The diognosis...

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Curleycue0314
Curleycue0314 Posts: 245 Member
in Motivation and Support
I recently did fertility testing as after a year of trying to get pregnant again after my mischarriage a year ago and a call today from my Doctor confirmed a "self diognois" that I was fearful about...I have PCOS. As far as trying to get pregnant goes I now have to be on Metformin and Clomid...Which I can deal with...

Anyone out there with this diognosis? Anyone have suggestions for me? What does it mean for me and my weight loss goals? I'm concerned because of the other diseases that have been linked to PCOS ie diabetes and heart disease.

Replies

  • SirBonerFart
    SirBonerFart Posts: 1,185 Member
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    losing weight will help
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
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    losing weight will help

    ^^this...

    diabetes and heart disease like PCOS are strongly affected by weight....so being overweight will make these worse, being a healthy weight will make these manageable....

    your best defense against these is a healthy weight.
  • SelenaBou
    SelenaBou Posts: 21 Member
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    I have PCOS and two beautiful little girls. I lost 20lbs and got pregnant without help the first time. The second I had lost a bit more weight and was on metformin. There is lots of hope. Losing the weight will be a struggle but if you are determined it will happen. I have to try very hard to lose and have to be very diligent in watching that I don't go over my calories. You can do it though and it will be awesome!!!
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
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    Portion control and logging are the only thing that has helped my cycle regulate and become pregnant twice. I'm sorry you got the diagnosis of PCOS, but it isnt a death sentence it means you have to manage your diet for the rest of your life. I wish you the best.
  • kd_mazur
    kd_mazur Posts: 569 Member
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    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/2667-pcos-ttc

    come join us at this group for some extra support
  • Ree0508
    Ree0508 Posts: 2
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    Hi,
    I was diagnosed with PCOS after I had my kids, so I did not face the same struggles as you with infertility. I was started on Metformin too and have been on that for over 10 years. After many years of yo-yo diets with so-so results, I was diagnosis with other complications of Metabolic Syndrome, Hypertension and elevated cholesterol. I went to see the endocrinologist who immediately advised me to stop all "white carbohydrates" that means no sugar, no white flour, no regular pasta, no white potatoes...I left the doctor crying (big pasta and bread eater)! But also new I was at a turning point for the rest of my life.
    I did exactly as she said, and I am not going to lie, it was a challenge in the beginning learning what is really whole grain and making changes to my diet that my family would adjust to.
    It has taken a year, but I have lost 50 pounds, and am up to walking 5-miles a day. I had struggled with diet and weight loss since my middle 30's and since making the change to no 'white carbohydrates" and being committed to exercising everyday, I feel amazing and more importantly, I have prevented the onset of Diabetes. Cholesterol is back to normal!

    My advise, stop all sugar and white carbohydrates. The food choices today are amazing. I still eat pasta, but I eat Barilla Plus Multi-Grain. I eat sweet potatos instead of white potatos. I eat bread everyday, but I have to "see the grains".
    My three son's and spouse have all easily adjusted. They didn't even notice the change in pasta!
    I track my steps with a Fit Bit step counter, and am committed to achieving my step, activity and mile goals everyday.
    Good luck!
    Maria :)
  • Curleycue0314
    Curleycue0314 Posts: 245 Member
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    I know that this isn't going to be easy and i know that its not a death sentence. Honestly its what i expected after talking to a few other MFP friends and my doctor. My hubby and I are VERY confident that with Clomid therapy we will be able to get pregnant, but honetly the Difficulty losing is what is hardest for me right now. I've tried for 3 years working out 3-5 days a week and calorie counting. I know i need to change some more though as well! I'm determined that this is just going to be "extra information" for me on myself and not to let it own me.
  • Melanya7
    Melanya7 Posts: 24
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    I have severe endometriosis and cysts. I don't know where you live, but I went to a doctor trained in naprotechnology and he was awesome. Previous doctors said I had little hope, but after surgery it took us three cycles to conceive. They also helped my friend with pcos by doing an ovarian wedge resection. She now has a little boy.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
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    I have PCO and have done the metformin and clomid thing. Ended up having to go to IVF due to other issues though that weren't weight related (blocked tube, natural killer cells, blood clotting thing, etc.).

    My suggestion would be to only try 1 or 2 cycles of clomid before moving on to a fertility specialist (or reproductive surgeon). Even if you do end up with a specialist, if you go through 2 cycles of ART (assisted reproductive technology) cycles (like IUI or IVF or something of the like), before at least getting a second opinion.

    We went through two cycles (1 IVF and 1 IUI) and have two beautiful daughters.

    As far as logging goes and losing weight, pay attention to lean/healthy protein numbers, and the fat and carbs will take care of themselves. A nutritionist told me that and it's turned out to be pretty true (at least for me anyway).
  • Ree0508
    Ree0508 Posts: 2
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    Weight loss will be a struggle with PCOS because it is caused by Insulin Resistance. I followed every popular diet on the market, you name it, I did it. All worked some, but I gained and lost the same 10-20 pounds over and over again. Raising three boys, and working as an ED nurse kept me super busy, so activity really wasn't the culprit. It was Insulin Resistance.

    Once I eliminated refined sugar, white flours and other processed/simple types of carbs it was as if my metabolism kicked back on.
    The challenge is finding those offenders in food, they are everywhere, but with loads of multi-grain choices now available, along with understanding complex carbs versus simple carbs (sweet potato's vs white potato's) I began to see a steady weight loss.

    I have gone from 197 to 146 in the past year. It has been a slow steady weight loss. What has kept me motivated was that by eliminating the white carbs, I started to feel better. More energy, less cravings. And my triglycerides have gone from 245 to 108!

    Good luck!
    Maria

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