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[jasminxo]

Hello, I'm new here

I went to my doctors last week because I haven't had a period for over a year now (none of the pills I was on regulated me, and ever since I had a period from 13-22 has never been regular); i'm 23 years old, and tomorrow i'm having blood tests to search for PCOS, underactive thyroid, however, when we were talking he did mention infertility and premature menopause. He didn't ask for my symptoms, which i'm a bit concerned about.

this is what i'm experiencing:
1. Constant bloating - currently I look about 4/5 months pregnant, which is scary. I'm really concerned about my stomach, it is swollen, it's hard, and quite sore, almost as if I have period cramps. Not sure whether I should mention this tomorrow to the person taking my bloods.
2. Weight gain, i'm an active person, but it seems no matter what i'm doing to maintain a healthy weight, it isn't working! I've put on so much weight throughout the year, and I've gone up a couple of dress sizes
3. I have awful mood swings - something I am not used to. One minute i'm absoloutely fine, and then the next, i'm either crying, sad or angry.
4. I have to be forced out nowadays, I just have no enjoyment in doing anything.
5. Sadness - mainly when i'm left alone, or before bed; I just get randomly upset, and panic, and cry.
6. Anxiety
7. I had bad skin anyway, but I noticed my acne is getting worse.
8. if anyone knows me, they know I love my sleep! This is something new, I always slept well, never had trouble, but quite recently, I'll go to bed at 10, my normal bed time, and as soon as I get tired, or want to sleep, my body suddenly wakes up and i'm wide awake until about 3am.
9. i'm generally uncomfortable; be it with my stomach, my self image, the way I look and act. I'm just uncomfortable in my body.


I'm genuinely scared, I know I shouldn't be, as we do not know what's wrong as of yet, but I don't know. I feel as though I cannot really speak to anyone about this. I feel trapped and scared that this is a likely scenario, and a possibility in my life.


Any advice?

[Tinkerbell]

Hi, have to say I don't think your doctor handled it very well, but the blood tests are a good start.
Firstly, yes do mention your stomach problems, you don't mention if you are worried about Ovarian cancer but I wonder if that has crossed your mind. If so, it is very unusual in your age group, although not unheard of, but period problems are not normally a symptom of it.
My friend has PCOS and manages it well, she uses a birth control pill for that, she also has had no problem conceiving two lovely children.
I also wonder if you may be a bit depressed, as some of your symptoms point to that.
Is there no one who you can talk to? I wouldn't  like to think my child was worrying and keeping it to themselves.
Do come back here anytime and talk away.

[jasminxo]

The thought of ovarian cancer scares me so I always push it to the side, even when it pops up in research, I always ignore it. Cancer runs in the family, I currently have 3 members of family battling with the disease, so it's something i'm trying not to concentrate my mind on. Although that is stupid, because I should be at the same time!

My doctor, when discussing PCOS, told me not to go back on the pill and that, if I was to become sexually active just use condoms and then If I have any concerns to take the morning after pill (honestly, that was the advice!). The doctor doesn't want me on any forms of birth control, which I previously forgot to mention, it's both weird and scary.

I talk to my mum a lot, we're really close, but I don't want to overload her with this because I don't want to stress/upset her.

[Tinkerbell]

Speak to your mum, several years ago my teenager was very worried that he had bowel cancer and he kept to himself for several weeks and that really upset me....please speak to her.
Maybe the doctor wants the tests done before taking the pill, because it may give false results  and you would need to see a specialist if it was PCOS although treatment wise it is still prescribed for PCOS as far as I am aware.

[jasminxo]

Thanks, i'll definitely speak to her tomorrow

[CLKD]

You have a lot of background worries plus a not very considerate GP!  Have you looked at the Daisy web-site for advice, also there is a good UK-based ovarian cancer group, 'Ovacome' - that's how I arrived here  .  Long winded way but hey ho!  You can send e-mails for advice to see if they have suggestions.  23 is young to be having these kinds of worries, an age when you should be out and about! 

The Change is that - an alteration of ourselves due to hormone upheavals.  Lack of confidence, weight gain, anxiety, mood swings ……… browse round, make notes.  Let us know what your blood tests reveal.  Menopause has little respect for age  so don't be fobbed off if a GP suggests that you are too young!  You need the correct treatment and support what ever the blood tests reveal, HRT should be discussed as it protects heart and bones!

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful in charting the course of any particular problem.  Keep asking us when you think of anything that worries you!

[Machair]

Please don't worry you are going to be fine. Remember at your age the chance of this being premature menopause is very small, and with the acne you are having PCOS is a possibility. This causes lack of ovulation but it can be treated. I have several friends who were in your position, and after diagnosis and treatment their health improved and they went on to have families. Wait until you have some results from your tests and try not to panic- hard I know but you will get through this.xx

[jasminxo]

Update:

I got my results today and my blood tests show that I'm not going through menopause!

However, my brain isn't producing enough hormones, which shows I have a very low fertility rate and that I also have polycystic ovaries, I'm scared and upset

[Kathleen]

Hello jasminxo.

Sorry to read that you are having these problems. There must be  information online about PCOS so I suggest you learn as much as you can about how to help yourself. There may even be forums where women can chat to each other and share experiences. I don't know if it's becoming more common but I know of several young women with this condition and one now has an eight month old baby.

 Everyone here knows how difficult it is to balance hormones so you have our sympathy but I'm sure that help is out there.

Wishing you well and keep posting.

K.

[jasminxo]

I've been left confused and afraid! My doctor told me to do some online research into pcos and to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to worry about it until I want to start a family!

I'm not too sure if I should get a second opinion or not?

[babyjane]

hello, I am sorry you have these worries at such a young age.  If you were my daughter I would think that your doctor is not being very supportive and you shouldn't be left to 'get on with it' scared and anxious.

For this reason I would probably say that you are entitled to ask for a second opinion to try and find some support and answers.  Would your mum go with you do you think?

[coldethyl]

I would push for a referral to an endocrinologist as PCOS needs careful management- a very high percentage of women with it will go on to develop type 2 diabetes as a consequence of the metabolic disturbances PCOS causes so a drug called Metformin can be prescribed to help with blood sugar levels but only by an endo as far as I am aware. Try to eat less carb heavy foodstuff like fruit, potatoes, rice, pasta, bread etc as they cause elevated blood sugars and increase risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. Weight gain is common with PCOS so watching what you eat is essential as is doing some exercise.
Fertility can be affected but there are drugs and operations that can help so don't worry too much- if I am remembering rightly, Jamie Oliver's wife has it and she has had 4 kids so it isn't a certainty that you will have problems.
xx

[jasminxo]

I'm in university at the moment so my doctors are 5 hours away from where my parents live so I might ditch my doctors st university and ask mum to accompany at my local doctors.

The fact my stomach to the left and bottom is painful, particularly after I've eaten is scaring me too. I'm too scared to do any research because I know I will find the worst case scenarios; but I feel like my doctor should have explained it to me too! The fact he was on about lh and fsh which makes no sense to me, it was as if he was trying to do a medical vocabulary to me? My friend also has this, and she got her ovaries frozen to stop the pain? I'm not too sure but she was also put back on the pill, but my doctor won't let me and we both have the same doctor so it just doesn't make any sense

[CLKD]

http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk

I tried the Daisy net-work web-site but Safari won't open it 

Do you have a Student Support net-work?  This GP should have referred you to a Specialist or liaised with your GP to do so. 

Get your Mum to make an appt. for you 'at home' to see your GP.  Have a look-see at the various support web-sites and make notes.

[babyjane]

Jamie Oliver's wife has it and she has had 4 kids so it isn't a certainty that you will have problems.
xx

5 now coldethyl, they have a new baby boy, River Rocket