Has anyone here been to an endocrinologist? My hormonal issues mimic bipolar symptoms. I'm so unstable right now. I feel like one moment I could burst out into tears and the next I could be laughing hysterically. I also bounce back and forth between periods of sleeplessness and fatigue. This occurs about every three weeks or so and lasts like a week and a half before I am relieved by my period and then there is usually an end in sight. Just to maintain some sort of stability for a little while before it all happens again. I really cannot deal with pms. Other major hormonal symptoms I've had are excessive facial hair, acne, weight gain, irregular periods. It's a nightmare. I just want to maintain some stability. I've even paid for laser treatment for hair removal? Could an ovarian cyst cause all these weird hormonal things? I'm so sick of the doctors in this town they see CRAZY on your chart and minimize your complaints to the point where you feel like a liar. Once I went in to have my thyroid checked. He heard my complaints which were all of the above I know my chart said something about my add/depression and before I even had blood drawn he made his prognosis that I didn't have a thyroid problem. Basically re-affirming that it's all in my head.

You might want to look into Poly-cycstic ovarian syndrome. The symptoms, aside from the mood swings describe what my sister goes through. She had to see an specialist (ob/gyn) to get a real answer.

Has anyone here been to an endocrinologist?

My 17 yo daughter has an appointment with one 2 two weeks. She has what is called PCOS.

what is PCOS? Mom

Janesays,
If it's not too rude too ask... How old are you? Could perimenopause be an issue? It's hard to pin down but can be attributed to all of your symptoms as well. Do you have a history of female problems in your family that makes it likely?

Once I went in to have my thyroid checked. He heard my complaints which were all of the above I know my chart said something about my add/depression and before I even had blood drawn he made his prognosis that I didn't have a thyroid problem. Basically re-affirming that it's all in my head.This would probably be quite a common reaction from a medical professional, they tend to label us curious folk as hypocondriachs. That being said, I have been to several endocrinologists over the last ten years, and your symptoms are definitely worth getting checked out by one. No doctor should think physical symptoms like you have described are all in your head, and testing for PCOS is as simple as getting a blood test and a ultrasound if warranted. I am only too aware of the negative effects of hormonal disorder, but establishing the cause usually means a treatment is available. Best of luck in finding a diagnosis, and a doctor to take your concerns seriously!

Jane, first question how old are you? I started perimenopause when I was about 35 and I am now 48 and have been with a menstal cycle for over a yr.

You are describing alot of what I went through, in the last 10 yrs. Of course we had no idea that it was PM, my doctor didnt even suspect. Do you take medication that has a side effect of facial hair? I know there are many that do have that side effect. If you are taking something to taht effect you may want to talk to the doctor, if not if could be a sign of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time in a womans life when the emotional signs of ending her reproductive yrs is coming to a close.

There are many symptoms , the one I experienced were: excessive crying
insomnia, forgetful ness, fuzzy thinking, there is alot more, oh, one thing I noticed was brown spots on my face a discoloration of the skin, my dermotologist told me it was lack of estrogen. I finanally decided to try the horomonal thearapy and it is wonderful. I can sleep at night 8-10hr. I am a pleasant person, i am not as forgetful. I like myself alot more than I did a few yrs ago. Talk to your doctor. You might be able to figure this out with just your family doctor. I did. I also talked to alot of different people on the bus and at school , I wasnt in this alone. Check this out you wont be sorry.

IAM DUE TO SEE ONE IN 2 MOUTHS TIME

WELL AS SOME THE MEMBERS HAVE SAID

PERMENOPSUYS OVEINA SYMODOME ARE JUST SOME THE THINGS

DIETE CAN MAKE HORMNOS GO ALL OVER THE PLACE LACK SLEEP DOSE AS WELL

THESE THINGS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO THE SPEEALIT AN RIGHT THEM IN DIEARY FOR THEM TO SEE AN WHAT YOU DO AN EAT IN A MOUTH THEN TAKE WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO... THIS SHOULD HELP

SOMETIMES YOU GET THIS FOR NO RESON AT AL L AN WILL GO AS FAST IT COMES

GIVE THINGS TIME AN LOOK WHAT YOU EAT AS IN E NUMBERS COIS THEY ECTT HORMONS AS WELL

GOOD LUCK

BUT DO GO SEE DOCTOTRT AS WELL

DORM

Yes dorm is right, diet eating not eating can be like a yo-yo effect on your body. Also, caffeine, chocolate, sugar, is terrible for perimenopause plus is increases your bad cholestrol. So watch your diet.

i shore will lol...BUT YOUR SO RIGHT DITE IS ONE THE KEY FATORS

DORM

I'm 23 years old. I took a med holiday from adderall for approx 9 weeks and here is THE GOOD.... My digestive system became regulated, I could sleep well at night, my facial hair growth rate as well as thickness decreased, my acne decreased, my social skills improved, and my speech became less pressured.

That all sounds great right but here is THE BAD.......I also had these effects from going off of meds, depression, weight gain, lethargy, my body felt sluggish and achy, lost the ability to stay on task, procrastinated my school work, started sleeping through my classes, my appetite was out of control, my surroundings at home became disastrous, and I neglected self care.

Now I've been on my meds for a week again here's THE GOOD...I finished a 5 page philosophy paper, finished my other homework, cleaned my house, I'm no longer lethargic except after a very strenous 8 hour work day, my appetite is under control, sitting in class became worthwhile, mood seems regulated, and I'm feeling energetic enough to excercise again.

Here's THE BAD....facial hair growth rate and thickness increased, acne increased, pressured speech came back, social anxieties returned, cottonmouth, and tension headaches from clenching my jaw.

I have another laser hair removal treatment this week. I mean it's been really devistating over the years waking up in the morning and having to shave certain areas of my face like a man then worrying about it showing or growing in again by the end of the day. Yes it does. Having to put on foundation and concealer over the bumpy marks I get from shaving. I wouldn't even wear makeup if I didn't have this problem. I also plan at some point in getting to an endocrinologist or even an OBGYN. I don't think I have early menopause but there is a strong possibility that I might have PCOS from reading the symptoms. Thanks for all the feed back on this issue.

HEY JENYANY ID GO TO DOC AN ASK FOR SCANE BRAIN PERTEAY GLADE IN BRAIN CHEAK THAT OUT AN HAVE THORDE AN ADREINAL GLADES TESTSD ON HORMAONS....THESE MIGHT SHOW ELATIONS AS TO WHY YOUR GETING SOME MUCH FAICALY HAIR THERE A FEW CONDATIONS THAT COULD BE CAUSEING THAT

SO GO AN CHEAK WITH DOCOTER TO BE SHORE....

BEETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY...

THIS GIVEING AS ADVICE AN NOT IN A DOCTOTR COMPASTICED....

FEEL FREE TO PM ME ANYTIME IF YOU LIKE TO CHAT MORE..

GOOD LUCK AN KEEP US IMFORMED

DORM

A friend had PCOS-she cut out all potatotes, white rice, white bread, and a host of other foods and lost weight and her health improved-PCOS is often accompanied by weight gain/obesity because of the hormonal issues. Facial hair is definitely part of it and very distressful for any woman. It was so hard for her-she loved the diet because it changed her life.

Sounds like you need to see a Gyn first-he can do an Ultrasound and basic check-up, lab tests, and history. Then he would be able to treat you or send you to a specialist. You could also start of with a GYN who specializes in these problems-call the dr. referral at a major hospital, nurses answer the calls and if you tell her some of your symptoms or concerns they are pretty skilled at matching you with the right doctor.

My best to you. I have seen friends go through this-it is hard, take care. We are here.
ME