[mustangbetty]

Hi ladies! I'm new to the forum. I've posted a few times so I thought I'd introduce myself.
My name is Elaine, I'm 29, mom of 2 (7 and 9). I started showing symptoms of PCOS/IR in 1998 after having my second child. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I went to my doc and was told I had stress from having a new baby and a toddler. My weight was 115 (was always thin) but I went up to 165 very quickly! I was given meds for depression and stress/anxiety. In 2000 things had not improved. I was in the middle of a painful divorce and I just kept gaining weight, the acne was horrible and my hair was falling out. Also my period would not stop. I went again to my doc and again he said it was stress related and put me on Prozac for depression. I quit the meds in 2002 and went to an OB/GYN and explained that I knew something was wrong with me and it wasn't stress! He was a wonderful doctor and immediately gave me a SONO. I have a LOT of cysts on my left ovary. I was put on BC pills and it helped a bit, but as a single mom at the time, I just couldn't afford them (no insurance). My fiance now sent me to the doc about 6 months ago and she put me on Metformin. But it makes me sooo sick and can't take it. I am currently taking 1 pill a day even though I'm supposed to take 3 and I'm scheduled to go back next week. I've improved my eating habits since the beginning of the summer and fiance got me a Gazelle (low impact for other health issue) and I've been using it for 3 mths now. I'm down to 144. Being only 5 ft I'm still big. I think the worse thing I'm dealing with is the continuous bleeding and the lack of energy. I know that most PCOSers have the lack of periods but mine won't stop. Day after day, month after month it just continues. I also suffer from insomnia which my OB/Gyn says is from my PCOS. I hope to meet and find friends here in which I can learn to cope with my PCOS and lose weight. Hope to talk to you ladies soon! Sorry for the longness! Elaine

[** Stacye **]

Elaine :: I know you posted this awhile back - and I'm so hoping that you're still around! I'm sorry that you're struggling with the issues of PCOS ... but it seems you're on the right track of getting things under control!

I do have a Q for ya tho ... you said that you're having non-stop bleeds - have you not seen an a gyn about that? My concern is that you could become anemic, if you aren't already - and that could also explain the fatigue you're feeling. I know all too well the effects of a non-stop AF (period) - some of mine was contributed to the fact that I had a thick uterine lining, which resulted in my having to have a D&C. During that same time is when I found out that I was suffering from extreme Iron Deficiency Anemia - I felt HORRIBLE in every way possible! Thank goodness it's a little better now, but not after having to take 975 mgs of Iron a day for 3 mths.
But back to the non-stop bleeds - I really think you should have that checked out - it could be something anything from a thick lining to endometriosis ... So, make an appt girlie No one should have to live like that!

GL & Keep us posted!

[Rizeninme]

Hi Elaine-

I too have PCOS, and when I was on glucophage, I felt horrible. I could barely tolerate 1 pill a day, and my doc was telling me to take three. I suffered for six months, and have recently taken myself off (against the recommendation of my doctor- personal decision- I would never recommend that anyone go against the advice of their doctor without SERIOUS contemplation) and I feel much better! I never had any of the results that other people did- I actually gained weight, I did not get pregnant and I was just miserable to be around. I'm NOT saying to stop the glucophage- you should talk to your doctor first- but just that not everyone has the same result, so don't be discouraged. Talk to your doctor about other options. Even switching brands might help.

As far as the bleeding, definitely get that checked out. I had an ultrasound to try to see why I cannot get pregnant (another problem with PCOS) and they found that the lining of my uterus was too thick, which is caused by the excess hormones with PCOS. I never had any bleeding, just bad cramps. I had a D&C in April. A little scary, but not too bad. The cramps are much better.

I don't know if you are, but you should be seeing an Endocrinologist and a Gynocologist for PCOS, because there are symptoms that need to be addressed by both specialties. But the good news is that SO many women have been helped as this new syndrome is recently getting a lot of attention and tons more research.

This forum is also great- I have been lurking here for awhile