It all began to come together this week. What is it you may ask? Let me start from the beginning.
I have been on birth control since I was fifteen. My menstrual cycle was as regulated as could be. Every month like clockwork, three days and I was finished.
After living with R for little over a year, we decided, together, that I would stop taking my birth control and we would just take things as they came. Both of us want a family and if we had become pregnant it definately would not have been a disappointment.
Shortly after going off birth control my periods became irregular. And by irregular I dont mean a few days extra in my cycle. Instead, I would go three monthes or more without menstruating at all, and when I finally did, they would last anywhere from two weeks to a month.
Now at first I was not alarmed. The doctor who had put me on the birth control in the first place had told me that when I went off my body would go through an adjustment period. But after six monthes and only two periods, I became somewhat concerned. I questioned my doctor who told me, again, that it was normal and my system would readjust myself. That doctor soon moved from my city and I was left without a family doctor.
Fast forward two monthes. I had mild pain low in my pelvis that had lasted about a week. Then on Valentines day, romantic evening at home with the love. Sitting on the couch watching a movie and enjoying chocolate covered strawberries (my guilty pleasure :D). The mild pain developed into severe stabbing pain. R rushed me to the emergency room.
We sat in the hospital for six hours. And, after the doctor felt my stomach, told me the probability was that I had developed shingles and to come back in two days if I developed a rash. He told me the skipped menstruation and pain were not related and that everything was fine. Seeing as how I was in pain so severe I couldnt see, I didnt see how this was possible, but by this time it was 4am and I was much too tired to argue with a arrogant man. R was concerned but respected my wishes to go home and sleep through the pain.
We returned to the emergency room two monthes later. My period had not shown up, and although the pain was gone, I was exhausted, listless and had gained almost fifty pounds. Something had to be done, and seeing as how I was still without a doctor, the emergency room was again my only option.
They sent me to the Womens Clinic. Where I was given a pregnancy test, which came back negative. The WC then sent me to a walk in clinic to be further investigated. Intake at the WIC gave me another pregnancy test, which, of course came back negative. I was told I was definately pregnant, and that the test was a false negative. Once I was put into the hospital room, the doctors forgot we were there. R went out after two hours, requesting an estimated time when we would be seen and they stated "What room are you in?? Everyone has been seen." By this point I was more than irritated, so when the doctor entered the room and told me I was to do another urine pregnancy test. I snapped at her, telling her its obvious to me I'm not pregnant, why cant anyone else see it. She proceeded to tell me it was the only explanation for my symptoms and I did the third urine test of the day. Surprise surprise it was negative. I was sent home, told it was most likely a virus and would pass.
I finally have a new family physician. And recently have noticed not alot, but unusual hair growth I havent had before, acne (I have never had a problem with my skin), and have continued gaining weight. When my period was late this time, I emailed my physicians office and just asked, if maybe this was a reason to be concerned. I was told to come in at the earliest possible date, and made an appointment for three days later.
My doctor knew almost immediately what the problem was, just by listening to me like no one else had previously. I was given a prescription for Provera for when its been three monthes without menstruation, and a sheet for a blood work up. She told me when I go back after my bloodwork I will be prescribed Metformin, to help regulate and assist in my weightloss. I was immediately referred to a dietitian and told my weight had to decrease or my symptoms would get worse.
Who would have thought that maybe my body wasnt adjusting itself, and maybe I had a real illness. Certainly not the six doctors I saw before her. So here I am, twenty two, and embarking on the journey that will determine the quality of the rest of my life.
I've been diagnosed with PCOS. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to be exact. More information on the syndrome to come in the next post. I'll get into the technicals, the emotionals, and just how its affected me so far.
And this blog will follow my trials with medication, weight loss, and figuring out my new life.
