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1855970 tn?1325823613

help please?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this post and respond. It's much appreciated.

I started puberty when I was about 10 years old. I had never had a 'regular' menstrual cycle, meaning I didn't always have my period every 28 days. When I had my period, I'd always get severe cramps, to the point where I'd be sick to my stomach and on the verge of vomiting every second for the 5-7 days. When I was about 16 or 17, my periods became less frequent, about 2-4 a year. Now that I'm 23 years old, I've only had my period maybe 2-3 times in the past 5 years. I must add that I am overweight (300lbs, 5'9) and have noticed some facial hair on my chin/upper lip/sideburns.
I have no insurance and I am a very 'private' kind of person.
Recently I've been dealing with anxiety issues. But, I've noticed bloating and discomfort in my upper abdomen and sometimes in my pelvic area. The pressure in my upper abdomen feels like indigestion/bloating, but I've had it for a week straight now.
I am very concerned because when I look up symptoms on google, first thing to pop up is 'ovarian cancer'. This terrified me and is causing more anxiety for myself.
I deal with anxiety on a daily basis (my dad is very sick, family financial problems, work, etc), and thinking about this constantly is really taking a toll.
I do have a doctors appointment on dec. 12th with a clinic doctor. And I plan on bringing this whole thing up to him. I'm just so scared of that 6-letter word (cancer)..... Can anyone PLEASE reassure me? What really are my chances of cancer versus polycystic ovary?
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Yes! That is actually how I knew something was wrong. I had never had regular periods. I mean, I had monthly ones, but the date and length would jump around a lot. Then in December 2008 I didn't have one.. it freaked me out. At first I thought I was pregnant, and suffered into January thinking this as well. I want kids, but that time was not the time for it. I used 3-4 tests before I was convinced that I wasn't pregnant. I finally had some brownish-red spotting in February, and then nothing again. In March I went in and the doctor wanted met o have some blood tests done thinking I had a hormonal imbalance. I had those done, and then after that... I got caught up in life. I basically stopped having periods. While this was great to not worry about them or buy the necessities, in the back of my mind I knew it wasn't healthy. I started gaining a significant amount of weight, and then I noticed the facial hair. That was my breaking point. I couldn't take that. It took me until just June of 2011 to finally get the nerve to Google my symptoms. I was scared that it was going to be cancer, or infertility - two things I can't handle. PCOS was the first result, and I had nearly every single symptom. Then I saw infertility was a result, and if untreated Cancer was a potential. I definitely freaked out, and stressed out. I got into Planned Parenthood for a annual exam, and they referred me to a Sliding Fee Clinic since I didn't have healthcare at the time. Was able to finally get in, in August. They did a bunch of tests on me again, and it was diagnosed as PCOS. Not having periods is definitely not healthy. I asked my doctor about what could happen if I didn't get mine back eventually. She did reassure me that it can take a long time for it to result in Cancer. Facing the the fact that you know something is wrong, and making that appointment is the first step towards doing it. What comes next is the easy part - although frustrating. Finding the right treatment for you. I keep getting told that birth control is the way to go to rid myself of most of the symptoms, and to help bring back my periods. I didn't want to because I'd had past horrible experiences with Ortho Evra, and Yaz. I finally caved and tried another newer one they had. I forget the name now.. and I had just started a new, amazing job. I sunk into a deep depression and anxiety. I refused to go to work one day, and it was not a good thing. I was so emotional, distraught and lost that my fiance told me to stop taking the birth control. The only good thing they had done for me was that I had finally had a period. After 3-4 weeks of that, I stopped, and after a week, I was back to normal and happy. I obtained health insurance through work, and was able to get a PCP who offered to let me try Metformin. It had worked so many wonders for others, I really was hopeful that it'd help me. I had already began my own dieting and exercising and had lost 10 pounds in a month. Took it for two days and found out I was allergic. Made me break out in small white bumps all over my face. Most of the other PCOS medications either have the some ingredients, or are more for trying to conceive, so I was frustrated. I didn't want to go back on birth control, but what else could I do? My doctor is now stressing on the weight. Get the weight down, get your periods back, and that will help correct the hormones, and some of the symptoms. She prescribed me Phentermine. It's a short term weight loss aid to help suppress your appetite which has been helping me control my intake of food a lot better than before. Since August 29th I've lost about 30 pounds. That's with going to the gym, changing my diet, adding a bunch of water, and the medications. I also take Fish Oil with Omega 3 because I hate fish, so I know I don't eat enough of it to get the benefits. I also take a Schiff's Single Day Multi-Vitamin. Which I have found to be a lot better than the One A Day tablets. Though they are much stinkier and gross tasting. All in all, it is helping with the weight. The exercise has also helped with many other things. I feel stronger, more energized, and even though it's TMI, my sex drive is a lot better than what it's been. Even after stopping the birth control I did have a short period in November, which made me super happy. I'm hoping if I get even more weight off, that will be a regular occurrence and hopefully will get me back on track.

I know that everyone is different though. Most PCOSer's also think that a Low-Carb diet is the best thing. And it's recommended by most doctors as well. However, I cannot cut carbs. I've found it to be near to impossible to cut them. Especially with my lifestyle and job, I don't have time to cook these healthy meals, go to the gym, work, and still have a life. I've just found healthier alternatives. Just because this works for me though, doesn't mean it will work for you. Chances are slim that you're allergic to Metformin, so if you are diagnosed, talk to your doctor about it. Especially if your insulin is a benefactor. My insurance didn't cover the medication, and I got it filled at a Walgreens, and it was like $10.00 for a bottle of 60 pills, so a month's worth. Not too bad.

Anyways, if you have anymore questions let me know. I also know of a great PCOS support website that is super helpful and informative. So if you do have it, and want to get involved, just let me know.
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Avatar universal
It sounds like pcos I had that with all the symptoms you have I also had endometeosis sorry for spelling... And that's what caused all my bloating. I have now beat pcos by losing 105 pounds. I really recommend trying your hardest to lose weight I know that's easyer said then done. But its REALLY helped me. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
So what have you found out?
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1855970 tn?1325823613
Thank you so much, I really appreciate you responding. Thank you
Helpful - 0
1855970 tn?1325823613
My biggest concern is the fact that I've let it go for so long (very stupid of me, i know)... I'm so scared that since I've let it go, that it's turned into cancer and spreading. I've had what feels like major indigestion for the past 8 days and occassional pelvic discomfort (kind of like the feeling of when you have a bladder infection). People I work with keep bringing up 'cancer' and it terrifies me.

Do either of you know anyone, or have you yourself gone a long time without a period?

Most recently, I went from Christmas 2008 til August 2011 without a period. I've always had a stressful life (it didnt have to be, I just let stress get to me)... But I spent a week with a friend in Ocean City Maryland (she had her period the entire week) and literally 1 week later, I got my period. How odd is that? Could it really all be from my hormones/stress? I had a great time in Ocean City with zero stress.

And what really is the chance of having cancer versus just PCOS?
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Avatar universal
hello! maybe i can help ease your mind a little bit...
i was diagnosed with PCOS 12 years ago, that anxiety your feeling comes along with it. its a major symptom of PCOS. Before i was diagnosed i suffered with it badly, and same as you looked it up and the first thing to pop up was cancer, freaked me right out.
hair growth, weight gain (especially in the upper abdomen), acne, oily skin, anxiety, no periods, heavy periods, cramps, shaky when hungry... these are all symptoms of PCOS. I have to treat mine as if i am diabetic. the dr. prescribed me "metformin" its a diabetic medication and it really helps, but, i had to change my whole diet. i find if i eat fast food, or any kind of junk food not only does it make me feel sick but my PCOS acts up.I found out i had it when my dr. gave me an ultrasound, looked like tiny cysts all over my ovaries. I dont know, just a guess but, it sounds like you may have it too... dont rely on "google" answers, it will make you crazy, i know it drives me nuts! lol
hope you get some answers soon. best of luck to you :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I definitely think you need to take a breather and try to relax. I know it's hard when you're reading something and realizing you have a lot of the symptoms.But it just makes the anxiety worse, and therefore can make your health worse. I have PCOS. I've had it about 3 years, but was finally diagnosed in August. Since then I've dropped nearly 30 pounds, and can tell you that most of what you're describing, I've experienced, and am still struggling with it. The key is the weight.You've gotta take control and work at it, and get it off. You'll start feeling better. If you're diagnosed - make sure you talk to a doctor about ALL medications that you can try depending on your needs and your feelings towards them. I know the medicine that helps a majority with PCOS, took me two months to get a prescription for, and then I found out I was allergic.

really though, just try anything you can to keep your mind off from it, and to not get overly paranoid. You're only making it worse. From there, there's not much else you can do but wait to see your doctor.
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