[Radine]

these posts are so very interesting and informative! thanks for sharing your knowledge! i also have PCOS, it was almost the last diagnosis...it was like the pieces of the puzzle fell into place for my family doc. i love him and trust him completely, he has helped me thru some hard times. in 1985 pregnant with our second son i developed gestational diabetes(blood sugar levels went back to normal after delivery), my mom and dad both have diabetes... next was the hypothyroidism, i take synthroid for that. 1988 after son number three was born, my monthly cycles went haywire, they were so long & heavy it was scary! gyno tried several different bc pills and other meds, nothing worked, resulting in hysteryctomy at age 36,(as per a gyno) next diagnosis was insulin resistance after a 20 lb weight gain in less than 6 months, started metformin 500 mg twice a day. thankfully the only bad side effect i have is if i take it on an empty stomach, i know the consequences, but dummy me...still happens every once in a while

I have always been active, and never really overweight, had stayed about 130-135 for many years! and other than a dr pepper addiction have always eaten healthy. Despite working out 3 to 5 times per week, i was unable to lose even a pound of this weight, matter of fact, i gained more its really hard when nothing in your closet fits! its very sad and makes you feel outta control! weighing in at 179 lbs in june was when family doc decided to try the phen. he recommend that i try about 1200 calorie diet, exercise (preferrably jogging) at least 6 days a week and continue the thyroid meds, metformin and phen. oh, and in 2004 my mom passed away, i fell into a very dark depression and was taking effexor, just got off those about 2 months ago, that type of antidepressant causes weight gain! of course!!

as of today i have lost only about 16 lbs since june 07' i am really pretty satisfied with it tho, seems like lately i have hit a plateau, but i will not let this get the best of me!!! its not some of the great weight loss as some of the others on this board, but with the health issues i face, i have earned every last lost ounce i know i have a ways to go, but as long as i can see some progress i will keep fighting the fight! its amazing that losing just 16 lbs has made painful knees and lower back pain almost non existant!

i am sorry you all have to deal with these issues, but its comforting to know that i am not the only one with these same health issues and when i want to "waaa waaa" i know you will know what i am feeling and why i love this forum and the ladies here are the greatest...thanks to all of you that share your knowledge and lend an ear...have a great weekend

[chika]

I would like to add my name to the list of PCOS'ers. I am new.

[Rachelneeds2lose]

i think i have PCOS as well. My family doc said i may have them since i took a blood test and it was neg for pregnancy. Maybe it is endometreosis, who knows. But anyway... i have always had a problem with loosing weight until phentermine. i am so happy with it but im worriedi may have a big problem with this pelvic pain and random spotting... any suggestions or comments

[AMANDA77]

I have read all the posts in this fourm.

I looked to see if you have any contact information but you don't. If you ever come back on this site please drop me a message where I can email you.

I have pcos... and I have had it longer than I can remember.
I didn't realize how much it would effect my life when I was diagonised with PCOS, but now being 30years old and being married for the second time with no children and still not getting my periods regularly has been really hard for me. I don't feel like a normal female anymore. I feel like I am going to be coming back on here at 40 still no kids and probably no husband either.
The PCOS has made me into a person I dont want to be. I always feel very agrivated and often fight with my husband for no reasons. I know that it is the hormones,,, but GOD will it ever stop. I take metoformin 500 one a day, I should be taking more but I get so sick when I take it like everyone else. I am going to try to take it more because I am at a point where I feel so lonely and really want to have just one baby. I also am taking phen one a day. I started 2 months ago and have lost only 7 pounds, but its better than nothing.
I would like to know if any other ladies are going through the same thing I am and if we can support each other every step of the way. I would also like to know if anyone went through what I am going through and got pregnant? And if so how did you do it?
I take provera too get my period without it I don't get it at all. Some months I take it and some I don't. I just hate having to take provera just to get my period when everyone is just getting it... Many people on metoformin are getting the period regular but I am not. I don't know what I am doing wrong. But I really need some help.
I wish for everyone in here the best and I wish that if you have been diagnoised like me to do the things you are told to do by the doctor because in the long run you will have a harder time getting pregnant and many other things come along with that.
Good luck everyone!

[aerinl]

hi just thought i would let you know my experience with phenteramine it actually curbed by appetite i didn't want to eat which i thought hey im not eating and have energy so obviously ive got to be losing weight well being on it for a month i actually gained four pounds well i was devestated so i work at a PT clinic and talked with a trainer and they told me since i had PCOS that i had an insulin deficiency which since ive been put on Metformin and with that deficiency me not eating regularly would send my body into a shock and store the food in return making me gain weight i have not since been on them but my conclusion if you have PCOS and taking phentaramine i would also talk to my doc about getting on Metformin to regulate your insulin to keep your body moving slowly and actually been on Metformin for about 2 weeks and lost 4 Lbs so good luck out there!!!

[Mommy2Aaron]

I'm new on the board and have PCOS too, I do take 500mg Metformin for my PCOS daily, I was on 1000MG for my diabeties but my doctor took me off of it for that and left me on some for my PCOS. Its hard having high B/P,PCOS and being a diabetic while trying to loose weight its like i'm trying to win a loosing battle at times but it can be done and I have faith and a very supportive family and doctor and I can't ask for anything more. Well yeah I can but we won't go there today..lol

[Nursy Lori]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1994. I took BC pills for 5 years to regulate my cycle. My OB/GYN put me on Metformin a couple of years ago to try and regulate them and help me lose weight. All it did was cause me to gain weight, so I stopped taking it. I'm hoping I have more luck with the Phen.

[Motown Girl]

I was diagnosis with PCOS and I just started on the Metformin last week. Whe I was taking it three times a day it would make me extremely sleepy, so the nurse suggested I start with one a day. Also when I was taking it last week it did curve my appetite, but this week its throwing my menstral cycle out of wack. My period is lasting longer. I started Sunday and I'm still on my cycle today, and its Thursday.

I want to ask does it make anyone sleepy?

Please Advise,
Motown

[Trisha B.]

I was diagnosed with PCOS 19 yers ago and managed to concieve two children without the help of fertility drugs. The first one was a fluke and the second one was right after because your body is tricked into a regular cycle for a short time after birth.
I have struggles with the side effects (missed periods, hairy upper lip and chin, weight gain and etc...) for so long that I do not know how much of my weight is PCOS or just being fat!

I have had Gastric Bypass 4 years ago and got down to 155 lbs for a short time. I did not stop my emotional eating therefore I know weigh 193.5 lbs again.
I am loving the feeling of being on the Phen but am sick and tired of stuggling my whole adult life ( and most of my childhhod) with my weight.

I really do believe that there are some people that can eat more calories and do less excerise then some and not have to worry about their weight. Unfortunatley I am NOT one of them.

I do not think tha DR's have made much strides in treating PCOS but if someone out there knows something that I do not, please share the knowledge!!! Any insight would be much appreciated.

Good luck to all in this journey...

[RChopkoj]

Originally Posted by toobig

Well here is my story. I have been diagnosed since age 12 with hypothyroidism, I have been big my wholle life except for 3 years in High school when I lost weight thru weight watchers. My cycles have always been extremely irregular and I was always told it was because of my thyroid. That is until 5 years ago when a endroconoligst diagnosed me with PCOS and put me on Metformin then Spironolactone. I never had a problem getting pregnant unless you think it being to easy is an issue and I do not have excessive hair growth on my face etc. I never have had cyst on my ovaries either. I had a hard time agreeing with this doc because I never had heard of this before, she insited Thyroid problems don't mess with your cycle. I feel she was looking for a diognosis to throw at yet another over weight patient. I took the Metformin, went to weight watcher joined a gym worked my butt off and only lost 30 pound in 2 years. The spirinolactone had me leeding all the time (at least that is what my gynocoligist came up with after various test to see why I started spotting two weeks a month in addition tomy period) So seeing that I had no extra hair growth I stopped taking the Spiro. I continuied with the Metformin though, now fast forward to two years ago my weight lose stopped I felt sick all the time nauseas, sudden bouts of diarrea and my thyroid level keeps changing but not for the better. I never feel hungry and only eat for routine, for instance I have to cook for my family so I eat with them even though I don't feel hungry at all, I usually jsut eat 1 meal a day. Now forward to this year, in October I was rushed to the Er for sevre pain in my lower right abdomine, I was tested over and over while tere and once the Doc heard I was Diagnosed with PCOS he said "well you ruptured a cyst" even though I told them I had no cyst. Two days after I started bleeding irregulary again and went to the GYN figuring that if a cyst had ruptured this might be an issue. Well he looked me and the records from the hospital over and said there is no way I ruptured a cyst and if they had looked at there results in the hospital then the Docs at the hospital they would have seen that diagnosis was wrong. His answer it was a virus. QUACK!!! It was the worse pain I ever had and I have had three c-sections. I was very angry about this and went to my regular doc explained the whole thing and what does he say it wasn't a cyst but a folical that burst the cause ? He says the Metformin is causing me to produce too many eggs and that this will happen again. My solution so I won't ever have this horrible experience again? Stop the Metformin. Meanwhile though I was seeing a nutritionist who said my Metabloism is all screwed up (DUH !!!) and I never feel hungry cause my body has gotten used to not eating and that I cant' lose weight because my body thinks it is starving, at the same time as all this though my thyroid meds have been increased up to 375 micrograms the highest I have ever had and the doc can't get the meds right. I am sick to death of being overweight but I feel no doc is on my side, I am just another fat lazy person that doesn't know any better with a minimal IQ according to them. I am sick of being put on all kinds of meds that give me awful side effects and don't help the weight loss but throw my system into all kinds of trouble. My doc wants to put me on a deit pill now but I have a fear of taking something that is gonna have me in the bathroom all the time. Does Anyone have any advise? Thanks

Hi toobig,
I have PCOS as well. I was diagnosed when I was 18 and I went on metformin. It did make me sick when I first started taking it but I found that if you eat food with it, it will help and sickness goes away over time. I take 2,550 mg (850mg 3x day) a day of metformin and I used to be heavier than this but with exercise and eating healthy I lost 30 pounds.
I read your post and wanted to respond. First, do not despair. You are not fat and lazy with a minmal IQ. You are reaching out for support and trying to better your situation. There is hope. Have you read jacys post about PCOS earlier in this thread? I would like to highly recommend that post for it is extremely informative. I think that you should see a new endocrinologist for your hypothyrodism and PCOS. I see one in Syracuse as well and a holistic doc and am very happy with them. If I may ask, which docs are you seeing now for your PCOS and thyroid? I have been to many and could perhaps help with a recommendation for Syracuse, NY if you would like.
I don't think that you should stop your metformin, but perhaps talk to someone that specializes in PCOS about lowering the dose so you won't be in pain. I know I am not a doctor. However, it is very important to eat enough so that your metabolism does not get messed up. Maybe that's why your thyroid and metabolism are having problems. All these are connected. I would recommend researching PCOS (google it) and find out as much as you can about hypothyrodism through research as well. I also know from my doc that your that your thyroid has a huge part in how your body manages weight. However, it is essential to eat properly and to eat enough calories spread out during the day. I think you should ask your nutritionist about that. May I ask, are you still exercising? That helps metabolism as well and would of course help with weight loss. I think it is important to find an exercise that we each like and make sure to do it regularly. I like yoga and running and dancing.
I looked up PCOS on a medical website and it said that a symptom of PCOS could be mild to severe lower pelvic pain.
I think that you should find a doctor that, again, specializes in endocrinology/PCOS and go from there. You might consider starting fresh with just one medical doctor that supports you and do your research and also as jacy said a naturopath to help you holistically in conjunction with the metformin. Then you would not have to worry about taking the wrong meds or too many meds or bad side effects from them, for there would be fewer meds to deal with if you let no one but a really good endocrinologist and holistic doc treat you. I think sometimes we have to look at things holistically AND medically.
Remember, there is hope. You will be ok. I have been there and felt out of control and not known what doc was right and why what med was doing which effect. (No offense) But I think we need to take control of our destiny and educate ourselves through a LOT of research and not be afraid to ask for second opinions. I kept looking until I found a good PCOS doc to treat me and additionally found another holistic one to learn more about my body and why all this was happening. Feel free to post feedback or PM me and we can chat.
God Bless,
RChopkoj

[disneybride]

WOW I MUST SAY THAT AFTER READING ABOUT ALL OF THIS AND HEARING WHAT EVERYONE HAS TO SAY IT IS MAKING ME WONDER IF I SHOULD BE TESTED FOR IT. I MEAN I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH WEIGHT PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNG BUT NOW IT IS WORSE THAT EVER AND I HAVE THE FACIAL HAIR THING GOING ON ALONG WITH SKIN TAGS. BUT HOW DO THEY TEST SOMEONE TO SEE IF THEY HAVE IT? IS IT JUST BLOOD TESTS OR ULTRASOUNDS? AND IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED WITH IT DO YOU HAVE TO STAY ON THAT MEDICATION FOREVER?? I'M VERY INTERESTED...

[bookdiva]

Ditto. Diagnoed in 1991, had my one and only child in 1992, hysterectomy in 1995, Insulin Ressistant in 1999. Doc is checking my thyroid, again. It has always been low but not low enough. She says if it is not hypothyroidism we can try phentermine. Will find out in a couple of days.

[leigh981]

i too have PCOS and i hate that it controls my whole life. i've been married for almost 2 years, and we have been trying to get pregnant since we got married, and b/c of the PCOS. i take 500mg of metformin 2x daily and on day 5-9 of my cycle of take clomid. i was having to take provera to start my period, it is so discouraging! all i want to do is give my husband a family, and i