idreaminsepia

I’m new to the world of Today, but just wanted to introduce myself here. My name is Dinah, I’m 33, married, and have PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Disease. PCOS is an endocrine disorder where instead of ovulating regularly, the eggs are not released properly, causing cysts on the ovaries. This condition is becoming more and more common among women. I’ll be talking about that here as well as other things that strike my mood as worthy to be talked about. As for PCOS, I was diagnosed about three years ago after years of menstrual issues and worrying that I had something seriously wrong with me, such as cancer.

I’m going to be talking about some intimate women’s issues here, so those of you who are uncomfortable, I’m sorry, but I want someone to read this who’s going through this and realize that it’s not in their heads, as a lot of doctors tend to suggest when they don’t understand what’s going on, or try to blame the woman some way, which I will get to in a minute.

When I was about 15, I started having issues with my period, and I actually bled for like a month or so. I didn’t understand what was going on, so I just decided to ride it out (at 15, sometimes your common sense doesn’t kick in), and it seemed to right itself, so I was just relieved it was over and didn’t think anymore about it. Later on, I would get heavy periods, sometimes with cramping, and just wait till they were done. When I was 17 and just graduated high school, I had to get a physical before I could start college. The physician discovered I had an enlarged thyroid and asked me if I knew I had it. I didn’t, so she asked me other questions related to the thyroid, such as feeling differences with temperature, heaviness of periods, and so on. It was also revealed that I had slight anemia, from the heavy periods. At that time, that was the only thing bothering me.

In my 20’s, I had to go to the hospital for the first time with tachycardia after eating Chinese food. My thyroid was tested and it had shown up as normal, along with everything else. My pulse rate still was fast, so the doctor referred me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist couldn’t find anything wrong with my heart after doing tests, so her PA suggested I have my thyroid retested because the blood pressure medications weren’t working anymore, and they kept asking me when my last period was. When I told them it was three months prior, I was constantly asked if I was pregnant, and was even asked by the physician’s assistant if I was “sure I wasn’t pregnant.” Sigh…if I tell you more than three times that I’m sure, why would you keep asking?! I nearly shouted, “I’M A VIRGIN!” 

After having my thyroid retested, it was discovered that I had hyperthyroidism. It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders…or so I thought. At the time, though, it explained why I had such long intervals between periods and why my resting heart rate was up so that I was out of breath sometimes. Here’s where the shallow part comes in: At the endocrinologist’s office, I was given some options on treatment: they could shut it off, remove it, or put me on medication that could possibly make me gain weight, or in a rare instance, make me feel like I had a constant cold. That scared me off from medication because I didn’t want to gain weight or be constantly feeling like crap, so I ended up on no medication at all, and it seemed to straighten itself out. Weird how things work out like that, isn’t it? Only…it wasn’t straightened out. My periods had seemed to have straightened out, or at least I felt like I had some sense of normalcy, this was after I graduated college. The last normal period I remembered having was at 21, and then after that, it was back to square one.

I had visited my endo after a few years (I had some insurance issues and wasn’t able to go back to him right away), and explained my problem. My thyroid was tested, and it was…normal. I still knew that something was wrong, and when the endo asked me when my last period was, I couldn’t tell him. He went on to tell me, in haughty doctor-speak, that most women kept track of their periods (and with other women that I’ve spoken to, I know that’s not always true), and he made me feel terrible because I couldn’t tell him right away. That threw me off from seeing someone else, for quite a while. I just went on until I moved to MI, where my boyfriend, who is now my husband, lived. The other issue I had in addition to menstrual problems was weight. I had gained a little, and I was working out but not losing weight, despite watching what I ate, and doctors were beginning to get on me about it.

Jimmy, my husband, is a diabetic, and when I was describing my issues to him, he suggested his endocrinologist, Dr. Sleman Khoury, whom I mention here because he’s done such a great job and didn’t pass judgment on me. At first I was embarrassed, but he was kind and encouraging, and I felt safe enough to describe my problems. He said that it looked like I might have PCOS, and bloodwork would be done. After all was said and done, I was diagnosed with the syndrome, and was originally proscribed 2000 mgs of Metformin and 10mg of Provera to help with periods. The Metformin made me too sick, so I was able to move to another medicine, Glumetza, which is what I take now.

The symptoms of PCOS are not the same for all women. This is a list of some of them. For more information, visit http://www.4woman.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

Unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdominal area, and weight loss resistance

Skin tags: These are little tags of skin that resemble small moles that appear on the neck, back, or armpits. This is caused by insulin resistance.

Pelvic pain 

Irregular or missing periods

Hirsutism, or additional body hair, especially around the face and chin, like a man. Male pattern thinning of the hair can also be noticed.

There’s also a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, also caused by insulin resistance, which are darkened patches noticeable on the neck, the armpits, elbows, and in women, underneath the breasts. Depending on your skin tone, these can appear as dark brown or black. In one case, I saw a woman with an extreme case of it on her knees. I have this on my elbows and have had it for years, and some people might tell you to scrub, thinking it’s dirt. It’s not. Not only that, but skin fading creams will not work well on these areas. You can discuss treatment of that with your doctor.  

In the case of women trying to conceive, miscarriages or not conceiving at all. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of miscarriages and not conceiving because of not ovulating properly. 

Results of blood work can reveal testosterone levels to be elevated and the blood sugar can be raised as well because of insulin resistance, which means the pancreas secretes extra insulin and the body can’t process it, possibly leading to Type 2 diabetes if untreated. This is why oral diabetes medications are prescribed, such as Metformin, or Glumetza.

Women with PCOS are also at higher risk for heart disease because of hypertension and cholesterol levels being off, and also certain cancers because of non menstruation and hormone imbalances. This is why it’s so important to get yourself checked if you suspect something is wrong. If your doctor tries to convince you it’s all in your head, or tries to brush you off in another way, it’s not you. It’s most likely because they don’t understand what’s going on and don’t want to take the time to find out. Get another doctor if yours won’t listen to you. Remember, ladies, it’s important to have a good relationship with your doctor because you will keep going back if you’re comfortable.

I still have some weight issues, which I am working on. I’m also watching what I eat and try to avoid foods that will spike my blood sugar, such as starches and enriched flour products. I hope to one day be free of my hypertension medications as well. As for periods, the Provera has helped immensely. Usually women with PCOS are placed on birth control pills to help with periods, but if you can’t take birth control, there are other options. If you are diagnosed with PCOS, you and your doctor (I suggest finding an endocrinologist because they’re specialists with hormone disorders) can discuss diet and exercise, since it is vitally important to control blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

I wish you all the best of luck, and remember, if your doctor doesn’t it get, you keep going until you find someone that does, and don’t be intimidated. They work for you, not the other way around. Good health to you all!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS