Any ladies with PCOS?

binknbaby
binknbaby Posts: 207 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have PCOS and honestly one of the more challenging aspects of losing weight (aside from the whole wacky hormones thing) is the hypoglycemia. I have rather low blood sugar (70 after a full/balanced meal), so I am constantly craving sugar, though I know that it's just going to turn into fat and continue to make my hormones all out of whack. I know eating more protein is supposed to help with hypoglycemia, but it can also cause digestive problems and make the rest of the diet out of balance, and raise cholesterol. So what to do? Any PCOS "cysters" have some advice? What's been your experience?

Replies

  • 1curveem0m
    1curveem0m Posts: 6 Member
    I also have PCOS and suffer from low blood sugar levels. My doctor suggested a protein shake to start my day because it helps stabilize your blood sugar for the day. I start my day with off with a chocolate pure protein shake. I have tried a lot of different types of protein shakes and some will definitely tear your stomach up. This one works well for me. It's 25g of whey protein, 3g fat, 80mg cholesterol, 3g carbs and 2g of sugar. I have been doing this for almost 4 years and I can definitely tell the days that I don't have protein in the am. Plus, I'm a chocoholic and this satisfies that need. Good luck
    Pure Protein brand
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    PCOS is definitely no fun. I'm learning as I go myself. 1curveem0m, what's the brand of shake you use?
  • CombatGirl93
    CombatGirl93 Posts: 45 Member
    *Forgot to quote!* Oooh, what protein shake do you use? I'd love to try it!
  • Tiffers1759
    Tiffers1759 Posts: 102 Member
    I also have PCOS...and I hate it. I was diagnosed at 19 and I am 29 now. I haven't expierenced the sugar thing....but i've got the rest of it. I do have a son that is 8, but now that my husband and I are trying...it isn't happening!! SO.....i'm trying to lose at least 50lbs to make it easier on me. BOOOOOO to PCOS!! :(
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    I have PCOS too and have lost 180 pounds. My sugar levels whilst in the healthy range are on the low side. I find just eating unprocessed foods...exercise 4-6 times a week and I try and have one grain free meal per day. :)
  • bbsweetpea
    bbsweetpea Posts: 52 Member
    I have PCOS (diagnosed in 2001) and have to eat lots of protein and lower carbs in order to keep my sugars stable.
    I also am hypothyroid )diagnosed in 1999) and suffered from infertility for years.

    I usually start my day with greek yogurt and end my day with it in order to stay stable through the night.


    Edited to add: I do have three children now ages 9, 7 and 4. Those that are trying to get pregnant. It can happen. Don't give up. We were told we had less than 1% chance after me having surgery, and lots of tests on my husband and I. My first was planned and the next two just happened.
  • 1curveem0m
    1curveem0m Posts: 6 Member
    Pure Protein is the brand. They sell it at Target, Walmart, GNC, and even my local Harris Teeter grocery store. I use the powder mix with cold water in my shaker. FYI... as with any powder protein, wash your shaker out asap because the smell of old protein mix is horrible! Pure Protein comes in a variety of flavors and products, they even have jello (yes Jello). The jello is too sweet for me and I NEED chocolate.
  • ChrissieP80
    ChrissieP80 Posts: 112 Member
    I have PCOS and hyperinsulinaemia (high insulin levels). My insulin is not highest first thing in the morning, it is highest straight after a meal. On the advice of my doctor (when I was trying to get pregnant) I really cut down on refined sugar and white carbs (white bread, white potatoes) and substituted other things e.g. (no longer have added sugar in drinks, sodas, or yoghurts etc, and have wholegrain/rye bread and sweet potatoes. I also eat much more protein in my diet now. It's not about the brand of protein shake, it's about the intake of protein, I think.

    I went from having dizzy/cranky spells to not having any and my periods became more regular and I got pregnant with my son. Losing a bit of weight but generally getting more active and watching what I eat has made a big difference to how PCOS has affected my life.
  • bbsweetpea
    bbsweetpea Posts: 52 Member
    I also want to add that when I exercise more regular (5 days a week for 45 minutes or more) my PCOS symptoms are less.
  • 1curveem0m
    1curveem0m Posts: 6 Member
    Definitely not about the brand. This brand just does not mess up my digestive system. I think it's about finding the right balance of protein for each individual person. I am not a breakfast person and this works for me, plus I try to watch my cholesterol levels.
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    I have PCOS and honestly one of the more challenging aspects of losing weight (aside from the whole wacky hormones thing) is the hypoglycemia. I have rather low blood sugar (70 after a full/balanced meal), so I am constantly craving sugar, though I know that it's just going to turn into fat and continue to make my hormones all out of whack. I know eating more protein is supposed to help with hypoglycemia, but it can also cause digestive problems and make the rest of the diet out of balance, and raise cholesterol. So what to do? Any PCOS "cysters" have some advice? What's been your experience?

    I take Metformin and that plus sugar = diarrhea so it pretty much squashes any hardcore sugar cravings. But it would probably be a bad idea for you if you're already hypo. Or is hypo from already being on Met? If so, you may want to adjust your dose. Wish I had better advise, but good luck and feel free to add me!
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    I was just asking about the brand because I"m not a morning person (roll out of bed at 5:45am and am on the road by 6:10, eyes still closed), so I need something quick and easy, and I'd much rather try a brand that someone else can say is good rather than striking out and finding out the hard way by myself :wink:
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    I was just asking about the brand because I"m not a morning person (roll out of bed at 5:45am and am on the road by 6:10, eyes still closed), so I need something quick and easy, and I'd much rather try a brand that someone else can say is good rather than striking out and finding out the hard way by myself :wink:

    I eat the choc-pb Luna Bars and they don't bug me.
  • aakokopelli7
    aakokopelli7 Posts: 196 Member
    I have PCOS, but I must admit that I must have it easy. I have never struggled with it, but that could be my attitude about it. In fact, I actually never even thing about it until it's brought up by someone else.
    For the hypoglycemia part of it, Fiber Fiber Fiber! I can't stress it enough, of course you will have to keep your fluid intake up as well to compensate. First thing in the morning should be the highest amount. That will keep you from having the "dumping" feeling. Of course every person has their own way of coping with the issue but this is the best way I have found.

    PCOS is one of those things were you can have it, but not as much as the next lady. Some of us girls are growing a full on beard and mustache, others can't have a baby, some can on a whim, some loose weight with ease and others can't. Not everyone lady with PCOS is like the next unfortunately, so what works for you might not work for another.
  • Nikki31104
    Nikki31104 Posts: 816 Member
    I have PCOS and have been on metformin for years. I have lost 32 pounds so far. 22 since joining mfp. It has been a lot easier than I thought. I don't have any sugar related problems though. I also had my three children before I was diagnosed. I do know that the more weight I lose the less metformin I have to take.
  • mrswaite08
    mrswaite08 Posts: 93 Member
    I have pcos as well. I'm on metformin & get hypoglycemic episodes between meals. I've recently found out that if I eat 3 meals & 3 snacks, I pretty much avoid those episodes. My day looks like this:

    Breakfast - 9 am
    Morning Snack - 11:30 am
    Lunch - 1 pm
    Afternoon Snack - 4 pm
    Dinner - 7 pm
    Evening Snack - 9 pm

    If I stray from this much at all, watch out! I get angrier than a bear & feel terrible. Also, I've found if I need a quick boost an apple seems to make me feel much better if I have an episode.
  • ajrllmom
    ajrllmom Posts: 2
    I have PCOS. I am the girl that has had the symptoms all of her life. I couldn't gain weight all through high school. I then started birth control thanks to doctors that don't know what they are doing. I was put on it twice to regulate my cycle. Well all it did both times was cause weight gain of 30lbs. Before all of that the most I was 115 and had to be put on shakes to help me stop losing weight.Well after all of the weight gain thanks to birth control because I would work out and nothing would help.I found out in 2007 that I had PCOS. I felt like I wasn't crazy and that I at least knew what was wrong with me.

    My husband and I were both told we could never have kids due to us both have fertility issues. For personal reasons we aren't comfortable with medical support in helping us get prego. Well, miracles do happen. We have a 20 month old daughter and a 4 month old son. Both were sweet miracles to us. So don't give us hope. Well, now I am even more over weight. I have about 60lbs to lose to be healthy and have a healthy BMI. I feel like it is hard road. I am starting all over with eating and working out. I am tried from taking care of my kids and even forget to eat a times. So, I have now very bad habits. It is baby step at a time. I would like to lose all the weight before I turn 30 in 4 months but that is not reality. So, I should say I hope to lose it all in the next year or at least most of it. :)
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    I have PCOS. I am the girl that has had the symptoms all of her life. I couldn't gain weight all through high school. I then started birth control thanks to doctors that don't know what they are doing. I was put on it twice to regulate my cycle. Well all it did both times was cause weight gain of 30lbs. Before all of that the most I was 115 and had to be put on shakes to help me stop losing weight.Well after all of the weight gain thanks to birth control because I would work out and nothing would help.I found out in 2007 that I had PCOS. I felt like I wasn't crazy and that I at least knew what was wrong with me.

    My husband and I were both told we could never have kids due to us both have fertility issues. For personal reasons we aren't comfortable with medical support in helping us get prego. Well, miracles do happen. We have a 20 month old daughter and a 4 month old son. Both were sweet miracles to us. So don't give us hope. Well, now I am even more over weight. I have about 60lbs to lose to be healthy and have a healthy BMI. I feel like it is hard road. I am starting all over with eating and working out. I am tried from taking care of my kids and even forget to eat a times. So, I have now very bad habits. It is baby step at a time. I would like to lose all the weight before I turn 30 in 4 months but that is not reality. So, I should say I hope to lose it all in the next year or at least most of it. :)

    That's strange, birth control is the best treatment for PCOS for women who aren't trying to conceive. It really is different for everyone! Glad it worked out and you were able to conceive!
  • Psychlone
    Psychlone Posts: 12 Member
    Greek Yogurt... Fage and Chobani especially, Has carbs, protein and probiotics to settle the stomach.

    also keep milk to a minimum.... soy should be gmo free both add more hormones to our systems....
    I <3 Almond Breeze almond coconut milk!!!! soooo yummy I use it to make my protein shakes when i work out
    :happy:
  • binknbaby
    binknbaby Posts: 207 Member
    Wow, so many responses! It's true that it can be different for everyone... And even change over time!

    I had the "typical" symptoms of sudden unexplained weight gain, excess facial hair (though light), hypoglycemia (complete with mood swings and irritability), and very painful ovulation. But of course, as is the case with many, many women with PCOS, it went undiagnosed for about 10 years, through half a dozen docs, until I finally found an integrative hormone specialist who actually listened to me and diagnosed me.

    It was ridiculously easy to conceive our first two, but now we've been struggling for a third. I'm hoping that the better diet and lower weight will help with that.

    I am not on any meds, and don't want to be... I was on Armour (thyroid) for a while, but I just didn't feel right when I was on it. I saw an acupuncturist/nutritionist to balance my hormones, and she then found that I have an underlying cause of PCOS: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It's triggered by gluten, so I've been gluten free since then, and try to avoid starch (like corn, potatoes, other grains) as much as possible.

    I usually "slip up" on things like fruit or gluten-free grains, but I'm just constantly feeling hungry and have that lightheaded/dizzy hypoglycemic feeling almost all day. I drink a ton of water and get plenty of rest--it really just feels like low blood sugar. I've been having snacks, but again, it's the quick sugars (fruit) that I tend to turn to.

    I also don't drink any milk, though cheese and sour cream are major weaknesses! I've been weaning myself from those. LOL

    I may try a protein shake in the morning while I'm at work. That may help.

    Thanks for the advice and shared experiences! :)
  • lovinglifemore
    lovinglifemore Posts: 49 Member
    Howdy...I've had PCOS since the age of 12. I'm now 33, full blown diabetic (pills not insulin, but pills not very effective anymore) and have all the classic symptoms and side effects from PCOS. I was told from the get go that I would never conceive without fertility drugs but I had three beautiful children without any "help". The first one was the only one i really "tried" for. I did do south beach diet for a couple of months before conceiving her. Second and third were easy. My weights at conception were 292/308/320 respectively. I've had a weight problem since the age of about 5. I'm now at my heaviest and finally serious about losing. I was getting ready for a lapband, but decided that even lapband surgery can fail if the person is not mentally prepared. In the meantime I am eating less and better and slowly increasing my exercise.

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