What To Do With This Unexplained Tiredness

I have been feeling really tired lately. I can’t understand where it’s coming from considering that I have been sleeping well for the past couple of days. I have been taking Metformin for a year and a half already, and except for the need to go the bathroom more often, I really have no other major issues with it. But for the past couple of days, this fatigue has really slowed me down. I feel like I have the FLU without the fever.

I have read that Metformin can cause fatigue. But I really did not expect that it is going to be this disturbing. I must admit that there are days when I feel so lazy but that is just a far cry from the tiredness that I have been feeling for the past couple of days. When I wake up in the morning, I feel so tired it’s as if I haven’t slept the entire night. And what’s worse is that I have unexplained body aches and pains.

I am worried at what might be wrong because I never had this before. I already had my thyroid checked, and the blood tests came out normal. I am suspecting that Metformin must be the culprit. For so long, I only had GI problems with Metformin, but now I am feeling another possible side effect. And although it’s a relief to know that there are also other women with PCOS who experienced this kind of fatigue, I wonder why this just happened.

I guess this is more than an indication that I need to see my doctor again. After being sick for a while, I postponed my visit so that I can be in better shape when I see her. But now that this disorder has given me another blow, I seriously need another consultation. I have read that blood tests may be required for a long-term treatment with Metformin. I haven’t had any, and I wasn’t even aware of the need to do so. I guess this is another wake up call that will serve to remind me that I should be more proactive with my treatment.

For now, I will just rely on a pain reliever to at least alleviate the aches and pains. I try to avoid pain relievers but this discomfort is just too much.I have tried walking to get some fresh air and it helped a bit. I feel so wasted today, but I am hoping that tomorrow is going to be a better day so that I can get plenty of things done!

The Effect Of PCOS On Breastfeeding

I have been discussing my symptoms with another friend who has PCOS and I found out that aside from the common symptoms, we both had problems with breastfeeding. I really thought that the problems that I had during and after my pregnancy were in no way related with PCOS. When I was diagnosed, I was only told that I may have problems conceiving, and that was it. But now that I have been reading more about the experiences of other PCOS women, somehow it all makes sense.

Right after giving birth, I was very determined to breastfeed my baby because I wanted to give her immune system a needed boost. But I was dismayed to find out that I had a very low milk supply. By this, I meant that I was only able to expel around 10 ml of breast milk for around 30 minutes of pumping. While many of my friends complained about breast engorgement and breast pain a few days after giving birth, I was literally pain free! My breasts were definitely heavier but even with regular pumping, I just couldn’t get breast milk that was sufficient enough for one feeding.

Now I realize that this problem may be correlated with PCOS. It is thought that the breast tissue among PCOS women does not fully develop. This means that although the breast size may look normal, it may lack the milk making capacity needed in milk production. To add to that, other factors associated with PCOS like an imbalance of hormones and insulin resistance seem to make milk production less possible.

Had I learned more about these before giving birth, I could have prepared well for it. Some PCOS women were able to breastfeed because they took medications for PCOS, and they also followed their doctor’s advice to eat healthier. Basically, the treatment was aimed at stabilizing hormones that were necessary for the production of milk. And women were also asked to eat healthier in order to at least control insulin resistance. It is then no surprise that I had so little milk because I neither did any of these. I was only focused on keeping the pregnancy and making sure that my daughter reached term.

If you have PCOS and you are on your way to motherhood, make sure that you discuss your intentions of breastfeeding your baby with your doctor. In my experience, I have learned that planning for my baby’s health and safety should have gone beyond pregnancy. I wish you a safe and happy pregnancy!

How I Dealt With My PCOS-Related Anxiety Issues

Not knowing that anxiety may be related to PCOS, I dismissed the episodes thinking that it may be because I haven’t been circulating for a while. When my symptoms worsened, I also noticed that my heart seems to be out of sync. There are times when it would just race, and I would have to take deep breaths so that I can breathe. There are also episodes when I’d be awakened in the middle of the night by my racing heart.

I never had these before and I realized that I have been having this problem after giving birth to my daughter. It’s really strange and disturbing in the sense that I really didn’t have self- confidence issues before. Back in school, I was always part of the class considered to be the cream of the crop. To add to that, I was a well rounded individual and I actively participated in competitive sports. During those times, I didn’t have any qualms about meeting other people and taking bold risks.

But now, everything has changed. I recently took an important exam, and my body was totally out of sync. I am used to taking exams because right after graduation, I took all 3 exams necessary to practice as a licensed nurse in a foreign land. Those were very challenging exams but I took the entire process well. But just weeks ago, I was under great stress. Compared to the other exams that I took, it was the most stressful because my body is no longer the same.  And it was just frightening.

I have always thought of certification exams as an opportunity to move forward with my professional aspirations. But with PCOS in my midst, it was just so distressing. The week before the test date, I was in panic mode reading books and searching the internet for topics that I may have overlooked. When I’d sleep at night, I’d worry so much that it was just hard to get some rest.

But since I have had these issues for a while, I was able to effectively cope. When I began to have intervals of breathlessness, I learned coping techniques. My anxiety issues also became more manageable after I started exercising. I also try to stay away from caffeine because it made it so much worse. I used deep breathing to counteract my rapid heartbeats and when I’d get the feeling that I’d choke, I would concentrate on getting full breaths.

I never had any consultation for it because I felt that I could manage it. I felt that there are things that I can do so that I can condition myself to cope better. — It worked! I was in the middle of the exam and my hand froze because I realized that I needed more time to finish the last subtest. No matter what I did, my hand just froze and my handwriting became barely legible. I tried to regain my focus by saying a short prayer and I also willed myself to calm down. Ten minutes before the end of the exam, I was done! I even managed to review everything twice before the papers were collected.

Since PCOS has affected so many aspects of my life, I am slowly coming up with coping techniques so that I can live my life to the fullest. Dealing with this anxiety without any treatment was such a struggle. And it took me awhile to regain my lost confidence. I may not be victorious with PCOS yet, but these small victories keep me going. In time, I will be whole again.

Can PCOS Weaken The Immune System?

Aside from common ailments like fever, cough and colds, I really didn’t have serious health issues before. My body didn’t seem to complain when I constantly pushed myself to the limits by being active in competitive sports. But when my PCOS symptoms worsened, I also noticed that my immune system seemed weaker. I can easily get the infection from other sick family members, and I also noticed that it took my body longer in fighting off the most common illnesses.

When I browsed through some data regarding the association between a weak immune system and PCOS, I really could not get a definite answer. But what’s intriguing is that there are many women with PCOS, who also complain of a weakened immune system. I found out that many of these women are just like me. They also had more frequent bouts with viral or even bacterial infections.

Since PCOS is not directly linked with an immunocompromised state, it is believed that immune system problems may be due to a common PCOS symptom –insulin resistance. In PCOS women, the body needs more insulin in order to get a desired response. This altered body mechanism is believed to affect many mechanisms in the body, including the immune system response.

Although a growing number of studies are needed so that the link can be clearly established, these claims helped me understand as to how PCOS can cause a chain reaction in our body processes. When long ago I thought that PCOS is purely reproductive in nature, I am more than certain that it’s so much more than that.
With my weak immune system, I refuse to give up on this disorder knowing that there are options that I can take so I can be healthier. With my tendency to attract viruses and other illnesses, I have made it a point to practice preventive measures like proper hand washing or even isolating myself from sick family members. To add to that, I am also trying to have a healthier diet to at least control my insulin resistance.

I know that I need to make major adjustments with my schedule so that I can regularly exercise, but I am looking forward to that as another step towards a healthier me. I just don’t want to see myself as someone who is constantly sick because of this disorder. I am also very open to alternative treatment methods because I seriously want positive changes to occur healthwise.

Dealing with PCOS dictates that you need to be more attuned with your body so that you can take steps in controlling your symptoms. That’s precisely what I am doing now, and I am hoping that it will give me positive results.

PCOS And The Yeast Connection

I have finally mustered the courage to begin writing about other embarrassing symptoms of PCOS. This year, I have noticed that right before my period, I’d get really itchy down there. Although my period is irregular, the “itch” would routinely come just before I have my precious period. When it first happened, I thought that I had an allergic reaction to a feminine wash, but after my consultation I found out that it was a yeast infection.

My OB asked me to take a Funzela (Fluconazole) tablet along with two tablets of Flagyl (Metronidadole). After days of suffering from the severe itch and burning, I was relieved to find out that it can be treated with these two medications. However, it was just the beginning of my new journey with another symptom that is related to IR or insulin resistance.

I realized that I began to have recurrent yeast infections just late last year. It came just about the time when my PCOS symptoms seemed to worsen. This association may not be directly linked with PCOS, but it can be explained with the existence of insulin resistance, which happens to be common among PCOS women. This is a result of high blood sugar levels because the microorganism that causes yeast infections thrives in the presence of glucose.

Through PCOS forums, I learned that many of these women had yeast infections when they weren’t careful with their diet. When they tried to avoid simple carbohydrate foods and foods with refined sugar, their yeast infections didn’t occur as often. I have observed the same thing with my bouts with yeast infections. When I indulge with my premenstrual cravings, I tend to have a worse episode of yeast infection. It’s really exasperating considering that I don’t intend to take the medication every month.

Since I have been quite careful with my diet, I noticed that it’s not as bothersome anymore. Now, I can just ignore it because it’s rather mild. And although this is just a small progress with regards to my overall PCOS condition, it is a welcome step towards my quest for better health. And with that, I have also exerted an effort in preventing its recurrence.

I am regularly taking probiotics because it can help maintain good levels of good bacteria necessary to fight off certain infections. I have also given up orange juice in place of cranberry juice. And I am also avoiding hygiene products that can alter normal vaginal pH. Through these measures, I am hoping that I can at least help prevent this bothersome infection.

If you have frequent yeast infections due to PCOS, I would love to hear how you deal with these. Being a survivor of all things PCOS, I happen to know how it feels to deal with one symptom after the other.

Menstrual Problems With PCOS

This is again the time of the month when I’d wait forever for my period to show up. Except for feeling so bloated and emotional, I don’t feel any other PMS symptoms. I am again dreading the visit to my OB because I would have to take pills to make my period start again. Each time this happens, I feel like a robot needing to be switched on and off so that my elusive period will just show up.

So far, my cycles have become quite long –35 days or more to be exact. I have already gone to my OB thrice this year just to get the prescription so that my period can be restarted. I have grown familiar with the process of getting a pregnancy test, and even a transvaginal ultrasound just to check that my late period is not due to pregnancy.

And speaking of pregnancy tests, I have already used up a lot of those. It’s totally disconcerting to just wait whether your period will finally show up or not. But after too many negative tests, it still means the same thing — I have PCOS and it’s causing a problem with my menstrual cycle. I just think that this is just another indication that my PCOS is taking a turn for the worse.

Among the things that doctors commonly prescribe to at least regulate the cycle of PCOS women are birth control pills and a weight loss plan. I have already tried three different birth control pills and they all made me gain so much weight. I even had the low dose variety like Yasmin, and I also didn’t take it well. I have been trying on a healthier take on my weight loss and so far I haven’t got visible results. I am not complaining though because it has helped me maintain a more positive outlook.

Experts suggest that even a 10 percent weight loss in PCOS women can improve symptoms. Ten percent may not sound like a lot, but for me, it’s hard to lose even three pounds! But I am just glad that I can at least hold on to the idea of a long term weight loss plan. My previous attempts were so futile because I easily gave up after realizing that my hard work has not gotten me anywhere.  But I badly want to be treated, and weight loss is really part of the entire process. Sigh!

I don’t really want to dwell so much on this hurdle because I want to focus on the positive aspects of this disorder. With a new doctor to help me out, I feel somewhat fortunate. I just hope that after years of being “idle”, I can finally move forward with this new treatment regimen. I will see her again this coming Saturday, and I’ll keep you posted!

My Racing Heart

I haven’t been able to post for a couple of days because I had to take an exam that was required for any foreign nurse applicant. The past week has been so stressful considering that my last exam was four years ago. But I have welcomed the stress because I know that this is all part of the process of seeking greener pastures.

I intentionally skipped taking Metformin for days because I was afraid I would have GI upset during the examination days. It didn’t turn out to be a wise decision after all because I immediately noticed my symptoms to worsen. I had terrible cravings and I also had to deal with constant palpitations. It was aggravated because I was just so pressured with the thought that I only had too little time to prepare. But now that everything is back to normal, I feel that my heart is not. I know for a fact that I have ignored it for too long because I did not really expect it to be associated with PCOS.

I was able to read some posts by other PCOS women today, and I found out that they too have these similar palpitations. One woman at soulcysters said that there were times when she had to sit down so she can just catch her breath. As for me, the severity of my pounding heart would sometimes diminish, but there are times when I have to sit up in bed just to get rid of the choking feeling.  Looking back, I think that it’s been over a year that I have been feeling this way.

Some PCOS women noticed that their palpitations worsened before they got their periods, while there are others who said that they have more of it when they stopped taking Metformin. I haven’t really made a clear association because I am currently expecting my period anytime, and I have also started taking Metformin again. Hence, I will make a record of these times to hopefully pinpoint any aggravating factor like activity, time of the month, or even food intake. Hopefully it will be useful during my next visit.

With all the posts that I have been reading, it’s a relief to know that I am not alone. I have learned to be more proactive with this disorder because I don’t want to become a lab rat again. With all the information that is readily available now, I guess it’s best to use it to our advantage.

5 Tips On How To Deal With PCOS

When you have PCOS, you don’t just deal with the symptoms, but you also have to come to terms with thoughts about infertility and your changing self-image. It took a while before I took full control of my life because I wasn’t prepared against what PCOS had in store for me. I was living a full life, and I really didn’t have a lot of health issues.  So when I suddenly had too much to think about, I really did not take it well.

Over time, I have learned to embrace the disorder because there is just no other way to go about it. I realized that I needed to open myself up so that I can welcome positive changes in my life. If you have PCOS and you really don’t know what to do, here are some tips on how you can cope:

1.    Seek consultation and follow your treatment plan. Whether you want to have a baby or not, it is very important to follow a prescribed treatment plan. I would have been in better health if I sought consultation during the time when I was in denial. The key to taking your life back is to work closely with your trusted health care provider.

2.    Eat healthy. Unhealthy eating habits can only aggravate your condition. Live each day with the knowledge that there is much that you can do so that you can live a healthier life.

3.    Get more exercise. If you feel like being sorry for yourself, drive those thought s away by getting some physical activity. Many studies show that exercise can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

4.    Surround yourself with positive people. Don’t make a big deal out of unsolicited advice and continue to be inspired by people who have come out victorious from their PCOS battles. There are a lot of support groups for PCOS women online, and the members are all very supportive with whatever you are going through.

5.    Love yourself. PCOS only has the capacity to change the way you look, but everything else remains the same. Don’t allow it to be the reason of your misery because it should never change you as a person. Acknowledge the symptoms and love yourself despite the flaws.

Life with PCOS is still beautiful if you learn to positively deal with the challenges. If you feel that you need to reach out to others, send me a message. We can help each other out.

My Growing Concern With PCOS Related Hair Loss

I went to the salon today to get my monthly haircut. The assistant of the stylist was busy blow drying my hair when she asked whether I have a problem with hair loss. I didn’t expect her to ask me that because the last time that I had noticeable hair loss was about four years ago. But when I took a closer look at my hairline on the top of my scalp, I see a LOT of short growing hair. Ugh! I must have overlooked that I am shedding more than 30 strands of hair after each shower.

I really don’t mind losing some strands every now and then, but it has again come to the point when I need to use a hair product to at least make them less visible. The last thing that I need right now is for another person to focus his gaze on the top my head during a conversation. As compared to my other symptoms, this is just aesthetic but it is a clear indication of how my hormones are so messed up.

According to studies, around 70% of women in the United States experience hair problems with PCOS.  While other women have to deal with shaving and getting rid of unwanted hair, I am losing more hair on my scalp. Sigh! This problem is often referred to as male pattern hair loss and it is due to elevated levels of androgen.

It is thought that after the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is converted from testosterone, it binds to the sites of hair follicles. This results to either male pattern hair loss or excessive hair growth on the wrong places, or what is medically known as hirsutism. The hair follicles on our body respond differently to hormonal changes. Fine body hair will grow coarse, and hair growth will also occur on the navel, on the face, and on other parts of the body. Since hair follicles on the head are more sensitive to this imbalance, healthy hair will fall off instead of the normal cycle of continued growth.

Sometimes I wish that PCOS will just be fair to all of us and give us back the balance of our hormones. With the syndrome, it’s always too much or too little of what we really need in order to get our body to function normally. But although it’s frustrating, I am looking forward to a new treatment plan in the coming weeks. Hopefully when my test results are in, my doctor can help me manage this imbalance. After a long time, I am finally staying positive!

PCOS And High Androgen Levels

When you hear the words androgen or testosterone, you may immediately associate it with men. But this association may not be accurate in the sense that low levels of testosterone are also needed by women in order to stay healthy. In PCOS women, androgen levels are high enough to cause irritating symptoms.

From sporting a beard to growing chest hair, it is only understandable how PCOS women loathe this kind of altered body mechanism. While I don’t grow too much hair, my broad shoulders and my physique shows that I am everything masculine! Ugh! And as much as I would like to preserve my femininity, I somehow feel that it’s spiralling out of control each day.

When you have high levels of androgen or male hormones, it can trigger ovulation problems, skin issues and even hair loss. These symptoms may sound manageable, but they are actually very hard to deal with! Here’s why:

Fertility Problems – As you may already know, PCOS is one of the most common fertility problem in women. Aside from elevated androgen levels, many PCOS women are also insulin resistant. This combination is just not helpful for those who want to conceive because it can greatly affect ovulation. Despite my symptoms, I recently found out that I still ovulate. I guess my eggs are pretty good at sneaking out from my ovaries!

Skin Problems – I am not too happy with the darkening of my skin on some areas of my face. Although my concealer does a good job at hiding the flaws, the dark patches are still there each time I wake up. Sigh! I don’t have acne and hirsutism (growing of excess hair), but the onslaught to my appearance has made me realize that I should give due attention to PCOS. With proper management, I am hoping to at least manage these irritating symptoms.

Hair Loss – Thinning of scalp hair is also caused by increased levels of androgen. I actually have super thick hair, but I sometimes worry whether I’d deal with a receding hair line soon. Gasp! Please no!

Having endured PCOS for years, I have already accepted these changes. The big step for me now is to manage my androgen levels. I have read that some women are prescribed a diuretic to at least control androgen levels. Ladies, do not take this without your doctor’s prescription because this drug is not at all safe without proper evaluation and monitoring. I have yet to check with my doctor if the treatment is good for me. I’ll keep you posted!