My endo kind of crushed me. Advice?

drea85an
drea85an Posts: 130
in Health and Weight Loss
So, i have PCOS, and i struggle to lose weight. That said, I eat well, and work out, and lose slowly.

Well, my endocrinologist basically told me that considering my past and struggle to break this plateau I have been on for over a year, he thinks I will have to starve myself and work out, even to reach 150, and maintain. That my goal of 130 is unlikely.

I just want to say, whatever, what does he know, he wasn't my doctor when i lost the first 130lbs, so he doesn't know me. But what if he is right? How is that fair? That I will have to starve myself and work out like a major athlete and still be overweight?

I guess I am wondering if anyone else has similar issues?
thanks.

Replies

  • kiddoc88
    kiddoc88 Posts: 244 Member
    I don't have pcos, but also have an endocrine disorder- Turner's syndrome. I should probably find a good adult endo myself.
    It seems odd that a medical professional would give such a discouraging opinion -he should be encouraging you toward anything healthy whether or not he personally thinks your goal is attainable- there's no harm in working toward it as long as its a reasonable healthy goal .(can;t give a personal opinion without knowing height /bone frame size)Even if odds are against you based on your condition there's always the possibility that you are an outlier / exception- you won't know unless you keep working toward your goal. you know your body best.
    I personally don't think he's right. Just focus on what you can control and know you're doing everything you can. as long as you know you're eating healthily and getting enough exercise and feel well, that's what matters first.
    Here to support in any way I can
    -Kaelin
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    life isnt fair....
  • caroleannlight
    caroleannlight Posts: 173 Member
    You have lost an amazing amount so far. Your endocrinologist may not be that informed regarding weight loss. What would he /she have said if they saw you at the beginning of the journey maybe that you would not get to your current weight. Don't be discouraged. I don't have PCO but there is a group on MFP. It may be worth joining and asking the ladies there. Good luck
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    congrats on your 130 pound weight loss.

    and who said life had to be fair? or things involving the body? if those things went by fair then kids wouldnt be born with disabilities.

    maybe you need to redefine your goals and stop using the scale weight as your sole criteria for overweight. for instance do you have an idea of what your body fat % is? depending on the amount of lean body mass you have you always be considered overweight on the BMI chart.
  • LiviLou2011
    LiviLou2011 Posts: 437 Member
    if you have lost 130 pounds, you can lose weight the healthy way, it just will take a little longer..you can do anything you want and for a dr. to just come out and say that..is just what he thinks, he doesnt know that for sure.
  • GypsysBloodRose26
    GypsysBloodRose26 Posts: 341 Member
    life isnt fair....

    Life isn't fair, but doctors should not give unsound medical advice.

    OP, have you seen a nutritionist or a Dietician? They should be able to help you. Or find a PCOS support group. Their experiences may help you as well.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    There are many informative articles out there with regards to hormone related struggles with weight loss (I am assuming this is what it is) by Lyle McDonald and some others. Some of the methods are controversial, but there are some who have tried them ans succeeded without starving themselves. I become quite annoyed with the medical profession who sometimes do not help but hinder the health of the populace. I am not anti-doctor per se, just anti-mainstream there is only one way to do things medical types and scientists...
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I know where you are at. I am over 40 and it feels impossible to lose weight. I have been on a plateau a very long time and no matter what I do it doesn't go anywhere. I worked really hard at it and every time I stepped on the scale I would get soooo disappointed. It was much easier when I was younger. I have come to my own conclusion that as long as I am taking care of my body and eating right, then it is a win for me. I gave up the scale to get my own peace of mind. As long as I am taking good care of me, that is what I need to be doing. Maybe you should change your goals to be the most fit and healthy person you can be instead of striving for a magic number on the scale. That number doesn't define you!! As long as you fit in your clothes and they are getting bigger, that is all you need after all. xxxoooo. I feel your pain, time to change your mindset. Strive for health instead of scale.
  • FixItDuck
    FixItDuck Posts: 112 Member
    Well done on your weight loss to date! Your endocrinologist's comments strike me as unprofessional. It's hard enough dealing with an ongoing medical condition without that sort of thing!

    I have just read the book "Rushing Womans Syndrome" (http://www.rushingwomanssyndrome.com/ ). Not sure if you can get hold of a copy, but I found some great information in it which might be of assistance to you.
  • FayeHadley
    FayeHadley Posts: 1 Member
    Congratulations on your 130 lb weight loss and your commitment to good health!! YOU ARE A WINNER!! Keep eating healthy (low-carb/no sugar is usually best), exercising, etc, and you'll get off that plateau eventually! Slow and steady wins the race!!

    First of all, I say FIRE your endocrinologist! Anybody who is that thoughtless and callous after all your hard work and success needs to be freed up to "help" someone ELSE! He must have been being sarcastic when he said you need to starve yourself - I can't believe any responsible doctor would tell you to do that! I firmly believe as patients, WE know our body best and doctors should listen to us and be our PARTNERS in our healthcare. I fired my oncologist last year because of an attitude like his and am very happy with my new one who LISTENS to me and encourages my proactive efforts to improve my health through nutrition, etc, mainstream or not. That said, depending on your height, age, body type, bone structure, BMI, and other factors, a 130 lb weight goal COULD be unrealistic, but that doesn't mean you have to starve yourself to get to your healthy weight! You seem to be on the right track, you've just reached a long plateau - be patient and keep working on your HEALTH. You might want to see an ND (naturopathic doctor) who can look into other issues that might be hindering your weight loss, like food allergies, candida overgrowth, need for detoxing, etc. Also, have your regular MD do a test for vitamin D levels - most overweight people are also deficient in D and it is important to lots of systems in your body; people with health problems are often low in it and should take 5,000-10,000 IU of D3 a day to keep their levels up.

    Don't be disillusioned and DON'T GIVE UP!! The answers you need are out there - keep looking. You've come so far under difficult circumstances - don't let some insensitive jerk of a doctor throw you off now! You have support here, and I'm sure if you ask, people will also pray for you. There is power in prayer and it is GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH! Good luck!!
  • drea85an
    drea85an Posts: 130
    Thanks everyone. I am in no way meaning that I will give up and stop caring about my health. I can't. I am much happier as I am now then i was 130 lbs ago. Healthier,. I will work to keep where I am if I can't lose much more. I was really disappointed because he has a two month wait to get to see him, everyone said he was great, and then he was so dismissive. He basically was like, nope, unless you starve you won't get there.

    And yes, I am on a low carb/ only fruit sugar diet and taking vitamin d, and a couple other things. So I am doing everything I can. I will also be changing endo's !

    Thanks for all the encouragement!

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