Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Support Group

Polycythemia is a condition in which there is a net increase in the total circulating erythrocyte (red blood cell) mass of the body. Primary polycythemia occurs when excess erythrocytes are produced as a result of a proliferative abnormality of the bone marrow. Secondary polycythemia is caused by increases of erythropoietin that result in an increased production of...

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atimetofightforlife 03/06/2015

Hi! I have been recently been diagnosed with PCOS and I don't know what to expect. I have been put on birth control and metaformin. My doctor did not really tell me what these medications are supposed to do to me, how severe my PCOS, or how long I would be on metaformin. He simply told me to eat healthier and start exercising....
Its been two months and I feel terrible... I get sick a lot and have been mildly depressed since...

I have not been able to go back to the doctors because I am away for college...

I just want to know if this is normal and if it will ever get any easier....
Will this effect my whole life?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

shawnie0906 03/12/2015

I often felt fatigued and sometimes a little down. Healthy diet and exercise really does help you to feel better inside and out. Here is some advice I recently shared with a woman diagnosed with PCOS.

Many doctors think there is a link between gluten intolerance and PCOS. I've found eating as little gluten as possible to be very helpful. There are a lot of gluten free products available now that taste good.
Keep up the exercise. Women with PCOS may need to exercise more frequently or more intensely than other women to get the same result.
Sugary desserts, candy and drinks aren't good for anybody. But women with PCOS really need to limit these foods.

I found that Vaniqa( spelling?) helped to slow the growth of hair, which was helpful.

Eating smaller balanced meals every 2-3 hours can help keep blood sugar levels healthy. High blood sugar levels are common with PCOS.
Hope you find some of this helpful. I wish I knew all of this when I was first diagnosed.

atimetofightforlife 03/19/2015

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it!

jainlor 05/02/2015

metformin can make you very depressed. there are natural alternatives such as chasteberry. research online. if the metformin makes you so depressed you can find an alternative. or try a naturopath. my daughter also has pcos and she found metformin made her more depressed. cutting out sugar and eating less wheat will help also

makaelar-king 05/12/2015

I'm 15 and was just confirmed that I have PCOS yesterday. My insulin was 185 my testosterone was 11.9 and AC1 was 5.3 so I am not a diabetic yet. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for more blood work.

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