Anyone with PCOS?

Yes there are (but not me). Come over to the Fit For Future Families group - there's quite a few! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/206590-fit-for-future-families-april-2011?page=11

I totally understand what you are going through. I have PCOS and Hypothyroidism and it is SO hard to lose weight Feel free to add me too!

Feel free to add me too. I am losing slowly but losing! It has taken many attempts but I feel great in everyway since joining this site! Good luck in your journey!

Yep. I was diagnosed with PCOS ten years ago. About six months after being diagonosed, my doctor told me it was important that I lose weight (I was overweight), otherwise I could have heart disease within the next ten years. I started watching what I ate, mostly just cut out diet pop, most junk food, and I quit eating so much pasta. I ate about 2000 calories a day, with no exercise, in order to lose the first 30 lbs, then I lowered it to 1700 calories a day, with no exercise, to lose the next ten. Once I started doing the elliptical for 35 minutes 4-5x a week and lowering my calories to 1600, I was able to lose all the weight I wanted, and I'm now at maintenance weight. I still don't eat processed foods, diet pop, or junk food. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (to keep blood sugar in check).

So, although I have developed hypogleicemia due to PCOS, I've been able to keep it under control by watching what I eat. It's been ten years and I have no heart disease or diabetes to speak of. I'm also 53 lbs. lighter. The only meds I take are Lo-Esterin to keep my periods in check. I still have some symptoms, but overall the pain and acne has lessened.

So, you CAN lose the weight, and you CAN keep your symptoms under control. It won't happen overnight, and it'll take some time before you start to feel better, but you CAN do this for your body and for your health! It just takes a little work.

Some symptoms include:
Spotty or erratic periods
Double or missed periods
Unusual pain during ovulation and during period (like, excessive cramping!)
Acne
Thinning hair
Facial hair and/or thickened hair on arms or stomach
Possible infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
Sufferers are usually heavy or overweight

To get a full diagnosis with me (in addition to the obvious above symptoms), my doctor just perfomed a simple sonagram. You could see a bunch of cysts, just hanging out in my ovaries. That was the clincher. I had PCOS. I also had weird blood work.

Well i've had numerous issues, lots undiagnosed or waved off as stress or me being insane. I've had a 4 year absence of a peroid, a 277 day absence, and I had to be put on Birth Control to regulate my low estrogen and periods. I have had a sono in 2004 with cycts, but my doc said that is normal and people just have them. Ontop of that my hair has thinned, but my mom says its genetic and points to hers, like - "really mom? that's nothing"
Also in 2008 I had low blood sugars(not diabetic or anything) and was hospitalized for a week with numerous blood tests being sent out for possible hypoglycemia, but still they came back normal.

SO I dunno... Lol.

I dunno, could be a whack of similarities but my doc keeps thinking im crazier with every visit, lol

Thanks for answering me though. Appreciate it.

I too am suffering with PCOS I was diagnosed with it in 2005 but i am sure i have had the symptoms for much longer. I am looking for all of the support i can get, I always have questions, I have slacked and not educated myself as much as i should have all of these years...

Feel free to add me as a friend any of you. Like i said i could really use the support.

You can add me to the PCOS list.

Diagnosed back in 2003. Tried Metformin, but it didn't agree with me.

Had lazor treatment for hair removal, as it was really getting me down, best thing I ever did.

Now it's time for the weight to go, I know it will take a bit longer than the average person, but I will get there.

Feel free to add me )

I have PCOS too!

Metformin has been a life saver to me and it's the only way i was able to loose weight. But I also have a underactive thyroid so being on meds for that has helped as well.

I've been on Metformin for a year now, and I still get the nasty side effect of diareaha EVERY DAY! I know gross but I'm sure all of you have experienced it too lol. It's worth being able to loose weight for me though.

Just curious if you don't mind me asking, what amount of metformin did everyone's doctor prescribe them? I only ask cause i know of some people that are on it at such a low does that's it's not doing what it's supposed to.

I take 500mg 3 times a day. Anything less then that and I can't loose weight.

In Feb 2011 I went to my Dr because we are having trouble getting pregnant. They did blood work and a sono and said I had PCOS. My Dr said for me to try and loose weight about 30 lbs or more if possible or I could try metformin to help. I thought I could do it on my own but now im thinking I may need something to help. I dont want to use fertility drugs but that would be the next step in us being able to get pregnant.

I'd like to add, I'm not on it to get pregnant so I can't say personally if it would work or not. I'm on it to help me with weight loss and to regulate my periods.

I have PCOS! I was diagnosed with the condition in 2004. I was 22 years old, newly engaged, and told my chance to get pregnant was going to be very slim due to all the complications I had began to have. Within four months I was down 43lbs. Now almost 7 years and one child later the weight has crept back on. I have realized that losing weight is definitely the best option in helping with PCOS. It may be hard but don't give up because it is possible.

I also have PCOS. Was just diagnosed at the beginning of the year. Surprisingly I lost a good amount of weight in 3 months, but now am at a standstill. Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for about 6-7 months now with no luck. It's definitely depressing at times. Was only put on Metformin a little under a month ago, finally started my period after the first week on it! So hopefully this is a good sign for us TTC! Feel free to add me! Always love to hear others stories/experiences

I was diagnosed in January 2011, and since then have changed my lifestyle and so far have lost 18lbs. It IS possible with a lot of dedication and hard work! Feel free to friend me! I know how hard it is but you came to the right place. MFP has been amazing support on my journey! Best of luck to you!!

I've had PCOS since adolescence and it went undiagnosed until the pain put me in the hospital and a cyst was removed. Losing weight is such an uphill battle with so many of the symptoms working against you. It wasn't until my 20's that I was able to lose any weight. Doctors told me that all my symptoms, excess weight, irregular periods, extreme period pain, appetite increase, headaches and depression were all my own fault and if I just lost weight everything would be better. No wonder I hated myself.... I've been losing weight constantly now with daily activity and eating right (no soda, no junk food, lots of fruits and veggies). It's not impossible if you stick with it!!! (: