New here...PCOS and low mood/energy

[shaznay]

Hi there, I have just joined the PCOS UK (Verity) community and am looking forward to virtually meeting and learning from fellow sufferers. I think I have had PCOS since I started my periods age 12, but was only diagnosed through an ultrasound scan + case history a year ago at the age of 36. My cycle has always been very irregular (35-56 days), and I have trouble maintaining my weight and managing food cravings. However my main, and most detrimental, symptom is my consistently low mood, which I feel sure after years of throwing different things at it (therapy, counselling, medication, self help, etc.) is down to my hormonal imbalances. I have suffered from anxiety in the past, but seem to be managing that better (apart from when it comes to dating/relationships but that's a story for another day!)...but have felt low, depressed and worthless for many many years, which affects my work, relationships, energy levels, and life in general. I was on anti-depressants for a year until last summer, and whilst they certainly took the edge off, of course now I'm not on them I feel just the same as I was before. I hate feeling so miserable (which becomes a vicious circle), and am sure that I'm not much fun for others to be around at times either. I would love to know if anyone else has experienced these symptoms, and if so how they managed them? I have started taking Vitamin D tablets, and have heard that Omega 3 is good for lowering testosterone levels so was thinking of trying them...and I know healthy eating and exercise helps. The latter though is a problem as I just don't have the energy or inclination to get out and do something active very often!

When my doctor gave me the diagnosis I didn't get any help with managing PCOS, she just told me that due to my age and now having the diagnosis it would probably be difficult for me to fall pregnant, so if I decided I wanted children they could do things to help, but I would probably need to do so sooner rather than later. I am single and not sure I am cut out for being a mother (mostly due to my low moods), so I haven't been back since. I'm not sure whether I need to pluck up the courage to go back and ask to be referred to a specialist to help with my symptoms, or try to manage it myself. Any ideas and advice would be welcome

[Hols969]

Anxiety and depression are a side effect of pcos. I find that the combined contraceptive can help mood wise, I take 2-3 months on the trot which reduces the symptoms further. I also find that Anti Depressants help me with anxiety so it may be worth going back on them. I was on them with PND after my son was born and came off them, probably for about 5 years but started to feel anxious etc when I started a new job so went back on them and feel so much better and in control again. I find AD's just bring the light back on at the end of the tunnel so for me they really help.

Diet can also help so stick to the low GI and cut out as much white carbs as possible as they are evil from a pcos point of view.

[shaznay in reply to Hols969]

Thank you very much for the reply, Hols969. The pill didn't suit me when I tried it back in my 20s, and so I'd rather not try it again. The ADs helped immensely with my anxiety and OCD, which are all but gone, but not with the depression really...I found they took the edge off a bit, but they also took the edge off all feelings and I felt very numb (I did try a couple of different ones as well). I would like to steer away from medication now if I possibly can, and concentrate on my diet and supplements to see if I can feel better that way. I have just read today about Inositol, which seems to have some promising results. And I recently found the PCOS Diet Support website, which seems really helpful. Thank you for the tips re low GI (I have definitely read this before) and cutting out white carbs...I will take both on board. It's comforting in a way to know that there is a reason for my low mood. It's a shame that although PCOS is so common, it is not really talked about nor taken seriously by GPs (in my experience). But that's why it's good to find forums like this one and know that you are not alone