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Struggling!

Telugammayi87
Telugammayi87 Posts: 170 Member
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I've been pretty sure for a while that I have PCOS, but was just "officially" diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. I have not been able to lose weight in a year through dieting and exercising. I've lost 90 pounds, but I hit a wall after the 90 pounds. I upped my exercise, decreased my calories,increased my calories blah blah blah. I cut carbs to under about 30 Net carbs/day and lost 9 pounds in 6 days (water weight mostly...) and then no more. But doing that I had literally NO energy to even perform my job even after a month of committing to it. I went back to "normal" person carb levels and my energy has returned... but I can't lose weight. I really can't seem to stick to it. I'm too addicted to food, I don't know. I feel like I have to eat. I know on work days, supposedly I burn around 2600 calories/day. If I workout, I burn over 3000. So eating 2000 calories/day for me is okay, I don't gain any weight, but I'm not losing either! No matter what I do I can't lose weight. I'm really frustrated as I've been at this weight for a year.

I feel like I CAN'T overcome my addiction to carbs. I do well for 2 days then binge and feel bloated and retain water even if I drink a gallon to flush it out. Would Metformin help me? I'm going to a new doctor on August 15. Is PCOS keeping me addicted to carbs? Or is just my lack of will power? I'm just tired of beating myself up over it. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT... I'm like "okay... tomorrow I'm going to be 'good' " No bad carbs! .... then I blow it... and repeat.... I don't keep bad foods at home, but my parents house is full and there's tons of free sweets/snacks at work.

Just don't know what to do! And I don't want to "blame" my PCOS, but could it be hindering me? Any supplement or medication recommendations? Metformin?

Thanks everyone

Replies

  • ladypinktulip
    ladypinktulip Posts: 75 Member
    I understand exactly what you are saying. You are not alone. My suggestion would be to read the book PCOS Hidden Epidemic by Thatcher. It will explain a lot to you about PCOS and what to expect. Metformin helps some lose weight. My doctor 12 years ago put me on AVANDIA. I GAINED 50 pounds in 3 months...it is now NOT used because they found it makes more fat cells and is dangerous to your heart. I will never lose that 50 because it's fat cells. I have never lost more than 40 pounds. I currently weigh my highest at 305. I am 45 years old. Some may disagree with me, but PCOS DOES CAUSE weight problems plus other issues. I must be honest...I will always try to lose weight, but I have no expectation of getting it all off because I have never been able to. My 40 pounds loss was during divorce when I threw up for 2 months. I have CHOSEN joy despite the weight. I have chosen to NOT beat myself anymore. I do eat carbs....I have to. I stay within bounds as much as possible. 40 percent of PCO women will be diabetic at age 40 due to insulin resistance. We did not ask for this disorder. We try to stay healthy and choose happiness despite the situation. Thinking of you and just know you are NOT ALONE.:flowerforyou:
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    30 is pretty low.

    Once my doctor verified I have insulin resistance (yours should do blood work), he put me on 500mg of extended-release metformin (no tummy issues!) and told me to keep my carbs around 100 per day. He said a lot of his PCOS patients have luck with the South Beach Diet, which is more "forgiving" than Atkins. 30 is simply not manageable, as you've learned. :) That's the induction phase and isn't meant to last more than a week or two.

    Also, try "linking" your carbs. If you do have some, make sure they're whole grain and whatnot, and eat some protein with them. The protein will help slow the body's absorption of glucose (or something like that) and helps prevent the insulin spike. If I want a few crackers, I put meat and cheese slices on them.

    Even with the medicine and carb restrictions, insulin resistance makes weight loss very slow and almost torturous at times. Just stick with it.

    Also, exercise will help with your body's absorption of glucose. I've found that I don't lose any weight, not a single pound, if I don't exercise 4-5 days per week. It could just be something with me in particular (maybe my calorie counting is off and the exercise makes up for it), but my doctor said exercise is mandatory if you have insulin resistance, mostly because it helps with the sugar. Exercise is good for you, so I'm not going to question it. :)
  • xcga33i
    xcga33i Posts: 26 Member
    I am IR also and just seen a new dr today and she gave me metformin right away. She wants me to take 500mg x2 per day. I have been working with mfp and running couch 2 5k for the past 7 weeks and I have been able to loose 12 lbs. she told me metformin will help loose more. She also suggested to take fish oil and multi vit. She also suggested eating only fruit, veggies and meat.

    I love carbs mainly in the form of bread and cereal. I have decided to give up cereal and make my own bread to help get out some of the extra processing yuck. She told me to keep working at it and keep running and when I get the weight off the IR will go away and I will not need metformin any longer. I do NOT plan tone diabetic. My Dad walked that path and I am going to do everything in my power not to follow him.

    Please feel free to add me as a friend if you would like more support. I have had pcos for 13+ years and IR for more than 4 years. I have 2 babies and I am now dedicated to working on me for me!

    If I can do this so can u. Just don't give up.

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