I was diagonsed with CAH earlier this year... i am 29 years old. I initially went to the dr because of increased acne, facial hair (and more body hair) fatigue and headaches. I have struggled with my weight since going from 117 at age 18 to 199 at age 21 - my weight has bounced down to 144 with daily exercise and dangerous low carb high protein diet. I was on depro-provera since 1996. My dheas and testesterone is very elevated ( i don't remember my levels)
After visiting endo #1 he said I was fat. Loose weight and the symptoms will go away.
Endo #2 diagonsed me with CAH. He put me on low-dose prednisone, 2.5 mg daily, after having much worse acne and gaining an additional 25 pounds in 2 months, i called to ask the endo to see me to discuss treatment options. He said prednisone is my only choice and if I would take it there wasn't anything he could do for me.
I just came off depo and am looking to get a no hormone IUD, but my gyne will not do it until i talk to a reproductive endocrinologist about my levels. He is afraid that my CAH will get much worse with out the female homones (birthcontrol)
I'm so fatigued, I suffer from headaches every day.. I don't want to take pred every day for the rest of my life, BUT my facial hair is getting so bad now. I am almost to the point where I cannot keep up with waxing (my entire face) and need to resort to shaving. I have also noticed that my left labia is MUCH longer than it was... I use a prescription anti-presperant to reduce my under arm sweating.. and I've noticed my hair thinning rapidly. All of this craziness is making me stressed, anxious and depressed. I shave my forearms every other day, my pubic hair is increasing. not to mention beautiful nipple hair (luckily my husband has a great sense of humor!!!) I have to shave my legs 2x a day cause the hair is growing so fast.
I hate to ramble on but I really need some support and advice. I live 45 min south of Pittsburgh, pa - if there is anyone in the area that can recommend a endo.. or just share a story for my sanitiy, I'd appreciate it.
thanks.
Hayley
