Living with PCOS

 Now that you all know my present, let me tell you a bit about my past...

I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) about three years ago, and boy was it a rough three years. Before I was diagnosed, I presented with symptoms similar to PMDD and was treated for such. Then they worsened, first there was depression which got progressively worse, then anxiety attacks. It was so bad that I would be depressed for the majority of the month and it began to affect my work. I felt like I had no purpose and motivation to do anything at work. I was sad all the time and would accuse my boyfriend at the time (now my loving husband) of not being there for me, it was pulling me away from him. It was like that every month, I would blow small issues out of proportion and break down and cry and cry and I was a mess. I felt like I had no life in me and I hated it because I was always such a happy and cheerful person. It was an awful time for me and my boyfriend too I would imagine. Thank God he had the patience to bear with me.

It was so bad that I physically and emotionally couldn't bear it anymore and realized that something wasn't right. So I went to my GP who told me to get an ultrasound which showed the ever popular ring of cysts in my ovaries. Finally, I found out what was wrong! I was treated again with birth control pills, which helped tremendously with my symptoms. I felt like I had my life back again and was actually happy with no depression and no severe pain with my cycle. However, after a year and a half of using Yaz my blood pressure started going up due to stress at work. My doctor, worried, said that I had to stop taking the birth control pills...this was the worst news ever since I couldn't imagine going back to my life like it was.

It was then that I decided to get pregnant since its supposed to help with PCOS and I was willing to do anything to not have to go back to the depression and anxiety attacks. And in the first month after I stopped using Yaz, I got pregnant! It was unbelievable and I was absolutely excited. I couldn't wait for the adventure that lay ahead.

Now, 11 weeks after she was born, my symptoms haven't returned thus far and I am able to enjoy my beautiful baby and be myself with her. I must say, I was afraid that perhaps the depression would return and I wouldn't be able to love and treasure her like I would want to. Luckily, my doc says that I don't have to worry about it as long as I am breast feeding and am due to see him December 2010 to see the cysts' progression. Hopefully they won't be there...keeping my fingers crossed...