck & let us know how you go!

[RayLynn88]

Hi! Need for treatment largely depends on your symptoms, I would guess. Personally, my only symptom is lack of periods, which i'm exploring natural remedies for. I was put on birth control pills for awhile, but i HATED taking chemicals. Plus the price was just getting outragous. No insurance.

Your symptoms sound like you would benefit from treatment. Although diet and exercise is, by far, the best solution to women with PCOS. It helps keep our hormones balanced, which makes everything..shall we say..work correctly.

[Madison]

RayLynn what kind of alternative remedies are you using? Apart from fatness I also have the irregular TOM issues as my symptom. I am taking Chinese herbs and having acupuncture which I think has made a real difference in the past few months.

[RayLynn88]

I take cinnamon to help keep my insulin resistance in check and have recently started using natural progesterone cream to bring on menses. I also drink some parsley tea when my cycle is due. Along with helping stimulate menses, it just tastes pretty good, IMHO.

[Msahaller]

The PCOS Protection Plan by Colette Harris and Theresa Chung!! As I posted in another thread earlier this book is a wealth of information. It has been life changing for me.
When I 1st got diagnosed I was put on Metformin and told to diet and excersize with no real explanation or understanding of the syndrome. The authors of the book do an excellent job explaining what PCOS is, what the (several) Health risk factors are and WHY, and how you can change how you feel by what you eat and what you do!