The road to PCOS Recovery: Episode 1 "Diagnosis and Symptoms"

I created this blog because I wanted to have a spot where I can keep track of my progress from diagnosis to recovery with Poly Cystic Ovaries (PCOS) and to also keep a record for other women who may be in different stages of their PCOS journey.

What is Poly Cystic Ovaries: (info taken from http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/pcos.htm#e)
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:
high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
missed or irregular periods
many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

What are the symptoms? Personally I have several listed below which I put an X next to.

(x)infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
(x)infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
(x)increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
(x)ovarian cysts
(x)acne, oily skin, or dandruff
(x)weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
(x)insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
(x)high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
(x)patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
(x)skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
(x)pelvic pain
(x)anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

As you can see, I have many of the symptoms, which upon talking to my gyn, I was diagnosed (Oct 2006). It was a long journey to get diagnosed, with trips to the ER for cyst ruptures, trips to the Urologyst to see if it was bladder related, and several U/S's to monitor the cysts. I have finally reached a diagnosis, but getting the proper medication has taken some time.

I will post later about the medication journey, but I more wanted to focus on the new medication I have just started taking: Metformin, also known as Glucophage. I am hopeful for a recovery and want to use this post to share my journey with you, through pictures to show my weight loss, and up to date blogs concerning medicinal side effects and results. I hope to keep track of this entire journey so if anyone else is just starting out, they will be motivated to continue.

I hope you get some knowledge out of this blog to help your own situations and for motivation.