Losing weight with PCOS

veggieheadie
veggieheadie Posts: 79
edited September 27 in Introduce Yourself
Hi, I'm not new to this site, but I've not visited this site in well over a year. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). Does anyone else have this disorder, and if so, how are you handling the weight loss and infertility associated with it? Since my diagnosis I've been put on Metaformin to help control the rise in insulin, but I'd love to hear peoples advice on how best to deal with this diagnosis and the weight gain associated with it....

Replies

  • WifedUpMartin
    WifedUpMartin Posts: 166 Member
    I have PCOS and I'm having trouble losing weight. I will be going to the doctor in a couple of weeks for blood work and to see what he reccommends but as of right now I don't have any advice for you :( Sorry! But feel free to add me and we can do this together! Good luck!
  • Candykanexxx
    Candykanexxx Posts: 2 Member
    Hello :)

    I have PCOS, I found out in january and was also put on metformin.
    Since January I have lost 26 lbs. I have been eating healthier and exercising a bit more.
    PCOS is a real pain in the butt, but I have seen girls go from 200lbs+ to being very skinny at a healthy weight.
    So, We can do this! :)
  • shannonshock13
    shannonshock13 Posts: 355 Member
    I have a ultrasound on wednesday to see if i have PCOS.
  • Kat5343
    Kat5343 Posts: 451 Member
    I have PCOS and have had it for years. I was on metformin for a while and successfully had a baby girl. I have since stopped taking it. I did some research online about vitamins that can help. I am not longer trying to get pregnant so the infertility issue doesn't affect me. I went off the meds because I hate taking meds and metformin had some adverse effects on me. Anyway, my doc recommended a high protein, low carb diet and that is really what I stick with and is the only way I am able to lose a pound. Definitely not as strict as Atkins but I try to keep my carbs as low as possible and no starchy foods after 1 p.m. Hope this helps somewhat...
  • nzgirl_02
    nzgirl_02 Posts: 2 Member
    I have PCOS and Endometriosis - when comparing this weight loss effort with past ones, I can say it has been a much harder road this time around.

    I am on 500mg of Metformin 3x a day, and I have lost 2kg (4lb) over about 6 weeks. I'm really happy with the number, but the process has been a lot harder - two weeks of gains or plateaus followed by one week of loss.

    I also have an enzyme deficiency that means I can't have wheat or lactose, so it's been tough figuring out what I can eat!! The basic principles of weight loss are the same as for people without PCOS - whole foods are better than processed foods, limit salt and caffeine (I'm a bad example for the caffeine) and get lots of fruit and veges in!

    Bottom line, you can still lose weight with PCOS, but you have to stick at it a little bit harder than other people. Feel free to follow me - my diaries are sometimes good and sometimes terrible!! Good luck with the PCOS - it doesn't necessarily mean infertility, but sometimes it can mean "subfertility", which just means you're not as fertile as your average woman. But who wans to be average!!

    Ali xoxo
  • Whitty1982
    Whitty1982 Posts: 30 Member
    Love your Osama picture Candy!
    My wife was also diagnosed with PCOS a couple years ago.

    Our doc also recommended that we do Atkins since we've tried everything else to lose weight with little to no results.

    I'll be sure to send her a link to this thread so she can get involved on this one - I think it'd be a winner all around.
  • cjs22
    cjs22 Posts: 13 Member
    Once referred to a fertility clinic, I was diagnosed with PCOS. This month marks a year and I have been on Metformin ever since. I lost most of my weight before starting Met, but I feel like I've managed to maintain over that past year. I fluctuate 5 pounds or so, but I think that is normal with anyone. The first 6 months or so were a little rough. Couldn't keep anything in my stomach. My nurse told me to eat extra protein when taking them. That seemed to help. I take 500mg 3 times a day every day and I seem to be doing good with it now.
    My problem isn't the pills or weight gain/loss, it's dealing with being infertile and not having anyone to talk to about it that understands. Good luck to you with all of your goals!
  • Andee08
    Andee08 Posts: 147 Member
    I have PCOS and was diagnosed just over 1 year ago. Losing weight is hard, I'm not going to lie, but it is possible. The Metformin is a double edged sword for me. It helps me lose weight but makes me sick at the same time. The carbs are my big downfall, which is partly due to the insulin resistance. I dont want children so the infertility is something that I have not dealt with. Please feel free to add me or ask me questions if you would like.

    PS. There are alot more of us out there than you would expect, so you are definitely not alone in this journey! :happy:
  • heniko
    heniko Posts: 796 Member
    I have PCOS also. Was put on Metaformin which just didn't help me I have bad reaction to. I joined MFP to calorie count to lose this weight, but instead found out the Primal lifestyle. In 2m, I've been able to lose 35+lbs, get off the meds, get a natural period, and am feeling better then I did in my teens. Women with PCOS need to realize they need to chnage their lives, not just go on a diet else the weight will come back worse then before. You should read around for info on what IR or lower carb lifestyle would work for you.
  • ibelieveinlove7
    ibelieveinlove7 Posts: 27 Member
    I was diagnosed with PCOS a while ago and have talked to many doctors about it. I was also on Metformin for a while, but went off of it for a number of reasons:: it made me very sick, it had adverse affects with my birth control, and I lost my health insurance after I graduated from college so I couldn't afford it anymore. I also am against taking pills (except for my birth control and multi-vitamin). I had doses of metformin between 200mg and 500mg and they constantly gave me adverse side effects. However, I've heard that PCOS is somewhat reversible. Only one of my ovaries is affected by PCOS, so I am now just trying to better myself in order to make conceiving easier when it is time (until then, birth control it is!)... There are many much more natural ways to treat PCOS that include homeopathic therapies and accupuncture that I have been thinking about.

    This is my second time trying to lose weight with PCOS and my first time really, really caring. I'm getting to the age where I want to have children so it is a huge motivator. I also agree with the high protein/fiber and low carb diet.. It is harder to do, but it is doable!!

    Best of luck with PCOS! It is hard for all of us PCOSers... The best thing you can do is research the disease and find a doctor that understands you and is not a pill pusher :)
  • lrobs1986
    lrobs1986 Posts: 15 Member
    I have PCOS. I was diagnosed with it about 3 years ago and have been on metformin since. I find that i have had a harder time losing this weight but I just had to work a little extra hard at it and its slowly but surely coming off. I have not yet come to that road in my life where I have thought about kids, I want them but have to find prince charming first! so the being infertile has not affected me yet. I'm sure once I come to this road it will be hard for me to come to terms with. anyone feel free to add me we can all do this together!!!!
  • Candykanexxx
    Candykanexxx Posts: 2 Member
    lmao ty :] I thought it was awesome.
  • ResilientWoman
    ResilientWoman Posts: 440 Member
    Diagnosed with PCOS in 1984, I struggled with my weight and infertility for over 20 years. Now I have shed 91 lbs of fat, gained 21 lbs of muscle and given birth to my own daughter, a beautiful 5 1/2 year old active, healthy child and am planning a second one. The big secret about PCOS that your doctor may not know:

    It is completely based on carbohydrate consumption, essential fatty acid imbalance and nutritional/hormonal in nature. Check out Primal/Paleo lifestyle info. Listen to Heniko, her results are pretty typical of women who 'go Primal'. No wheat, no gluten fixes the problem for some of us. Some of us become completely grain free. Some quit dairy as well but I have not needed to go to that step. Heavy whipping cream from grass fed cows, pastured butter and raw milk cheeses still fuel my great success.

    Light therapy (getting 9 hours of pitch black dark for 7 months out of the year with the exception of simulated full moon night to stimulate ovulation), Vitamin D3 therapy to reach and maintain blood levels of 66-80 or higher and Russian Kettlebell training are the other secrets to my restored fertility.

    Friend me if you need a fertility buddy.
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    I have not personally struggled with PCOS but have a close personal friend who has, she stopped the metformin due to side effects, but worked her butt off (literally) to drop 50 lbs. WHen she did she became pregnant with twins (suprise) fraternal twins at that!

    If youre determined you can make the weight loss happen it is actually prooven that getting down to, and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to control PCOS and increase your fertility
  • Aurelina
    Aurelina Posts: 197 Member
    Metformin will suck up the B12 http://www.endocrinetoday.com/view.aspx?rid=61129 Good idea to on top of that issue.
  • heniko
    heniko Posts: 796 Member
    Metaformin isn't all it's cracked up to be ... Borderline Diabetes Drug Metformin is not a safe drug. It is sneakingly promoted as the “safest” (not safe) diabetes drug. Logically no drugs are 100% safe. All diabetes drugs have been linked to heart disease and stroke. And several have been banned worldwide too.

    Diabetics have a failing insulin supply and they have Impaired Glucose resistance, which sometimes are also called IR Insuliin resisitence. In plain language there is weak insulin to remove the glucose. A diabetic can have the legs cut off or have the kidneys removed due to this Glucose sitting in the body. This is a serious and deadly illness. Researchers were recently alarmed to learn that Metformin has a serious side effect. This drug goes into the cells and removes Vitamin B12 (this is not replaceable with a simple vitamin pill) I know, this happened to me! Amoung other side effects.

    B12 is needed for energy production and to keep the blood glucose normal. Basically B12 a main defense for a diabetic who has the cells beaten up by blood Glucose everyday. Without normal cell balance the diabetic is in deep danger. Borderline Diabetes drug Metformin has also not be proven safe for the heart. The heart needs a steady B12 supply to keep a normal function and Metformin removes this. Any drug that goes into the cells and removes vital functions is not good or safe.


    But wat's the good news here?

    Borderline diabetes or confirmed Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed with diet!!! Not going on a diet BUT changing your whole lifestyle switching it out for a healthier one.

    Sure their are many "diets" to follow out there. I know I follow a certain also. I'm here to influence anyone but just to say ... changing your habits is much CHEAPER, HEALTHIER and SAFER then relying on any drug or even operation! So get informed, try a few things and fight this already ladies!

    I did ... and it seems to be working (according to my test results) !
  • falonjohle
    falonjohle Posts: 62 Member
    It is amazing how many women out there have PCOS. I was diagnosed with it when i was 18 so wow 9 years ago. No Dr. i have even been to has even offered to put me on any medication for it or even talked to me about what type of diet would be best for me. I really do not understand it at all and not sure what to do about it. I have been to several different Dr.'s and never gotten much advice.
  • heniko
    heniko Posts: 796 Member
    Read this everyone!
    http://danfredorivera.blogspot.com/2011/04/battle-of-beige.html
  • Singergirl88
    Singergirl88 Posts: 3
    I was diagnosed with PCOS a little over 2 years ago. I went to several doctors and some put me on medicine, Metformin and another that I can't remember, but it didn't seem to work. Then when my husband and I decided we wanted to try to have a baby, I went to a fertility specialist about it. Her biggest recommendation was to lose weight. I have since decided to lose the weight I wanted to lose before having a baby. I joined MFP and have been doing very well for someone that hasn't lost weight in 5 years at least. Since January 2011 I have lost 34.4 pounds and I am fitting into a jeans size that I haven't worn in 8 years. I lost 5 pant sizes. It can be done. You all can do it, we can do it. You just have to put the effort into it. I am not finished losing yet. I have about 80 more pounds to lose but I already feel great about the pounds being gone this fast. Good luck to all.
  • emma_louise_23
    emma_louise_23 Posts: 25
    Hi, i feel ur frustrations as i too suffer from.pcos and am having trouble getting the weight off...plz feel free to add me, we pcos sufferers need all the support we can get :)
  • Yetibite
    Yetibite Posts: 38 Member
    I have had PCOS for 25 years. Loosing and maintaining weight is a struggle. I have been battling it most of my life. Feel free to friend me. I wish you success on your journey.
  • Erminia29
    Erminia29 Posts: 2
    I am 22 and was diagnosed with PCOS and have a horrible belly fat and love handles, it's very obvious because I'm not fat only in that area. So the belly fat was bringing me down so I decided to watch what I eat, I eat wheat and things with whole grain and my Stomach has gone down a bit, I also go to the gym a little less than once a week, but I am planning on moving it up to 3 days, also I enrolled in Zumba class I start tomorrow, I'm excited and determined to tone my stomach. I have always been slim so this is really wierd to me I never thought I would ever need to exercise or watch what I eat. When i was diagnosed I went from 120 to 140 within 4 months but it's just the belly fat that depresses me :( but I'm in this with all of you and I'm determined to loose this belly fat !!
  • Yetibite
    Yetibite Posts: 38 Member
    I feel your pain. It will be a constant battle. Limiting refined grains and sugars will help. What PCOS does is makes our body's "Insulin resistant" Also called Pre-Diabetic. Don't be depressed about this let it make you determined to be healthy. This is a wonderful book to help you understand how your body works. The Insulin Resistance Diet is a wonderful book. It helped me understand how to care for myself. I hope it helps you.
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    both! i am on metformin and carb limiting and exercise have helped me. i am also on birth control pills to assist me in staying regular. feel free to add me!
  • Yetibite
    Yetibite Posts: 38 Member
    It appears the starter of this thread has deleted her profile. So any PCO folks feel free to add me as a friend!
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
    I have PCOS, I have had it forever it seems. I am lucky though it didn't mess with fertility as I had all my children in my early 20's before it fully manifested itself.

    My physician refuses to prescribe Metformin as a treatment as she had researched it and feels it's not the answer.

    I used it as an excuse to hold onto my weight for years, but now with research on the type of diet that it responds to I'm cruising along the weightloss journey.

    I have found the key is no processed goods, no wheat, and no sugar combined with an above average level of exercise.

    Now if it were only that easy to get rid of the extra facial hair and acne side effects!
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