PCOS Messages for August, 2002: Re: Anyone out there with Ovulation, Regular or Semi-Regular Periods and PCOS?

Re: Anyone out there with Ovulation, Regular or Semi-Regular Periods and PCOS?

From: Lenora (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 9 Aug 2002 16:24:26 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: tera: "Re: Anyone out there with Ovulation, Regular or Semi-Regular Periods and PCOS?"

Hi, Tara,

It's been wonderful getting the responses from everyone on this issue! Maybe it's not so rare as I thought or many doctors think (like mine). Of course, I have noticed many of my symptoms getting worse over the years, especially the hirsutism. I always knew there was a hormonal issue, but just lived with it. I've also known there is a hormonal connection to my hypoglycemic episodes (days 3-6), depression (days 6-8) and acne (days 9 and up, tapering off before ovulation). I have those symptoms at PMS time also, usually right before my period, but they're mild during PMS, which is very strange, I know. My doctor found it interesting, too. Said he had never heard of anyone with these symptoms at the times I have them in my cycle, but he believed me. I think he's a little curious to know what's going on (as I most certainly am!).

I know, too, that when I was younger, I was not as "in tune" with my body. Over the years, as I've continued to have problems and symptoms, I've begun to take notice of WHEN they happened in my cycle, and have been quite surprised to notice a pattern with unusual, many times seemingly small things that I used to think were random. I used to think it was just because of the weather or too much stress or "must have been something I ate." Though all of these things can and do affect our health, ultimately, the cyclic pattern seems to be the dominating force. I've even noticed that if I'm going to get a cold or the flu, it almost ALWAYS happens right before my period. My immune system truly seems to be compromised at that time. Part of what could be playing into that is that I might give in more easily to some of my food cravings and not eat as well (like sugar, which the smallest amount can just zap the immune system and make us more susceptable to a virus). Also, PMS is a stressful time, and a time where we need more sleep, and if we don't take steps to deal with the stress and get the sleep our bodies are demanding, our immune system will be compromised. One of my classic PMS symptoms, which has worsened over the past few years, is that I wake up with a sore throat for a couple/three mornings right before my period. I also get very clumsy, begin tripping over things, dropping and breaking things, even though I "feel" like I'm in total control. I'm a musician, and I don't play my instruments or sing on key as well beginning about a week before my period. It's crazy stuff like that.

Anyway, I'm certainly rambling. It's great to have a community where you can discuss these things with other people and KNOW they understand. Too many of my friends don't even have a clue (and I'm thankful to God that they don't all have these problems!). I know very few people who have severe cramping every month, and my friends are all surprised when I tell them I cramp for 3-4 days and the meds only take the edge off so I have to be in bed most of that time. They don't understand why I can't just pop a pill and go about my business. They get frustrated with me when I say that I can't go to lunch or come to a certain function or come stay with them for a weekend, etc. They says "there's no stress, it will be relaxing." ANY social interaction when you're cramping, as many of you know all too well, is an added stress factor that only sends the pain-o-meter off the charts. Riding in a car makes it worse. Getting out of bed to get some water to take your pain pill is painful! BUT, I have noticed, through reading the many posts on this forum, that for many of you in this group, severe cramping is a fact of life, and I'm "in the norm" so to speak. I don't have to try to explain to you how bad it is, because you know. So, that's great!

My rambling ends...

-- Lenora

At Fri, 9 Aug 2002, tera wrote: > >The progressive nature of the syndrome can make PCOS difficult to >diagnose. I obviously had PCOS in my early teens and could have >benefitted greatly from some sort of treatment but at that time I only >had a few symptoms. Because my PCOS had not progressed to the point >where many symptoms were present it was difficult for any doctor to come >up with a definitive diagnosis. That is why many women go so long being >misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Hope this helps and welcome to >the forum. I hope you get as much benefit from it as I have. God >bless, Tera

Next message: Becky: "ACNE"
Previous message: carrie: "update on pcos? (long, but worth it-i think)"
In reply to: tera: "Re: Anyone out there with Ovulation, Regular or Semi-Regular Periods and PCOS?"

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