Thoughts on PCOS (Sort of)
By brownie2227
@brownie2227 (137)
United States
March 1, 2007 9:53pm CST
I've found this recent trend among my friends and aquaintances. It seems like everybody has it, whatever it is!...ie Me: "Jane, I was just diagnosed with PCOS and it explains why I've been having these problems!" Jane: " Really? I have PCOS too!" I've run into this scenario over and over again. Sometimes as a person you just want your feelings to be validated. Someone to say, " Wow, That must be difficult for you. Do you want to talk about it?" Instead I find you are bombarded with the I have it too replies or the I know so and so and she has that and hasn't had any trouble and so on and so on. This all leads me to wonder if conditions like PCOS and IBS are cover alls. Why is it that our mothers and grandmothers never suffered with these problems but every other 20 or 30 something you talk to is suffering from the same condition. I don't know if any of you have experienced this or had the same feelings on the subject but, I thought I'd put it out there and see what the overall feeling is. I look forward to talking with you all about this!
3 people like this
5 responses
@bunniestar (14)
•
10 Mar 07
I think the thing is most people have a need to put things in little boxes and identify everything, my mum had trouble getting pregnant with me and talking to her she has a lot of the symtoms I have suffered with - I know I have pcos but she didn't - things move on and we are able to identify more things and give them thier own little box making us more aware and diagnosing more and more women.
Well I can get off my soapbox now lol
2 people like this
@brownie2227 (137)
• United States
26 Mar 07
You make a good point! I have a feeling we'll find many more, "boxes," as technology advances. Thanks for responding!
@ragmama (536)
• United States
9 Mar 07
I haven't really run into this - in fact, I'm not sure I know another person (aside from my online friends) who has PCOS. Most often, if I mention it at all, I have to try to explain just what it is, and that's not easy. As you said, it really does seem a bit like a "catch all" diagnosis, as it can be so many different things.
To be honest, I was REALLY freaked out when my doctor handed over the diagnosis of PCOS. My paternal grandmother passed away from ovarian cancer in her very early 50s, so to hear that something was wrong with my ovaries too was very scary. Several months after the fact, though, I really don't think so much about it any more, other than to realize that X, X and X are likely symptoms of the PCOS when I notice them.
I've definitely found the most support online, although I haven't actively sought it out. I've heard that SoulCysters.com is a wonderful site, but I'm just not ready to dwell on it by joining such a specific community. Maybe I should learn more about it, but it all just seems so vague to me. I guess some days it feels like a problem, but most days it really doesn't.
@brownie2227 (137)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you've adjusted well to living with PCOS!
@Bunny2 (2102)
• Australia
10 Mar 07
No, I've never found this. I have met lots of people online with PCOS but dont know anyoen else personally - except people i'd met on the ovulation induction programme. we've remained friends with one of the couples- but otherwise I also have to pretty much explain it to everyone.
1 person likes this
@brownie2227 (137)
• United States
26 Mar 07
Thanks for sharing! I suppose it's probably more prevelant in some areas as opposed to others!
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Me too! I didn't know anything about it, then my friend got it and now I know of three other friends who have been diagnosed with PCOS. Isn't that just weird? One friend had to have help getting pregnant because of her PCOS.
@brownie2227 (137)
• United States
9 Mar 07
It is weird indeed! The trouble concieving is probably the worst side effect. Thanks for responding!
@jonnysmomma (75)
• United States
1 May 07
PCOS isnt a "disease" but it really is a catch all, to an extent. its meant to put a name to what some women are going thru. If you look online for information about PCOS, there are varying degrees of it, some women have all symptoms, some women have 1 or 2 symptoms. Personally, I feel good about knowing that other women know what I am going thru! I used to feel alone with my symptoms, now i feel part of a community and know how to take action.
