It is now 75 days since my last period started , and to be honest i'm really getting worried now! My cycles have never been completely regular varying usually between 28-35 days, but i've neverwaited this long before.
Actually since December my cycle seems to be quite messed up. They have been as follows:
- 21st December
- 10th February (52 days from start of previous period)
- 6th March (24 dayd from start of previous period)
- ... (75 days and still counting )
The obvious reason would be that I'm pregnant - I did a pregnancy test 2 weeks ago and itwas negative, this didn't surprise me as i didn't "feel" pregnant (not that i know yet what being pregnant "feels" like, lol).
I have been doing some reading and have been trying to find out what else might be delaying my period, and the more i read about PCOS the more it seems like that could by my problem, i have irregular and often painful periods, I'm very overweight, I've started having problems with excess body and facial hair etc. (what a pretty picture that must paint, lol)!
I'm quite worried about this, and have managed to arrange an appointment to see my Doctor next week, but i'm notsurewhat tests they might be able to do. Do any of you have any suggestionsforanything in particular i should ask to get tested for?
Any advice or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Christine
xxx
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hi Missx,
A visit to your G.P. is the best course of action ~ he will then do some blood tests and/or refer to to a consultant. PCOS can be diagnosed by three methods. Blood tests ~ scan to look at your ovaries ~ symptoms.
From what you say you seem to have the symptoms. There are other threads on here regarding PCOS and a great web site for info/forum etc on PCOS is [link= http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk ]www.verity-pcos.org.uk[/link] PCOS is linked to insuline resistance and as such a low carb/diabetic diet is very helpful as is regular exercise. The problem with PCOS is that weight gain makes the problem worse and at the same time it's more difficult for those of us with PCOS to loose weight, so watching your diet and exercising is really important and helpful.
Agnus Castus is a great herbalmed and helps to balance female hormones. Saw palmetto isanother herbal med which helps to reduce the testosterone levels.
If diagnosed,you will either by put on the pill or a med called Metformin which is a Type II diabetic med and helps with the insuline resistance and is becoming a very popular choice of med especially for those trying to conceive.
Hope this helps
Meridianmoon xxx
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hi Meridianmoon,
Thank you so much for the information you gave me, it's proving extremely valuable.
I explained my symptons to my Doctor and asked to be tested for PCOS, and thankfully she offered to start screening immediately. I had numerous blood tests taken last week for general blood count, thyroid, hormone and various other bits and bobs, so i'll hopefully i'll get those results towards the end of this week. Also she has sent off for an ultra-sound appointment but warned that this might take months to come through.
Although i'm feeling anxious about the test results, at least now i feel like i know a bit about PCOS and ways that might help in overcoming it.
Thanks again for your help.
Christine
xxx
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hi Christine,
Glad to be able to help ~ well done on getting to your G.P.s and well done your G.P. for not faffing about and getting you seen to quickly.
Let us know about the outcome ~ and try not to worry too much,the treatment and understanding of PCOS is much better than it used to be and much easier to control with the right lifestyle.
I'm proof of that ~ mis-digagnosed for years ~ took matters into my own hands and with the help of acupunture, reflexology and herbal meds I have a 2 year old son (and my hair stopped falling out !! LOL )
Meridianmoon xx
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hiya Christine
You do seem to have some of the more typical symptoms of PCOS however it's not a foregone conclusion. Even if you do it's not the end of the world - it could be an answer for your symptoms and give you something concrete to work on.. and improve.
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 18 - 15 years ago now, seemed like the end of the world at first, but it hasn't been. My symptoms aren't too bad overall, it's more about pain and fluctutating weight for me - it seems to go in waves, gets good for a while then things play up.
One way in which my doctor sorted out the menstrual side was to put me on the pill (I had pains and a 23 day cycle - the cycle was fine, but the pain was not). It gave me some control over things - it ended up that I would take 3 packets then menstruate cause the pains got so bad. When I came off the pill I have to admit my symptoms were greatly reduced.
You may benefit from talking with an aromatherapist - if your cycle is not regular you may benefit from working with a emmenagogue oil to stumulate your cycle (emmenagogues are great for people who don't menstruate appropriately). You may also benefit from reflexology to help your cycle. It could also be worth looking at your diet.. if you've a problem with a certain food it can make things much worse.
I don't have any advice on the fertility front - I have never tried to get pregnant and haven't investigated my chances of conceiving normally. However Foresight specialise in preconception and they have a special diet you may wish to investigate should you wish to try.
The tests for PCOS aren't too bad - testing may have changed since I had minebut I had a layroscopy - tiny keyhole camera in my belly - small but just under the belly button and a small cut just above there the pubic hair finishes.. then they have a look around and see what's going on. You have dissolving stitches in both and you're given a general anaesthetic whilst they do it but you're normally home the same day - drinking lots of soup and not really anything else. It's not too bad to be honest and you can get back on with things properly within days, just have to be careful till the stitches have gone.
It is likely that he'll just take a bunch of regular tests including checking your pancreas and your thyroid - although he may well include others. He'll know what to look for - if you mention your concerns to him / her I'm sure they will want to reassure you either way so will be proactive in helping.
PCOS is very common - there are A LOT of people out there who have it but never know so don't feel you're alone here.
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hi Gussie and Meridianmoon,
Thanks again for your continued advice. I wanted to let you know I got all my blood test results back today and apparently they're all normal!
It's strange, half of me is quite relieved the results are normal, the other half is confused and wondering if it's not Blood Count/Thyroid/Hormones/Liver type issuesaffecting my highly irregular periods, my worsening body and facial hair, my weight etc then what else could it be.
Also if these blood tests are all normal is it likely to be worthwhile going for the Ultrasound appointment that has now been arranged for mid-September ?
Hope i'm not being a pest, am just feeling a tad confuddled right now,
Christine
xxx
RE: 75 Days Later ...
Hi Missx,
I would still go for your scan. As I mentioned before, diagnosis and understanding of PCOS has come a long way in the last few years ~ diagnosis can be made using two of the three methods !! So it could be scan and symptoms or scan and blood tests or blood test and symptoms etc.
My blood tests at the G.P.s always came back as normal ~ thats why I went misdiagnosed for years and eventally when referred to a Gyneo I was scanned and told I did have PCOS.
As Gussie said there's afair possibility it's not PCOS, but you really need to see a Gyneo anway as they're the experts and you obviously have something going on with your cycle so best to get it checked out properly.
In the meantime there's lots you can do to get back on track so to speak ~ have a look at your diet ~ exersise ~ herbal meds such as Agnus Castus and Saw Palmetto are great for rebalancing female hormones ~ and Reflexology can be really helpful in balancing out your hormones and cycle.
Meridianmoon xx