Hi everyone! I have read about several women in this forum who have PCOS. I thought it would be nice to start a thread so everyone can share their stories and just talk with others who are going through the same thing. Many people are not aware of all the side effects of PCOS and the daily struggles we face. Here is the link to my story http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/newbie-georgia-42048/

Hope to hear from you soon!

I took the spironolcactone when I was 18 or 19. The way I understood it was as follows. There was nothing to be done with the hair that had already grown on my face and neck. It would control new hair growth. I feel that the medicine didn't help me. It was just a new medication to take.

I was bleaching from my cheeks down by neck once a week. It was really drying out my skin. I would also use hevay make up concealer, foundation and powder to hide my facial hair growth. When my sister found out she scheduled an appointment with a hair removal specialist at a wellness institute. I love it!!!

It is more expensive I pay about $120 a visit for five sessions but I try to make it last for six months and I go back every other year. My complexion has changed. Some days I don't even wear make up at all.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if it will help me, but I am willing to give it a try, at least until I can afford to have the laser hair removal. How long has it been since you had the laser hair removal and have you stayed hair-free, for the most part? Will you have to go back every other year for the rest of your life?

I asked my doctor about spironolactone, and he said that is is contraindicated during pregnancy and since I choose not to use birth control, he is not comfortable prescribing it to me. I tried laser hair removal and epilation, but it scarred my face and was so expensive. I wax my lip, chin, and sideburns once a week. Facial and arm hair are probably the two things, next to weight gain, that I hate the most about PCOS.

Amy

I asked my doctor about spironolactone, and he said that is is contraindicated during pregnancy and since I choose not to use birth control, he is not comfortable prescribing it to me. I tried laser hair removal and epilation, but it scarred my face and was so expensive. I wax my lip, chin, and sideburns once a week. Facial and arm hair are probably the two things, next to weight gain, that I hate the most about PCOS.

Amy

I'm not on the pill either.......but I told the doctor that we were using another form of birth control and she said that it was okay. I'm going to have to be really careful. I do want to have another baby, but not until I get to my goal weight. I was on bed rest for most of my pregnancy due to my weight causing swelling and high blood pressure. I just want to be healthier next time.

I've hap pcos for decades....all the female and related problems, weight gain around the middle, and ultimately type II diabetes....most of the female problems were resolved through surgery or menopause, but the diabetes is now under control with the surgery....I was on 5 meds for diabetes, and am now down to 2.

I've lost 31 lbs since surgery 9-21-07...it's probably more, but each doctor I go for my various other problems, shows different numbers on their scales so I don't get too excited about it...

Was supposed to get my 1st fill 2 weeks ago but still have some restriction since surgery so we decided to come back in a month, but the surgeon stated that if I'm losing a minimum of 1 lb per week, come back in 2 months...which is what I'm going to do...

Good luck with your weight loss program, just remember, we all lose in our own ways, but if we follow the program, we lose !

The last time I had a laser treatment was on 11-06-07. I think it depends on how fast the hair grows. Your are suppose to go back every two-three weeks for the first six months. After that it is a touch up. The touch up is about $60.00. I usually wait until I can see the hair growth in my car mirror.

Because I have PCOS I was afraid to get it done. But now I make sure that the person doing the treatment knows I have PCOS and is state certified to do the hair removal. Usually a former RN is best. I don't go through a salon.

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to thank you all for being so candid. I am getting the LAP band soon (meeting with my doctor on Monday to schedule the date). I am 26-years old and was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 years ago. I never understood why I bled so much with my periods, had acne and had SUCH a difficult time losing weight but gaining was so easy.

It's nice to hear all of your thoughts. I read all of your threads and am getting more and more excited about the surgery! I'm a little nervous about the lifestyle change. I already exercise...just the 5 meal a day thing. Does that get easier? And not drinking liquids while eating?

Either way - it's great to see I'm not alone and that being banded has helped you all with your PCOS.

Love from Atlanta.

I just recently discovered i have PCOS.... (actually to be exact about 2wks) well my Doctor confirmed my suspicions of it.. I actually have thought i had it since about may... I always had the symptoms since about the time i started my period (i was 12)... But had always been to shy and embarrassed to tell anyone i thought something was wrong with me.

Its funny because i have never heard of PCOS until i watched a show called mystery diagnosis where the person basically goes thought all the symptoms they had and i got freaked out because this lady had the same symptoms i did..

I looked more into it. And finally decided to speak up because i was a little concerned that i had gone 10mths w/o a period.

So i didn't know about it till after banding and i've now been banded for 8.5mths.

I'm hoping this BC will work to regulate me because i hate dealing with the side effects...(headaches and on/off nausea) :huytsao

So PCOS does cause you to have out of the blue headaches and out of the blue nausea ... cause I get this alot and had no idea that this was why ... I was recently diagnosed with PCOS... I see the specialist on the 6th!

So PCOS does cause you to have out of the blue headaches and out of the blue nausea ... cause I get this alot and had no idea that this was why ... I was recently diagnosed with PCOS... I see the specialist on the 6th!

im not sure but i would like to know the answer to this as well

What a great thread. I was just diagnosed with PCOS, and my doc wants to put me on metformin. I was wondering, for those of you taking metformin/Glucophage -- how do you manage swallowing them? Aren't they big pills? I think I am my OBs only lapband patient, so I don't think she quite knows what to do with me. I saw in a drug formulary that it comes in liquid form, but when I asked the pharmacist about it, she practically told me I was making it up (hate that!).

maria

Juno610

Go to any drugstore and get a pill grinder...I was grinding my meds post-op as I was taking 5 metforming plus 3 other pills.....am now able to get it down with no problems..

I never had any problems swallowing pills.

Juno610

Go to any drugstore and get a pill grinder...I was grinding my meds post-op as I was taking 5 metforming plus 3 other pills.....am now able to get it down with no problems..

just a question....why are you grinding metiformimin it is time released and you are not supposed to cut, chew, or crush it. this was the instructions from the doctor and pharmacist. because of this I was always afraid to take them and when I did start taking them regularly reflux started. but as my A1C's are good I have been taken off meds and reflux is gone.

There are 2 different kinds of metformin. One is extended release and one is not. When I took metformin mine was not extended release.

Amy

So I need some advice ladies....

I'm 21 and was diagnosed with PCOS two years ago. I lucked out by not having any extra hair growth, but do have severe Acanthosis on my neck (talk about annoying).

I was blessed to have the band in early August but weight loss has been at a snail's pace. I know that I haven't reached my proper fill adjustment but I feel like there is a piece of the puzzle I'm missing.

I am at the gym 6 times a week, walking all over campus, and being careful with my food choices.

Any suggestions about what to do to help boost my weight loss and spirit?

Thanks!

Julie