Girls w/ PCOS - my soul cysters :)

Quick question ~

I am not ttc yet but I expect to be discussing it with DH soon.

Are there any tests or any specific questions I should ask my doctor because of the PCOS???

I am so in the dark with this and I know how educated you girls are so any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.

Thanks

If you feel its tmi for the boards you can always drop me a fm.

Lori - I don't have any answers for you, but I am kinda in the same boat (even though I'm already a Mommy). My PCOS was discovered after I had Paul, so I have ALOT of questions as well - especially when it comes to TTC our #2.

I just wanted to lend you some support and lots of these -->

Claud - you are too sweet I have been doing research online and nothing seems to answer any of my questions I figure the ladies of LIW seem to be an authority on everything so I came here My doc told me to start a multivitamin and to try to lose some of the 10 pounds I've gained since the wedding. EEEEEEEEEK!!!!! From what I've read and seem to understand that if you lose weight and keep in shape it helps a woman w/ PCOS function better and get regular periods. Then again I've always been in fairly good shape and mine are always all over the place so I'm still lost!!!!

Karina - if your doc didn't diagnose you with it I'm sure you're fine. If you want to read up on it you can search PCOS and come up with a wealth of info. I can't give you an exact definition of it b/c it affects each woman differently. I'm sorry I am no help. See you at the GTG - can't wait!!!!

Went searching.:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome or functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, is a complex endocrine disorder associated with a long-term lack of ovulation (anovulation) and an excess of androgens (male hormones, e.g., testosterone).

The disorder is characterized by the formation of eight or more follicular cysts of 10 mm or smaller in the ovaries, a process related to the ovary's failure to release an egg (ovum). PCOS is one of the most frequent causes of infertility.

Symptoms may include various menstrual problems, hirsutism (excessive body or facial hair), endocrine abnormalities, acne, obesity, infertility, diabetes with insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia. Even if specific symptoms are not causing an immediate problem, PCOS can have significant long-term effects, including diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial or breast cancer, so seeking treatment is critical.

PCOS treatment decisions depend on symptoms, age, whether or not the patient wants to become pregnant, and the degree of ovarian, adrenal and androgen excess. First line management includes diet modification, weight loss and stress reduction since obesity and stress can contribute to androgen excess. Other management and treatment approaches are directed at addressing specific symptoms (i.e. acne, excess hair growth, menstrual problems, infertility) and at preventing long-term complications, given that PCOS can begin in adolescence or earlier.

Some PCOS symptoms (acne, menstrual irregularity) may affect body image and self-esteem, and may be of concern, especially in adolescent girls. Education and support are important in helping young women cope with the physical and psychological aspects of PCOS.

Karina - you are too much :) What they fail to mention is that every woman who has it is different.

Example - a girl in my office has it and she has SUPER thin hair, heavy and the most gorgeous skin you've ever seen. Then there is me.....very thick hair, fairly thin w/ the exception of my fat arse and thighs and bad skin. It intrigues me that it affects each woman so differently.

Lori, weight loss helps keep the symptoms at bay, for the most part. Unfortunately for ME, one of my main symptoms IS weight gain, so I'm constantly fighting an uphill battle. Because one of the main indicators of PCO is insulin resistance, most people do best on a low carb/sugar diet. I cut out all white flour and processed sugar and it really helps.

Once you are pregnant, you will most likely have a normal pregnancy. You will be at a higher risk than the norm for GD, but your doctor will probably be right on top of that.

Is your doctor going to have you take Glucophage or anything to regulate you??

Good luck, and if you have any questions, please ask!

Hi Jennrenee!!!

I was waiting for you

One of my battles is my weight - I take it off but put in on so darn fast!!!!! I notice that the symptoms I have aren't as severe when I am thinner but as you know keeping at a weight you are happy with is a real pain in the arse.

I have to go back to only eating carbs once a day and only whole grains. Being a newlywed is just making it a bit hard. I am only now getting together healthy, low carb dinners b/c he could stand to lose a few LOL!!!!

I don't know if she is going to put me on anything yet - the last time I went off the pill I was regular for a good 5/6 months so she seems to think that this could be my best shot. After that I went back to an irregular cycle so we'll see what happens at that point.

I hear that you can get your period w/o actually ovulating so now I'm all sorts of confused - is there a book you can recommend to sort out my millions of questions????? I hate to be a bother.

You're no bother at all. The best resource I have is the soul cysters website, which I'm sure you've seen. The only other way I've gained info was talking to BTDT people. I haven't found a single book I'd recommend. If you find a good one please let me know! PCO is just now beginning to get the attention it deserves, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before some writes a really good book on it.

I'm here for you for questions, vents, or anything you may need.

Thanks Jenn!!! I truly appreciate the offer and will definitely take you up on it when its time!!!!

Hey Lorimari! I'm a soul cyster and also TTC. I've probed my dr. so many times asking a million questions...
the only advice she gave me was 1. relax and try not to stress over getting pregnant. Your body can do a lot more harm than good with that! and 2. Some women with PCOS have a very hard time while others don't. She suggested that we try and after maybe 9-10 months if we still haven't conceived, go in for testing.
But try not to stress out about it and if you have questions, I'm hear for you!!
All my best in trying!! I'm in the same boat as ya!!

Lori, just wanted to send you some big hugs

I am freaked about this as well. When my PCOS was discovered, I was immediately put on BC pills - well, that was over 10 years ago!!! I am deathly afraid of coming off of them - I have no idea what kind of cycle I will 'normally' have, if any.

It's also a tug of war with DH in TTC - he wants to wait until after I have myself re-established in a career, whereas, I want to try sooner, rather than later, as I think there might be some issues.

Karen With DH and I its a struggle also. I want to be able to stay home but DH is self employed and if I don't work we don't have medical so there is a part that wants to wait for him to find something making good money with benefits. The flipside is the stupid PCOS thing and I'd like to start sooner than later just in case - I could be one of those 'fertile' women with it or I could be one that needs medication. Unfortunately there is no way to tell so I can understand what you are going through.

LeeLee: thank you for responding - baby dust to you!!!!!!!!!!

Anna: thanks for the hugs - you're a doll. Give my little man a hug and kiss for me!!!

I am so glad that there are girls on here willing to share their stories and lend some support!!!!! You girls are truly wonderful and I am so thankful for all of you!!!! Helps to have you all to talk to and go to for advice!!!

Hello fellow soul cysters

I would definetly suggest seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist. When I was taken off the pill they put me on Glucophage/Metformin, which has kept my cycles fairly normal. They will do a lot of blood testing just to check everything, and it is important that your DH be tested as well (just to eliminate any problems on that side, just in case). I have heard of a lot of PCOS'ers doing IUI to become pregnant. Unfortunatly, due to other issues we will be doing IVF. Should be starting that within the next week or so (just waiting for AF to show up)

Hi Liz!! Good luck with the IVF my fellow soul cyster!

Sending tons and tons of hugs to you all!!!

Leelee- you are so sweet. Thanks.

I will keep you all posted. I am sure I will be bitc$$ng about the shots.. lol

B!tch away my dear! I'll listen to ya!!!

Leelee - you just put a huge smile on my face

Awwww....Liz!! Keep me posted, ok? I'm concerned about ya!