Any other ladies have PCOS?

GreatGreenSea

I've had PCOS for decades. I spend over ten years just trying to find out what was wrong, and finally, after exhaustive research, I diagnosed myself, printed off tons of information and took it to the doc for confirmation. He was clueless and sent me to a specialist. Since I already had children, nobody was interested in addressing my fertility or menstrual issues, and my body reacted badly to the synthetic hormones (they nearly killed me) and to Metformin (chronic, explosive and uncontrollable diarrhea for over three months) that they did try.

I found my answers in alternative medicine. Herbs and other supplements regulated my cycles and have helped me - along with diet and exercise - to manage the associated insulin resistance. When I got it under control enough that I wasn't sprouting new whiskers, I had the old ones lasered so I no longer have the tell tale chin shadow.

You may think you're alone, but the odds are that you know a number of people who have it - some undiagnosed, others who don't easily reveal it or discuss it. People get that way after a couple of failed, unsympathetic or downright painful conversations trying to explain it. I know I did.

May I ask what herbs you've been using?

minipiggle

I have PCOS too, diagnosed in 2005 and no medical help at all to manage the condition except fertility treatment when needed. I am now 32 with 3 children and awaiting endometrial ablation to try and solve my bleeding issues and avoid hysterectomy.
Weight loss is hard but it's doable. I find cutting carbs down and lots of cardio really is the only way to make progress, it's slower than some people's and I sometimes "fall off the wagon" but each day is a new day and I just wipe the slate clean and start again.

kmjoctober

Yes I have it, I was diagnosed when I was 17. It makes life difficult in all aspects, not just weight. I hate it and wish there was a cure for it.

Rachelle_Ohh

I have PCOS, and I did so well when I was eating clean and the only type of bread I ate was Ezekiel bread, and that was very rarely. I was also able to eat Barilla Plus pasta, but only half the suggested serving. Going to go back to that, I slipped quite a bit. :P

lizpuga1

If anyone starts a pcos support group please let me know! I would love to join!

uchube

i was diagnosed at age 18 with double the normal testosterone, cysts covering both ovaries, no periods in 7 years, excess hair/severe hirsutism and acne. I was borderline UNDERweight when diagnosed, I think a lot of doctors refused to grant me the time of day re: getting a scan or blood tests because they assumed I was starving myself. I was just a lean kid, but underneath my clothes they would've seen the thick hair and abdominal fat. I remained on Dianette until I was 20 then refused to take it anymore, it hadn't resolved anything, I'd developed migration of cells from my uterus down to my cervix (chronic painful sex as a first-timer with my other half was awful and the straw that broke the camels back). I also couldn't fit into any of my shoes the retention was pretty extreme.

I was placed on 500mg metformin by an amazing (female!) endocrinologist at age 21 and 3 months later I began having normal cycles.

I'm now 24 and up until November 2013 had maintained a normal cycle, light and regular. I then began stress eating carbs (dried fruit) for six months while studying and experienced annovulation once more, along with a rapid 10lb weight gain, pretty much all in my stomach.

I've been on MFP religiously for about 6 weeks, 4 weeks less than 60g net carbs and the last week less then 25g net carbs. I got a period yesterday. I haven't weighed yet, but feel I've lost some. I would love to get back to 104-109lbs by the end of August, which is where I was before the November binging began. I'm 5ft 2, 116lbs last checked. Moderate protein and High Fats seems to help me, along with no grains, and really restricting fructose/including fruit.

FrancescaWebb

For those of you that have asked about a support group, i think there are a few of them already. Here is the one I am in: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/3087-p-c-o-sis

I have PCOS & Hypothyroid...feel free to add me!

ilovethesparkles

I have PCOS too! I was diagnosed at 16. I was having crazy problems with my menstrual cycle. I didn't notice the weight problems until my 20's though. Which I am now currently struggling with. There are different supplements you can take to help with some of the problems. Cinnamon, Insitol, B vitamins, milk thistle and chromium are some that help with different symptoms.

lbogden0226

Interesting. I also have PCOS and IBS.

Malthuura

I've had one doctor tell me I "probably" have it but I've considered myself self-diagnosed for the last three or four years. I think I stumbled upon the information for PCOS online and was amazed to find that it explained so much about what I'd been through. My menstrual cycle lasted for ten years with only a few days a month with no bleeding. Luckily I rarely had cramps. Getting on birth control for about a year helped straighten things out for the most part, though my body doesn't stay on a strict schedule sometimes being closer together and occasionally lasting for nearly ten days. It is frustrating to find that now I get terrible cramps at least two days out of my cycle but I think that's a fair trade for having weeks in row where I don't bleed. *smiles*

I am diabetic, though it's been years since I've had my A1C done so hopefully soon I can get that checked. My family has gone through a few ups and downs- losing weight for months then life kicking us so hard we coped by falling off the wagon. But we're back at it now and I'm looking forward to the rewards of a healthier lifestyle.

One of the issues I'm finding is that when I work out strenuously- Like taking a spin class- the bleeding comes back for the next six to twelve hours. Do any of you suffer from this symptom of PCOS? I know it can also happen if I get really stressed or emotional, too. Have any of you have any suggestions on how to curb this issue?

The hair growth, acne, hair loss, etc... Yeah... it sucks. I know it makes good self-esteem difficult some days as I'm sure you guys can attest to.

I'm happy to see others on here willing to admit what's going on with their bodies. It gives me some incentive, some hope, and some comrades in arms as far as wrangling control away from our PCOS.

NaughtyNurse89

Yes. As one OP mentioned, low carb dieting is the only way for me to lose and maintain goal weight. Before I had my son it was much easier to lose. Now I'm struggling hard. Ive only lost 17 lbs since having him and he'll be 1 next month.

Moosh514

I've had PCOS for 10 years now. I gained roughly 100 lbs within 6 months, which is where my Dr. found out that I had the issue. It has caused many issues for me from bursting, painful cysts, to surgeries to have 12" cysts removed, and now an ablation to try to reduce the chances of cysts. I have been working off and on to lose that 100lbs that I have gained, but my Dr. recently told me it is quite frankly going to be very hard because they just don't know enough yet about the disease to have a set way to help women lose the weight. Fortunately, my husband has been supportive and within the last week we made a HUGE switch to the Paleo diet. This has truly started to work for me, and I have seen some even bigger results. The Dr. also put me on Phentermine which I love. It keeps my energy up, and helps me get through my workouts at the end of the day.

I had a lot of fertility issues when my husband and I were first trying to get pregnant, but what I figured out that worked best for me, was to get on a low dose birth control for six months to correct my cycle and my hormones. Within two months of coming off, I was able to get pregnant. I did have a cyst the size of a softball throughout that pregnancy that we had to watch closely, but we both made it out healthy.

This disease, like any other, is going to be a battle. It isn't going to be easy to overcome, and isn't going to necessarily go away with weight loss and a lifestyle change, but I do believe that things will get better and I will feel better about myself when I get there.

macchiatto

I have it. I managed to get to goal weight but I had to go fairly low-cal and low-carb to get there. I just recently saw an article someone posted on here about how women with PCOS really do have significantly slower metabolisms than most women. It's somewhat common, too; about 1 in 10 women have PCOS.

mary_ann_76

I was diagnosed about 14 years ago. Since that time, I tried almost any type of eating a nd exercise plan given to me, but nothing worked for more than a couple of pounds. If I stopped working out, I would gain instantly. I was not eating bad foods overall and you think the exercise would help...

Early April, I had my yearly checkup with my new doc. I basically gold him that I am tired of fighting my body and need serious help. He suggested two things. First, bariatric surgery (it turns out I don't qualify) and second, eat s paleo diet for 30 days and reassess then. Of course keep exercising. He had seen wonderful results with PCOS patients with this method.

I was doubtful that paleo would work, but for 30 days I gave it my all. I noticed having more energy and felt great within the first week. My energy has gone up dramatically, I don't feel th a t awful bloated nasty feeling that I would get after eating potatoes, pastas, pizzas, and bread. I did strict paLeo for 30 days and now include some dairy. I have lost 30lbs since mid April and I am eatin g good, clean, whole foods.

If it worked for me, it might work for you too!