New Support Group for Cysters

My name is Deirdra and I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) in 1996. I've spent a lot of time over the years doing research on PCOS since my doctors never seem to have any decent information of their own. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination.

At one point, I was the Vice President of my local chapter of PCOSA but bowed out (I think gracefully) because I didn't like where the group's focus was headed. Not that it was headed anywhere horrible-it is just that others in the group wanted it to be a sort of "coffee klatch" instead of an organized resource for PCOS in the Pittsburgh area. Nothing wrong with that-just not what I was looking for out of a support group at the time-especially when being on the board of the support group.

I've been getting very active with Podcasting-especially on TalkShoe.com. I have a number of "TalkCasts" (as they are called on TalkShoe.com) already going-most concern my business, MAKK Strategies. But I have started a few personal ones, such as one on bad customer service (I have a blog on here that coincides with that podcast).

I decided to start the Living with PCOS TalkCast because it is something that is very near and dear to me-living with it every day of my life for the last 11 years. My hope is that this TalkCast becomes very interactive and can be a true online support group for "cysters" both locally in Pittsburgh and around the world. I'm not going to dispense any sort of medical advice (especially since I'm not a doctor)-just want to talk to and discuss information with other "cysters".

Here is some information on when and how to join the TalkCast:

The first one is going to be on Saturday, June 16th, 2007 at 9am. Not sure if it will stay at that time, guess it will depend on who is able to participate then. I'm thinking I will have them monthly for now-but if people are interested, we might eventually do them weekly or bi-weekly.

Here are the directions to join in:

Directions to call in to the PCOS TalkCast: Prior to the interview, you will need to sign up for an account with TalkShoe. Just go to www.talkshoe.com and hit the white “sign up” button. To fully participate (talk, listen, & chat), you will need to Sign Up as a TalkShoe member, create a 10-digit PIN, and download the TalkShoe Live software.*

Find the Living with PCOS TalkCast (TalkCast ID: 34281) and click its name or photo icon. From the Talkcast page, click the Purple Talk button which launches the TalkShoe Live software. From this software, you can chat online and hear the audio of the Talkcast. If you want to talk via telephone, use your phone to call 724-444-7444 and follow the audio instructions.

*You can choose to only talk and not launch the TalkShoe Live software. This gives you the ability to join Talkcasts from anywhere! You still must become a member, and create a 10-digit PIN. But, you do not need to download the TalkShoe Live software, or be at your computer when dialing in.

You don't need to download anything if you don't want to be able to text chat. But you do need to register on the site in order to be able to call in and participate. They don't ask for tons of info.

Hope to see and hear all you "cysters" out there on my TalkCast!!