I have an appointment coming up with a dermatologist about my skin problems (both acne and due to weight loss) and the hair problems, my GP rushed it through because of my depression so at least that is one good thing to come about.
I am down to 12 stone 2 and hopefully 12 stone by the end of next week as I seem to be maintaining a 2lbs a week loss at the moment with all the exercise I am doing. I am no longer dieting as such, just making sure portion sizes are controlled and eating healthily so I am pleased to be still losing weight.
Can't really comment about the hair... 3 laser sessions and many ultrasound sessions and the results are small. I am starting to feel less optimistic about this.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
Depression
So, on the more positive note.
Had a second lot of laser, and having another lot of ultrasound tonight. There seems to be potential for real improvement regarding the hair on my face.
I am also down to 12stone 5 so I am now waaaaay over half way to my goal weight, in fact I only want to lose about another stone and a half.
This should mean that I am happier, I have made a massive improvement. Stupidly I am not, in fact I am regularly bordering suicidal. I feel like I am running a marathon, and its a marathon I have wanted to run all my life, but now I have hit the wall and I feel so very trapped. The negative side is that weight loss has incurred other problems, and I do not look as good as I thought I would. I look a lot better, but quick weight loss has left me looking very flabby with loose skin. I am hopeful that with time it will tone up, its not too bad but my stomach is now very soft and jiggly rather than being firm like before. I guess my consolation is that I do not have skin hanging from me, but it is very hard to be positive when I have worked so hard so look better. The other very upsetting result is how my breasts now look, weight loss is not exactly great for big firm boobs...
I no longer feel that I have a choice.. I cannot go back to how I looked before but I feel so unhappy and hate so much how I look now. I have no choice but to continue, but I am tired and I have totally lost the drive to keep going. The one thing that upsets me more than anything is that I know what I would be doing now if I had acheived the body I want, and got rid of at least the hair from my face. And I know just how happy I would be, and it is torture. As if someone is showing me the life I could have right now, if only I had tried to get rid of my problem when I was younger.
Please, anyone suffering with any of the symptoms of PCOS, obesity/weight problems, excessive hair, bad skin, please do something now. Don't be afraid to get help, don't leave it until it causes other health problems later in life.
Had a second lot of laser, and having another lot of ultrasound tonight. There seems to be potential for real improvement regarding the hair on my face.
I am also down to 12stone 5 so I am now waaaaay over half way to my goal weight, in fact I only want to lose about another stone and a half.
This should mean that I am happier, I have made a massive improvement. Stupidly I am not, in fact I am regularly bordering suicidal. I feel like I am running a marathon, and its a marathon I have wanted to run all my life, but now I have hit the wall and I feel so very trapped. The negative side is that weight loss has incurred other problems, and I do not look as good as I thought I would. I look a lot better, but quick weight loss has left me looking very flabby with loose skin. I am hopeful that with time it will tone up, its not too bad but my stomach is now very soft and jiggly rather than being firm like before. I guess my consolation is that I do not have skin hanging from me, but it is very hard to be positive when I have worked so hard so look better. The other very upsetting result is how my breasts now look, weight loss is not exactly great for big firm boobs...
I no longer feel that I have a choice.. I cannot go back to how I looked before but I feel so unhappy and hate so much how I look now. I have no choice but to continue, but I am tired and I have totally lost the drive to keep going. The one thing that upsets me more than anything is that I know what I would be doing now if I had acheived the body I want, and got rid of at least the hair from my face. And I know just how happy I would be, and it is torture. As if someone is showing me the life I could have right now, if only I had tried to get rid of my problem when I was younger.
Please, anyone suffering with any of the symptoms of PCOS, obesity/weight problems, excessive hair, bad skin, please do something now. Don't be afraid to get help, don't leave it until it causes other health problems later in life.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Antidepressants
Yeah,
I guess being hairy as a gorilla, overweight and suffering from awful skin (and massively negative self-image) has finally broken me. Joy
I guess being hairy as a gorilla, overweight and suffering from awful skin (and massively negative self-image) has finally broken me. Joy
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Post Laser and half a stone less
So the laser was, as far as I can tell, a success. I was only done on level 5 (moving up to level 8 eventually) and I had no reaction to the laser what so ever. I can't really tell if it has had any real effect yet (I wasn't expecting to see results before the 3rd session at least) although my face does seem a little smoother - my optimism again? I am going for another session the weekend after next - on a higher setting hopefully.
My cheek which has been ultrasounded is starting to get a little fuzzy, tho so far nooooothing like before (and not all stubbley either). Hopefully with a full session of electrolysis on just the one side (she usually does half and half) and then another ultrasound session on friday all or at least almost all of the other side should be done. I think after that I will start having electrolysis on my chest as I had orignally planned before deciding I really needed to get started on my face. The hair on my chest is much finer and sparser so I am hoping it will take much less time.
Otherwise, I have managed to get down to 12stone 7, this may be the lightest I have been for 8-10 years.
My cheek which has been ultrasounded is starting to get a little fuzzy, tho so far nooooothing like before (and not all stubbley either). Hopefully with a full session of electrolysis on just the one side (she usually does half and half) and then another ultrasound session on friday all or at least almost all of the other side should be done. I think after that I will start having electrolysis on my chest as I had orignally planned before deciding I really needed to get started on my face. The hair on my chest is much finer and sparser so I am hoping it will take much less time.
Otherwise, I have managed to get down to 12stone 7, this may be the lightest I have been for 8-10 years.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Laser day
Today is laser day! I'm quite excited although I realise it will take a couple of sessions before I may notice the growth slowing down.
Otherwise I had a third session of ultraound yesterday, she has removed all the hair (except some very short stubbly ones still to grow through) from one side of my face. (Ultrasound is focusing on my 'sideburns' and jaw and neck hidden by my hair - laser is doing my chin, jawline and neck not hidden from view) It is such a big difference, no hair there, no shaving there!
As you can see I am only focusing more technical hair removal therapies on my face (the most upsetting area to have hair) and everwhere else is being waxed or epilated (with the exception of my underarms, being a total pussy about that). And everything is responding well, all the hair is much lighter and finer from just a few waxes/epilations. I think I am most please with the hair on my stomach where I used to have a full on black wirey rug, it has now grown back a pale brown, much finer, and it is a lot lot shorter than before (or it is taking a loooooooot longer to grow back than usual). I am not completely sure why my body hair growth has reduced so much, whether it is simply the way I am removing the hair, whether it is down to weight loss and diet, or drugs.
I have moved on to taking the regular birth control pill (Microgynon because it is good for bad skin, even if not as good as Dianette) which I have taken in the past and doesnt give me any side effects, this is because any birth control pill is supposed to help with hormones so its a good start until I am prescribed Spironolactone.
Weight loss is going fantastically well, anyone with PCOS who is having difficulty losing weight, it is FAR from impossible. Sometimes it is hard, and you have to be very determined. But it is so worth it and don't think that just because you have PCOS you wont be able to lose weight, no matter how hard it feels, you can do it. I have struggled with my weight for 12 years, but it is finally going, by the end of this month I am hoping to have lost 4 and a half stone (in 8 months). Courage, routine and determination will get you there.
Otherwise I had a third session of ultraound yesterday, she has removed all the hair (except some very short stubbly ones still to grow through) from one side of my face. (Ultrasound is focusing on my 'sideburns' and jaw and neck hidden by my hair - laser is doing my chin, jawline and neck not hidden from view) It is such a big difference, no hair there, no shaving there!
As you can see I am only focusing more technical hair removal therapies on my face (the most upsetting area to have hair) and everwhere else is being waxed or epilated (with the exception of my underarms, being a total pussy about that). And everything is responding well, all the hair is much lighter and finer from just a few waxes/epilations. I think I am most please with the hair on my stomach where I used to have a full on black wirey rug, it has now grown back a pale brown, much finer, and it is a lot lot shorter than before (or it is taking a loooooooot longer to grow back than usual). I am not completely sure why my body hair growth has reduced so much, whether it is simply the way I am removing the hair, whether it is down to weight loss and diet, or drugs.
I have moved on to taking the regular birth control pill (Microgynon because it is good for bad skin, even if not as good as Dianette) which I have taken in the past and doesnt give me any side effects, this is because any birth control pill is supposed to help with hormones so its a good start until I am prescribed Spironolactone.
Weight loss is going fantastically well, anyone with PCOS who is having difficulty losing weight, it is FAR from impossible. Sometimes it is hard, and you have to be very determined. But it is so worth it and don't think that just because you have PCOS you wont be able to lose weight, no matter how hard it feels, you can do it. I have struggled with my weight for 12 years, but it is finally going, by the end of this month I am hoping to have lost 4 and a half stone (in 8 months). Courage, routine and determination will get you there.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Yay for Ultrasound!
I had my second session of ultrasound hair removal today (first time was a trial) and I like it! Obviously its the same as anything like laser or electrolysis and it will take several sessions, but I like that the hair doesn't have to be shaved. Also the lady who does it for me is brilliant, I will put a link to her site if everything keeps going well.
The electrolysis seems good too (I don't find it painful unlike a lot of people seem to) although a lot slower, however its hard to tell whether this is experience, method, whatever else.
And my skin test for laser was fine, she kept it at level 5 (apparently it goes up to level 10) because I have very sensitive skin, but apart from a warming sensation when she did it I didn't feel any heat in my skin and there was no redness afterwards at all. Maybe years of shaving has numbed my face to pain...
So far I appear to be going ahead with all 3 types of treatment! (6 + 1 extra sessions of laser £295, £50/30 mins ultrasound, £5/20 mins electrolysis) with the laser focusing on my chin and neck (most visible areas that I cant allow to grow) and the other two on my sideburns and other places hidden by hair. I don't really need to keep up with the electrolysis but at the moment I get satisfaction knowing there are fewer hairs, and its cheap so...
I have also joined the gym, it includes free use of the pool and some of the fitness classes and I was getting bored with my exercise routine. The weight loss plan is going really very well (even though I moan a lot) and anyone out there trying to lose weight, I have been overweight-obese from the age of 13. If I can do this any bugger can.
Good luck all ^^
The electrolysis seems good too (I don't find it painful unlike a lot of people seem to) although a lot slower, however its hard to tell whether this is experience, method, whatever else.
And my skin test for laser was fine, she kept it at level 5 (apparently it goes up to level 10) because I have very sensitive skin, but apart from a warming sensation when she did it I didn't feel any heat in my skin and there was no redness afterwards at all. Maybe years of shaving has numbed my face to pain...
So far I appear to be going ahead with all 3 types of treatment! (6 + 1 extra sessions of laser £295, £50/30 mins ultrasound, £5/20 mins electrolysis) with the laser focusing on my chin and neck (most visible areas that I cant allow to grow) and the other two on my sideburns and other places hidden by hair. I don't really need to keep up with the electrolysis but at the moment I get satisfaction knowing there are fewer hairs, and its cheap so...
I have also joined the gym, it includes free use of the pool and some of the fitness classes and I was getting bored with my exercise routine. The weight loss plan is going really very well (even though I moan a lot) and anyone out there trying to lose weight, I have been overweight-obese from the age of 13. If I can do this any bugger can.
Good luck all ^^
Friday, 4 March 2011
Day at the Beauty Salons
Having come off the Dianette I am feeling much more myself, its very disappointing that I cant use it as a way to deal with PCOS, but the side effects meant that it wasnt worth it (big mood swings that change quickly, depression, anxiety, very short attention span and irrational anger). However I would recommend anyone to try it as it obviously affects everyone differently and I have heard that it does work.
Oh well, hopefully I will find another way to deal with things. My weight is going down again and I have just joined the gym for a month so hopefully I will have lost another stone by the end of the month.
And tomorrow I will have my second lot of electrolysis, my skin test for laser and a consultation for ultrasound.
Oh well, hopefully I will find another way to deal with things. My weight is going down again and I have just joined the gym for a month so hopefully I will have lost another stone by the end of the month.
And tomorrow I will have my second lot of electrolysis, my skin test for laser and a consultation for ultrasound.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Nuke the bastards
Had my first electrolysis session today, no pain, discomfort and very little change in skin colour afterwards (pink for about half an hour). But it was slow... and there is still a lot there. So I am now booking to have my free test patch for laser (maybe its less permanent but I will see results faster).
I have my next electrolysis appointment in 3 days time.
I have also had a few waxing sessions and kept up with epilating, everything is growing back lighter and finer (although no obvious change in speed of growth yet).
Also I am no longer taking the Dianette. It made me full on psychotic/suicidal. I'm still not feeling myself. So I am moving on to the regular pill and Spironolactone on the advice of a specialist (and am being referred to a specialist clinic at the hospital). She reaffirmed the benefits of weight loss saying that it helps to lower the androgens in your body, and fortunately that is going well again.
For anyone trying to lose weight I recommend eating something good for breakfast (I have porridge with dried fruits) because it helps keep you full. Also the Batchelors Slim a Soups are great to take to work and have with something else (fruit or pittabread/rye bread is easy), no faffing making something and theyre really low cal/fat.
I have my next electrolysis appointment in 3 days time.
I have also had a few waxing sessions and kept up with epilating, everything is growing back lighter and finer (although no obvious change in speed of growth yet).
Also I am no longer taking the Dianette. It made me full on psychotic/suicidal. I'm still not feeling myself. So I am moving on to the regular pill and Spironolactone on the advice of a specialist (and am being referred to a specialist clinic at the hospital). She reaffirmed the benefits of weight loss saying that it helps to lower the androgens in your body, and fortunately that is going well again.
For anyone trying to lose weight I recommend eating something good for breakfast (I have porridge with dried fruits) because it helps keep you full. Also the Batchelors Slim a Soups are great to take to work and have with something else (fruit or pittabread/rye bread is easy), no faffing making something and theyre really low cal/fat.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Broke the weight loss plateau!
Yay! I'm working away at that first stone to lose now.
Also working still at undoing all those years of shaving. It is a long and oh my god tedious job. But waking up without stubble will make it all worthwhile.
Also working still at undoing all those years of shaving. It is a long and oh my god tedious job. But waking up without stubble will make it all worthwhile.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
No to Dianette and Laser
I had a consultation at a salon which does laser hair removal and was told that because Dianette makes my skin photosensitive I would have to stop taking it in order to under go treatment (otherwise I risk burning my skin). However from what I have been told I gather that laser hair removal would not be very effective on someone with PCOS because the effect of the hormones would see the hair return very quickly, so I would need to do something to control my hormones, say by taking Dianette.
Its a vicious circle.
As is the weight issue. I really need to lose at least another 2 stone but my weight loss has ground to a halt, possibly due to PCOS. And yet I need to lose weight to improve my PCOS symptoms. This is a joke.
I am going back to a strict diet (which I had originally stopped for fear of becoming very flabby and losing my breasts) to see if I can lose another 3-4 pounds. This includes 50g Muesli + skimmed milk and a black coffee for breakfast. Half a tin of tuna and a salad (tomato/lettuce/cucumber/seeds/pepper/radish etc) with no dressing or mayo for lunch. A tin/packet uber low fat soup for dinner. Snacks are only fruit (no bananas) and raw veg. Lots of water and green/peppermint tea.
I will also make sure I do the exercise video 4 times a week and run 3 times.
Feeling pretty depressed right now so I need to see some results.
Its a vicious circle.
As is the weight issue. I really need to lose at least another 2 stone but my weight loss has ground to a halt, possibly due to PCOS. And yet I need to lose weight to improve my PCOS symptoms. This is a joke.
I am going back to a strict diet (which I had originally stopped for fear of becoming very flabby and losing my breasts) to see if I can lose another 3-4 pounds. This includes 50g Muesli + skimmed milk and a black coffee for breakfast. Half a tin of tuna and a salad (tomato/lettuce/cucumber/seeds/pepper/radish etc) with no dressing or mayo for lunch. A tin/packet uber low fat soup for dinner. Snacks are only fruit (no bananas) and raw veg. Lots of water and green/peppermint tea.
I will also make sure I do the exercise video 4 times a week and run 3 times.
Feeling pretty depressed right now so I need to see some results.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
The Three-Pronged Attack
I have a future appointment with a specialist. In the meantime:
Reading through any PCOS/hirsutism advice on the internet will give these recommendations, but what the heck I'm going to go and repeat them anyway.
The symptoms I suffer with greatly are: bad hirsutism, weight, bad skin. All cosmetic things. (I also suffer from unpleasant periods but I have always been a bit heyho about them, they are an inconvenience and don't ruin my life) So nothing that will kill me, no. All things that cause me mild to extreme upset, embarassment, lack of confidence, prevent me living life how I want, and (in some cases) depression and thoughts of suicide, yes. To anyone who does not suffer with PCOS this may sound excessive, to anyone who does I imagine they understand.
So on my road to rid myself (yes rid myself, not just put up with it, not just accept my lot in life) of my symptoms I have come across the three main attacks: For effectiveness I am following them all, rigorously:
LIFESTYLE CHANGE. MEDICATION. HAIR REMOVAL.
For effectiveness I am following them all, rigorously.
Medication
As mentioned in an earlier post I am currently taking Dianette and things have improved since I last wrote. I have been taking it now for a month and a half, I have (touch wood) no more breast pain that I experienced in the first month and for the moment am not experiencing any more serious mood swings (I occasionally get grumpy or upset, but this is usually for a reason, ie. I am finally facing my PCOS and dealing with it - normal.) I experienced a big dip in my sexdrive a few weeks ago (another side effect) but I can say that it has definately bounced back to normal! My skin is less red than before and the acne on my face is much clearer. I have also noticed a reduction in growth, or rather it seems to be growing slower, both on my face and other places I remove hair. As this medication is not supposed to kick in for several months (although it is possible that my hair has reduced due to lifestyle changes, but I suspect the pill is the reason) I have high hopes for the Dianette. However, after a little research I have found out that it may not be possible to stay on the pill for more than 2 years, and because the hair reduction is not fast enough for my liking I am following 2 other routes:
Hair removal
Face: Since the age of about 17 I have shaved my face - this has got to stop! Shaving, although quick, is a BAD idea and I would recommend anyone who does this to stop. It irritated my skin, I get rashes, I get stubble so I can't let anyone touch my face and it grows fast so I have to shave everyday and in the morning I have a shadow. Urgh. I have started using hair removal creams and plucking, its a slow process, but eventually I want to be able to wax the worst of it.
I am also looking into more expensive treatments. For now I have ruled out electrolysis on my face because I would have to leave the hair alone between treatments, effectively hermit-ising myself. This leaves me with laser (home kit or salon) or ultrasound. I currently have a consultation for the ultrasound hair removal, I will update later on this.
Body: I have thick black hair on my arms, legs, lower back, bum (slightly lighter), stomach and chest. WTF people. I have recently purchased the Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Pro Wet & Dry Body and Face Rechargeable Epilator which I have so far used on my arms, legs and stomach. Ladies, I would recommend this product to anyone. My only warning is that for anyone with thick hair like mine, the first time hurt like a bitch. Seriously. On the reviews on Boots.com most people gush about how painless it is. Take some painkillers and have a bath beforehand coz the first time, it aint pretty. But then! The hair immediately grew back lighter and less thick, and it really didnt hurt much the second time, just a little uncomfortable. Work in progress hopefully...
I am also going for electrolysis on my chest this week. The salon I am going to charges £10/30 mins, and because the hair on my chest is long and thick but there arent too many, it seems reasonable. I will update on this too. I am also getting my lower back waxed. Sometimes you have to just swallow your pride, but the lady doing the work also suffers from PCOS, so she is very understanding.
I am also considering purchasing the Boots or Phillips IPL home laser kits. I am going to ask the specialist first however.
Also, non hair related but still a PCOS symptom, I have a very strict skincare routine for my face which I have followed for a while and makes a big difference (although the Dianette helps with redness and excess oil). I use a Neutrogena face scrub (all are good) every morning followed by Clarins toner and moisturiser. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the Neutrogena Wave which I use often (leaves skin soooooo smooth). At night I use Simple makeup remover cream and face wash. The only time I get bad skin now is when I don't follow the routine or I am uber stressed.
So, last but not least, this is for me the most important treatment for my symptoms:
Lifestyle change
I am putting a lot of faith in this one.
If I could make a wish and change any two things about my life it would be to lose the weight and the hirsutism. After speaking to my doctor and reading up on the subject I have found that the best way to improve my symptoms (most importantly for me, the hirsutism) would be to lose weight, be active and follow a good diet. Its a two birds one stone situation, worst case is that my hirsutism doesnt clear up, but I am finally slim and healthy and happier. Bit of a no-brainer really.
Having been obese (according to my BMI) for the 5 or so years I have finally lost about 3 stone and got down to just 'overweight'. I am already miles better looking and fitter (I can run for 40 minutes!). I need to lose just over a stone and a half to be a healthy weight, but my goal is to lose just over 2 stone. Ladies I would urge you to do this if being overweight is a problem for you.
I have started following a Low GI Diet (internet searches reveal this to be good for PCOS sufferers) and I exercise at least 4 times a week. I also drink peppermint tea (shamefully holistic) and take omega 3 fish oil supplements. I lost the first 2 stone in 4 months without exercising and another stone in a just over a month with exercising. If I carry on at the rate I am I will be even slimmer than my target goal by this summer, so for all you women who feel you just cant lose the weight, you really really can. But it has to be a change for life, not just a diet.
(For anyone looking for exercise to lose weight, the way that has worked for me is swimming, running (for beginners or try training for a 10K) and most recently I have bought Clare Nasir's Boot Camp DVD, which is making me waaaay fitter and more toned.)
Well that is the end of that massive post. Hopefully I will start to see some more definate improvements soon. But to everyone out there who is dispairing and can't find a way to deal with their PCOS, I really do believe there is a solution and I am going to find it.
Reading through any PCOS/hirsutism advice on the internet will give these recommendations, but what the heck I'm going to go and repeat them anyway.
The symptoms I suffer with greatly are: bad hirsutism, weight, bad skin. All cosmetic things. (I also suffer from unpleasant periods but I have always been a bit heyho about them, they are an inconvenience and don't ruin my life) So nothing that will kill me, no. All things that cause me mild to extreme upset, embarassment, lack of confidence, prevent me living life how I want, and (in some cases) depression and thoughts of suicide, yes. To anyone who does not suffer with PCOS this may sound excessive, to anyone who does I imagine they understand.
So on my road to rid myself (yes rid myself, not just put up with it, not just accept my lot in life) of my symptoms I have come across the three main attacks: For effectiveness I am following them all, rigorously:
LIFESTYLE CHANGE. MEDICATION. HAIR REMOVAL.
For effectiveness I am following them all, rigorously.
Medication
As mentioned in an earlier post I am currently taking Dianette and things have improved since I last wrote. I have been taking it now for a month and a half, I have (touch wood) no more breast pain that I experienced in the first month and for the moment am not experiencing any more serious mood swings (I occasionally get grumpy or upset, but this is usually for a reason, ie. I am finally facing my PCOS and dealing with it - normal.) I experienced a big dip in my sexdrive a few weeks ago (another side effect) but I can say that it has definately bounced back to normal! My skin is less red than before and the acne on my face is much clearer. I have also noticed a reduction in growth, or rather it seems to be growing slower, both on my face and other places I remove hair. As this medication is not supposed to kick in for several months (although it is possible that my hair has reduced due to lifestyle changes, but I suspect the pill is the reason) I have high hopes for the Dianette. However, after a little research I have found out that it may not be possible to stay on the pill for more than 2 years, and because the hair reduction is not fast enough for my liking I am following 2 other routes:
Hair removal
Face: Since the age of about 17 I have shaved my face - this has got to stop! Shaving, although quick, is a BAD idea and I would recommend anyone who does this to stop. It irritated my skin, I get rashes, I get stubble so I can't let anyone touch my face and it grows fast so I have to shave everyday and in the morning I have a shadow. Urgh. I have started using hair removal creams and plucking, its a slow process, but eventually I want to be able to wax the worst of it.
I am also looking into more expensive treatments. For now I have ruled out electrolysis on my face because I would have to leave the hair alone between treatments, effectively hermit-ising myself. This leaves me with laser (home kit or salon) or ultrasound. I currently have a consultation for the ultrasound hair removal, I will update later on this.
Body: I have thick black hair on my arms, legs, lower back, bum (slightly lighter), stomach and chest. WTF people. I have recently purchased the Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Pro Wet & Dry Body and Face Rechargeable Epilator which I have so far used on my arms, legs and stomach. Ladies, I would recommend this product to anyone. My only warning is that for anyone with thick hair like mine, the first time hurt like a bitch. Seriously. On the reviews on Boots.com most people gush about how painless it is. Take some painkillers and have a bath beforehand coz the first time, it aint pretty. But then! The hair immediately grew back lighter and less thick, and it really didnt hurt much the second time, just a little uncomfortable. Work in progress hopefully...
I am also going for electrolysis on my chest this week. The salon I am going to charges £10/30 mins, and because the hair on my chest is long and thick but there arent too many, it seems reasonable. I will update on this too. I am also getting my lower back waxed. Sometimes you have to just swallow your pride, but the lady doing the work also suffers from PCOS, so she is very understanding.
I am also considering purchasing the Boots or Phillips IPL home laser kits. I am going to ask the specialist first however.
Also, non hair related but still a PCOS symptom, I have a very strict skincare routine for my face which I have followed for a while and makes a big difference (although the Dianette helps with redness and excess oil). I use a Neutrogena face scrub (all are good) every morning followed by Clarins toner and moisturiser. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the Neutrogena Wave which I use often (leaves skin soooooo smooth). At night I use Simple makeup remover cream and face wash. The only time I get bad skin now is when I don't follow the routine or I am uber stressed.
So, last but not least, this is for me the most important treatment for my symptoms:
Lifestyle change
I am putting a lot of faith in this one.
If I could make a wish and change any two things about my life it would be to lose the weight and the hirsutism. After speaking to my doctor and reading up on the subject I have found that the best way to improve my symptoms (most importantly for me, the hirsutism) would be to lose weight, be active and follow a good diet. Its a two birds one stone situation, worst case is that my hirsutism doesnt clear up, but I am finally slim and healthy and happier. Bit of a no-brainer really.
Having been obese (according to my BMI) for the 5 or so years I have finally lost about 3 stone and got down to just 'overweight'. I am already miles better looking and fitter (I can run for 40 minutes!). I need to lose just over a stone and a half to be a healthy weight, but my goal is to lose just over 2 stone. Ladies I would urge you to do this if being overweight is a problem for you.
I have started following a Low GI Diet (internet searches reveal this to be good for PCOS sufferers) and I exercise at least 4 times a week. I also drink peppermint tea (shamefully holistic) and take omega 3 fish oil supplements. I lost the first 2 stone in 4 months without exercising and another stone in a just over a month with exercising. If I carry on at the rate I am I will be even slimmer than my target goal by this summer, so for all you women who feel you just cant lose the weight, you really really can. But it has to be a change for life, not just a diet.
(For anyone looking for exercise to lose weight, the way that has worked for me is swimming, running (for beginners or try training for a 10K) and most recently I have bought Clare Nasir's Boot Camp DVD, which is making me waaaay fitter and more toned.)
Well that is the end of that massive post. Hopefully I will start to see some more definate improvements soon. But to everyone out there who is dispairing and can't find a way to deal with their PCOS, I really do believe there is a solution and I am going to find it.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Dianette One Month On and Better News
The shit has hit the fan. My big prescribed hope of hormone regulating, hair battling, skin clearing goodness (Dianette) gives me massive whopping great mood swings. See uncontrollable crying, lying around in bed all day and also painful boobs. Yay!
Also a family member got wind of the side effects and potential side effects if I were to ever come off the pill (based on reliable internet comments on health sites of course) and no longer wants me to continue with it. Cue accompanied trip to the doctors to talk about other options and risks, but also (and I am trying not too be too enthusiastic about this in case it is a let down) I am being taken to see someone about having electrolysis hair removal (eeeeee!!). Its £10 for half an hour (seems quite reasonable) and if I can at least remove some of the hair from my face/chest I would feel soooo much better about myself.
For anyone who is worried about talking to people about this... please don't be. I have bottled this problem up for 5 years which has just allowed it to get worse, and you would not believe how supportive people can be. My family wants to help, my doctor is really understanding. I have even confessed my problem to 3 male friends to gauge their reaction. One told me it was ok, there are ways to deal with it and it wouldn't put him off me, another told me he felt the same about his own body hair and totally understood me (I even showed him what it was like and he still told me he wanted to be with me - he has a crush on me for some unknown reason), and the third (we are crazy about each other but I am too scared to do anything because of my hair problem) told me he didn't give a shit.
So I will let you know about the electrolysis... the family member who wants me to take that route has had it and said it worked. Also my doctor was very positive about it. However the one thing that he really pointed out as being a factor in improving the symptoms of PCOS was weight loss. Apparently this reduces the growth of hair, helps skin (because of a better diet perhaps?) and other obvious health benefits. Tricky though for someone who has always been overweight and struggled with dieting.
But for some unknown reason, it is going well. I am currently a UK size 14 (down from a size 18 last year - my biggest ever was a size 20) and I must have lost in the region of 2 and a half stone (since late August 2010). I currently weigh 13 stone 7 pounds and my goal is to get below 13 stone (small steps is better than trying for one big hurdle). So far the benefits include looking a lot better (lots of people have commented) and having more energy. I will keep posting on the weight loss, especially if it seems to be improving my other symptoms.
Also a family member got wind of the side effects and potential side effects if I were to ever come off the pill (based on reliable internet comments on health sites of course) and no longer wants me to continue with it. Cue accompanied trip to the doctors to talk about other options and risks, but also (and I am trying not too be too enthusiastic about this in case it is a let down) I am being taken to see someone about having electrolysis hair removal (eeeeee!!). Its £10 for half an hour (seems quite reasonable) and if I can at least remove some of the hair from my face/chest I would feel soooo much better about myself.
For anyone who is worried about talking to people about this... please don't be. I have bottled this problem up for 5 years which has just allowed it to get worse, and you would not believe how supportive people can be. My family wants to help, my doctor is really understanding. I have even confessed my problem to 3 male friends to gauge their reaction. One told me it was ok, there are ways to deal with it and it wouldn't put him off me, another told me he felt the same about his own body hair and totally understood me (I even showed him what it was like and he still told me he wanted to be with me - he has a crush on me for some unknown reason), and the third (we are crazy about each other but I am too scared to do anything because of my hair problem) told me he didn't give a shit.
So I will let you know about the electrolysis... the family member who wants me to take that route has had it and said it worked. Also my doctor was very positive about it. However the one thing that he really pointed out as being a factor in improving the symptoms of PCOS was weight loss. Apparently this reduces the growth of hair, helps skin (because of a better diet perhaps?) and other obvious health benefits. Tricky though for someone who has always been overweight and struggled with dieting.
But for some unknown reason, it is going well. I am currently a UK size 14 (down from a size 18 last year - my biggest ever was a size 20) and I must have lost in the region of 2 and a half stone (since late August 2010). I currently weigh 13 stone 7 pounds and my goal is to get below 13 stone (small steps is better than trying for one big hurdle). So far the benefits include looking a lot better (lots of people have commented) and having more energy. I will keep posting on the weight loss, especially if it seems to be improving my other symptoms.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Dianette
For my first update I will begin with talking about this little pill.
After explaining my problems with hirsutism and acne my doctor recommend trying this, an 'anti-androgen' version of the pill that is often prescribed to women with PCOS. According to the information pack that it comes with, I should be able to see improvements in my skin within weeks with more improvements and a reduction in hair growth in a few months. I have been taking the pill now for nearly 3 weeks and the results are a mixed bunch. Some of the side effects do seem to have hit, my breasts are a little sore and I do seem to be getting down a lot at the moment. Although I am trying to keep positive, and so far have not had any extreme mood swings like some of the women posting their experiences have had... so onto the positives! Firstly thumbs up to the better skin, it does seem to be improving, especially on my face. I also seem to be experiencing slightly reduced hair growth, on my legs (although I have recently purchased a new epilator so its hard to tell which to credit - more on that later) but particularly with regard to facial hair. Its a little too early to tell, but maybe it is working? Or perhaps it is just blind optimism, time will tell... ^^
After explaining my problems with hirsutism and acne my doctor recommend trying this, an 'anti-androgen' version of the pill that is often prescribed to women with PCOS. According to the information pack that it comes with, I should be able to see improvements in my skin within weeks with more improvements and a reduction in hair growth in a few months. I have been taking the pill now for nearly 3 weeks and the results are a mixed bunch. Some of the side effects do seem to have hit, my breasts are a little sore and I do seem to be getting down a lot at the moment. Although I am trying to keep positive, and so far have not had any extreme mood swings like some of the women posting their experiences have had... so onto the positives! Firstly thumbs up to the better skin, it does seem to be improving, especially on my face. I also seem to be experiencing slightly reduced hair growth, on my legs (although I have recently purchased a new epilator so its hard to tell which to credit - more on that later) but particularly with regard to facial hair. Its a little too early to tell, but maybe it is working? Or perhaps it is just blind optimism, time will tell... ^^
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Screw PCOS
I just came across these accidentally, good stuff. Probably wouldn't wear one but thumbs up all the same.
Screw PCOS Tshirts
Screw PCOS Tshirts
Introductions to PCOS and Other Fun
At the beginning of January, during a spell of exceptionally snowy weather, early morning, a certain young woman came down onto the street from the little room where she was staying at her parents' in C- Road and slowly, almost hesitantly, set off towards D- Medical Centre.
After more than 6 years of living with PCOS without proper diagnosis and suffering the shame of hiding the not-so-easy to conceal symptoms from both myself and the world, I finally decided to face my fear, suck it up, and see a specialist who could give me the proper medication for my problem.
Or not, because in fact despite being told otherwise by well meaning family who had 'researched' the condition, there is no drug, no therapy, no solution to deal with the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. What a massive pile of wank that turned out to be. So here I am, a few weeks later, musing over the varied (but mostly limited, costly and thrilling in their potential for exciting and unusual side-effects) options available to me.
I'm having a grand old time.
So I figured that while I was at it I would write this blog, for two reasons. One: The Greater Good (!) I will guinea-pig-ize myself to some of the available treatments and such for coping with PCOS in order to help, myself of course, but also if possible to help those who are similarly afflicted. I am taking my sacrifice for (wo)mankind very seriously and not being at all big headed or boastful about it, obviously...
Two: PCOS is a horrible #*$! of a condition that gnaws away at the confidence and general mental health of many women who suffer from it. One of the problems for myself was that I didn't want to be associated with it, couldn't get over the mortifying obstacle of talking to someone about my symptoms in order to get any advice in the first place. Its not something that ever really gets talked about, unless its as a joke 'did you see that girl in Costcutter? I bet she'd earn more as the Bearded Lady in a circus', and even I have a certain unflattering stereotypical image of women who have PCOS. So I hoped that by writing this blog, anyone who happened to stumble upon it, 'victim' or not, could see that there are thousands of women (5-10% of all women of reproductive age apparently*) who have PCOS and that it really is a lot more normal than you think. And hopefully by the time I write my last post for this blog I will have found a solution for living with PCOS that I can share - here's hoping!
*Wikipedia - Not always the most reliable soure, granted, so direct from the NHS website:
PCOS affects millions of women in the UK.
About one in five women in the UK has polycystic ovaries, and approximately one in 10 has PCOS to some degree.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
After more than 6 years of living with PCOS without proper diagnosis and suffering the shame of hiding the not-so-easy to conceal symptoms from both myself and the world, I finally decided to face my fear, suck it up, and see a specialist who could give me the proper medication for my problem.
Or not, because in fact despite being told otherwise by well meaning family who had 'researched' the condition, there is no drug, no therapy, no solution to deal with the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. What a massive pile of wank that turned out to be. So here I am, a few weeks later, musing over the varied (but mostly limited, costly and thrilling in their potential for exciting and unusual side-effects) options available to me.
I'm having a grand old time.
So I figured that while I was at it I would write this blog, for two reasons. One: The Greater Good (!) I will guinea-pig-ize myself to some of the available treatments and such for coping with PCOS in order to help, myself of course, but also if possible to help those who are similarly afflicted. I am taking my sacrifice for (wo)mankind very seriously and not being at all big headed or boastful about it, obviously...
Two: PCOS is a horrible #*$! of a condition that gnaws away at the confidence and general mental health of many women who suffer from it. One of the problems for myself was that I didn't want to be associated with it, couldn't get over the mortifying obstacle of talking to someone about my symptoms in order to get any advice in the first place. Its not something that ever really gets talked about, unless its as a joke 'did you see that girl in Costcutter? I bet she'd earn more as the Bearded Lady in a circus', and even I have a certain unflattering stereotypical image of women who have PCOS. So I hoped that by writing this blog, anyone who happened to stumble upon it, 'victim' or not, could see that there are thousands of women (5-10% of all women of reproductive age apparently*) who have PCOS and that it really is a lot more normal than you think. And hopefully by the time I write my last post for this blog I will have found a solution for living with PCOS that I can share - here's hoping!
*Wikipedia - Not always the most reliable soure, granted, so direct from the NHS website:
PCOS affects millions of women in the UK.
About one in five women in the UK has polycystic ovaries, and approximately one in 10 has PCOS to some degree.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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