[msheat33]

Hi Girls,

How is everyone?? Good I hope, are you all getting ready for Christmas???? I have not even done any shopping yet! Well, I just wanted to say that I HATE having PCOS! We woman who have been diagnosed just seem to be so very misunderstood by our doctors! I have been through 4 sets of MD's and OBGYN's. They all have done nothing for me at all what so ever. I have been saying for at least 6 months that my hair has been falling out and I am so afraid I am going to be bald. They just dont care or do anything for me. I have no treatment plan in place at all. I am just sitting here miserable with my hair falling out! But, the good news is that I took it upon myself to get an appointment with an endocrinologist and see if he could help me. My appointment is Dec 14th so we shall see if I can get help. I wish you all well in your long journey with PCOS. I will be praying for all of us.

Love,
Heather

[ShannonM]

Hi Heather,

Obviously you want to hear this from a doc to be sure, but I can tell you that Metformin/Glucophage did wonders for me. I was very fortunate to have a sympathetic gyn who believed me when I told her I thought I had PCOS. The medicine straightened out my cycles (so much so, in fact, that I was pregnant within two months of starting the meds) and helped me jump-start my weight loss. I started taking it in January 2002 and at the same time, started walking during my lunch break and eating better. Over the next 6-8 weeks, I dropped ten pounds, and then found out I was pregnant. I got off the meds as soon as I found out I was expecting, and I never had to go back on them. Nearly four years later, my cycles are regular again, the excess weight is gone, and my blood sugar tests well within the normal range.

That's just my .02 - I know meds can affect everyone differently, and I'm certainly not qualified to give medical advice. I just wanted to let you know there is hope, so hang in there.

[MistySeptember]

My sister has PCOS. I hear what you are saying! She has been told by doctors in Buffalo, NY that she was LYING, flat out lying about how she was eating and such. She has since moved to NC where there seem to be a good deal more doctors who understand PCOS and the symptoms. She lives not far from the "research triangle" where a great deal of research is being done on PCOS so her doctors have the latest information and research.

She is now working with a group of doctors one who just specializes in weightloss for the severley obese especially woman with PCOS. I don't know a ton about it, but I know she get supplements, follows a strict diet program and gets shots each week. She also takes glucopahge. My point is I think you sort of have to interview doctors until you find one who has a clue about PCOS. Around here in this rural area I was telling my doctor about it. She knew of it but didn't really understand the complexity and newest information. Many don't realize it's has as much to do with or more to do with teh endocrine system as the reproductive.

I just wanted to send you a I don't know what you are going through exactly, but I feel your pain and can't imagine teh furtration that you ladies must go through when you can't get the medical profession to listen.

[JigglyBits]

I understand, its very true. I personally saw improvement with my hairloss when I started taking bcp's, and my hormones are more regulated now.
I started taking Glucophage recently and its really helping with the weight loss. Good luck with your appointment

[isenephthys]

heather, *hugs* hon, i know just how you feel. i was dx'ed w/pcos 2 years ago and my health, appearance and self-esteem have all taken a nose-dive. i'm working on getting my weight under control; exercise and weight loss help to keep those pesky androgens down and thus help to control the hair loss and other symptoms like excess body hair. metformin has been a "wonder drug" for many of us; it can help regulate your cycles and hormones. also, i take aldactone which is an antiandrogen commonly prescribed to pcos'ers to help fight the high androgen levels. there are other treatments available, so the best thing you can do is to educate yourself and really be proactive about getting your health under control. good luck at the endo's. i hope you get some answers and better treatment options.