Getting tested for PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Message Board

shynee32 · 07-12-2009, 12:41 AM

I've pondered whether or not I have PCOS for about the last 10 years. I was on the pill for 7 years, and then after getting married 11 years ago went off it. I didn't have my period for a year. Doctors tried to jump start them, with no luck. I tried to get pregnant, and after getting my cycles going with Black Cohosh, I lost my first baby at 25 weeks, and no cause was found. My placenta just detached with no cause for it.

After losing about 20 lbs and charting for 9 months and exercising, eating well, etc. got pregnant again. All went great, kept up exercise and eating well all through the pregnancy. Had a healthy baby girl. But, a few years later, then I started having really painful episodes right before I got my period. My period has always been irregular. Skipping months, spotting, etc. The day before I would start my flow, I would get a pain around one of my ovaries(they would alternate.) and it would increase in intensity until it got so bad, all I could do was lay down on the bed and pop some ibuprophen until the pain subsided. My daughter was about 2 then, and we had talked about having another child. We were trying to conceive with no luck. I had gained 30 lbs since originally going off the pill, and had started growing noticeable hair on my chin since then, too.

My doctor thought I had endometriosis, and that was causing the pain. But, before I could have the laproscopy to verify it, I found out I was pregnant with daughter #2. So I never found out if I had it or not. My blood sugar was a little high while pregnant, but not high enough to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I have now gained a total of 40 lbs since going off the pill 11 years ago. I'm not obese, but I'm close. I'm 5'5" and 182, with most weight at my waist. No pain with my cycles. But, I still have the facial hair and losing weight is very hard, I have a constant appetite that doesn't go away, no energy. And still the irregular periods and facial hair. I was going to have blood tests done to see if I have PCOS as I wanted to go back on the pill anyway, and I figured I might be killing 2 birds with one stone if I do have it.

Anyone have any insight if that could be what is causing the irregular periods and facial hair, and possibly the extra weight? And I also have constant break outs on my face and back. I didn't have any of these things on the pill. And I have issues with hypoglycemia-I have to eat regularly or I get light headed and get the shakes.

I appreciate any info.

Thanks!

D

chatterboxbaby · 07-12-2009, 09:42 AM

I just wanted to say when i talked to my doctor and brought up the hair growth he said if i had mentioned that alone he would have tested for PCOS. I went in cause another doctor thought that was the problem with me. I would deff make an apt with your gyn and have them do the tests. better to know then not. It is possible

shynee32 · 07-12-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks, Chatterbox. That's pretty much what I thought. The fact that the pain I had experience before was where my ovaries were, and not my uterus makes me think I might have had cysts and not known it. I did have an internal ultrasound before I was scheduled for the lap, but if they weren't looking at my ovaries, then they wouldn't have seen anything. It seemed they were focused on my uterus.

I see a nurse practitioner, not a gyn. Do you think that matters? The closest gyn is 30 minutes away, which is not a big deal. But, I think they might only have male docs there.

I go to see my np in 2 weeks, so at the worst she would have to refer me, I guess. I live in the boonies, so any specialist you have to drive an hour to see.

If anyone else has any comments, info, please feel free to share.

Thanks!

chatterboxbaby · 07-13-2009, 12:31 PM

You can go to your normal doctor and let them know what you think. They may be able to do what you need. I know i had a few blood tests done. I am in a small town and my gyn is 45 mins from here. Worse case your doctor will say you need to go to the gyn and can refer you i would think. Just let your doctor know what your worried about if they ignore what your saying then just go to the other doctor for another opinion.

good luck

shynee32 · 07-19-2009, 12:49 AM

I actually stumbled across a good article about PCOS, and pretty much sounds like most of the stuff I need done would be easier to just go to an endocrinologist and have them do all the tests in one place, so they don't have to get results from my clinic, etc. The RN said pretty much not to bother your physician with it, all they might be able to do is say "that sounds like you have PCOS." I am near the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN-which is like THE place to go for a lot of stuff. So, I put in a request to get an appointment there. Their site said they usually have a diagnosis in a couple days, so hopefully I can get in soon. They have, like, 20 endocrinologists there. It's crazy. I wouldn't even know who to go to, so maybe there's one of them that specializes in PCOS and they'll have me see them.

We've been having trouble with our docs here, misdiagnosing things. All the good docs have retired, so we only go with the check ups and then leave the more serious stuff to the big city specialists. They totally missed my poor DH having an infection and didn't give him antibiotics, put him on something for an enlarged prostate instead, and so he had this infection for weeks before a specialist just looked at his chart, knew he had an infection, and prescribed the antibiotics. So this is why I feel the way I do about our docs.