PCOS Questions I wish my DR had answered - any help?

[missjelly]

Let's see, I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16/17 (I'm now almost 21) and tbh, other than saying 'You have PCOS' they didn't really say anything else

So I was hoping that out of all you amazing people, someone might be able to answer a few things for me

1) I have issues with hair on my neck and chin - How well does laser/electrolosis work? Is there any chance of NHS funding (I'm in Wales) and how long did you need it for/ did it last for? (I've had 6 sessions and it worked but it's coming back)

2) Birth control and regulation etc - I've tried the pill and could gain a stone just by looking at a slice of bread! I've now got the copper coil but have been told that can make it worse? Does anyone have any experience with the Mirena coil? (Nurse said it can stop periods altogether?? If so, happy days)

3) Weight loss - I take metformin and it works but are there any foods you find that just don't suit? I find most carbs stick to me like glue!

4) TTC - This has never really been an issue as I didn't really care and try not to think about it too much but my bf found out I had PCOS when he came to the drs with me and the look on his face when he said 'so that means we can't ever have kids??' made me want to at least get some information. Is it always hard for everyone? And what sort of precedent is set regarding help via NHS etc?

Wow, this has turned out ALOT longer than intended lol... oops! Ah well, I would LOVE it if anyone could shed some light on stuff for me

Thanks, Miss J

 

[blush]

hi there
to answer your questions, the thing with the lazer treatment it is the best for pcos and works but you can still get the finer regrowth back a few yrs later as the hormones havent corrected that are stimulatingthe growth, so tackling that first will help.

TTC i have pcos and just had 2 babies in 2 yrs with no medication for help so not to worry sometimes they give you clomid to help concieve but if when you start trying and are not conceiveing after 12months visit dr and see if can be referred for clomid or other treatment.

weight wise, low carb diet is the best for pcos as like you said the smell of bread sticks 4lbs to you like crazy!

the best birth control for pcos is diannette as helpw with hair aswell, mirena is good as after 6 months your periods stop too if thats what you want but you will get some weight gain as its progesterone based.

hope it helps and good luck,

 

[MrsPoogatch]

I have also had 2 children in 2 1/2 years. With no help!

Not sure about the other answers though but will be interested to know as I also want the coil fitted x

 

[*Alli*]

I have the Merena coil fitted, they fitted it 3 years ago and they are going to have to rip it out of me lol. I have no PMS, no pain, no mood swings and the best thing of all, no bleeding. I have one tiny little bit of bleeding about once every 5 months that lasts about 2 hours.

 

[missjelly]

I have no PMS, no pain, no mood swings and the best thing of all, no bleeding.

:O *want want want* Once a month (Obv I use that timescale VERY loosely!) I turn into a monster! And more than that... a monster in ridiculous amounts of pain :'( TMI >> I get pain so bad, I'm physically sick, bad stomach, food won't stay in me at all, can't sit for long etc... and that doesn't help the *****yness either

The reason I have the copper coil is as emergency contraception (I know..tut tut) but ideally I wanted the Mirena. So, will be getting it changed over.... just wondering though, *Alli* - did you notice weight gain from it much? Thanks

 

[Nicnoc]

Hi all, I'm Nicky and I'm 30, just reading all your different problems wiv PCOS so thought I'd share mine, I got told at 22 my ovaries were in active ( I was then having once in a blue moon) and would struggle when the time was right for me to have a baby...3 months later pregnant not planned, I have tried lots of diff things to help wiv all the symptoms dianette, Yasmin, metaformin, and I wouldn't rate any of them, I had another baby 2 yrs which was a 5 yr gap between my first n second without using any regular contraception I did however notice while not taking anything how my mood swings were it seemed I had pms for 3 wks out of the month!!! My poor husband!!! I seemed to be so angry n frustrated the wk before my period was due then down in the dumps for the next 1/2 weeks feeling so vulnerable took me ages to go to the doctor n discuss this as I was thinking they would put it down to PND n I knew it wasn't, it was one of the best things I did the doc suggested the implant to stop my periods ( which have become a regular monthly thing for about the last 4 yrs now) he also did put me on a anti depressant which at first I didn't want to take but he explained it wasn't going to a regular thing it was just short term til the implant kicked in, which brighten up my mood completely til my periods did eventually stop, along wiv my moods.... Thank god.
On the old chin hair side of it, I've tried the laser treatment which was not available on the nhs ( not sure about now) but I paid about £1000 n it just came back once the treatment had all finished :-( good luck to all of you.... I know one thing doctors do not really care about all these side effects we suffer with it's so frustrating!!!!

And god tell me about the carbs!!!! Xx

 

[JezVonSavage]

RE: Beards.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, laser treatment should be available to you on the NHS, but laser treatment only works on certain types of hair so might not be any good for you. It's the same with electrolysis, it really depends on how the hair grows.

You should be prescribed with a daily use cream called Vaniqa at the very least, although this can only be prescribed by a dermatologist and is only available in certain pharmacies (usually the main Gynaecology hospital in your area). I've found the cream works well for me, although it took at least a month to see a difference, but if you cease using it the hair will grow back.

In regards to concieving, I haven't had much luck with this part. I've been pregnant twice in two years but have suffered miscarriages both times. There is nothing to link the miscarriages to the PCOS and my GP doesn't seem concerned, but I can't help but wonder

And as for the carbs- yes. It really is a case of "minute on the lips, lifetime on the hips" with those damned tasty carbs!

 

[missjelly]

I found that, being in Wales... NHS-wise, funding for ANYTHING is virtually non-existant (I've looked into Alli (took forever), Gastric band (only 11 funded a year)) and doubt laser will be any different but I guess it can't help asking.

Vaniqa - my mum was originally prescribed in London, (we're now in Wales) and it's only been continued as she'd already been prescribed it. I have no chance in hell of having it funded as it's not something they give out here... so, for now, my mum's been 'using' her's twice as fast and giving half to me.

*cries* I want me some carbs especially toast - could eat the whole loaf!!

 

[JezVonSavage]

That's a shame At least you still have access to the vaniqa. Have you noticed a difference?

I got my referral to the laser specialist because I played the "it's runining my life, I don't want to leave the house" card. I'd seen my GP and various specialists 6 or 7 times before they even paid attention to the how I felt about the hair on my face. And would you believe that it was a male GP who took notice of my concerns? Every female doctor I had seen just told me to get on with it!

 

[ButterflyAnna]

1) I have issues with hair on my neck and chin - How well does laser/electrolosis work? Is there any chance of NHS funding (I'm in Wales) and how long did you need it for/ did it last for? (I've had 6 sessions and it worked but it's coming back)

Well I have only recently been diagnosed with PCOS, although I do habe some unwanted hair growth it's nothing I can't control myself atm.

2) Birth control and regulation etc - I've tried the pill and could gain a stone just by looking at a slice of bread! I've now got the copper coil but have been told that can make it worse? Does anyone have any experience with the Mirena coil? (Nurse said it can stop periods altogether?? If so, happy days)

I've heard the mirena can be good but I've also heard that it can be more difficult to conceive afterwards. Me personally I wouldn't have it my Mum had it in got pregnant and when the doctor took it out he didn't scan at all and basically made her have a mc - I know it's a totally personal view and everyone is different but that's just stuck with me.

3) Weight loss - I take metformin and it works but are there any foods you find that just don't suit? I find most carbs stick to me like glue!

Ditto I love carbs :cry: lol I actually get cranky if I don't get enough ha. I havent been lucky enough to be prescribed metforim my gyno said he didn't belive in it or something and that was that lol. I have lost alot of weight many times before but it always creeps back up. Although I will be starting a low carb diet as from tomorrow - wish me luck eeeK!

4) TTC - This has never really been an issue as I didn't really care and try not to think about it too much but my bf found out I had PCOS when he came to the drs with me and the look on his face when he said 'so that means we can't ever have kids??' made me want to at least get some information. Is it always hard for everyone? And what sort of precedent is set regarding help via NHS etc?

Well my BMI is currently 43 - ouch, he has asked me to loose 3 stone / 42 lbs to get my BMI down to 35 and maintain it for 6 months before he will give me any help. Although I know lots of people do get prescribed Metformin what you are on now. I don't have regular and never really have done the gyno said that by loosing the weight it might help 'normalise' my cycles - which I do highly doubt as it's never worked before when I've lost weight. Then they would prescribe clomid to help produce a good egg for ovulation. I'm currently taking soy isoflavones to help induce an ovulation.

Hope this helps and I don't sound too doom and gloom hehehe.

 

[Stupid]

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[missjelly]

..........

Huh?

 

[Missus_L]

1) I have issues with hair on my neck and chin - How well does laser/electrolosis work? Is there any chance of NHS funding (I'm in Wales) and how long did you need it for/ did it last for? (I've had 6 sessions and it worked but it's coming back)

I don't have a major issue with hair growth (slight on my upper lip and stomach) so I am not too sure on this

2) Birth control and regulation etc - I've tried the pill and could gain a stone just by looking at a slice of bread! I've now got the copper coil but have been told that can make it worse? Does anyone have any experience with the Mirena coil? (Nurse said it can stop periods altogether?? If so, happy days)

I was taking cilest for year before coming off it to have a baby. I was on this before I found out that I had PCOS and I can say that it did allow me to have a regular period. Not too sure on anything else really.

3) Weight loss - I take metformin and it works but are there any foods you find that just don't suit? I find most carbs stick to me like glue!

I seem to find that a low gi diet should work best. I have done WW and that allowed me to shead a few stone but it was very slow but the weight has stayed off. I have now got to a point where the healthy eating and exercise was doing nothing for me so I am about to follow the Cambridge Weight Plan so that I can lose the weight quicker and begin the maintainance program to keep the weight off.

4) TTC - This has never really been an issue as I didn't really care and try not to think about it too much but my bf found out I had PCOS when he came to the drs with me and the look on his face when he said 'so that means we can't ever have kids??' made me want to at least get some information. Is it always hard for everyone? And what sort of precedent is set regarding help via NHS etc?

At the minute my BMI is 34 and my FS wants me to get to a BMI of 30 or below as he seems to think that the only option for TTC will be IVF (I'm not 100% that this is true as I want more help before this is the case!!!) I haven't been prescrabed metformin (as of yet!) but I have tried Clomid which should help you ovulate but this did not work for me I have been TTC for 2 years now and I have had no luck what so ever but as you can see from some of the others, this was not the case with them. I have had the scan to confirm the PCOS then I have just had the uncomfortable pleasure of an Hycosy (to check my tubes wern't blocked) and that was clear. Just have to go back to them in 6 weeks to find out the next steps.

Hope some of this helps hun x

 

[Stupid]

sorry i posted a long post but then chickened out ..

i have something similar to pcos but not pcos and so far my gp won't refer me back to anybody and just told me to put up with the fluctuating hormones..

i would love to try depo injection or something to deal with my hormones but can't

anyway sorry for barging in

 

[mummyburgo]

Hi

I was told at 15 that my chances of having kids naturally if at all were very slim,I tried clomid 3 times and was offtered ovarian drilling in the end which I had in march 2005 in the May 2005 I got my BFP. So there is always hope,I got the implant taken out in august 2008 as GP said we need to be trying for 6months before they will offer ovarian drilling again and to our suprise got a BFP in the Novemeber 2008.

I also suffer with hair on chin and have to shave every day not been to GP about it but think Im gonna go and see what they say

 

[Dietkitty]

I am on my 2nd Mirena and would certainly recommend it. For years I needed to dye the black coarse hair on my arms but haven't needed to do it since a few months after I got the first one fitted and the hair is now fair and downy. I also had a patch under each ear which is also fair and no longer noticeable. I have 'man hair' on the backs of my thighs and am happy to shave it off but other than that am fairly lucky. I get regular spotting but no more of the flooding that blighted my life. I've been told I probably wont need another Mirena after this one due to my age and menopause, I'm only 43!!!
Carbs are your enemy. Those with PCOS cannot process carbs into energy - all those years of being told eat pasta before exercise to give you energy and I didn't understand why it didn't happen for me - instead they are processed as sugars and stored as fat, hence PCOS=weight gain.
As for TTC I was fortunate and fell instantly with both of mine but I was very slim in those days. I have a number of friends who fell after losing weight and being over weight has an effect on fertility so I would say the closer you can get to your goal weight the better the chances but that's just my opinion

 

[Pepper Mint]

I bought this book when I was diagnosed and it answered ALL of these questions and more. Highly recommended. You can get in on eBay:

The Ultimate PCOS Handbook

It changed my life. Hope it will do the same to you xx