Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Hi Liz ~

I will definitely see a RE when it is time - I thank you for all your wonderful info and wish you all the best w/ IVF!!!!

B*tch away - we're always here to listen!!!!

Sending much love and IVF dust to you!!!!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

I also have PCOS. Weight is a little bit of an issue - I need to lose a bit but it's not out of control.

My skin and hair are the real concern.
I had cystic acne as a teenager and it is better now but I still have some scars (depressions), some acne now and once in a while my hair falls out and really thins out. I went through hair loss about 11 years ago and it seems to be happening again.

I was wondering if anyone with PCES found anything that helped them with their skin. I've tried everything and nothing works.
Proactive doesn't help and AHAs help a bit but not completely.

also - does anyone have scars from cystic acne? I have had dermabrasion twice, laser surgery, collagen injections and silicone injections as well as microdermabrasion. Nothing really helps!!!!

Any advice is appreciated.

I'm sure I am going to have problems when i want to conceive in about a year but right now I'm just concentrating on the wedding right now

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Ughhh...sorry that you're having such a hard time clearing your skin up!!
I took the pill and used Proactiv-which helped for me but I tried everything in the book before that and nothing worked. I feel your pain!!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Just an update. The insurance company turned us down for the IVF, they want us to try IUI at least 2X first (even though the doc does not sount optimistic about it), so now just waiting for AF to come again, then will do Clomid and go from there. I will keep you all posted.



I never really had the skin problems too bad, but since I came of BCP it has been getting worse. The doctor gave me antibiotic cream for the really bad ones. With that I just use oil free/frag free for sensitive skin cleanser (AlphaHydroxy) and their face cream as well.

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Ohhh...Liz!! That's sucky!!!! Insurance is such a scam!!!!!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Liz, I am so sorry.....I can't believe it. Sending you hugs!!!!



As far as my skin, the pill seems to help but I too have tried everything under the sun. I have not tried accutane which you may want to look into. Talk to your derm. and see what they say.

I've been having some luck with the Creme De Le Mer cleanser.......its ridiculously expensive but it seems to be helping. I still break out but not too bad. I've had some luck with Kiehl's products also. I feel your pain sweetie

Keep us posted.

Liz - saying prayer for you tonight - I am really pulling for you!!!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Hi Ladies! I am a Soulcyster too that is TTC! My battle with PCOS is on going! My toughest areas are hair growth and weight gain. I am currently on 2000 mg of Met/Gluc and I have regular ovulatory cycles. YEAH! I am not insulin resistant. I am working with an RE and going through some testing! I feel like a stuck pig! I fight constantly with my insurance company! I HATE them! Every few days I go for blood work and a transvaginal sonogram to check the status of my ovaries! Fun for me! This weekend was big for us because I was ovulating and the RE told us to go for it! I go the RE on Thursday for blood work! Maybe this time I will be able to conceive! My DH is wonderful about the entire thing!

I find dieting really hard for me. Although, I don't think I over eat. I try to cut out all carbs, but it is so difficult! I know I need to loose more weight!

I am glad to see that I am not the only one dealing with these issues! I am not happy that we have to deal with this disease though! I would love to chat with some one about the hair issue! UGH! This I hate more then the weight! I thought about having Lasser removal, but chickened out! It smelled like burning flesh!

Lets Keep in Touch!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Welcome soul-cyster!!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Hi gals...
I'm not TTC, I don't have PCOS, but I wanted to ask -- how were you all diagnosed? Was it simply the doc looking into your irregular cycle?

It seems many of the symptoms (acne, weight gain, hair growth, etc) are also side effects of some BC pills, and some are the same as PMS symptoms.

I bet there are many women walking around with this condition and they don't even know it!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Hey Lori! I was diagnosed when I was 17-I had irregular periods and TONS of pain . I went through a series of 3 sonograms which showed lots of cysts on my ovaries. Another way I was diagnosed was seeing an endocrinologist who did a blood test where he screened for off-hormone levels.
My primary reason for getting looked at was pain and bizarre periods...
I totally agree-there are probably tons of women walking around with this!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

LeeLee - i have a gyno appt in a couple weeks just to get a regular checkup... Makes you think! It just seems like something that can be so easily overlooked!

to the soul cysters!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Two things.

Thanks to you all for your support. I am not too upset about it. We are keeping a positive attitude about the IUI, which is much less invasive, so if it works that would be great (only 1 needle/shot) , instead of so many shots.



I am sure there are tons of women walking around with PCOS who have no idea that is what they have. My sister has it and kept telling me I should be checked and whenever I went to the gyno I mentioned it, finally about the 3rd time, he was like 'ok, fine, I'll put you on the pill for it', no testing at all. I finally mentioned it to my internest, who ordered all the tests to find that I did have it (my left overy at the time was completly covered in cysts). My major problem was that that gyno did not believe in the disease for whatever his reasons are (needless to say I do not to to him anymore, and anytime I hear his name and someone say they go to him I cringe and warn them off) - there is a whole other story about leaving a surgical instrument in one of my sisters, that I won't even get into!!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Lori--
You know my sister is 33 years old and has never even had a checkup?? Scary how some women take chances with themselves....

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

OMG- Leelee - that is so scary. I hate going to the gyno, but you do what you have to. Tell your sister we told her she has to go

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Heehee...she won't listen to me...she's a stubborn girl! It's really scary...My mother would still be alive if she had been proactive and gone to the doctor. She had breast cancer and never had it looked at until it was too late. Scary stuff!!
Anyway...I'm glad you're not taking the insurance denial for IVF too hard. I'm concerned about you!!!
I think 2004 is going to be our year!

Re: Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Hi there! Another soul cyster here! My story...
We were trying to conceive for about 8 months or so, and went to my ob/gyn for some testing/blood work. She said, according to the blood work, I have PCOS and was insulin resistant--and was not ovulating. She sent me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I was put on Metformin for a few months, and then started to ovulate on my own. A few months after that, I was pregnant! I am now 19 weeks along.
I must have had PCOS forever, but was never tested. Since I was a teenager (I am now 35)I have had irregular periods, excessive hair growth, weight gain and inability to lose weight. It explained so many of my symptoms once I was finally diagnosed.
I was so worried I would not be able to conceive. I am so thankful this pregancy is going rather smoothly.
I wish you the best of luck!!