PCOS & Our Bodies
Name:Daphne
Age: 24
URL: fullycaffinatedvettech
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS?
January 2007 officially
2. What was your reaction when you found out?
I kinda knew that I would get it seeing as my mom had PCOS as well and it can pass down to daughters. I just graduated high school and thought I was invincible! I totally ignored the doctors and the possible side effects of not being pro active. I was in vet nursing school and studying anatomy when my professor literally ‘saved’ my life when she was talking about the effects of disease processes (like high blood pressure and organ malfunction) has on the body and quality of life. I soon realized that this was serious and can get worse if I didn’t change my thinking!
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made?
Well I have always been athletic and a healthy eater never did drugs or drank so I was in the right place to start off on. I stopped drinking soda, eating any sweets, taking my coffee and tea straight up black or herbal and really read the labels on food. I also made sure that I worked out at least an hour a day 4 days a week.
4. What medications were you prescribed?
Metformin, Spironolactone, Amlodipine, Ramipril, Hydrochlorothiazide, Junel birth control, Fiber supplements, Fish oil…I have EXTREMELY high blood pressure (Stage III) so I have the 4 bp meds which change frequently. I do suffer side effects like weakness/fatigue/tiredness, heat sensitivity, loss of appetite etc..
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed?
From my mother who was diagnosed when I was 12. She had a hysterectomy so no longer has PCOS…Im trying to push for one myself.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS?
Yes, I have about 3 other friends from high school who have been recently diagnosed and I had a neighbor who has been living with it for a number of years
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS?
Endocrinology websites/books, other “Cysters” and doctors
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support?
Nope! There are times when I don’t care to shave my pesky beard and I go out and get the “look” so I take it as an opportunity to teach others about the disease. I could care less what people say about me, luckily I have a thick skin so it makes teaching and dealing with it a whole lot easier. My friends, family and coworkers are very supportive of me which helps when I’m not feeling my best.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now?
No periods (which was no skin off my nose!!!), weight gain without any loss, abnormal labs, HIGH blood pressure, oh and that beard!
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN?
Yes along with a Cardiologist who has dealt with PCOS patients in the past
11. What are your interests/hobbies?
Movies, coffee/tea, hanging out with friends and people watching, hiking and mountain biking.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Taking in a film or going to a play
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog?
Ummm, nothing! Your doing a great job with the variety of topics to help us out!!
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS?
Support is KEY. We Cysters need to sick together in good and bad times. A lot of women are upset, confused and scared and might not have the support they need in their lives. It’s a great blog! J Keep it up!!!
Name: Dechan
Age: 19
Url: passion-in-empty-places
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS?
I was never actually diagnosed with it, per se. I just started having all sort of weird symptoms around high school like hirsutism, weight gain, and irregular periods, started searching around and found that it’s highly likely that I do have PCOS.
2. What was your reaction when you found out?
Disappointment, especially upon finding there was no clear cure :/
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made?
I recently purchased the PCOS Nutrition Guide, a very informative guide on the condition and the lifestyle changes for reduction of symptoms. I’ve been exercising 3 times a week for two weeks now and have been watching what I eat a lot more closely. I’ve also been eating a lot more fresh foods.
4. What medications were you prescribed?
I was once on birth control for the hirsutism, which didn’t really help all that much.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed?
See question 1
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS?
Only on the internet L
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS?
My city has a great library system. I got books from there and just read through them. The internet is only a recent resource.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support?
My mother has bought me a few things to try to control the hirsutism, as well as shown sympathy whenever I complain about it XD my friends are sensitive to the issue as well.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now?
Hirsutism, a few hairs and now overgrown sideburns and noticeable chin hairs, weight gain and general fatigue…my periods are regular, but short.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN?
I don’t. I should.
11. What are your interests/hobbies?
I like writing, music, theatre (performing/watching), psychology, and lots of other things. I speak Japanese and plan to study abroad there in the near future.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
I can’t say many are guilty, at least that I know of. I’ll go with really tangy fruits/desserts/food. Anything that’ll make my mouth twist up.
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog?
I like it! It covers a lot of bases of the PCOS diagnosed woman. I’m happy I found it. J
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS?
Sounds good. J
Name: Karissa
Age: 22
Url: AngelicKXKEyes.tumblr.com
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS?
2006, I believe. I was a Sophmore in high school.
2. What was your reaction when you found out?
I had no idea what it meant. I was just trying to figure out why I was overweight and could never lose weight no matter what.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made?
I became vegetarian, and with that change alone I lost 50lbs.
4. What medications were you prescribed?
I took Metformin in all forms and found out I was allergic. I’ve taken Aldactone since I was diagnosed, and I’ve just started Victoza.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed?
No. Never.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS?
No, but my mother meets them all the time. She’s a nurse.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS?
Doctors and the Internet.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support?
I only talk to my mother about it. I’ve only recently told several of my friends. I also bonded with a girl in college because she has Endometriosis. My mother has taken me to all of my doctors appointment and she is my biggest support system.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now?
I had only had a couple of periods before I was diagnosed at age 16. I also had excess hair and was extremely overweight.
Since being diagnosed I have lost about 80lbs. Quite recently I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, so that’s another thing I’m learning to deal with.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN?
I see both at a prestigious hospital. I’m also working on getting in to see a dietician.
11. What are your interests/hobbies?
Art, design, crafting, cross stitching, and music.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Shopping at Michael’s. I’m there 4/7 days a week.
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog?
None that I can think of right now.
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS?
I think this is a great idea. We need to stay strong together, network, and realize that we aren’t alone in this fight against our bodies and this disease.
Name:Mandee
Age: 23
Url: mandeeellen.tumblr.com
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS?
2008? I was a freshman in college.
2. What was your reaction when you found out?
Relieved actually. I’d been in so much pain and so confused when so many doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me that I was just happy that we’d figured it out. I hadn’t gotten my period in 9 months and the last one I’d had had me doubled over in pain.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made?
Taking Birth Control and eating better and exercising.
4. What medications were you prescribed?
Just Birth Control.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed?
A girl I met in college was also diagnosed with it and one day I was complaining about my symptoms with her and she suggested I get checked for it.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS?
Just the girl that suggested I get checked.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS?
The internet.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support?
My friends are supportive. My mother tries to be but she doesn’t understand. She tends to think I use PCOS as an excuse for reasons not to do things.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now?
I hadn’t had my period in 9 months. Extra hair on my face, arms and legs. If and when I got my period it would be too heavy to be normal. I also had awful pain in my stomach.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN?
Yep. OBGYN. That’s where I was diagnosed.
11. What are your interests/hobbies?
Theater, dance, singing, movies, reading, baking……
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Fanfiction!
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog?
It’s perfect. :)
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS?
Awesome!
I want to share my story as I think it’s similar to other peoples and is underrated.
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS? I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was around 14.
2. What was your reaction when you found out? Relief. I was so confused as to why I wasn’t getting regular periods, and when I found out, things started to make sense. I didn’t feel so odd any more. Whilst I now embrace my condition and deal with it, I hold more resentment than I used to!
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made? I have made a multitude of changes. At first I pursued a healthy lifestyle, and then I developed anorexia. I think when you’re given so much conflicting information about how to eat healthily and lose weight with PCOS, more girls than we recognise just give up and stop eating completely. I think there is a strong link between PCOS and anorexia, as I feel my old eating disordered thoughts come round in a monthly cycle. I don’t completely understand how, but knowing it is biological in some form helps a lot. Since then, i’ve gained a lot of weight, lost a lot of weight, and gained a bit back. Now, I feel like i’ve reached a great medium- eating healthily, losing weight slowly, and exercising to control my PCOS.
4. What medications were you prescribed? Birth control. Even though I was quite young, I wanted to know when I was getting my periods, and I wanted to feel like a woman.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed? No!
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS? A couple! It’s generally something I don’t feel the need to talk about, but when it does come up, I find that people generally know someone with it, or someone in the group has it.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS? My doctor was very useful, but I think mostly I have had to learn about myself. Everybodys PCOS affects them in different ways, and so there is no remedy. I think that’s why I have struggled with eating correctly in the past, because I was trying to follow conventional guidelines- when really you need to learn your bodys own routine!
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support? Yes and no. I find it hard knowing that my boyfriend knows that I have something which symptoms are ‘acne, facial hair and weight gain’, but explaining PCOS to the people around me has really really helped. It explains to them why perhaps going on a run is more important to me that sitting around and smoking and drinking- they now understand that I’m not growing up too fast, I just have to think about future consequences more than they do!!
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now? Weight gain, definitely. I have also always had a more ‘male’ personality, which, controversially, I put down to my PCOS! But this is what my friends love me for- being a little bit more fiesty, sexually orientated and having a bit more fight in me! I also suffer from the conventional PCOS symptoms.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN? INope! Saw a gyno for a while aftet being diagnosed, and now just the doc for regular check ups.
11. What are your interests/hobbies? Running! I have decided to run a half marathon in a few months in aid of PCOS sufferers and to prove to everybody what we’re capable of.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures? Cheeky G&T, chocolate cake and the occasional cig!
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog? I think you’re doing great. Perhaps some pictures of girls with PCOS to show other people how wrong they are with their pre conceptions!!
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS? Great!
Name: You may call me Max
Age: 23
Url: http://JourneyintoPCOS.tumblr.com
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS? I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was seventeen or eighteen, but there was a lot of stuff wrong even before that time.
2. What was your reaction when you found out? When I found out I was a little horrified. I had this irrational thought that my ovaries would need to be taken out. After doing extensive research I learned that this wasn’t the case at all.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made? I haven’t made too many changes. The weight keeps adding on and it’s my fault. But, I felt since this is the prime of my life, I’ll do what I want now, and worry about my health as I get older. A flawed point of view. :P
4. What medications were you prescribed? I wasn’t originally prescribed anything. I cannot take birth control so they were stumped at first. Later I went on Metformin and Spironolactone. However, since Metformin makes me extremely sick, I don’t take it anymore.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed? No, I had not.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS? I have met quite a few other beautiful ladies with PCOS.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS? I mostly did internet research but I find this PCOS blog to be one of the most helpful.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support? My friends show the most support to me. They understand that it’s not easy to eat only salad every day, at practically every meal just to lose or maintain your weight. When you’re young to want to have fun. My family does not show support. My mother always called me fat even when I was the same height now and a 158 pounds, which I am now 224. I’m built thick with a lot of muscle. So I’ve always looked thick.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now? Before being diagnosed it was most weight gain and horribly painful irregular periods. After being diagnosed my symptoms seemed to skyrocket. My period is like playing hide and seek, some years I would even have two a month for a few months and then it would disappear. I have A LOT of hair growth. I have to shave my chin every day. I have uncontrollable weight gain.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN? I have seen an OB/GYN. She wasn’t exactly helpful.
11. What are your interests/hobbies? I love science. I just graduated from a 4-year school with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. I love butterflies and have them all over my room. I like to paint and sing. I’m hoping that someday I’ll enjoy working out too. :P
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures? High sex drive. LOL
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog? Just keep doing what your doing!
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS? It’s a good idea, but hard to do since you have followers from all around the world. I hope it works out!
Name: Kristin
Age: 21
Url: applemere
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS? 2008, I was like 17.
2. What was your reaction when you found out? I was semi relieved because I was having so many problems that my doctors just assumed was because of my weight and I finally had a doctor who could see past it, but at the same time I was pretty bummed.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made? I’ve been starting to eat better then I was before and I started exercising even MORE then I was. Not that it helped.
4. What medications were you prescribed? I was prescribed metformin but then my doctor took me off of it and now I’m on seasonique birth control.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed? Not at all. I assumed that there was something like it, but I had no idea what PCOS was.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS? In person, not. at. all.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS? My doctor helped a lot and I read a TON of things online about it. I also have a book on it.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support? My best friend doesn’t exactly….GET it but she lets me talk about it and she understands why I have bad days sometimes because of it and she’ll ask me questions. My family could care less/don’t believe my doctor/think that if I would’ve just lost weight when they wanted me to, we would’ve avoided it. So no support, really. hah.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now? I’ve had my period since about 5th grade and I’ve always been in SUPER SUPER pain all the time and my cramps were so horrible that I would either sleep for a week or lay in my bed and couldn’t move. I also have outbreaks of severe acne.Then I stopped getting my period for about a year and a half and that’s when I was diagnosed, but it was hard because I don’t have abnormal hair growth so they always ruled it out. My symptoms now have calmed down but I still had irregular periods or periods that would last for months and still a whole lot of pain. I also now have fibroids on top of it. My acne is still pretty bad. So literally not kidding, nothing helps.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN? both.
11. What are your interests/hobbies? I love going to beach, hanging out with my friends, driving around, watching movies, online,….there isn’t much to do in this town for people my age.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures? I love chocolate and I have really bad cravings especially at the end of every month, it sucks :(
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog? more people talking about their experiences I guess?
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS? That would be pretty cool.
Name: Michele
Age: 20
Url: pcoswontwin
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS? My general doctor suspected it when I was 15 but I was diagnosed by an endocronoligist when I was 16.
2. What was your reaction when you found out? I thought I had found like the magical answer and that they would give me magical pills and all my symptoms would go away and I would finally be skinny. Once I came to the realization that this would not be happening, I convinced myself I was misdiagnosed.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made? I’ve really focused on my eating and tried my hardest to make it as good as I can to conquer PCOS. I’m in the process of learning how to make exercise a part of my every day life. Its been seriously tough though.
4. What medications were you prescribed? When I was first diagnosed, I was prescribed Metformin. Then I was prescribed some cholesterol lowering medication and Phentermine. I lost like 15 pounds in a month, but then I passed out from the Phentermine so I stopped taking both of the medications. Then I went through a period where I stopped taking Metformin. I then started taking Junel birth control. Thats all I take right now, just my birth control.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed? Not at all! I have done a lot of research since being diagnosed to better understand what it is.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS? Nope. Its kind of a lonely syndrome.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS? Online research, asking lots of questions at my doctors, books
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support? I’ve always been able to talk to my mom about it because she was the one who was going to doctors appointments with me when I was a minor. I can’t really talk to my family about it because many of them have said its a “fake thing” and I’m just creating an excuse as to why I can’t lose weight. In the past, its been difficult for me to talk about it with friends because I didn’t understand it. But now that I know more about it, I’ve become more vocal about it.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now? I’ve had irregular periods since the very beginning. I had also had excess hair on my stomach and a little on my upper lip. I have always gained weight. My periods are regular now because of my birth control, I don’t know if they would still be regular if I wasn’t on birth control. My excess hair has gotten better but I’m still thinking about laser hair removal for my upper lip. I haven’t gained weight in a year so thats a positive and I’m finally starting to lose weight :)
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN? I currently see an endocrinologist and I saw an OB/GYN before starting birth control to make sure everything was all good.
11. What are your interests/hobbies? I’m a southern country girl at heart! I love line dancing. I love reading a good book. I listen to country music all day long, non stop. I also love the Green Bay Packers. I also love football. My Saturdays and Sundays are occupied with football. I also love reading old political documents.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures? Ice cream. Hands down. Which sucks because I’m lactose intolerant. So I have horrible gas and stomach aches after eating it. Yep sucks.
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog? I love the blog!
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS? I think its great! Its important to have people to talk to, especially when the syndrome can be so isolating.
Name: Steph
Age: 23
Url: itscalledobsession
1. What year were you diagnosed with PCOS? About a month or so ago.
2. What was your reaction when you found out? I thought I would have it because I had read some of the symptoms before I got my test results back (probably a bad idea but oh well). Once I found out, I cried a little bit because this is going to be lifelong battle.
3. Since being diagnosed, what changes have you made? I went to a dietician who really helped give me information on the types of stuff I should be eating as well as portion sizes. I’ve been working really hard to keep up my diet and change my bad eating habits. I also bought a wii and I’ve been playing dancing games every day as exercise and I’ve lost a few kilos so far so it seems to be working!
4. What medications were you prescribed? None. The doctor said that my sugar levels are good and I don’t have insulin resistance and I’m only slightly overweight so Metformin would not be an option for me. I’m also seeing how losing some weight goes before I decide whether I want to go on the pill.
5. Had you heard about PCOS before being diagnosed? Yes. My mother bought me a book called ‘Women’s Stuff’ and as I was going through it, there was a section on PCOS. I read through the symptoms and there was so many that I had that I thought it was probable that I had it.
6. Have you met any other females with PCOS? Not in person but I have a friend on livejournal that has it. We haven’t really talked about it in great detail though.
7. How did you educate yourself about PCOS? Reading through articles online as well as books.
8. Is it difficult to talk about PCOS with family and friends? Do they show support? I’m ok with talking about it with my family and close friends. I haven’t told anyone at my work. Most people seem concerned because they don’t know about it and think it’s more serious than it is but my mother especially is proud of me for being healthy.
9. What were your symptoms before being diagnosed? How are your symptoms now? I’ve had irregular periods since I can remember. They’ve been regular every month but sometimes the delay would be between 28 and 50-something days. I also am somewhat hairy and all my weight goes to my stomach. I’ve only had one period since being diagnosed and it seemed to come on time. I haven’t noticed any other changes yet because it’s only early days.
10. Do you see an Endocrinologist or OB/GYN? No.
11. What are your interests/hobbies? I love playing video games, watching tv and being on blogs (tumblr and livejournal especially). I also like going to gigs from time to time.
12. What is one of your guilty pleasures? I love chocolate and cake so trying not to have them regularly has been hard.
13. Is there anything else that you’d like to see on this blog? I guess more focus on the fact to listen to what you’re doctor is saying and that what people are doing to help with their PCOS doesn’t work for everyone
14. What do you think of the new category for meeting other females with PCOS? Ok I guess. It would be cool to meet other people with PCOS but I’m not that concerned if I don’t.
