PCOS/Insulin Resistance Anyone, Anyone??

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Asomething
Asomething Posts: 62 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hello Fellow MFPers (say that out loud and you may giggle a litte : ),

I'm looking to add some friends who are also dealing with PCOS and that challenges that come with it. So if you are, please add me!!

P.S. PCOS can also be diagnosed as Insulin Intolerant/Insulin Resistant, PCO, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Stein Leventhal disease and probably a whole bunch of other names!!

P.P.S. It's a girl only thing. Guys, you're safe!
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Replies

  • becky179
    becky179 Posts: 2
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    I would be in your same boat! :) I have it horribly!! Are you on Metformin?
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    I was during 2 of my pregnancies. Doc has prescribed it again (I'm not prego now), but I am trying to not have to take it. What about you?
  • azxraygirl
    azxraygirl Posts: 2
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    Hello! I've had PCOS for over 20 years. I was on Metformin for years. It's very hard to lose weight with PCOS. Hang in there! It's very important to find a doctor who understands everything that goes along with PCOS. I've lost 80lbs in the past 3 years, and it has help with all the symptoms and I"m now off my Metformin
  • Boxer_Chick
    Boxer_Chick Posts: 15
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    I am. I stopped the met after it made me terribly sick to my stomach for almost a year. I took my physical therapists advice instead. I work out hard 5 days a week and try to watch my calories and especially my carbs. It's a hard road but it's working.
    Good Luck! :)
  • daloverlyme
    daloverlyme Posts: 583 Member
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    I have PCOS. It is a daily struggle for me. My doctor only has me on provera.
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    Hello! I've had PCOS for over 20 years. I was on Metformin for years. It's very hard to lose weight with PCOS. Hang in there! It's very important to find a doctor who understands everything that goes along with PCOS. I've lost 80lbs in the past 3 years, and it has help with all the symptoms and I"m now off my Metformin


    AWESOME!! What an inspiration!!
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    I am. I stopped the met after it made me terribly sick to my stomach for almost a year. I took my physical therapists advice instead. I work out hard 5 days a week and try to watch my calories and especially my carbs. It's a hard road but it's working.
    Good Luck! :)


    That's why I don't want to take it, plus it can be so hard on your system :(
    I'm working on the carbs thing - doesn't help that I LOVE pasta, but I'm working on it!!
  • fitterpam
    fitterpam Posts: 3,086 Member
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    Yup - I'm on Met, Synthroid (for related Thyroid issue) and Provera when needed.

    If you're planning on fixing it with diet and exercise too, I highly recommend PCOSDiva.com. I have it linked to my FB page and get daily updates and there's always lots of good, researched information on how to fix it.

    Did you know PCOS is an inflammatory disease? When you think inflammatory in terms of the body, it's not really swollen and stuff, but more like rusting out......parts are wearing out, which is part of the reason that PCOSers have a difficult time losing weight....our bodies respond way differently than other people's.

    I've lost about 50lbs now and for the last 4 months, my cycle has regulated and I've been losing the weight. Part is the metformin, no doubt in my mind, but most has been removing processed foods and white sugar from my diet......Moving to lower GI substitutes is a huge help! Brown Rice Pasta or Quinoa Pasta instead of regular would be a good option for the pasta lovers
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    I have PCOS. It is a daily struggle for me. My doctor only has me on provera.

    What is the Provera for?? I seem to remember that from when I was trying to get preggers?
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    Yup - I'm on Met, Synthroid (for related Thyroid issue) and Provera when needed.

    If you're planning on fixing it with diet and exercise too, I highly recommend PCOSDiva.com. I have it linked to my FB page and get daily updates and there's always lots of good, researched information on how to fix it.

    Did you know PCOS is an inflammatory disease? When you think inflammatory in terms of the body, it's not really swollen and stuff, but more like rusting out......parts are wearing out, which is part of the reason that PCOSers have a difficult time losing weight....our bodies respond way differently than other people's.

    I've lost about 50lbs now and for the last 4 months, my cycle has regulated and I've been losing the weight. Part is the metformin, no doubt in my mind, but most has been removing processed foods and white sugar from my diet......Moving to lower GI substitutes is a huge help! Brown Rice Pasta or Quinoa Pasta instead of regular would be a good option for the pasta lovers

    Thanks for the info, can't wait to check out that website!!
    I don't have much "white" food left in the house, just started using quinoa - which I am TOTALLY diggin' !!!
  • fitterpam
    fitterpam Posts: 3,086 Member
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    She does some great family friendly menu plans too :) I'm hoping to copy a few of them soon.......LOL once I do commit :)
  • shulaw
    shulaw Posts: 160 Member
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    i have it to though i am on nothing for it at the moment ( is about to get a new doctor so that may change ) at the moment its looking like i can not even conceive so its very doubtfull that i wil have children which is quite upsetting but im hopeing loosing some mroe weight may change that :)

    it is hard trying to loose weight with pcos but it is achieveable ...look into a low gi diet i have found that helped a lot :)
  • Asomething
    Asomething Posts: 62 Member
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    i have it to though i am on nothing for it at the moment ( is about to get a new doctor so that may change ) at the moment its looking like i can not even conceive so its very doubtfull that i wil have children which is quite upsetting but im hopeing loosing some mroe weight may change that :)

    it is hard trying to loose weight with pcos but it is achieveable ...look into a low gi diet i have found that helped a lot :)


    I had 3 miscarriages and trouble conceiving and now have 3 kiddos (#3 was a total surprise AND a med free pregnancy!!) You never know what can happen!! Good luck
  • garysgirl719
    garysgirl719 Posts: 235 Member
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    i have it to though i am on nothing for it at the moment ( is about to get a new doctor so that may change ) at the moment its looking like i can not even conceive so its very doubtfull that i wil have children which is quite upsetting but im hopeing loosing some mroe weight may change that :)

    it is hard trying to loose weight with pcos but it is achieveable ...look into a low gi diet i have found that helped a lot :)

    I understand your feelings here very well. We have tried for almost three years now, including seeing a fertility specialist and dropping over 5K to make it happen, with no luck. It is a very hard road to walk.
  • fitterpam
    fitterpam Posts: 3,086 Member
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    i have it to though i am on nothing for it at the moment ( is about to get a new doctor so that may change ) at the moment its looking like i can not even conceive so its very doubtfull that i wil have children which is quite upsetting but im hopeing loosing some mroe weight may change that :)

    it is hard trying to loose weight with pcos but it is achieveable ...look into a low gi diet i have found that helped a lot :)

    LOL Okay - I'm going to lay it all on the line here.....feel free to tell me to shut it....I've done so much research in the last year that I feel like sometimes I get on my soapbox.....

    DH and I have been trying since 2001. We are now seeing a fertility specialist and will start IVF with ICSI in May(Yikes, it's going to be around $12-15K). Our issue isn't only PCOS (if it were, we would be able to try naturally at this point). Some things I can suggest without going on medication (Metformin) are:

    - Stay away from sugar. It causes your body to produce insulin. PCOS (and IR specifically) cause the body to overreact to sugars and sends you out of the fat burning zone into fat storing zone everytime. This is different from diabetics who don't produce enough insulin to react. Sugars also impact the bodies ability to recognize which hormone needs to be sent out at which time - hence the monthly cycle issues. Seriously, on this note, sugars are our enemy so what can you do?

    - you can try taking 2tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar 2x a day (morning and before dinner). It is thought that the acetic acid in the vinegar stops the absorbtion of some of the carbs into your blood stream which will stop the sugar spike and insulin over reaction (it's like a natural metformin). Take it with about 2 cups of water, just mix it up.

    - natural progesterone cream (if your doctor okays it) will allow you to create natural cycles and slowly wean off of it and let your body take over

    - Provera/Prometrium are bio identical progesterone pills that you can take to create a cycle. I've heard that the creams are better, but I haven't actually tried them. Provera is my med right now when I need to start a cycle.

    - Water.....your body is deteriorating at a rate that is faster than most.....by drinking lots of water, you are constantly flushing toxins (deterioration excelerators) out of the body. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces

    - Avoid sweeteners. The body sees them as toxins (chemicals) with no nutritional value and tells your body to eat more. Plus your body stores toxins in fat cells (it's one of their primary functions) so by using a lot of sweeteners, you're really storing more fat cells

    - here's a controversial one.....avoid soy and other estrogen mimickers.....LOL They actually cause your body to think that there is more estrogen than there is and not put out the other hormones......

    By going low GI, you are eating foods that are absorbed differently into your body, delaying the influx of sugar into your blood stream. Make sure to pair sugar foods with protein foods. Protein stops the rate of absorbtion into the BS also as does Fibre.

    So the basics are: Eat a low GI diet with plenty of lean protein and lots of fibre. Avoid sugar, sweeteners, soy. Drink all your water and supplement with Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin D, Chaste Berry (if you can find it). Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

    Not only will this help heal your body from the effects of PCOS (which is a symptom on its own of an inflammatory condition) but will help you lose weight and gain fertility.

    And I'm now off the soapbox :)
  • mawiechel
    mawiechel Posts: 5
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    Hello,
    I have had PCOS since I was in my late teens. I am currently on Natavia a birth control to manage symptoms. My cousin and grandma both had PCOS so it runs in the family. I have been on a low GI diet for over two years and I have not had much luck! I also have IBS which make it difficult to find things that agree with my tender tummy. My hubby and I have not started trying to conceive but hope to later this year. It's frightening not know to expect not knowing if we will be able to conceive naturally. It's good to find other women out there who are going through similar experiences!
  • Diet_Hell
    Diet_Hell Posts: 34
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    I too have PCOS, diagnosed back in 2003. I have taken metformin in the past, but suffered terrible sickness bouts and stopped taking it. Was also put on Dianette for some symptoms, but after a year found it hadnt helped, I no longer take it.
    I also sufferred with the excess hair symptom (joy!), I have since had lazor treatment (not on the NHS) that has worked miracles, and would highly recommend. (If you want any info, just ask)

    I've never had any problems with my cycle, so I'm hoping that in the future I will be able to have kids.

    Obviously my weight is an issue, my doctor has informed me that losing the weight should help with any other symptoms, but it can be a vicious circle, as the weight problem is a massive battle.

    I have decided to make healthy changes to my diet, and try to keep on a low GI Diet, but I do have a sweet tooth, so yoghurts and sugar free jelly are a must to get me through the day.
  • shulaw
    shulaw Posts: 160 Member
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    done low gi still trying to stick to it , i toohave the excess hair thing but can not afford the laser treatment as of yet so ... i try to keep on top of that with waxing or razor ...seriously i am the origonal bearded lady lol. my drs would not give me metaformin unless i had another test with dye etc to check that my tubes were clear etc i did not want said test i have had enough of being poked around etc its only taken them just under 6 years to diganose...serioulsy i could have told them from day one anyways enough of that , i exercise usually an hour a day i drink as much water as i can get in , was on the stuff to make you have a cycle just to reduce the chances of cancer but am now slowly having a cycle every other month . it is a very difficult road to walk and yes i have tried many things , i just keep going im not going to be a pin cushion any longer i dont want ivf ( i have my reasons ) and i am not gonna use pcos as an excuse not to loose weight.

    sorry that was a bit of a ramble ....i do apolagise
  • becky179
    becky179 Posts: 2
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    I am horrible about taking metforming, but i do have it.. and shoudl take it more regularly. I have lost 19lbs since Feb 1st and I am trying so hard to lose the weight.. my PCOS is horrible and lost one ovary from it.. its so frustrating!!

    I miscarried in October which was so hard for me because i was so excited.. so now I am just trying to focus on losing weight and getting this PCOS under control and periods back on track!! :)

    Love to hear about other stories like mine.. at least you guys understand!! :)
  • dab52776
    dab52776 Posts: 536 Member
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    I also have PCOS...just marking my spot on this thread! I'll be back later to post more :)

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