Success with PCOS

sexycheesemonkey

On more thing. According to MFP I eat too much sugar every day. It's quite annoying actually. I get all my sugar from fruit and sometimes a little bit of honey (and an organic piece of chocolate every now and then). Should I be worried? I am losing weight and I'm feeling great .... It would be very hard for me to stop eating fruits...

maybe changing the fruits you eat would help that? Im not sure what fruits you eat or how much, I was told to be careful with my fruit intake because of the natural sugars in it.

RachelT14

Just had to share this with you PCOS ladies as i am sure it will make you chuckle! I do suffer with the excess facial hair, which i obviously need to address at the moment as according to my 4 year old "mummy you have an eyebrow under your nose!"

Got to love childish wisdom!

RheaAnne

I have PCOS as well and I am still loosing. I don't take any medication. I try really hard to stick to the Glycemix Index. I cut out white flour items and that made a huge difference! Here a few references to look at. I wish you luck it's hard but can be done!

www.glycemicindex.com

Also some good books that are easy to understand are The G.I. Diet by Rick Gallop he has a few of them I found very useful and not overly confusing.

WhitneyAnnabelle

Someone may have addressed this, but: if you're staying low carb, how do you integrate fruits and vegetables into your diet? I'm vegan, so things like meat aren't an option.

135momma

Okay I'm going to hijack this thread just a little bit since we're (mostly) all PCOSers here -

For many with PCOS, we don't have periods on our own. That's how mine was diagnosed- I was 16 and hadn't started yet so my parents took me to the doc and told them I was broken, fix me. They did the necessary tests and put me on birth control. So for me, period = birth control. They do not exist separately.

So I haven't been on birth control for the last 5 or so months and just had my annual checkup. as has happened in the past, the doc gave me a 5 day cycle of provera (progesterone) to jump start things, and while I've noticed the symptoms and all that usually come along with our dear friend TOM, he has not shown up. Mind you, I'm not asking for a diagnosis, I just talked to my doctor about it less than an hour ago, I'm just wondering if anyone has had something similar happen after losing a significant amount of weight.

I've always been heavy, and provera has always worked, every time I've used it for the 11 or 12 years since the diagnosis. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced shifts in hormone levels as your weight came off. Some people say if you lose weight your body can try and correct itself and your PCOS can lessen or disappear, so it's not THAT weird of a concept. Additionally, I've been super active compared to the previous years, which I know can also affect it.

So for now we're just putting me back on birth control because it could be other hormones that are out of whack right now. If it still doesn't happen in a month, I guess we investigate further.

OH to be a boy sometimes!

(And before anyone suggests it, yes, I'm taking a pregnancy test tonight JUST to be sure, but I'm 95% positive that IT will be negative- but doctor's orders!)

I was also put on progesterone to induce a period nearly 5 years ago. I had regular periods when I was young until I got put on birth control when I got married (age 18). That year I started having irregular periods so I went off of birth control. Fast forward several years and we were ready to try and have a family. I didn't have a period for over a year, went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS. The doc put me on progesterone and it didn't work at first so she put me on something else, I can't remember what it was. Somehow in the middle of all of this I ended up pregnant which was concerning because the medicine can cause birth defects. My son is almost 4 now and he does have a medical condition that we have no family history of. I've always wondered if the medicine contributed to this but we'll never know. I got pregnant with my second son the first time we tried...I remember my doctor told me that it would likely be easier to get pregnant with subsequent pregnancies.

My heaviest non-pregnant weight was 173, in my adult life I have mostly been between 150-160, size 12. I am 160 now and I really need to be more like 135-140 b/c I am short. This thread has inspired me to try a low carb diet. Right now I eat a ton of carbs and drink a ton of Diet DP. I've been following Weight Watchers but I haven't really lost much on it. I struggle with wanting instant gratification and giving up when I don't see results. I'm going to try low carb this week and cut soda to see if I feel any better/loose any weight.

cerrajean

Just had to share this with you PCOS ladies as i am sure it will make you chuckle! I do suffer with the excess facial hair, which i obviously need to address at the moment as according to my 4 year old "mummy you have an eyebrow under your nose!"

Got to love childish wisdom!

Oh my! Kids!

cerrajean

Okay I'm going to hijack this thread just a little bit since we're (mostly) all PCOSers here -

For many with PCOS, we don't have periods on our own. That's how mine was diagnosed- I was 16 and hadn't started yet so my parents took me to the doc and told them I was broken, fix me. They did the necessary tests and put me on birth control. So for me, period = birth control. They do not exist separately.

So I haven't been on birth control for the last 5 or so months and just had my annual checkup. as has happened in the past, the doc gave me a 5 day cycle of provera (progesterone) to jump start things, and while I've noticed the symptoms and all that usually come along with our dear friend TOM, he has not shown up. Mind you, I'm not asking for a diagnosis, I just talked to my doctor about it less than an hour ago, I'm just wondering if anyone has had something similar happen after losing a significant amount of weight.

I've always been heavy, and provera has always worked, every time I've used it for the 11 or 12 years since the diagnosis. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced shifts in hormone levels as your weight came off. Some people say if you lose weight your body can try and correct itself and your PCOS can lessen or disappear, so it's not THAT weird of a concept. Additionally, I've been super active compared to the previous years, which I know can also affect it.

So for now we're just putting me back on birth control because it could be other hormones that are out of whack right now. If it still doesn't happen in a month, I guess we investigate further.

OH to be a boy sometimes!

(And before anyone suggests it, yes, I'm taking a pregnancy test tonight JUST to be sure, but I'm 95% positive that IT will be negative- but doctor's orders!)

I was also put on progesterone to induce a period nearly 5 years ago. I had regular periods when I was young until I got put on birth control when I got married (age 18). That year I started having irregular periods so I went off of birth control. Fast forward several years and we were ready to try and have a family. I didn't have a period for over a year, went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS. The doc put me on progesterone and it didn't work at first so she put me on something else, I can't remember what it was. Somehow in the middle of all of this I ended up pregnant which was concerning because the medicine can cause birth defects. My son is almost 4 now and he does have a medical condition that we have no family history of. I've always wondered if the medicine contributed to this but we'll never know. I got pregnant with my second son the first time we tried...I remember my doctor told me that it would likely be easier to get pregnant with subsequent pregnancies.

My heaviest non-pregnant weight was 173, in my adult life I have mostly been between 150-160, size 12. I am 160 now and I really need to be more like 135-140 b/c I am short. This thread has inspired me to try a low carb diet. Right now I eat a ton of carbs and drink a ton of Diet DP. I've been following Weight Watchers but I haven't really lost much on it. I struggle with wanting instant gratification and giving up when I don't see results. I'm going to try low carb this week and cut soda to see if I feel any better/loose any weight.

Careful with the Diet sodas, they contain Asparthame, which can do some funky things if you have too much of it. Also, I heard a medical study's findings that diet soda can trigger the same insulin reactions as regular soda sometimes because the sweetness and taste confuse the brain, so it thinks it's supposed to act like normal.

It's easy for me to stay away of soda because I've never really been a soda drinker, but even with diet it's usually best to just cut it all out.

pinkprincess205

I was port on metformin a few yrs ago, but i wasnt dietin, so lost nothin. Now im dietin i think mayb metformin wil do more gd for me. Hmm mite talk to doc.
V
xx

carolann_22

I have been on metformin and low carb. With that combo I'm having regular cycles and losing weight - My meds ran out two weeks ago and I decided to NOT go back on the metformin but see how things were just low carbing it, and so far so good - my cycle was right on time and I'm still losing weight. This month will be the true test, since I won't be on met for the whole time.

meycay

WOW! I've gotta say that I had NO IDEA about half of the stuff I learned/read today on this post. See, I don't suffer with any side effects from the Met. I didn't know that others would (just based on my own experience). I hadn't been "taught" about the condition and so reading others' posts about low carb, low GI (which I had to de-code cause I didnt' know what it stood for... lol) is all new to me. I wonder if it's something I need to be trying.

I'm thankful not to have any side effects but I'm not crazy about taking pills. I DO want to get pregnant again and the number one step in my fertility treatment was to be on Metphormin so I just assumed that was it.

Hmmm... so much to think about. You ladies have my brain just going this morning. Y'all ALL ROCK! You know that? Each one of you on this website, new and old, you're really doing this! I'm so proud of each of you and, though we may not be "friends" I still count you as my MFP family.

I know that if I had posted this, y'all would be in MY corner, pushing me forward, giving me advise... Thanks for your comments.

crystaldkelley

I thought id share my story to keep you hopeful. I have PCOS and when I was in highschool I had to have 2 different surgerys, one to remove a 13 cm cyst and another to remove 2 cyst around 7 cm and half of my left fallopian tube. a couple years later I got pregnant. The ob gyn who done my surgery said id have a terrible time trying to concieve and really I didnt. I hope this helps you!! Best Wishes!!

Frappuzzino

You do not need medication to lose weight with PCOS.

I was diagnosed in 2009 and prescribed Metformin for insulin resistance.
I refused to take it. Instead, I take 1,000mg of Cinnamon and it has done wonders.
It has a similar/BETTER results than Metformin and does not have any side effects at all.

Remove processed carbs and sugar from your diet, exercise regularly.
I lost 40 pounds and my doctor was floored that I lost the weight and did it naturally.
All of my hormones are now completely normal!

I highly, HIGHLY recommend treating PCOS naturally.

Spamee

bump for reading later for my dd

NaomiLyn15

You do not need medication to lose weight with PCOS.

I highly, HIGHLY recommend treating PCOS naturally.

THIS!!!!

My doctor pushed me to do it naturally. She told me that there were options (like Metformin) to help, but didn't want me to start on them. She perscribed a cookbook (The Ultimate Metabolism) and told me to try on my own by making a serious life change. So, that is what I did. I cut out processed carbs/sugars, started eating more raw, and lost 30 lbs on my own. Then I hit a wall and thought that the medicine would help, so I went on it for about three months. I HATED IT! It didn't really help. So, I went back off it, and buckled back down to do it myself. Here I am 50 lbs lost, with only 10 to go to reach a weight I haven't been at since I was in middle school. I am healthy, have normal periods, and feel amazing. Drugs aren't the only way.

Girleo7853

Hi i have Pcos I would highly suggest metformin which is a medication they prescribe for it..also drinking fiber regularly..Pcos is insulin resistance I would suggest the low gylycemic index diet..its a good known diet for pcos I've lost 27 pounds in the past 30 days..I tried other plans with out success this plans so simple.. because I can still eat bread and pasta..I can have sour dough and pumpernichol bread. I eat four cheese ravioli.. check out low glycemic diet on Google..it's very easy and not extream.

countrydarling1

Stay away from CARBS and SUGAR! Make sure you take your med regularly. If your not taking any med. Than thats why your not losing weight ( go to the doc and get mediformine) if you can! Do carido like dancing or something! I have pcos and its hard but the main thing is stay away from thoughs foods. Yes it will be nasty stuff you eat! But you will see results!

You do NOT necessarily have to get on Metformin, I am not and doing just fine losing weight. Exercising and keeping a good diet, lowering those processed carbs will help you. And it won't be nasty either, it will be exactly what you make of it! Good luck!

I had really bad side effcts from Merformin, I didnt have the normal side effect, It made me feel crazy & mental & you would just had to be in my body to understand. I agree, not a necessity.

Best to talk with your dr on a few options. there aresome great information on here & them some off the wall stuff. check out the forums

helpmelose2011

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 7 years ago (a year after my son was born and we were trying for a 2nd) We tried the diet/exercise but that didnt help any. It was like a roller coaster - up down up down same same same etc. Finially last December my GYN put me on Metformin - normally used for bloodsugar problem.s. Since then w/ diet & exercise added I've lost almost 20lbs. If you're having problems maybe suggest that next time you see them. Best of luck to you

helpmelose2011

Note: metformin does take a month to get into your system. I only take 1 pill a day rather than 2 b/c it's known to upset your stomach. Going at it with low carb & low sugar seems to help too!

mrspeters3806

I would suggest you talk to your doctor. Everyone's experience is going to be different. As for me, I have PCOS (battled infertility for two years because of it) and have lost 67 lbs over the last 8 months. No medication, counting calories (not restricting carbs), exercise, and dedication. Metformin is a good option for some, but it's not for everyone.

I agree with you...I have been watching my calories...The way I see it if you cut your calories you usually cut everything else. I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago. I have tried Metformin but it was miserable. I could barely move it made me so sick. My husband and I plan to try having children in the near future, but as for now I will stick to just the weight loss

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to start your menstrual cycle without a prescription? I am currently without insurance and would like to try and start because I haven't had a cycle in over a year.

RachelT14

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to start your menstrual cycle without a prescription? I am currently without insurance and would like to try and start because I haven't had a cycle in over a year.

Both times i have lost weight my cycle has started naturally. The first time i went from 210lbs to about 190lbs before it started and it wasnt very regular but the more i lost the more regular it became. This time i started at 198lbs and after the first 6 weeks on MFP my cycle returned and is now between 28-31 days i have never had such a regular cycle. Good luck to you in your journey, it may be possible that weight loss will trigger a cycle for you without the need for medication

mgmlap

restrict your carbs to only natural carbs..fruits/veggies. My macros are set to 20% carbs 30% protein and 50% fat...helped me lose the last 10 pounds and maintain since Thanksgiving..

jcstanton

I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of sixteen. I'm now thirty five. I've battled with the scales since I was a teenager. I've been successful losing weight several times. The most I've lost was about five years back when I lost about fifty pounds in about eight months. Then I got off the program and gained it all back plus about twenty five pounds more. You can read more about my history and what I've been doing over the past year on my MFP blog. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jcstanton?month=201109

carebear7951

OH to be a boy sometimes!

At least then I'd be ok with the facial hair!

Oh soo true! Although I hate the belly fat, etc I consider the facial hair to be my biggest physical nemesis. If I could change one thing about myself (PHYSICALLY) it would be that. It affects so much of my life and my confidence!

jcstanton

OH to be a boy sometimes!

At least then I'd be ok with the facial hair!

Oh soo true! Although I hate the belly fat, etc I consider the facial hair to be my biggest physical nemesis. If I could change one thing about myself (PHYSICALLY) it would be that. It affects so much of my life and my confidence!

I have to shave my whole face every day. :embarassed: I also have hair on my back, chest, abdomen, and arms. The hair on top of my head is so thin that you can see straight through to the scalp in some places. I have skin tags all over my neck, and dark patches of skin under my arms and between my thighs. All of this doesn't even scratch the surface of how this horrid disease affects my life every day. I HATE THIS DISEASE!!! I wish someone would hurry up and definitively discover the exact cause already, so that we can eliminate it altogether instead of merely treating the symptoms.

scleesh

I have PCOS and have lost 40 lbs so far. Got 60+ more to go. CARDIO / STRENGTH. It's hard and slow but Im doing it. PCOS usually makes you grave carbs and I do. I LOVE them but just realized I don't eat them like I used to. I concentrate on just trying to eat better then I used to and make it my normal. I can't live without my carbs so I do eat them. I work out alot so need them for energy as well. Just try to stick with the dark carbs...grains. No white carbs. Good Luck to you. Try 30 day shred to begin with. I lost 15 inches with it. Not as much weight but built muscle.

Now if you know how to get rid of this extra hair that would be apprieciated. LOL

tanlynch

bump

tmoyer1209

bump!

BPayton27

I'm sure this was probably mentioned, but I've had success with low carbing. Once I was diagnosed with PCOS (and diabetes), I saw a nutritionist for help. She suggested 15g carb per snack, 40-60g carb for meals spread amongst 3 items if possible. It melted off in the beginning. It's hard to stick to, but it did help. Good luck to you!

kandyjay

bump for later.

carpediem3

I was diagnosed in Jan '11 with PCOS. I was put on Metformin, but that's not why I've lost weight IMO. I'm also on birth control. Pure dedication to watching what I eat, portion sizes are important, and exercise. Keep at it, it will happen for you! Good luck!!