Hi everyone,
I just joined the forum. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20s and was told I was functionally sterile. About a year later I had an ectopic pregnacy rupture requiring emergency surgery.

I spent my first 2 years of life off all food and was on a mulsoy diet. I was allergic to milk, wheat, everything.

I still have digestive problems that have been diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. One would think that with constant diarrhea I wouldn't be overweight. But I am and cannot win the battle.

I remain very lethargic which doesn't help with weight loss. By the time I get home from work, I am exhausted. I have been tested for thyroid problems...negative.

I have been on the pill since I was first diagnosed. I quit about a year and a half ago because I started getting horrific headaches on the pill. I moved and have started with a new dr. who has me on alesse (lo dose BCP), but didn't mention anything about meds to help with the loss of weight.

So, does anyone have these digestive problems? Is it part of the PCOS or am I really lucky to have 2 big problems?

As of yet no dr. has offered any assistance with the dark heavy facial hair. Like someone else said, plucking doesn't remove the dark buds just under the skin.

The other problem is the weight is apple shaped not pear s typical women are, therefore clothes are more difficult to find as we are more man shaped then woman!

Overall it really sucks.

Just wanted to know about the digestive issue.
Thanks

Hi clam.....I havent heard about digestive symptoms in pcos'ers.

If your doc hasnt prescribed anything other than bcp's you need to see another doctor. Hop over to the pcos thread, there is alot of info in the stickys and it will give you a better idea as to ask your dr. about.

Ive had pcos since I was 14 (38now) and with diet so far I have been able to control most symptoms. I still pluck everyday and have the hair loss, but everything is managable.

I hope you get the help your looking for

Robin

I agree that you might be better served with a different doctor. I went from doc to doc with my complaints, always getting the "it must be in your head" routine. Finally I went to the doc I have now and she ran the appropriate tests confirming the diagnosis of PCOS. Initially she wabted to put me on birth control pills, but since I have horrible problems with depression on them, I needed to find another option. I emailed an endocrinologist and he told me about some experimental studies using glucophage (metformin) for PCOS. I did some research, printed out a dozen or so research papers, made an appointment with the doc and dropped off the paperwork a week ahead of time. She was thrilled with the information and we agreed to try glucophage. I now have regular periods and do ovulate, so my risk of endometrial cancer has decreased. I will warn you however, when you first start glucophage you will have the runs and absolutely brutal gas. My kids call them "fart pills" to this day. Those effects do go away once your body has acclimated to the drug. My doc says she has since had success using 1500mg of Glucophage per day in establishing ovulation so that women with PCOS can conceive, and has 3 patients who were previously infertile (as you are) who now have babies. There is hope.

brb, I have someone at the door...

OK, I'm back.

The glucophage hasn't done anything to address the weight or the furry factor. The facial hair is the one thing that really bothers me, and I pluck daily, but can never keep up with it. I've had electrolysis, but couldn't afford to keep it up for the 1-1.5 years required. I'm saving my pennies for laser hair removal...expensive and painful, but it is permanent after 3-5 sessions. Hopefully new hairs wouldn't develop.

I wish you the best of luck--let us know how it goes with you.

Hi there,

I don't have any knowledge of PCOS, but I do have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and have managed it successfully for the last 5 years. Crazy as it sounds, a specialist told me to take Fibercon. I take 2 fibercon with or before every meal (6/day) with a large glass of water and it has solved my problem. Fiber is not just a cure for constipation it can also help diarrhea. A friend of mine with IBS prefers to drink Metamucil over taking the Fibercon tablets and found that works for him. I don't know if it'll be a cureall for you, but I'd sure give it a try.

Good Luck!!

Oh, in answer to the original question about the GI symptoms, the only GI problems I've had have been a consequence of the glucophage rather than the PCOS itself.

Weirdo has a point...the extra fibre will absorb fluid as it travels through your digestive tract, and can help with diarrhea. You might want to avoid the socalled high residue foods though--things with small seeds, nuts, corn...foods that can stick in little outpouchings (diverticulae) in the intestines and can cause flare-ups. (Spoken as one who has cared for people with IBS, diverticulitis, and Crohn's disease.)