Scared... I think I have PCOS

[SummerAnne]

I know, get to the doctor... but I don't have one, don't have insurance, and no public health clinic. So its going to take some saving money to get to that point.

I read a journal entry from a girl with PCOS and had a lightblub moment, so I googled and I'm really scared now. I'm not asking for a diagnosis, just... I don't know. Here are the symptoms I have that seem to indicate it:

Irregular Period
- No period February 2003 - September 2003
- Mostly Regular period October 2003 - June 2004 (was LC from October 2003 - April 2004)
- No period July 2004 - February 2006
- Period March 2006
- No period since

Extremely oily hair

Hair Loss - mostly just overall thinning of hair, but lost one big patch on left side of head September 2004 - this regrew. Hair seems to fall out and regrow as I have several different lengths not from breakage and quite a bit very very short hair

Body Hair Growth
- Upper Lip
- Scattered chin & cheeks
- Big Toe & top of foot
- Lower Abdomen
- Hair on top/inner thighs was previous light & fine, now coarse & black

Excessive increased amount of weight in abdominal area, with no change to lifestyle and no increased gain elsewhere

Increased snoring (badly)

Pregnancy - One miscarriage, one high risk with HBP, gestational diabetes starting at time of delivery, premature c-section required due to HBP & GD

Had bad reactions to all forms of hormonal birth control I've tried... mood swings, weight gain, miserable

[Cathlena]

Yes, you will have to get to a DR. to find out for sure. I know that a lot of people who have PCOS (me included) do well on a Low Carb diet. There is a good PCOS thread under the challenge boards. There really is not a cure for it, some take medication (glucophage,etc.) to help with the Insulin resistance.

Good Luck

[Lehgrad]

I have PCOS and there is no reason to be 'scared'.

[randtbrown]

I agree, don't be scared. Low carbing is actually one of the best things for PCOS

[averyjenn]

I have PCOS myself. There's a support board here under low carb challenges called PCOS Carb Cutting Cuties which is great. Don't be scared - if you are ttc, there's just more of a challenge but it's not hopeless by any stretch.

[flutterbyu]

Another PCOS'er here! I was scared at first when I found out. My Dr was very irresponsible IMO and didn't give me any info. He said "If you want to have kids you should do it now" I was 19 at the time, almost 300 lbs, and didn't even have DBF yet! Put me on BCP's and sent me on my way. He was useless.

So, after a lot of my own researching I found my way to LC'ing and finally to this site. I've been LC'ing, have lost a lot of weight, even while struggling, but my friends here have kept me going and sane!

From your symptoms, it would be a pretty good guess that what's going on with you is PCOS. It's tough because there are so many variables, and so many people have different symptoms. Through strictly LC'ing, my cycle has been regular for years now, but if I fall off the wagon, I know my cycle will go right with it! I've had an improvement in most of my symptoms, so I'll attest to my dying day that LC is a miracle for PCOS girls!!