New to OH and This Group

Hi, My name is Stephanie. I'm new to this whole Oh site and group. I'm not very good on introducing myself lol. I joined this group for info and support..  I'll try to make the story short but its unlikely :).

I started my period when i was about 7-8 years old. It was always heavy and lasting roughly 10 to 15 days with painful cramping it was so heavy and painfull i had to take the week off of school sometimes. When i was 13 i went on the pill (Diane35) to regulate it, i was still in a lot of pain but it went to a moderate 4-5 day one.

Anyway i was on Diane35 till i was about 19.  Because the poor circulation is high in my family history, my one grandpa lost both his legs because of it, they decided to switch me to marvenlon28.. and it was good for a year.  then it went downhill.  in the last three years  i' ve  maybe had 4-6 regular periods, still horrific cramping and pain every month around the time. but no period.  i thought it was all the weight i gained and stress from work. but then the peach fuzz on my face started to darken and get longer, i have mega acne everywhere it looks like chicken pocks..  I wasn't too sure what was happening. I've never been able to loose a lot of weight and so i figured i was doomed.  i went in for my regular yearly pap. and the doc said to me i fit all the symptoms.  i didn't even know what it was before that.  i started to research it more and make more docs apts. they took my blood and did some tests. i don't god back till Jan 29 to find out if i do test positive.

i secretly hope that it is in a way so i can actually find out whats happening to my body and why I've gain over a 100lbs in the last three years. I've always been overweight and I'm only 4 foot 11 inches so short too but 100lbs in 3 years is a lot.  Its affecting my life and my relationship with my boyfriend.  for some reason its also taken my libido, its far far away and I'm only 24!!   i go for my ultrasound tomorrow to get my uterus and bladder checked out for cysts etc.   i think it is gonna be almost impossible to loose over 120lbs  as they say loosing weight is really the only thing that helps lessen some of the symptom's of PCOS.  i' ve tried the whole eating right and exercising for years and have barely been able to loose 40lbs, right now the motivation to do it is gone to since gaining all this weight, I'm an emotional eater so I've turned to all the nice heavenly junk food.  hence why i was hoping for a referral for an RNY to get me on track again and to help me be healthy for once.

So that's my story, I'm sorry if it is long and boring.   i wont know completely until Jan 29 if i do actually have PCOS.    After finding out what it was when i did more research. a couple of my friends came out and told me they were diagnosed with it as well.  My one friend she said she went on the metiforum(i don't think i spelt it right)  but she had to stop because it had bad side effects for her. so i guess she is just living with it.

Thanks for listening.
Stephie

Welcome Stephie!!

Sounds like PCOS to me
the downfall with PCOS, is getting weight off by yourself... we can bust our butts and eat healthy and work out every single day...and maybe shed 2lbs....when someone who doesn't have pcos does the same thing and can loose 5lbs... With PCOS we become insulin resistance!!
There are some medication your doctor can put you on, Meformin,spironolactone

If you have anymore questions or concerns please contact us on the support page!



Please keep us updated on your apt and results! Best wishes!!
Hugs: Teresa




Metformin (Glucophage) is a pharmaceutical drug often prescribed for women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). It is an insulin-sensitizing biguanide commonly used to treat elevated blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes and often employed as an off-label prescription for PCOS. This means that it was originally used only for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes but is now prescribed for PCOS patients because it has similar actions in both groups.

If you have PCOS, you may be insulin resistant. With this condition, the ability of your cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the blood stream into muscle and tissue is greatly diminished. Metformin improves the cell's response to insulin, and helps move glucose into the cell. As a result, your body will not be required to make as much insulin (1).



Spironolactone for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
 

How It Works

Spironolactone is a diuretic, which gets rid of excess salt and water in the body. It also reduces androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Why It Is Used

Spironolactone reduces androgen levels, which reduces male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), hair loss, and acne for women with PCOS.

Spironolactone used alone can cause irregular bleeding and could cause problems if used during pregnancy. For these reasons, it is usually taken along with birth control pills. It is used to control irregular menstrual bleeding and to reduce hirsutism.

How Well It Works

About 70% to 80% of women with PCOS see a reduction in excess hair growth after taking spironolactone. It may take up to 6 months of daily use to be fully effective.¹

Side Effects

Side effects from spironolactone may include:

• Irregular menstrual periods, with higher doses of the medicine.
• Rash.
• Scalp hair loss.
• Nausea or fatigue, with higher doses of the medicine.
• Cramping, diarrhea.
• Drowsiness, lack of energy.
• Headache, confusion.

Side effects go away when you stop using spironolactone.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)



 

INSULIN RESISTANCE IS A ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS

Are you one of the millions of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome who, no matter what they've tried, has failed to better manage or reverse the symptoms of this condition? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, a root cause of PCOS. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University and other research centers have clearly identified the existence and effects of Insulin Resistance, a biochemical condition that can cause excessive weight gain and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

If you are among the 65% of the overweight population with Insulin Resistance, your ability to better manage or reverse your PCOS and lose weight may not have been within your control - until now.

This breakthrough in understanding the body's biochemistry remains relatively unknown, even though Insulin Resistance has reached epidemic proportions. Your doctor may not have explained the crucial link between Insulin Resistance, weight gain and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

You need to understand this link in order to better manage or reverse your condition. The Insulite PCOS System is the first scientifically-designed method that can help you do this by reversing Insulin Resistance.

PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin after it has been produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar (glucose). Insulin Resistance, an underlying cause of PCOS, has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically "wired" to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors, who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods and a diet low in carbohydrates and who sustained greater levels of movement and exercise. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance, while others develop the condition through high stress and unhealthy lifestyles.

Over time, the above factors have damaged the complex ability of the body's cells to properly utilize insulin to convert glucose to energy. This process creates Insulin Resistance

 

Insulin Resistance vastly reduces the insulin sensitivity of cells, which impairs the processing of glucose through the cell wall for conversion to energy. As a result, glucose remains in the blood stream, causing elevated levels of blood sugar, which are sent to the liver. Once there, the sugar is converted into fat and stored via the blood stream throughout the body. This process can lead to weight gain and obesity, key factors in creating PCOS, which is also referred to as Polycystic Ovarian Disease or PCOD.

Insulin Resistance can also cause PCOS is by raising insulin levels in the blood stream. Unhealthy lifestyles and genetic conditions can lead to the pancreas overproducing insulin. This excess insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce large amounts of the male hormone testosterone, which may prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, thus causing infertility. High levels of insulin also increase the conversion of androgens (male hormones) to estrogens (female hormones), upsetting a delicate balance between the two and having a direct effect on weight gain and the formation of cystic follicles or ovarian cysts.

Hi Stephie, My name is Amy. I am also a little new to the group. But not to PCOS, I was diagnosed when I was a preteen. I giggled a lil when reading, because I too am 4'11 I dont know many people that short! I too gained tons of weight, over a year it was just over 100 pounds. 
 I understand your struggles. And hopefully you can get some relief for what is going on! This is turning out to be a good place for support and answers! And non judgemental people!
 

Thanks for the welcome everyone and thanks for the great info..   most of my weight is in the belly area.. i look like i have my dads beer gut lol i too have been asked when I'm due.    but i also have the hips thighs, and booty to go along with it.  being at the 4 foot 11 at pushing 250lbs not good.  my poor little size 4-5 feet cant hold up all my weight lol

The whole hair thing is kinda weird for me at least, it may be normal i don't know..   I'm loosing hair like crazy on my head and then whats weird is I'm growing the whole facial hair i have these black hairs that i have to pluck out, and then on my legs and biniki line there not growing as fast, i used to have to shave them once every other day, now its once a week. and my underarms are growing like my legs used to,  its very weird..  my body just really hates me.

I could of gone undiagnosed for years.. i know for at least the last 3-4 years has been pretty bad, the doc might actually think that i might have IBS as well but she never order any tests or a colonoscopy.   

I'm hoping that i will be able to have kids in the next 3-6 years. I'm in no rush but i would def like kids in the future so i want to get a hold of this now!  I don't really like periods all that much, i don't think anyone does. so when i wasn't having one i was kinda happy although i still had horrible pains.     :) but not having one feels like my women hood is gone, the first year was ok but now it just sucks .  has anyone else lost libido from this?  its basically completely gone. i feel so bad for my boyfriend for it.. he doesn't say anything to me or get mad at me etc but i can tell its affecting him too.    I'm actually excited for my ultrasound tomorrow but not excited to drink the 5 glasses of water 1 hour before the ultrasound and not being able to go pee.  I'm afraid she's is gonna push down and ill pee myself :P

Stephie