Symtoms for everyone who has PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Message Board

plm10467 · 04-03-2003, 08:54 AM

I would just like to know what symptoms everyone has on the board who have PCOS.

And everyone who is taking treatment how long have you been on treatment and around how much everything was because I am afraid I will not be able to afford everything? And How much does insurance cover?

r_bis · 04-03-2003, 09:27 AM

For last 4yrs i was having slightly irregular periods i.e 2-3 times in a year i used to miss them. This was very unsual for me as i had very regular one.My docs said that was Ok.For last 2yrs i am trying to conceive but in vain.All my blood test ,Lap. etc were perfect.So I was told that missing periods 2-3 in a year is ok.Last week i consulted an RE.He did Trans-vaginal u/s and diagnosed me of very mild PCOS.So after 4 yrs i came to know my problem.At present i am on clomid.My insurance company covers everything including medicines......so dont know about the costs. I didnot have any symptoms except for the above mentioned.My RE told that seeing your charts everything is perfect.So he decided to keep aside my reports and do U/S which revealed the presence of very few minor cysts on the ovary thus falling in the catogory of mild PCOS.
Hope it helps..

Minouche · 04-03-2003, 09:52 AM

I was undiagnosed with PCOS for 1 1/12 year and I had all the symptoms on the book!!

I gained 30 pounds without changing my diet, and even though I exercised a lot I just didn´t lose any weight. I had mood swings, very irregular periods (30-90 days cycles) and when AF finally showed up, it stayed for a month (sometimes). No ovulation. I craved foods that I don´t even like (i.e, cookies), had a lot of facial hair (above and under the lips), fat around the waist line (love handles), and that´s all I can remember right now...

My GYN put me on clomid for 7 cycles, but I ovulated only once. Then a RE put me on Met 2000mg/daily and I got pg in 3 months, but I m/c. Took a 3 months break and then got pg and m/c again. Now, I have been on Glucophage XR for almost a year, and I ovulate on my own, have 30 days cycles, lost 25 pounds, and I just have mood swing and PMS symptoms 1 week b4 AF.

As for price, Met was cheaper ($10 copay for a 30 days supply) than Gluco XR, but I had TERRIBLE side effects...after Gluco XR, the side effects were gone. Now I pay $40 for a 90 days sypply at [url="http://www.medcohealth.com,"]www.medcohealth.com,[/url] and my insurance is United Healthcare.

On another PCOS list, I have heard of people buying these medicines online on international site cuz it´s cheaper. Also, I´ve heard about sites that give these medicines for free for those who can´t afford it. But I don´t know if it is true or how it works.

Minouche

Minouche · 04-03-2003, 09:56 AM

I forgot to mention that I have been TTC for 4 years and that the ovulation/pregnancy test kits are not covered by the insurance nor spending account.

Mindoo · 04-03-2003, 04:10 PM

Hi PLM,

I have PCOS and I'm not insulin resistant. My u/s ususally show many small cysts. I might have two periods a year on my own and I do not ovulate on a regular basis. My doctor has told me that my androgen levels (male hormones) are high. I have a little bit of excessive hair on my belly and feet. However, I'm lucky that my facial hair is very blond and you can't tell that I have it. I am overweight, and when I'm not on fertiltiy meds, I have some hair loss.

With my old doc, I paid about $50/month of 100 mg of clomid, $95 for progesterone tests, and $360 for ultrasounds. My first IUI (artifical insemination) cost $307. I discovered that if I asked my doctor to schedule a pg test at the same time of the progeterone test, that insurance will pay for it. Also, with my old doc, I had to take ODK tests. I paid about $13 for 7 Clear Plan Easy. Recently, I started a new RE. His office will let me pay insurance negotitated rates if I pay day of service. This will reduce my IUIs to about $120 and U/S to about $180. The sprem wash will still be $240. Another thing that I'm learning it to ask you doc to make sure the insurance company realizes when procedures are diagnostic in nature. My insurance pays for all dianotstic tests.

Mindy