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Thursday, January 31, 2013

My PCOS Story!

My sister Alex inspired me to share my PCOS story, so here goes it.
For those of you who don't know what PCOS is here is a defination "Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple organ systems within the body, and is believed to be fundamentally caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin. It can be diagnosed in all phases of life - in girls as young as 8-9 years of age, up through post-menopause. Although PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, the reproductive aspects of the disorder are secondary. PCOS is not limited to women of reproductive age or potential." For more information head over to this website! http://www.pcosupport.org/what-is-pcos.php

I have never been someone who was public about my period, in fact the first time I started I waited four days to tell anyone, and even then my family had to drag it out of me. So this is a stretch for me, but I want people to hear my story so it can help them. I had been having irregular periods for a while, and I didn't think anything of it. Until I saw my sisters having a hard time getting pregnant, and they were having irregular periods.
          So I went to my doctor, told her what was going on. She looked at me and said no problem we will do some tests and see what happens. This started October 2010. By December of 2010 I had lots of blood work done, and I had been on my period for two months. (Yes you read that right 2 months) I went back to my doctor she said I didn't have PCOS but lets try birth control to help regulate my period, and then if things don't change we can talk about other treatment plans. The birth control she had me on caused constant migraines. So I went back to my doctor and she said it was time I go see a OB/GYN.
            I agreed, and off I went to see an OB/GYN. I was scared, but I knew if this is what my doctor wanted then I would try it out. The OB/GYN took some new blood work, and had me do an ultra sound. She said that once we got my blood work, and ultra sound results back we would talk about it.
           I came back, sat in the room with my mom and waited for the Doctor to come in and talk to us. She came in with my ultra sound results, and the blood work. She said "By the looks of everything I would say you do have PCOS." And this is what I thought: okay. That was it, I was just "okay" with everything. I didn't know what PCOS was, shoot I didn't really care. I didn't know what it meant. This was in February of 2011
The doctor said lets try a new birth control, and see how that goes. I agreed,  and we tried another birth control. That was the last straw for me, the birth control she put me on had my scared to death. It caused things to happen that I can't explain. I decided at that moment I would never go on birth control again!
     I was grateful that the OB/GYN said I had PCOS, but I wanted to go back to my pediatrician  (Oops did I not tell you I was still seeing my pediatrician! Yes I went through a Ross Geller phase. But now its over)  I went to my pediatrician and said "I am done with birth control.". She said we can move in a different direction, and that is when I started my battle with metformin! I say battle because if any of you have ever taken metformin you know what battle I am talking about! Lets be honest here, it gives you the trots. No going around it, its the truth! The good old TROTS! But guess what! NO migraines, NO side effects that had me scared to death, and it had me be as normal as a girl can be!
     The shock of having PCOS  came a year later! Even though the metformin helped, its not the cure to PCOS. So one night it hit me, and I cried. I cried a lot. I have PCOS, what does this mean? Women who have PCOS can get pregnant. But some women CAN'T. For those of you that know me well, know that I want to give birth to 4 kids, and adopt 1. I have their names picked out, and which ivy league school they are going to. So the idea that there are women out there that can't have kids, and I could be one broke my heart. I thought things like, no one will ever say "Oh Jordan he has your eyes", or "She got your bright red hair", and it made me even more sad. Yes there is adoption, and why would someone my age be thinking that far ahead need to be so scared. I was, and still am. Because I want kids in my future. So i decided now was better to address the problem, then when I was married and trying to get pregnant.
     Now I am living with PCOS, and I am working towards a happier healthier me! Its a challenge, but I know my heavenly father loves me, and wants the best for me. So I am working hard! Which means taking my medication, and living a healthier life style. PCOS is not something that you can hide from if you have it.
Here is my goal: To Beat It!