This past week I was "diagnosed" with PCOS, which is to say that I was casually told that I have it and that I would be getting some blood work next week. I expressed concern about this condition and was told that since I do not want any more children it is not a big deal. Now I have been going on websites and I am terrified and confused as to why my doc belittled this situation. I have been gaining weight over the last five months and my skin keeps getting worse, which she knows but she didn't mention anything about a special nutrition plan. I also see that this is hereitary and may affect my daughter and that I am high risk for lots of other diseases like diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer. I am only 26 and I feel like my life just ot turned upside down and I didn't even know it till I started reading online. True the fertility issues are not a problem for me other than not having a period, but what else do I need to do? I just came off ten years of the pill and going back on is not an option for me. Anyone out there have this diagnosis who can give me some advice?
A good site to give you support and help is http://www.soulcysters.net/
You will get a list of PCO friendly doctors in different states and their review too
Hi S.,
PCOS runs in my family, but I've been a runner since age 15 in addition to being conscientious about nutrition which has kept me thin and probably will help with all of the other risks.
My aunts and mother have weight problems, but I don't see any of them really making a concentrated effort to balance nutrition and exercise, so I think that although they might have a tendency to pack on the pounds, it probably is largely (no pun intended) due to lifestyle.
I have infertility problems because of it, but found a great doctor and now have an almost-1-year-old.
My cousin started running, but was still losing weight very slowly, so she went to a nutritionist to find out how to eat better. The plan she was given has worked well. I know for me, that I have always just eaten more, but smaller little "snack" meals throughout the day to keep my blood sugar level, and that has worked well with weight. As for skin, I don't know much about that. I went through some acne problems around my chin (painful and huge and embarrassing) in my 20's, but I seriously think it was stress related because it cleared up later in life when I was more comfortable with my career. I don't know if any of this helps, but wanted to give you at least one pretty positive story.
I too have PCOS, I was diagnosed when I was 19. The dr. said the same thing...pretty much don't worry unless you are trying to concieve. I found a different dr after doing online research about the condition. I have now been able to have 2 girls and feel pretty good. Weight is my biggest issue. I have been doing pretty good and have lost 20 lbs after the birth of my last daughter (almost a year ago). There are medications that can help some of the side effects and Yasmin birth control is supposed to be good for us PCOSers. I invite you to check out pcosmommies.com It is a group of moms who all have PCOS. There is also soulcycters.com I would talk to your dr when you get the lab work done and be proactive about doing something for yourself, and not settling because you aren't ttc.
Good luck and hang in there. PCOS is not a death sentance, just something to make you re-evaluate everything you do and eat...so you are making the best choices for you and your health.
J.
(bandemommy on pcosmommies.com)
S. - I have PCOS. My main symptoms include being overweight with great difficulty losing (especially around my middle) and no ovulation/periods.
soulcysters.net does have a wealth of information on it (sometimes a bit of drama on the mommy boards but overall, great info).
There are many things you can do/take to help offset the effects of PCOS. Metformin has helped hundreds of ladies achieve pregnancy but also regular periods and weightloss (unfortunately, it does not work for me!). Diet and exercise are very helpful but some women with PCOS can diet and exercise til they are blue in the face and still gain weight.
I do second the idea of seeing a nutritionalist. A good diet for PCOSers includes a major cutback in refined carbs, smaller meals and almost eating a diabetic type diet.
Definitely look for a dr. well versed in PCOS - they are very hard to find. BUT, at least find one that is open to your suggestions. I joined soulcysters and brought all sorts of options to my OB's attention when I was trying to get pregnant. She was open to my ideas and did some research on her own and now I have a healthy 18 month old daughter!
If you want to chat, feel free to email me at ____@____.com.
I don't know anything about what you have but I do know that stress can also lead to a bunch of other health problems. Don't get all stressed out until you have more information because you don't want to get sick from stressing about things that might never happen.
Please get informed and be proactive about your health. You will do much better. Find a Dr. that is recommended in the field and you will feel much better about your care.
Here are some links I found that may be helpful:
http://women.webmd.com/tc/Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome-PCOS-...
http://www.pcosupport.org/
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm
Best Wishes and keep your chin up,
J.
My sister has PCOS and I have to say that the docs really have not been helpful. I guess you just have to really advocate for yourself! Call ahead when you go in and tell them to schedule extra time because you have questions and then go in armed with the info that you've collected. If you feel like they aren't telling you what you need to know, speak up! We tend to just take what we're told and not question it, but we are paying customers and you have to let them know if you aren't getting all of the answers you need. I hope this helps a little, feel free to e-mail me and I can pass it on to my sister and maybe you can talk via e-mail. Good luck!
Hey Sarah - Sorry to hear you are having trouble and sorry that you are not being given better information! PCOS is being linked to insulin resistance and other risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is actually present in 1 in 3 adults, but most people are unaware. IR occurs over time and because of the "american diet" it is very common and has many other associated risks such as Type II diabetes and CVD. I work with people doing nutrition consultation so if you have questions or want some further advice please feel free to contact me. In order to get your system under control the best option is to make therapeutic lifestyles changes that are condusive to altering your body composition and chemistry - there are specific medical foods and supplements that are targeted at these factors and are at a cellular level to help your body to regulate how it is receiving signals and how it is dealing with glucose.
The docs will probably run your fasting glucose and insulin, your 2 hr. glucouse and insulin (if they don't make them.) and your lipid and triglycerides...I would also ask them to give you copies of these numbers...
There are insulin sensitizing drugs however (I have a whole other caviat on that) it is MORE than possible to do it with healthful living and medical foods and I believe has better long term effects and only positive side effects (like weight loss, skin clearing up, easier menses, more energy, vitality etc etc etc.
sorry for the rant ...let me know if you have further questions ;-)
R.
The same thing happend to a friend of mine when she was 29. She went to a diffrent OB because hers was so casual about it and didn't seem to be taking a very serious condition to seriously. It turns out that the new ob did some testing and listening to her and that it not what she had at all. If I remember correctly she didn't have anything, was just having some hormonal stuff from a pregnancy. I would get a second opinion for sure and if you do have it see some that specilizes in PCOS. Good luck to you! Kaia
