Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

I was just wondering if there's any other women out there that have this? I have it and due to it I don't ovulate at all and I have darkening of my skin on my neck and armpits and around my waist line. I'm just wondering if this all changes after having the band and losing the weight.

Symptoms of this are:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
  
• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
  
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
  
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
  
• pelvic pain
  
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
  
• type 2 diabetes
  
• high cholesterol
  
• high blood pressure
  
• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
  
• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
  
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
  
• sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

I'm sorry if this is a reaccuring topic. I didn't see anything about it. Does having this make it harder to lose the weight even with lap band? Any insight would be great.

Thanks!

I am struggling with the low carb thing. Some days it really just kicks my booty. I'm still losing weight but I feel like I could be doing alot better if I could cut the carbs more.

Hi,

As long as we are still loosing, we're in the game :woot:. I've had a tough time doing low carb (30-50 carbs a day) myself, so I'm more focused on choosing good carbs. I actually talked to my nutritionist about this and she told me to not even count my carbs, just to make good decisions, like whole grains, fruits, & veggies. So far so good. I still count them, but I don't beat myself up over having that extra 1/2 cup of strawberries. To me I've come a long way from that 1/2 a BOX of Pasta :w00t:

Best,

Lauren

Yes, I am one of the unfortunate ones also....diagnosed 8 years ago and have given up getting pregnant again after the last 9 years of trying with drugs-lets put it this way-everything except IVF-due to cost.

I am ready to use the lap band as a tool to help get myself back to somewhat of normalcy.

Haven't had a period in a year next month. It isn't that bad,but feels like I could have one all of the time!

I need to get my weight under control. I take metformin, am hypothyroid and my father was diagnosed with diabetes last year and that scares the crap out of me!

The symptoms hopefully will become manageable after losing the weight.

Has anyone been through this surgery and had success getting things under control??!!?

I haven't yet. I have lolst about 60 pounds and I tested my sugar one morning and it was 123. Not good. Its suppose to be under 100 in the morning. I waiting for the changes. I feel so much better than I used to though. It makes the surgery worth it.

Ladies if you go to soulcysters.net they have information that is linking candida to pcos. I'm still researching it so I don't know how much holds true. Just thought I'd pass it your way. Its also a great site for pcos'ers.

ADD me to the list! I have some of the sympstoms but not all. And i am one of the fortunate ladies who has extended periods... its horrible!! I just cant believe how long and how many doctors I had to see before I was finally diagnosed!

I've had it all my life. I was pulling whiskers and wondering why Lady Shaves wouldn't get rid of the hair on my legs when I had my first bra. Menstruation has been hit and miss. I usually only knew it was coming an hour after it arrived! Not fun to deal with. A lot of my time was spent soaking and scrubbing blood stains. It does not encourage you to revel in your womanly cycle!

PCOS was finally diagnosed by a specialist when I was 42 and just as things were getting right the Thyroid went and pushed the IR up and over into Type 2 Diabetes with more weight gain.

Most annoying thing for me is that I fought and struggled with the IR related weight gain all my life as well as the hair and skin issues and then once the PCOS was finally diagnosed and they gave me Metformin; my weight started dropping and when a couple of nurses I know noticed and commented on my missing 20kg, I explained the diagnosis and medication and one of them said 'well now you've managed to lose some weight you may feel more inclined to try and lose some more' and I was like....didn't you hear me....I just take a tablet that corrects a medical problem and it's going away without changing anything else....I have fought for nearly 30 years and you pat me on the back for taking a tablet!!!!

I was so annoyed and the GP's that failed to diagnose it will still not recognise the diagnosis even though all the test results are there and Medicare pays my bills for it's long term management. Same attitude from my band medics - you are fat because you ate yourself this way- you must eat more than you admit to yourself or you wouldn't have been morbidly obese....and my personal un-favorite from my GP when I pointed out the test result diagnosis of Insulin Resistance...'Yes, well Insulin Resistance hmmm just a buzz word, the latest excuse'.

It is not the condition or it's symptoms that I struggle with, it is the attitudes of people who just decided I was in denial about why I was fat. I over heard my mother-in-law saying that I must stuff my face as soon as they left because I hardly ate anything when anyone was around!! AAARrRGGGGHHHHH! and now...oh you are doing well...what diet are you on....stay with it this time it's working.

Sorry for ranting, get's me very upset.

And yes, the soulcysters website/forum thing is brilliant. Info on every aspect. I even went on the teenage pcos section and it was so sad, it was like reading a diary of my torment when I was that age.

Still, onwards and upwards....:-)

Good luck to all of you. It ain't easy but I know it could be a lot worse!

I am yet another unlucky victim of PCOS. I have a lot of the symptoms. I take Metformin to try to hold diabetes off. I am praying that the band (got it May 30, 11) will keep the symptoms at bay.

PCOS makes you more susceptible to Type II diabetes due to the insulin resistance. Taking Metformin (I take it even though I do not have diabetes) is supposed to help avoid becoming diabetic.

do any of you girls have diabetes and pcos? I think some people are under the impression they might have pcos because they are diabetic. I am not and I dont watch my sugar and I was told never to worry about that ( unless I get any symptoms for diabetes). Since all doctors are different what were you all told about diabetes and pcos?

I am a pcoser too I hate it! Since mt surgery, mt periods are more frequent now and tje darknesd on my neck is going away so that makes me happy:)

I have had it for years, but was only diagnosed this year.

My symptoms are:

• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
• type 2 diabetes (I don't quite have it, but am borderline, with pre-diabetes)
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

i was diagnosed 13 years ago but knew i had it before then. so glad to meet other cysters on here

Yep I gots it also, had my surgery August 1st 2011 and one week later got my monthly friend, and have had it each month for the past 2 months

Have it was diagnosed at age 23 because of missed periods and then through an ultrasound, and I'm 39 now. Was on birth control all those years until I stopped in July to prepare for surgery (didn't want the added blood clot risk). Oddly enough, I have been ovulating and having the most regular periods of my life since going off the pill. Don't have any of the other symptoms though.

pcos victim! i have all the symptoms and i want kids so badly! but i will see what my obgyn says and also what pills do they give you to help get preggers? and what do you use for the bearded lady facial hair please tell me i hate when ppl stare :/

pcos victim! i have all the symptoms and i want kids so badly! but i will see what my obgyn says and also what pills do they give you to help get preggers? and what do you use for the bearded lady facial hair please tell me i hate when ppl stare :/

pcos victim! i have all the symptoms and i want kids so badly! but i will see what my obgyn says and also what pills do they give you to help get preggers? and what do you use for the bearded lady facial hair please tell me i hate when ppl stare :/