PCOS post RNY

HI I was diagnosed in 2002 with PCOS and then in 2004 with endometriosis. I used to know when I was going to have my cycle, then when i went off Depo they said that is what kicked in the PCOS along with my weight gain. So on July 28th I had the Rou-N-Y proceedure. I have since lost 51 lbs. I have had my period once. Has anyone else had this problem???? Should I worry? I thought that I would get my cycles back. Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks,
Melanie

 Sorry, I can't really give you any advice, except to know that you are no alone.... I had surgery a couple of days after you on the 3rd of August.  I have lost about 40 pounds, but have not had a cycle at all since surgery.  I asked my dr. and he seemed very suprised, but was not concerned.

I had surgery in Jan and noticed the same thing my cycle had stopped. I was very concerned though because I had recently had a leep procedure done because of mild dysplasyia. My symptoms kept getting worse and worse so I kept stressing to my dr but didn't help at all because he wasn't worried. Have a history of cancer in family and had my tubes tide 6yrs ago. Well even after WLS I still have diabetes, high blood pressure and have only lost 50 pounds since my surgery in Jan. PCOS has really put a halt to everything in my life. My dr was not worried but I was so I basically went to another dr and asked him for his opinion on a hysterectomy. I gave him my family history, my medical history. He did a vaginal and normal ultra sound and found fibroids, an enlarged uterus, and a large cyst on my left ovary. So all his finding s along with my servere pelvic pain and no periods what so ever he agreed that I would greatly benefit from a hysterectomy. So finally I will have a little relief from pain! My surgery is set for Dec 2nd!! I know it may seem very drastic and not for everyone but I feel its the best thing for me. I hope you find some relief from PCOS.................

Thanks for everyone answering. I do have a period off and on. But never know when it's going to happen. But right after surgery I did have one and it was pretty "normal", but I haven't had one since. But I have been cramping and hurting some. I was just curious to see if anyone else had this. So thanks and I just wish the WLS would've solved this. I guess I will see what happens I have an appt with my OBGYN next month.
Melanie

I think the WLS adds to it. Just because your hormones get so out of whack with the weightloss. So it comes hand and hand. I had a period a week before my surgery and then I had another the week after. I think it was just the start of the whackyness. I think it should get better for you once your body starts to stablize itself. Don't get frustrated though just take it one day at a time.

I have been very lucky since my surgery. Prior I would have to take provera about every other month to have  period. Since my surgery Oct 2nd of last year I have had a period on a regular basics every 30 days.

Carla

Hi - I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002 as well, and I have been researching it and talking to doctors about it ever since (and I'm sure most of you have too). I haven't had my RNY surgery yet...not until next year. But, I do have some thoughts for you:

First, the reason why you used to know when you were having your cycle is because you were on birth control (Depo)...this pretty much guarantees a regular cycle (or at least a regular release of certain hormones)...even in women with PCOS, because of how it controls the out-of-control hormones in your body. In fact, my doctor told me that unless you are trying to get pregnant one treatment for PCOS is to put women on birth control (that has hormones) and metformin (along with diet and exercise), because it helps keep the hormones balanced. Are you on any type of birth control now?

Also, it was my understanding that losing weight doesn't always guarantee regular ovulation when you have PCOS. I've been told weight loss could improve my chances at a normal cycle since increased fatty tissue affects hormone levels (thus losing weight would help balance some of the hormones). One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. This makes a vicious circle of out-of-balance hormones. So, I guess with weight loss that just means a few less messed up hormones than if you were to stay overweight and struggle with PCOS.  While it's not usually the case...there are some women out there with PCOS that aren't currently overweight and they still have the same problems with ovulation.

I've also been told when you lose an excessive amount of weight (epsecially if you lose it quickly) you need to give your body time to adjust. You just had your surgery about 3 months ago and have already lost 51 pounds - which is great, but I don't think the hormones have had time to settle down yet, and I don't think you are done losing weight yet...just give yourself some time. It could take a good year.

One more thought...and then I'll be done. The thing with PCOS that many doctors are still unsure about is the "What came first? The Obesity and then the PCOS or the PCOS and then the Obesity?"

Many doctors feel that PCOS is a result of being obese, and if you lose weight your signs and symptoms of PCOS should improve or even disappear. I don't know if that is the case, because, there are women out ther with PCOS that aren't overweight at all.  I'm not a doctor, but it may explain why your doctor has certain expectations of weight loss and improved symptoms.

Wow thanks, I never heard that before. I did have regular cycles before I was on the Depo. I was once I got on the Depo that I didn't have a period, then once I got off it became very irregular. I went to my OBGYN and he did a lot of tests on and that's when they found out I possibly had PCOS then they did a exploratory surgery and found that yes I did have it. Then 2 years later I was still having a lot of prbolems, and they did another surgery and found the endometriosis. 
But thanks for all that info. It makes a lot of sense.

Interesting...I don't know much about Depo...accept that it's a shot every 3 months. Does it work like other birth control (using estrogen and progesterone)? I have heard that after getting off of birth control (all sorts) sometimes your body has to readjust.

Endometriosis can also cause problems with regular menstrual cycles. Taking birth control with those hormones (especially the progesterone) has been shown to help alleviate symptoms (pain) of endometriosis (since there is no real cure).

Are you trying to conceive right now? Do you have any pain with your endometriosis? If you are not trying to conceive, and you want regular periods, and don't want the pain with endometriosis I would talk to your doctor about birth control. I think it could help in more ways than one...

Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic about treating PCOS:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/D S00423/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

And a link (also from Mayo) about treating Endometriosis:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289/DSECT ION=treatments-and-drugs

Good luck to you - I know how frustrating it can be.

I know this is an older post, but I must reply!

Don't use Depo. Just don't. They are starting to find that the Depo is causing a LOT of problems....it is to the point where they aren't offering Depo at a lot of places anymore.

Depo messed up my periods, big time. I was on it from 1997 to 2000, during which time I NEVER got a period. I went off the depo, and it took 1 year and 8 months (Dec 2000 to Aug. 2002) for me to get a period! Guess what? It was within 6 months of that - I was diagnosed with insulin resistance & PCOS. When I started the Depo, that was also when I was no longer able to lose weight. 

Maybe it's all a coincidence.........maybe it's not. I sure think the timing is right on. And all of the things I'm hearing about the Depo shot - I think it will just be a matter of time before it is completely banned. Just my opinion!