(no subject)

[caithream]

As I've mentioned before, I have PCOS. I've been doing some research to see if there was anything that could be done about some various side effects of PCOS (such as weight and other wonderfully embarrassing things like body hair), and there was a lot of talk about a drug called Metformin. It's specifically used for people with diabetes, but women who have PCOS pretty much have kind of the same issues with glucose levels as diabetics do, so Metformin is sometimes used to regulate glucose levels, and thereby sometimes regulating weight as well. It also sometimes thins out body hair, and will even help you start ovulating on your own.

Doctor took one look at me and said, well you're obviously not overweight (most women who have PCOS tend to be) but I am at the high end of the "normal" BMI/weight/height spectrum. If I do end up gaining a lot of weight, diabetes could be a very very big issue. She also unfortunately said that Metformin has a lot of misconceptions, and more than likely wouldn't help with weight OR body hair, but hey, if I wanted to try it, no problem.

There's no cure for this. You can only just barely treat the symptoms. If I want to get pregnant sometime in the future will be a huge undertaking. I will never be as skinny as my sister, and will struggle with my weight for the rest of my life. Lowering my sugar and carb intake might help. It's just. It's so frustrating and I'm so depressed about it all. I knew all this before, but just hearing it confirmed... it sucks.

Anyway, doctor ordered a blood test for me (which, side note: ugaj;glsjawoiejio who wants to take bets now to see if I pass out AGAIN ugh ughghgughga;lhsd), and after she sees the results I can more or less start on the Metformin. Fingers crossed for any kind of good results.

Also, the doctor noticed that I hadn't had a tetanus shot for a good 10 years, so they gave me one there at the office. 8(!!!! Yeah. Needles. Not my thing. My arm was sore later, obvs, but the next morning I had to get up early to open, and from some combination of sleep deprivation, the muscle soreness from the shot, and just THINKING about needles and blah and gross, I nearly passed out and puked, which, let me tell you, is no fun at 4am.


Still, there are good things! Very very good things. For one, my sister is home, and will be until next Saturday. And two... despite my hand-wringing over how much money it'll cost and the time I'll be missing taking off work, my friends have successfully talked me into going on a cruise in May to Barcelona, Cannes, Florence, and Rome. AHHHH. EUROPE. Plus, I've never been on a cruise before, and I think'll be awesome to have all the accommodations sorted and just be able to go out and see the sights without worrying about hotels and stuff. I'm a little overwhelmed, since I'm a meticulous planner and this is all kind of spur of the moment, but I'm trying not to think about it too much and just go with the flow. So if any of you have been to any of these cities, tell me: best things to do there in only 8 hours?

No partying or green beer for me tonight, as I have to open tomorrow at work yet again. Tired. So tired. And trying not to think about my impending blood test, wah.

Comments

[popmusicjunkie.livejournal.com]

UGH, needles. D:

I have no idea what PCOS is, but it sure doesn't sound like fun. I'm sorry you are dealing with that.

On a good note: YAY CRUISE! I've never been on one either, but I've heard they are a blast! Enjoy and take a ton of pictures.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

It's Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which basically means very infrequent periods and all the other stuff I mentioned. It's not terrible, but it's not fun either. :(((

Thanks bb! Oh yes, there will be MANY pictures! :D PS, I'm getting closer to knowing if my sister will have to go off and do a few things while I'm in Chicago so we can get together, hopefully! Yay!

[wendy.livejournal.com]

My Dallas gyno had PCOS...and three babies. It can be done, don't give up hope! Love you lots S.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

I've been reading nothing but bad news and other depressing things online, so that definitely give me hope! Thank you! <3333

[geckoholic]

Oh man, that sucks so much, and even more because you can't really do anything. *huuuugs* I hope the meds will have as much of a positive effect as possible!

But hey, yay CRUISE! And EUROPE! :D

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Thanks darling. I really hope so too, it would be nice to see some changes! <333

DOUBLE YAY for Europe, hee! OMG PS, four days ago last year was when I was in Hannover hanging out with you! Omg!

[geckoholic]

Seriously, a year ago? o.O Oh man! ♥

[mousewings.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm very sorry you're going through medical issues. I hope they do find a medication which can help you with little side effects.

Wow for the cruise in Europe. That sounds epic and you should definitely go if you can.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Thanks darling, I hope so too! <333

I hope it all works out. I get very panicked sometimes when spending large amounts of money, so we'll see if I've made the right decision, haha!

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Ugh they are the worst. As if having monthly woman times weren't bad enough. SIIIIGH.

N'aww, I miss you so muuuch! Tarina's doing quite a good job in trying to convince me to come visit you guys again soon and omg I want to so very very badly! <3333

[berreh.livejournal.com]

Yikes. PCOS is not fun times at all. :( I hope they come up with a treatment plan that gets you feeling better asap.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Thanks bb! Blood test is already completed so hopefully I get the go-ahead to see if these meds will work! <3

[itsthedetails.livejournal.com]

:( I'm sorry you have to deal with that, but on the updaie cruise! I have been on a similar cruise you are going on and it is SO MUCH FUN! You'll have a blast.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Omg YAY! I was concerned that it would be too little time in each city to really do anything fun, but just being able to SEE those cities made me have to say yes! :D

[itsthedetails.livejournal.com]

If you want to really be able to see the cities in Italy I suggest booking tours through the cruise line for Florence and Rome. Both cities are at least an hour coach bus ride from the port, so it's kind of hard to get from the ship to the city on your own. But the ship should have several tour offerings in each city. The tours are really nice, they take you to several main attractions, provide transportation and lunch and still give you some time to explore on your own. Another suggestion, pick which tour you want to do in advance and book it before your sail date, because there is not an easier way to get to the get to and see those cities they tend to book up fast. As for Cannes, if the ship is docking Villefranche, it is very easy to get around. There is a train right off the port that goes into Nice and over into Monacco. If that's not your port in Cannes, I still think it's fairly easy to navigate without having to rely on an organized tour through the cruise line.

[caithream.livejournal.com]

Oh, awesome, thank you for the tips! I had noticed there are quite a few modes of transportation to Rome especially, but I'll definitely have to scout out the best way. And I'm not sure if we're docking Villefranche, but my friends will be VERY happy to know that if we do, it'll be easy to get to Monacco, as they really want to go there, haha. Unfortunately I'm the type of person who's like, OKAY EVERYONE GET UP EARLY AND WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING ON A SCHEDULE COME ON HURRY UP so hopefully I won't get too stressed out by the time crunch!