PCOS Diagnosis & Management: A Student's Journey & Support

Question
I am 28 year old Full-time College student. I have been going to school off and on since 1999, my condition had not been diagnosed until last year and I have had many issues since I was 10 years old. Took 17 years to find out what the problem is. I am worried that I will never be able to have a child...being that I get about 3-4 periods a year.  My doctor diagnosed me with PCOS and then  put me on Metformin because I am Insulin resistant. I am overweight, I am 5'5'' and weigh 220lbs. My weight goes up and down though. I have changed my diet drastically and it is causing me to have Carb Crashes....they are horrible and make me feel really sick.  Besides that if I eat too much carbs or too much sugar I sleep all day long. I am having a hard time. By the way did I tell you that I get sick from the metformin...yeah so I am not taking it now.  I have skin tags, darkness around my neck and arms now. My belly is huge and my chest is getting bigger and bigger. Every time I am successful in loosing 20 pounds I put it back on and then sometime 10 more. I have hair issues, it grows everywhere, places where I didn't think it could. It bothers my to have to shave and pluck my face and chest area. I feel like a freak. The weight issues have caused depression which I have been dealing with for three years now. However its better. For a year and half I took an anti-depressant. I have high levels of male hormones in my body. they are really bad. I stay emotional and sick I tend to have cyst burst a lot...I know this because i had horrible abdominal pain which lead me to the Doctor and the let me know that was what was happening. Usually after a cyst burst I get really hairy also. Its happens often. I absolutely crave sugar and stuff with carbs all the time even though I have changed my diet. Any suggestions...because  my OB/GYN seems to not know what to do.

Answer
Lashonna,
I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I will try to offer some suggestions here- however please keep in mind that I am not a Dr and cannot diagnose or treat any medical conditions.
1st thing we should address is the Metformin. You did not say how long you took it before you stopped taking it. Metformin can cause stomach problems for a little while when you first start taking it, but those usually stop within 30 days of your last dose increase. Metformin should also be taken with food and not on an empty stomach. If indigestion is a concern, you can ask your Dr if it is ok to take Tagamet or Zantac daily while on the metformin. If all else fails, there are other medications similar in action to the metformin that might be right for you. Again, this is a question you need to ask your Dr. You should not leave the insulin resistance untreated, this can lead to type 2 diabetes if left untreated.
The reason you crave carbs is because of your Insulin Resistance. Until this is corrected, you will continue to crave carbs. Spironolactone is another medication you could ask your Dr about. Spironolactone helps with the male hormone and excess hair issues. If you feel your OB/GYN is not helping you, then I would seek out either a Reproductive Endocrinologist or a regular Endocrinologist for a consult. Endocrinologists specialize in hormones and are usually better at treating PCOS than an OB/GYN or a family Physician. An RE specializes specifically in female and reproductive hormones, but either one should be able to help you with the PCOS. Women with PCOS are indeed able to have children, but they often require help from a RE. I strongly urge you to continue seeking help until you find a Dr who is knowledgable and finds a treatment that works for you.