Anyone with PCOS?

YolondaNicole

Hi all,
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) about 6 months ago and I need to lose weight in order to control my symptoms. Unfortunately, it's difficult to lose weight with this condition and was wondering if there's any other females out there with PCOS who has had any success.

-Yolonda

jalara

Yes there are (but not me). Come over to the Fit For Future Families group - there's quite a few! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/206590-fit-for-future-families-april-2011?page=11

beatlemom

I was diagnosed over 10 years ago with it. It is hard to lose weight, but if you exercise and watch carbs ( i try to eat healthy ones) you can be successful! Add me as a friend if you want. I completely understand what you are going through...It's hard.

teanabean

I totally understand what you are going through. I have PCOS and Hypothyroidism and it is SO hard to lose weight Feel free to add me too!

HungryMom

I am living and losing with PCOS. It took me awhile to get with the program. As you said it can be very difficult, and it seemed like such a long road I would get discouraged rather quickly. I am on Metformin and Spironolactone, have lost about 40 lbs. in the last 3 months, and am seeing my symptoms disappear.

YolondaNicole

Thanks ladies . . . I will definitely add you all I've joined a few "cysters" sites but ever since I've joined MFP, I feel like there's no room for "can't" anymore. I the pounds are coming off slowly, I just need to stay encouraged.

YolondaNicole

@HungryMom . . . Wow! 40 in 3 months!! I hope that works for me. Heck, I'd even take 20! I just started Metformin and it is brutal, but hopefully it will get better. I asked for spiro, but the doc wouldn't prescribe it. I'm convinced they're just control freaks, but I'm trying to stay positive. Congrats on your accomplishment.

ged630

Feel free to add me too. I am losing slowly but losing! It has taken many attempts but I feel great in everyway since joining this site! Good luck in your journey!

nokittyno

Out of curiosity what are the symptoms of PCOS and how were you diagnosed? I have had docs kind of cycle around diagnosis' for me but nothing yet. They once mentioned PCOS but nothing since.

bespatter

Yep. I was diagnosed with PCOS ten years ago. About six months after being diagonosed, my doctor told me it was important that I lose weight (I was overweight), otherwise I could have heart disease within the next ten years. I started watching what I ate, mostly just cut out diet pop, most junk food, and I quit eating so much pasta. I ate about 2000 calories a day, with no exercise, in order to lose the first 30 lbs, then I lowered it to 1700 calories a day, with no exercise, to lose the next ten. Once I started doing the elliptical for 35 minutes 4-5x a week and lowering my calories to 1600, I was able to lose all the weight I wanted, and I'm now at maintenance weight. I still don't eat processed foods, diet pop, or junk food. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (to keep blood sugar in check).

So, although I have developed hypogleicemia due to PCOS, I've been able to keep it under control by watching what I eat. It's been ten years and I have no heart disease or diabetes to speak of. I'm also 53 lbs. lighter. The only meds I take are Lo-Esterin to keep my periods in check. I still have some symptoms, but overall the pain and acne has lessened.

So, you CAN lose the weight, and you CAN keep your symptoms under control. It won't happen overnight, and it'll take some time before you start to feel better, but you CAN do this for your body and for your health! It just takes a little work.

bespatter

Some symptoms include:
Spotty or erratic periods
Double or missed periods
Unusual pain during ovulation and during period (like, excessive cramping!)
Acne
Thinning hair
Facial hair and/or thickened hair on arms or stomach
Possible infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
Sufferers are usually heavy or overweight

To get a full diagnosis with me (in addition to the obvious above symptoms), my doctor just perfomed a simple sonagram. You could see a bunch of cysts, just hanging out in my ovaries. That was the clincher. I had PCOS. I also had weird blood work.

nokittyno

Some symptoms include:
Spotty or erratic periods
Double or missed periods
Unusual pain during ovulation and during period (like, excessive cramping!)
Acne
Thinning hair
Facial hair and/or thickened hair on arms or stomach
Possible infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
Sufferers are usually heavy or overweight

To get a full diagnosis with me (in addition to the obvious above symptoms), my doctor just perfomed a simple sonagram. You could see a bunch of cysts, just hanging out in my ovaries. That was the clincher. I had PCOS. I also had weird blood work.

Well i've had numerous issues, lots undiagnosed or waved off as stress or me being insane. I've had a 4 year absence of a peroid, a 277 day absence, and I had to be put on Birth Control to regulate my low estrogen and periods. I have had a sono in 2004 with cycts, but my doc said that is normal and people just have them. Ontop of that my hair has thinned, but my mom says its genetic and points to hers, like - "really mom? that's nothing"
Also in 2008 I had low blood sugars(not diabetic or anything) and was hospitalized for a week with numerous blood tests being sent out for possible hypoglycemia, but still they came back normal.

SO I dunno... Lol.

I dunno, could be a whack of similarities but my doc keeps thinking im crazier with every visit, lol

Thanks for answering me though. Appreciate it.

HungryMom

I just started Metformin and it is brutal, but hopefully it will get better.

It does! Is your doctor slowly increasing your dosage? I would have trouble when I missed a day or two and stop taking it completely. Of course that meant starting all-over again, ugh. I think once the meds began regulating my hormones my body really responded to the diet and exercise change. You can do this!

ivygirl11

I too am suffering with PCOS I was diagnosed with it in 2005 but i am sure i have had the symptoms for much longer. I am looking for all of the support i can get, I always have questions, I have slacked and not educated myself as much as i should have all of these years...

Feel free to add me as a friend any of you. Like i said i could really use the support.

zasmm

I have PCOS too - diagnosed a few months ago but knew I had it before then. Anyone with PCOS - feel free to add me!

Diet_Hell

You can add me to the PCOS list.

Diagnosed back in 2003. Tried Metformin, but it didn't agree with me.

Had lazor treatment for hair removal, as it was really getting me down, best thing I ever did.

Now it's time for the weight to go, I know it will take a bit longer than the average person, but I will get there.

Feel free to add me )

KaciWood19

I also unfortunately have PCOS. Like other users who have posted, I take Metformin. I suffer from the extreme side of the symptoms, but loosing weight, even just a small ammount, was so noticeable that I don't want to give up! I have had PCOS for 8 years now. I suffer from the irregular, heavy periods, the hair thinning, the acne, the weight gain. I have also unfortunately had several cysts rupture! I'd love any and all support!

motherofjade

I have PCOS too!

Metformin has been a life saver to me and it's the only way i was able to loose weight. But I also have a underactive thyroid so being on meds for that has helped as well.

I've been on Metformin for a year now, and I still get the nasty side effect of diareaha EVERY DAY! I know gross but I'm sure all of you have experienced it too lol. It's worth being able to loose weight for me though.

Just curious if you don't mind me asking, what amount of metformin did everyone's doctor prescribe them? I only ask cause i know of some people that are on it at such a low does that's it's not doing what it's supposed to.

I take 500mg 3 times a day. Anything less then that and I can't loose weight.

distant_dreamer

hi i have it too makes it so hard to lose the weight but am realising it not impossible!

feel free to add me too if u want xx

lolareina

In Feb 2011 I went to my Dr because we are having trouble getting pregnant. They did blood work and a sono and said I had PCOS. My Dr said for me to try and loose weight about 30 lbs or more if possible or I could try metformin to help. I thought I could do it on my own but now im thinking I may need something to help. I dont want to use fertility drugs but that would be the next step in us being able to get pregnant.

motherofjade

@lolareina I have some friends that take Metformin to help with the symptoms and they have had good success with getting pregnant

I would try the metformin before the fertility drugs. Just my opinion

motherofjade

I'd like to add, I'm not on it to get pregnant so I can't say personally if it would work or not. I'm on it to help me with weight loss and to regulate my periods.

godblessourhome

another pcos-er here. i have found that a low carb lifestyle works the best for me. by low carb, i mean around 100 grams. i mainly try to eat my carbs in the form of veggies and fruit, instead of grain, rice, bread, etc. it took me a full year but i lost 30 pounds and have been maintaining it since thanksgiving. i would still like to lose an additional 10.

feel free to friend me.

dstsur5or

I have PCOS! I was diagnosed with the condition in 2004. I was 22 years old, newly engaged, and told my chance to get pregnant was going to be very slim due to all the complications I had began to have. Within four months I was down 43lbs. Now almost 7 years and one child later the weight has crept back on. I have realized that losing weight is definitely the best option in helping with PCOS. It may be hard but don't give up because it is possible.

byHISstrength

I have PCOS. Diagnosed is December 2007. I have lost almost 30lbs since then, but I just recently realized that I really need to pay attention to the amount of carbs I eat.

It really is tough to lose weight, but I will just keep plugging along KNOWING that I will see results if I stay diligent.

Aubers

I also have PCOS. Was just diagnosed at the beginning of the year. Surprisingly I lost a good amount of weight in 3 months, but now am at a standstill. Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for about 6-7 months now with no luck. It's definitely depressing at times. Was only put on Metformin a little under a month ago, finally started my period after the first week on it! So hopefully this is a good sign for us TTC! Feel free to add me! Always love to hear others stories/experiences

MClark71903

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2002, been dealing with that for a long time. Never did I have to struggle with the weight as much as I have since having my son back in 2003, but mainly over the last 5 years, getting worse lately. I would love to have the motivation and support from others dealing with PCOS. I've been really struggling since my miscarriage back in August of last year. I had lost 22 pounds, gained back 12, lost another 10 when I found out I was pregnant. I gained all of that back during the 5 weeks from the day I found out I was pregnant until I had my D&C due to miscarriage. Now I've finally lost 8.6 pounds, but it's so slow and I just can't seem to break through and lose anymore.

carpediem3

I was diagnosed in January 2011, and since then have changed my lifestyle and so far have lost 18lbs. It IS possible with a lot of dedication and hard work! Feel free to friend me! I know how hard it is but you came to the right place. MFP has been amazing support on my journey! Best of luck to you!!

6heatherb6

I'd like to link my daughter to this blog...thanks everyone

MMTess

I've had PCOS since adolescence and it went undiagnosed until the pain put me in the hospital and a cyst was removed. Losing weight is such an uphill battle with so many of the symptoms working against you. It wasn't until my 20's that I was able to lose any weight. Doctors told me that all my symptoms, excess weight, irregular periods, extreme period pain, appetite increase, headaches and depression were all my own fault and if I just lost weight everything would be better. No wonder I hated myself.... I've been losing weight constantly now with daily activity and eating right (no soda, no junk food, lots of fruits and veggies). It's not impossible if you stick with it!!! (:

☆ShawnsMom08☆

I have PCOS. It sucks but I have noticed since I have been losing weight that the symptoms are slowling down if you will. I work extra hard and generally lose lbs a week. My doctor set a goal of 5lbs a month and when I came back to see her I had lost 18 instead of 10. We just have to work harder. If you need a buddy, I'm here.