Aa
i was diagnosed today
i was diagnosed today with PCOS. my doctor said there was nothing i could do except take birth control pills and lose a little weight (40pounds over weight).
i went to the doctor because i have had severe lower abdomindal pain and very irregular periods for a while now. when i went to the doctor she said that i have PCOS but that PCOS doesnt cause pain. She didnt say there was anything i could take for it either....
Any one have any advice on this matter?is this an appropriate diagnoses? anyone have any ideas as to why i have these pains?
thanks-
amber
i went to the doctor because i have had severe lower abdomindal pain and very irregular periods for a while now. when i went to the doctor she said that i have PCOS but that PCOS doesnt cause pain. She didnt say there was anything i could take for it either....
Any one have any advice on this matter?is this an appropriate diagnoses? anyone have any ideas as to why i have these pains?
thanks-
amber
hello everyone
I was diagnosed with PCOS almost a year ago. The first time ever heard about it was on the weightloss forum here at medhelp. I was supporting others with weightloss since I had successfully lost 60 pounds :) I got off my birthcontrol- wanted to live a heathier lifestyle and the weight came back plus some!!! So almost a year later and an 80 pound weight gain ( all in my belly) I was so frustrated. I started researching PCOS and found out I probably had it. I saw 4 doctors before I found a doctor who knows about it and treats it. Most infertility doctors know the most about it. I am not trying to get pregnant- I already have 2 great kids- no more thanks!!!
He did ultrasounds- had a few cycts but I had insulin resistance ( not diabetic 2 different things and different test to diagnose) and the weight gain- in the belly area. As soon as he put me on the metformin I lost 20 pounds then 5 more lost and then gained 5 then struggled to get the 5 off. I have been struggling with getting the rest of the weight off. I had to get back on birthcontrol due to the yeast infections and the hormonal problems.
He is the best doctor out there he stays with you as long as you need him. He just put me on phenermine (sp) to help with the weightloss. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week and eat VERY clean 5-6 days a week and still was not able to loose ANY weight. The Phenermine has helped. I have lost about 6 pounds this month :)
The probiotics have helped with the yeast as well as coconut pills ( helps keep good bacteria around and kills the bad and give you energy and helps with cholesterol :))
I have pelvic pain but the depo provera- my doc doesn't like this BC but I do- helps ALOT- I have endometriosis. I was diagnosed with it by surgery after trying a long time to get pregnant with my son.
I hope some of my experience can help others.
PCOS is treatedable just not curable :)
I was diagnosed with PCOS almost a year ago. The first time ever heard about it was on the weightloss forum here at medhelp. I was supporting others with weightloss since I had successfully lost 60 pounds :) I got off my birthcontrol- wanted to live a heathier lifestyle and the weight came back plus some!!! So almost a year later and an 80 pound weight gain ( all in my belly) I was so frustrated. I started researching PCOS and found out I probably had it. I saw 4 doctors before I found a doctor who knows about it and treats it. Most infertility doctors know the most about it. I am not trying to get pregnant- I already have 2 great kids- no more thanks!!!
He did ultrasounds- had a few cycts but I had insulin resistance ( not diabetic 2 different things and different test to diagnose) and the weight gain- in the belly area. As soon as he put me on the metformin I lost 20 pounds then 5 more lost and then gained 5 then struggled to get the 5 off. I have been struggling with getting the rest of the weight off. I had to get back on birthcontrol due to the yeast infections and the hormonal problems.
He is the best doctor out there he stays with you as long as you need him. He just put me on phenermine (sp) to help with the weightloss. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week and eat VERY clean 5-6 days a week and still was not able to loose ANY weight. The Phenermine has helped. I have lost about 6 pounds this month :)
The probiotics have helped with the yeast as well as coconut pills ( helps keep good bacteria around and kills the bad and give you energy and helps with cholesterol :))
I have pelvic pain but the depo provera- my doc doesn't like this BC but I do- helps ALOT- I have endometriosis. I was diagnosed with it by surgery after trying a long time to get pregnant with my son.
I hope some of my experience can help others.
PCOS is treatedable just not curable :)
hummm ... when my doc put me on bc ... Microgynon 30 ... dat gave me alot of discomfort! i felt as if i was always swollen down there n sex was very painful i always got an allergy from the condoms ... it burnt alot so i stopped it after 1 month. (he put me on it to melt my cyst but it didn't help one bit) i never used BC before nor after dat time n i ent want 2 ever use it again! i get my periods regular n it last 4 five days n i only used 2 get pains only the day of or after my periods. Now i get everytime i try 2 have sex so i run from my b/f now. lol.. i wish i can understand y ... (that's where u good folks come in) n i get up ofen during the night 2 pee - 3,4 times is plenty- n it doesn't burn or anything but i feel as if my bladder is under strain or weak or someting. i will like 2 no if i need 2 check 4 diabities or something cuz i'm not sure if dats a common thing wit PCOS. (which i am not even sure if i have)
right on good to know! It seems like I have them under control right now but if it ever happens again I will be sure to try it!
My doctor said the yeast infections has to do with the hormonal changes that come with PCOS. Also i realized that i was getting them before and after my cycle. My yeast infections wasn't the itchy one. Mines was the one burns. OMG! But i take acidophilus now like one a day with my vitamins. its under control now. My doctor told me about it and it really works research and try it!
Thats nuts about the chronic yeast infections. I have been getting them for a long time and I didnt understand why! I didnt realize there was a connection there.
First of all, I'd like to say that just because you have PCOS DOES NOT MEAN that you CAN'T have children! There are treatments out there to help and there's a lot being done with this disease from what I was told by my doctor.
For some, birth control pills stimulate the ovulation and can help. For others, there are drugs like metformin or whatever else there might be. I'm pretty new to this myself. But I know FOR A FACT that you can have children with PCOS. I have tons of friends who have this disease and have children.
It just means that it can be harder to get pregnant.
Second, I've also been having a lot of abdominal pain. And especially lower back pain. I asked my doctor and she said that pcos doesn't CAUSE the pain but it's not uncommon to have abdominal pains because of cysts. My sister (who has a really hard time with cysts bursting all the time) said that when she has little cysts that burst they are just like bad cramps. But when she has big ones that burst, that's when she usually goes to the ER because she loses control of her bodily functions (because the pain is so bad). But she's on birth control which is helping her.
I'd say that if you feel like you're getting nowhere with your doctor (been there)...find a new one. Especially one who is well knowledged about PCOS.
I got all of my test results back today and found out that I'm pre-diabetic. We are starting our first round of clomid (a fertility drug) next week after I finish Provera (making my period start). If we're not pregnant in 3 months then we're adding Metformin to the mix. It's going to be great, I just know it!
Also, I think that keeping a positive attitude can really help. If any of you need to talk, please don't hesitate to email me also!!! I check this quite a bit! lol
For some, birth control pills stimulate the ovulation and can help. For others, there are drugs like metformin or whatever else there might be. I'm pretty new to this myself. But I know FOR A FACT that you can have children with PCOS. I have tons of friends who have this disease and have children.
It just means that it can be harder to get pregnant.
Second, I've also been having a lot of abdominal pain. And especially lower back pain. I asked my doctor and she said that pcos doesn't CAUSE the pain but it's not uncommon to have abdominal pains because of cysts. My sister (who has a really hard time with cysts bursting all the time) said that when she has little cysts that burst they are just like bad cramps. But when she has big ones that burst, that's when she usually goes to the ER because she loses control of her bodily functions (because the pain is so bad). But she's on birth control which is helping her.
I'd say that if you feel like you're getting nowhere with your doctor (been there)...find a new one. Especially one who is well knowledged about PCOS.
I got all of my test results back today and found out that I'm pre-diabetic. We are starting our first round of clomid (a fertility drug) next week after I finish Provera (making my period start). If we're not pregnant in 3 months then we're adding Metformin to the mix. It's going to be great, I just know it!
Also, I think that keeping a positive attitude can really help. If any of you need to talk, please don't hesitate to email me also!!! I check this quite a bit! lol
First things first: I appreciate all of the responses ladies!! very very much!! they were all very helpful!!!
So, when i went to the specialist, they did an ultrasound and she called me the next day with the results and said that i had PCOS but she said that it wasnt something that would cause pain. She said that i also had a little endometreosis but that she couldnt be sure without a surgical procedure being conducted.
Brief history:
I've always had irregular periods...i would go 9 months without having periods...but i just chucked that up to being too stressed
I started to gain weight 4 years ago...10 pounds every year was what i ended up with...however, i've had the severe pains since before i was overweight...ive had the pains since i started my period at 14...when i was 16 my doctor put me on birthcontrol to help out with my acne and migraines as well as my weight....but the pills didnt work for the acne, irregularities nor the migraines and weight issues...
about a year ago i started getting facial hair and coarse hairs on my stomach and lower abdomen like someone above mentioned....i didnt think anything of it though...
my pains started getting worse and worse and pretty soon they were so bad that if i got them while driving, i had to pull over....then in august i had a yeast infection so i went to a doctor who said it was bv...but it wasnt..so my yeast infection got worse and worse then they finally said it was a yeast infection (like i told them in the first place) and gave me 3 diflucan (spelling?)....it was then that the doctor asked me questions about some of the symptoms of PCOS and when i answered yes to them, she wanted me to see a specialist...and she wanted me to get tested for diabetes...(still have to get tested for diabetes)
so i had to wait til i could get insurance (which took 2 months) then i went to the specialist last week where they conducted an ultrasound which proved positive for PCOS and she said that PCOS doesnt cause pain so then i asked her why am i having such severe pains then...she replied with recommending me to a pelvic therapist....
i am not arguing that weight loss and bc pills wont help the issues at hand...but this just isnt adding up...i am just so tired of these pains...they are so intense and they make it so i cannot perform everyday activities when they occur...im just so fed up with it now...
mrspace24 mentioned metformin...im wondering why the specialist didnt say anything about it...
i do want to have children and when she told me that i had pcos she siad it would be very difficult for me to have children...i dont want children any time soon but i wnat to be able to have them when i am ready...
**side note: **
i hate going to the doctor especially when i tell them what my syptoms are and what im feeling, it seems like they always dumb it down....like they dont think its a big deal or something...its so annoying... (this is just a little venting...lol..sorry guys...im actually experiencing a lot of pain right now and this is just an escape for me lol :-) ) does anyone else experience this too? (the doctor thing)
again, i'd like to thank every one for responding to my question and helping me out i really appreciate it :-)
So, when i went to the specialist, they did an ultrasound and she called me the next day with the results and said that i had PCOS but she said that it wasnt something that would cause pain. She said that i also had a little endometreosis but that she couldnt be sure without a surgical procedure being conducted.
Brief history:
I've always had irregular periods...i would go 9 months without having periods...but i just chucked that up to being too stressed
I started to gain weight 4 years ago...10 pounds every year was what i ended up with...however, i've had the severe pains since before i was overweight...ive had the pains since i started my period at 14...when i was 16 my doctor put me on birthcontrol to help out with my acne and migraines as well as my weight....but the pills didnt work for the acne, irregularities nor the migraines and weight issues...
about a year ago i started getting facial hair and coarse hairs on my stomach and lower abdomen like someone above mentioned....i didnt think anything of it though...
my pains started getting worse and worse and pretty soon they were so bad that if i got them while driving, i had to pull over....then in august i had a yeast infection so i went to a doctor who said it was bv...but it wasnt..so my yeast infection got worse and worse then they finally said it was a yeast infection (like i told them in the first place) and gave me 3 diflucan (spelling?)....it was then that the doctor asked me questions about some of the symptoms of PCOS and when i answered yes to them, she wanted me to see a specialist...and she wanted me to get tested for diabetes...(still have to get tested for diabetes)
so i had to wait til i could get insurance (which took 2 months) then i went to the specialist last week where they conducted an ultrasound which proved positive for PCOS and she said that PCOS doesnt cause pain so then i asked her why am i having such severe pains then...she replied with recommending me to a pelvic therapist....
i am not arguing that weight loss and bc pills wont help the issues at hand...but this just isnt adding up...i am just so tired of these pains...they are so intense and they make it so i cannot perform everyday activities when they occur...im just so fed up with it now...
mrspace24 mentioned metformin...im wondering why the specialist didnt say anything about it...
i do want to have children and when she told me that i had pcos she siad it would be very difficult for me to have children...i dont want children any time soon but i wnat to be able to have them when i am ready...
**side note: **
i hate going to the doctor especially when i tell them what my syptoms are and what im feeling, it seems like they always dumb it down....like they dont think its a big deal or something...its so annoying... (this is just a little venting...lol..sorry guys...im actually experiencing a lot of pain right now and this is just an escape for me lol :-) ) does anyone else experience this too? (the doctor thing)
again, i'd like to thank every one for responding to my question and helping me out i really appreciate it :-)
i was recently diagnosed with PCOS but i just had cysts on my ovaries (quite a lot on both) but i have no other symptoms, i was also told that it doesnt cause pain yet the reason i went into hospital because of abdominal pains.
i do need to loose weight tho, im like 1-2 stone over weight,
i also saw on another post that someone was diagnosed with PCOS and was told that they would never be able to have children, i am really scared that i cant get pregnant cause its what i want most in life,
i do need to loose weight tho, im like 1-2 stone over weight,
i also saw on another post that someone was diagnosed with PCOS and was told that they would never be able to have children, i am really scared that i cant get pregnant cause its what i want most in life,
I was just diagnosed with PCOS too! A week ago today actually. I am overweight by about 75lbs now. My doctor didn't pick up on the fact that I had PCOS for almost 3 years. How did your doctor diagnose you? These were my symptoms:
ovarian cysts (don't have to have them to have pcos)
irregular periods (I had one that last for 187 days, and now, my cycles are over 60 days long--meaning no period)
5 unexplained miscarriages in 3 years
trouble getting pregnant now
dark coarse hairs on my stomach and chest
skin tags and dark skin patches on my arm pits
weight gain (75lbs in less than 18 months)
trouble taking the weight off
high blood pressure
And now we're waiting on my insulin resistance test to come back.
There are a lot of things you can do to treat it though. I think that Metformin is one of the more common treatments, along with the birth control pill. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, so obviously we aren't going to take the pill.
As much as it *****, diet and exercise are really helpful from what I hear. I attempted a diet and exercise plan last week (after I got my diagnosis) but it didn't work well. They had put me on Provera to start my period and it's made me really sick. So I can't really keep anything down. And because I keep getting sick, I'm incredibly tired and haven't really done much exercising. I'm terrible I know. I need to just force myself to do it. It's hard though!
As far as the pain goes, I agree with the girls who already posted on here. I have been having pelvic pain for over a year now and the doctor said that it is because of the cysts on my ovaries as well as general trama to my reproductive system (5 miscarriages, emergency d&c, plus pcos now). But with my medication and with weight loss it should get better.
I would do some research (web md helped me a lot) and then write down all the questions you have for your doctor and go talk to her about them! If you aren't happy with the answers you're given, I'd get a second opinion.
I'm here if you ever need to talk!
p.s. i take ibuprofin for the pain. It helps dull it a little at least and it's still pretty mild on my body. Tylenol bothers me after a while. Just an idea
ovarian cysts (don't have to have them to have pcos)
irregular periods (I had one that last for 187 days, and now, my cycles are over 60 days long--meaning no period)
5 unexplained miscarriages in 3 years
trouble getting pregnant now
dark coarse hairs on my stomach and chest
skin tags and dark skin patches on my arm pits
weight gain (75lbs in less than 18 months)
trouble taking the weight off
high blood pressure
And now we're waiting on my insulin resistance test to come back.
There are a lot of things you can do to treat it though. I think that Metformin is one of the more common treatments, along with the birth control pill. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, so obviously we aren't going to take the pill.
As much as it *****, diet and exercise are really helpful from what I hear. I attempted a diet and exercise plan last week (after I got my diagnosis) but it didn't work well. They had put me on Provera to start my period and it's made me really sick. So I can't really keep anything down. And because I keep getting sick, I'm incredibly tired and haven't really done much exercising. I'm terrible I know. I need to just force myself to do it. It's hard though!
As far as the pain goes, I agree with the girls who already posted on here. I have been having pelvic pain for over a year now and the doctor said that it is because of the cysts on my ovaries as well as general trama to my reproductive system (5 miscarriages, emergency d&c, plus pcos now). But with my medication and with weight loss it should get better.
I would do some research (web md helped me a lot) and then write down all the questions you have for your doctor and go talk to her about them! If you aren't happy with the answers you're given, I'd get a second opinion.
I'm here if you ever need to talk!
p.s. i take ibuprofin for the pain. It helps dull it a little at least and it's still pretty mild on my body. Tylenol bothers me after a while. Just an idea
Yes i agree. With weight loss the symptoms lessen.
I have been diagnosed almost 2 years now and it took years for people to realize what I had. I had missed some periods like 3 months in a row. Also the more i missed the more hair i got on my face! I also recieved chronic yeast infections when I missed those periods. Also acne. I also got the lower abdominal pains. Including a 20 pound overweight gain.
Then when i got in birth control pills (Yazmin and Zovia). I found out I was allergic to them. So now my doctor has placed me on a strict low sugar and carb diet. Dealt with dealing with stress (stress can contribute to the loss of periods also). Lost the weight. I now take my vitamins and acidophilus for the resist yeast infections. Since I have stuck to that regiment. I haven't missed a period in over a year! The hair on my face I am working on doing some lazer therapy. The abdominal pains are only hare before and after my periods.
PCOS can be cause by cysts but u don't have to have cyst to have PCOS because is a hormonal problem also.Also its also runs in diabetic families.
So research and ask your doctor questions. If you are not pleased change doctors. I prefer dealing with a doctor who is familiar with PCOS cause in my discovery some are not.
I have been diagnosed almost 2 years now and it took years for people to realize what I had. I had missed some periods like 3 months in a row. Also the more i missed the more hair i got on my face! I also recieved chronic yeast infections when I missed those periods. Also acne. I also got the lower abdominal pains. Including a 20 pound overweight gain.
Then when i got in birth control pills (Yazmin and Zovia). I found out I was allergic to them. So now my doctor has placed me on a strict low sugar and carb diet. Dealt with dealing with stress (stress can contribute to the loss of periods also). Lost the weight. I now take my vitamins and acidophilus for the resist yeast infections. Since I have stuck to that regiment. I haven't missed a period in over a year! The hair on my face I am working on doing some lazer therapy. The abdominal pains are only hare before and after my periods.
PCOS can be cause by cysts but u don't have to have cyst to have PCOS because is a hormonal problem also.Also its also runs in diabetic families.
So research and ask your doctor questions. If you are not pleased change doctors. I prefer dealing with a doctor who is familiar with PCOS cause in my discovery some are not.
How exactly did the make the diagnosis? Do you actually have cysts on your ovaries or do you just have alot of the symptoms? I think doctors will normally say that there is nothing you can do except take birth control and lose weight and they are right those thing will help, but they do not take into account how much diet and lifestyle play a part! I suggest that you see a naturopath doctor (one that has seen or is treating ppl currently with PCOS) and buy a bunch of books on PCOS, particularily diet books. LOSING WEIGHT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE! I notice that when I lose weight my symptoms slow or cease. Then I pack it back on again, and my symptoms get worse..
PCOS can cause pain if you have cysts on your ovaries. I have pain too where my ovaries are, and I found out I had cysts by asking my doctor for an ultrasound. You should ask yours if you havent yet. They cant really say no. There probably isnt much you can take for the pain except maybe pain killers! but once you start managing your symptoms you will notice that you won't have as much pain.. trust me!!
PCOS can cause pain if you have cysts on your ovaries. I have pain too where my ovaries are, and I found out I had cysts by asking my doctor for an ultrasound. You should ask yours if you havent yet. They cant really say no. There probably isnt much you can take for the pain except maybe pain killers! but once you start managing your symptoms you will notice that you won't have as much pain.. trust me!!
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