Help - PCOS

themostbeautifullies
themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
So, today I went to the doc and she's almost sure I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. I'll get examined as soon as it is possible but all the symptoms checked. I'll check with an endochrinologist on Monday, but other kinds of doctors needed won't be avaiable until February. So, I'm on my own for now.
All that made me sad and frustrated of course, so I started doing some research and I saw that low carb diets + exercises are indicated in this case. I'm not talking about something I'll do just to lose weight, it's a thing I'll have to do 'til the day I die.
That why I want some help, I dont want to wait 3 months or my situation regarding my weight might get worse.

Anyone here who suffers from this can give me a little help?
Or a hug? I could use a hug now. :(
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Replies

  • hozik
    hozik Posts: 369 Member
    HUGS:flowerforyou:
  • Canonoch
    Canonoch Posts: 120
    I can give you a hug. My wife has PCOS and though years of efforts it still has its affect on her and us.
  • dlcam61
    dlcam61 Posts: 228 Member
    I have PCOS, diagnosed about 7 1/2 years ago. I weighed 225 pounds when they finally figured it out. I was put on birth control because my hormones were so out of whack & metformin to combat the insulin resistance. 3 months later I was down to 180 & got pregnant with my 2nd child (yes it was a good thing) and for a few years my weight fluctuated from 180-200. Found out I have auto immune hypothyroidism after my 2nd was born. It takes time, and patience. I'm slowly getting there myself and finally got under 170. Here's what I do, and maybe this will help you. Eat small frequent meals, complex carbs (not white flour foods), lean protein & lots of produce. Eat every 2-3 hours 200-300 calories max. Don't exceed your daily limit & this should help balance your blood sugar. I also do 60 minutes of cardio a day. I know how hard this is. But after having 4 kids when I was told I wouldn't have any it can be managed with the right lifestyle & Doctor's care. Hang in there. Your healthy choices now will make a huge impact down the road. :flowerforyou:
  • jerzypeach
    jerzypeach Posts: 176 Member
    Hi there,

    I have been diagnosed with POCS since the age of 16.......I will be 43 next month. To be brutally honest, it's not always a nice condition to have. Luckily, there are WAY more treatment options these days than there were nearly 30 years ago. The things that have been the most help for me have been Metformin, exercise and a lower-carb diet (not extremely low.....just wiser choices in the carb department).

    You didn't mention any details about how you decided to get tested for this, how old you are, what plans you have for the future....and if you are not comfortable speaking about this in public, I TOTALLY understand. That being the case, if you'd like to contact me privately for questions, support, etc, I'd be very happy to hear from you.

    Big hugs.....this is something that you have to treat for the rest of your life in various ways, but nothing that can't be overcome with the right information and support system.

    Best regards,

    Jessica
  • jrlenig
    jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
    I am a PCOS survivor, I was diagnosed in September 2003, after TTC for like ever. And I get did get pregnant in Jan 2004, I was 236, my management plan was nothing, and when my son was born October 2005, I weighed in at 201 pounds, it was sheer healthy eating and walking that got me there, and I have been almost symptom free since, but I did let things get out of control again when I was done nursing my daughter born in 2008. But I am back on track and besides that fact that I still get the occasional cyst and my cycles are extremely hard to predict (I have opted not to treat via hormones, they are just not for me). PCOS is not a death sentence it just means we have to work harder to maintain ourselves, I don't get to splurge as often as some of my friends or sister. You can have a normal life, how you decide to manage it remember that you are in control of weight "gain" part of PCOS. Today I weigh 154, about 15 pounds from my goal but not anywhere near that 236 pounds, you can be healthy! and hugs!
  • RHOyalT
    RHOyalT Posts: 204 Member
    (((HUGS))) Hi, I was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 years ago after trying to get pregnant. Right now I'm on metformin and birth control making it (of course) almost impossible to get pregnant. My doctor says if I lose weight I will have a greater chance of getting pregnant.
  • kennedar
    kennedar Posts: 306 Member
    Hey, I was diagnosed a few weeks ago with PCOS after a miscarriage and then over a year of infertility. From what I have read, losing weight seems to be the best way to control it. Depending on what your plans for the future are, there are some drugs out there that can help. HUGS! Its not a fun condition, but it is treatable!
  • FireRox21
    FireRox21 Posts: 424 Member
    I was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 months ago. This is after many tests, drugs, and hours upon hours in the gym trying to lose weight. I am on metformin but have yet to see a drop in weight. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cushing's Syndrome and am on lots of meds for that as well as drugs for Bi Polar disorder which are notorious for making a person gain weight. I have yet to go to the OB/GYN. I'm scared to go as the cysts in my ovaries are so large, I am looking at having to have them removed. I am 31 with no children and have been told I will most likely never have any.

    I have recommitted myself to watching my caloric intake and getting daily exercise and so far I am seeing slow results. Not necessarily on the scale, but in the tape measurer and clothes. Hang in there and take things slowly. It is a battle that can me won with proper maintenance and clear communications with your doctor.
  • spellbinder25
    spellbinder25 Posts: 331 Member
    HUGS!!

    I have consulted 3 doctors for PCOS and 2 of them told me that I don't need any medication but definitely need to lose weight. It's been constant up & down with the weight. When I lose, I see improvement in my symptoms, get relaxed and stop taking caring of myself, gain weight again making the symptoms worse, and then start exercising and eating healthy again...and the cycle goes on :)

    But, basically, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and you'll be fine. It's tedious but then maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important even if you don't have PCOS. And, as long as you aren't terribly affected by it, consider yourself lucky that this is something manageable.

    Of course PCOS brings different symptoms in each one and the treatment options vary. So, surely visit an endochronologist and if you aren't satisfied, take a second opinion too.

    Good luck!
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    Thanks for the replies :)
    I guess I'll just have to wait for what my doc has to say, but I'm still pissed because all this time I kept punishing myself for gainning weight and acne when in fact none of those were something I could control directly. I realize that there are medications but thinking about taking them every single day for the rest of my life gets me kind of depressed.
    I really appreciate you took the time to make me feel better. Thanks :D
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    I've had PCOS for many years so I feel your pain, but it is doable. I've been on a low g.i. diet since January and it's the easiest thing I have ever done and it is highly reccomended that we eat a low g.i. diet (like a diabetics diet) with PCOS. Along with a low g.i. diet I am on Glumetza (long lasting Metformin) and I take Kickboxing 4 times a week and Core Pole about the same (3-4 times/wk). The thing I realized a long time ago is that we can achieve our goals, we just have to work 10X harder to get there. Its unfortunate and takes a lot of dedication, but if you look at it as you are, something that you will do forever, it's not so daunting. And you know what? I feel better now than I ever have, that's right, EVER. Even when I was younger I was never this healthy or had so much energy or self confidence. I was the same about the meds but I am going to get to my goal weight and slowly get off of them, if I start to get out of control I will go back on, but my Dr is confident that with what I am doing I will be able to do it without. Don't get discouraged. I know some people will suggest low carb, but it is sooo hard to do, that's why I went with low g.i. carbs are sugars so they are very similar ways of going about things, but I wanted to go the easier route.
    Good luck with your testing, and remember, you are not alone and you CAN do it! :wink:
  • FireRox21
    FireRox21 Posts: 424 Member
    Thanks for the replies :)
    I guess I'll just have to wait for what my doc has to say, but I'm still pissed because all this time I kept punishing myself for gainning weight and acne when in fact none of those were something I could control directly. I realize that there are medications but thinking about taking them every single day for the rest of my life gets me kind of depressed.
    I really appreciate you took the time to make me feel better. Thanks :D

    Yes, wait to see what the doctor says. Also, ask your doctor or OB/GYN for a trans-vaginal ultrasound. This will help the doctor more clearly see your ovaries and other woman parts from the inside out. And, never EVER be afraid to ask for second and third opinions. Don't be afraid of taking the medication. It really does help. One of my symptoms that came on like a freight train was severe acne. All of my life I've had porcelain like skin then, BAM, I looked like your average teenager!! The medication has helped immensely with the acne, my periods have returned to normal (I went from having NO periods and/or periods that last about 12 hours), and my moods have stabilized. I jokingly told the doctor (hey, thanks for letting me have PMS now, my fiance was enjoying life too much =).

    You can manage PCOS. Exercise, proper diet, and yes, medication will make a world of difference. And trust me, one medication a day is NOTHING. I have a small pharmacy I take daily plus weekly self-administered injections!!!
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    I'll just add you all to my friend list because you guys made me cry of joy and made me believe again that I really can do it.
    It'll be freaking hard but, hell, I never get the easy path. :P

    Kinda funny, uh? Things make more sense now, I had always beaten up myself because I thought I ate too much or didn't exercise enough. Doctors always thought that I was lying about those things too but nobody ever thought of checking my ovaries! I needed a freaking dermatologist to figure that out!
    I'll also check with the endoc on monday about those low carb and low g.i. diets (but first I have to figure out the meaning in portuguese of g.i. :x ). I've been checking low carbs and they seem pretty hard indeed.

    Thanks again!
  • FoamyRiver
    FoamyRiver Posts: 276 Member
    Thanks for posting. I hadn't ever heard of PCOS until I went to the doctor this week. She thinks I might have PCOS so I had to go back the next day to have blood work done. I've been doing some research and had even searched for PCOS on MFP but I wanted to get my test results back before I reached out to anyone.
    The doctor did tell me that I was already 1 step ahead because I had already started losing weight. I've already gone in and adjusted my percentage of carbs down. Cutting them more is going to be a challenge; I'd rather have carbs than anything. But I can do this!
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    Thanks for posting. I hadn't ever heard of PCOS until I went to the doctor this week. She thinks I might have PCOS so I had to go back the next day to have blood work done. I've been doing some research and had even searched for PCOS on MFP but I wanted to get my test results back before I reached out to anyone.
    The doctor did tell me that I was already 1 step ahead because I had already started losing weight. I've already gone in and adjusted my percentage of carbs down. Cutting them more is going to be a challenge; I'd rather have carbs than anything. But I can do this!

    We can do this, hun! Dont fret. *hugs*
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    Lol, g.i. means Glycemic index, or how much effect a food has on your blood sugar. When it's out of control you produce too much insulin which when it doesn't get used, turns to fat, boo! So, the key is to eat foods that don't really have a big effect on your blood sugar keeping it even, not spiky, and your body will use the insulin it produces. Sounds confusing I know. There is a book called the G.I. Diet you can get from a library that is my bible, they show you in what to eat, its all color coded and super easy! Anyway, I'm glad you're feeling better too! :bigsmile:
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    So it's pretty similar to what people who has diabetes has to watch for, right?
  • Cytherea
    Cytherea Posts: 515 Member
    I realize that there are medications but thinking about taking them every single day for the rest of my life gets me kind of depressed.

    Then don't take it. :smile:

    I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was ... 16? 17? sounds about right. The doctor put me on birth control, which I DID take, because I couldn't live the way I had been living anymore. But when she suggested putting me on metformin, and told me that I'd have to take it 4 times a day for the rest of my life, I put my foot down. My mom had even filled the prescription... I never took it, not even once.

    I also never tried to really, honestly lose weight. I just thought I couldn't- knowing that I had PCOS and it would be harder was so discouraging so I just never tried. Until January.

    I haven't been doing anything but MFP. No no-carb or no-sugar diets. I only lose typically 5 lbs. per month instead of the 8 (or more!) that most people lose on the "2 lbs. per week" setting, but I HAVE lost weight. I weigh less now than I did my junior year of high school, and that's craziness. It might take longer, it might be more of a struggle, but it CAN be done.

    And you can do it too. If you are waiting on the test results to be sure but want to work on your weight anyways, just follow THIS plan for now- eat what MFP tells you too and don't worry too much about the carbs/sugar. Once you have definitive results, they will put you on a plan that is best for you. It was also my understanding that not all people with PCOS have the symptom that causes the need for the low gi diet, so that might be your situation. I haven't been tested for that specifically (because I need to go off the pill first), but I assume that that may not be an issue for me since I have been losing weight ok without doing that.

    Also, weight loss is supposed to help with the symptoms of PCOS. I don't know this firsthand, because again, I'm on the pill, but I have a friend who had it, lost weight, and she swears that the symptoms completely disappeared.

    You can get through this hunn. *hugs* :flowerforyou:
  • themostbeautifullies
    themostbeautifullies Posts: 96 Member
    Thank you, dear. :flowerforyou:
    I realize the best now is to wait for tests results meanwhile I'll continue to exercise everyday and do what I've been doing. At least until monday.
  • daryls
    daryls Posts: 260
    Squeaky wheel gets the grease!!!!! (I had a similar experience with an HMO.) Continue to call the doctors and try and get in on a "wait list" when someone cancels. There's a good chance that there will be cancellations around the holidays.
  • NikiDavis
    NikiDavis Posts: 10
    Hugs...for sure. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1997 after my mom was diagnosed with PCOS and endometrium cancer. It's a tough battle sometimes, but definitely manageable. I was on BCPs from day 1, taking a break wile TTC - adopted our daughter in 2006 - then went back on BCPs. I was also diagnosed with endometriosis (double whammy) in 2008. I did metformin for 6 months, with nothing but stomach trouble. So, now, I'm off everything except spironolactone (an anti-androgen) and daily multi-vitamin. The unfortunate truth is that a balanced diet and weight loss are the best ways to beat the symptoms. So, I'm on the same journey you are!
  • Kountrybunny
    Kountrybunny Posts: 4
    Does anyone know of any websites with good diet regiments in regards to low GI? I find it better when I can just follow a predetermined diet plan with meals listed.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    Kountrybunny the book called the G.I. Diet is what I use, you eat what's in the green not in the red or yellow, really easy to follow. The good thing about that book is that not only are the foods low g.i. they are low calorie as well, I haven't found anywhere online that lists anything like it.

    Ok I just need to vent to some people who know what I'm going through!! Damn PCOS! I'm on Glumetza (long lasting Metformin), I eat a low g.i. diet about 90-95% of the time and I Kickbox at least 4 times a week and do other exercises the other days, and I haven't lost anything in over a month! IN fact I'm fluctuating up 5 pounds, i haven't fluctuated like this since going on Glumetza usually it stays pretty firm; I'm beyond Frustrated! In three months it will be 2 years that I have been on MFP and it's taken me this long to lose 45 pounds. I still have 20-25 more to go and I feel like its going to take a lifetime at this rate. I know that there is nothing else I can do except be patient, but come on! I hate seeing other people lose the same amount of weight as me in under 6 months and they say it's 'easy' maybe when you lose weight like a normal person. If anyone without PCOS says it's hard to lose weight, they need a month in our shoes!
    Cytherea I honestly dont know how you are managing to lose 5 pounds a month with PCOS, I'm lucky if I go down at all and it's usually .2 or .6 of a pound at a time and I workout harder and eat better than anyone I know. So If you've got a secret, please share.
    I've got until March to reach my goal, that is when I am maid of honor at my cousin's wedding in Cuba and I want to look amazing, not just good, amazing! So back at it I go......
    Thanks for listening to my rant...
  • Kountrybunny
    Kountrybunny Posts: 4
    Can you give me the author or ISBN number that is located on the back. I have found there are a lot of books with GI diet.... I hear you about the slow weight loss. The guys I work with always comment about my food selection... I know they think its a bad diet since they see no weight loss! They gave me alot of grief about it at first but have now lightened up because they realize I'm gonna stick with it! Trying to adjust the diet to get one that works for me, but still working on it!!! Good luck! Thanks!
  • FutureFormerFatGurl
    FutureFormerFatGurl Posts: 32 Member
    PCOS'er here...HUGS

    soul cysters dot com has great info that helped me a lot..good luck....
  • BlondeNklutzi
    BlondeNklutzi Posts: 25 Member
    Hi hon! I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 (22 now) and went on birth control to treat the symptoms. My periods started again and they were regular, which I had never experienced!

    In 2008, my husband and I decided to TTC. I consulted my OB/GYN and she had me start tracking my ovulation. That was a bust because I wasn't ovulating. After discussing treatment to try to kickstart ovulation, we decided to let nature take its course. Amazingly, after one full year of no ovulation, I got pregnant by complete surprise. I now have a beautiful little boy!

    After my pregnancy however, the symptoms of my PCOS are worse than ever. I've gone through three birth control formulations and finally found one that controls my symptoms. I have always had a hard time losing weight though. I'm not sure how much of this is my PCOS and how much of it is sheer discouragement. Hopefully the wonderful support I"m seeing on this site will help me reach my goals!

    If you need to talk or vent or have any questions, feel free to message me! I am more than happy to just listen (well, read) if need be!
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    Here is the website for the books I use, http://www.gidiet.com/ by Rick Gallop...he has a great bunch of books and there is a recipe book too with lots of great suggestions. People really don't understand what we deal with, but they are starting to realize that i've made a lifestyle change and am not just on a diet either. This is the easiest way to eat, for me anyway. I feel so much better when I really follow it!
    I too was diagnosed as a teen, and have been on birth control since then, the problem with b.c is it just masks the symptoms, it doesn't take care of them, which is why I am also on Metformin. It's made a huge difference for me. I haven't tried to get pregnant yet, in a few years, I"m just trying to do the prep work now and get this weight off to try to make it happen easier when I try. This site has made a huge difference though, thanks for the support guys.
    I too have read a lot on soul cysters, but it's all things that I know already, I just wish they would come out with some huge medical breakthrough that will help us lose weight for sure...Oh well...some day..
    Good luck girls.
  • Caper88
    Caper88 Posts: 418 Member
    Hey everyone. I just wanted to say hi. I am a 22 yr female who was diagnosed with PCOS about two years ago. I have been battling with my weight for years and yet to keep any amount off. A friend and I have decided to lose weight together. I just recently found this website and so far it looks pretty cool.
  • sonoransweetheart
    sonoransweetheart Posts: 12
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO incredibly happy to find other people who understand how frustrating it is to battle your own body when you have to deal with PCOS! Feels like I'm being sabotaged from the inside out! My hubby and I are both working out and I've completely changed the way we eat. He's dropping weight like its nothing and I'm struggleing to lose 3 lbs a month. I know he understands whats going on but I still don't want to hear him complaining about not losing weight faster ugh! Even though the weight is coming off slowly my shape is coming back (yay!) I keep telling myself "You didn't reach this weight overnight, you aren't going to lose it all overnight"...it helps a little. I REALLY don't want to have to take thyroid medication (Or any other kind of medication) Haven't been on birth control in 8 years either because it just makes me sick. Even if I'm not losing weight as quickly as I would like I know that we have much healthier eating habits and a healthier lifestyle too.....guess its just going to take some time :)
  • ksjudge
    ksjudge Posts: 2
    I too have PCOS. It is very frustrating! My husband can lose weight quickly and it takes me forever to lose a pound! Any nutrition plans that people find work? I am wondering if counting calories is enough? I was taking Metformin but went off of it because of the side effects. I didn't gain while on the Metformin, but have since going off of it. I am thinking about going back on it. This whole process is frustrating!!
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