For those with PCOS: a question for you...

mialsya
mialsya Posts: 188 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
I am curious. I know that because of our PCOS, we have a weight retention problem. What medications and/or supplements do you currently take and what have you tried? What's worked best for you, in your opinion. There's so much conflicting information available that I want to know your thoughts on meds and supplements.

Replies

  • dulcy
    dulcy Posts: 69 Member
    I was diagnosed with PCOS when trying to conceive. I was heavier than I'd ever been before. My GP didn't give me any meds or supplements but she did put me on a strict, healthy diet & told me to exercise at least 3 times a week.
    The weight did come off & less than a year later I was expecting my first baby.:happy:
    I had 2 further babies, all 3 conceived naturally. My weight does fluctuate a bit & at the DR's I made the mistake of saying "I used to suffer from PCOS" and was corrected by the nurse who said "once you've had it you'll always have it"
    But I don't think my weight is affected by the PCOS, or ever has been. But the diet & exercise definitely helped with conception

    :flowerforyou:
  • mialsya
    mialsya Posts: 188 Member
    I was diagnosed with PCOS when trying to conceive. I was heavier than I'd ever been before. My GP didn't give me any meds or supplements but she did put me on a strict, healthy diet & told me to exercise at least 3 times a week.
    The weight did come off & less than a year later I was expecting my first baby.:happy:
    I had 2 further babies, all 3 conceived naturally. My weight does fluctuate a bit & at the DR's I made the mistake of saying "I used to suffer from PCOS" and was corrected by the nurse who said "once you've had it you'll always have it"
    But I don't think my weight is affected by the PCOS, or ever has been. But the diet & exercise definitely helped with conception

    :flowerforyou:

    Do you know what kind of PCOS you had? I have endocrine syndrome X and am extremely insulin resistant. I've recently been having digestive issues and my doctor thinks that it's due to the increased production of insulin due to my more frequent meals. Just wondering what others have tried and what's worked for what.

    1. traditional PCOS -
    - anovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance

    2. endocrine syndrome X -
    - anovulatory, increased androgens, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes

    3. non-traditional PCOS -
    -anovulatory, normal androgens, obese, insulin resistant or type 2 diabetes

    4. non-traditional PCOS -
    - ovulatory, increased androgens, mild insulin resistance

    5. idiopathic hirsutism -
    - ovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance
  • murphysraven
    murphysraven Posts: 60
    Wow! I didn't even know there were different types of PCOS. I have no idea what category I would be classified in. I know I have a lot of the classic symptoms - excess weight, acne, fatigue, hair thinning and the ovarian cysts. I've had blood work done for my glucose and H1AC levels and those all came back normal so I have not been diagnosed as diabetic.

    Right now I am taking 1000mg of glucophage a day for insulin resistence and a BC pill to help regulate my cycles and prevent the cysts. I don't know the brand off the top of my head but its one of the ones where its the same dose every day. For suppliments I take a multi, a calcium with D, another 1000iu of D and a fish oil suppliment.

    I think the diet and exercise have been whats been really helping me though. I cut out a majority of processed food, HFCS and fake sugar as well as lowering my general sugar consuption. I eat 3 balanced portioned meals a day and 2 healthy snacks that include a bit of protein. I try to walk at least an hour every day and am planning on adding in some weight and cardio exercises in gradually.
  • mialsya
    mialsya Posts: 188 Member
    bump
  • janeosu
    janeosu Posts: 140 Member
    I was diagnosed 15 years ago (insulin resistance has been a big part of it for me too) and at that time was put on birth control pills and a diuretic (Aldactone). After a lot of trial and error in figuring out what works for me personally over the years, at this time in my life I am not on any meds and seem to be able to manage the PCOS with a diet mainly of whole foods with a breakdown of 40%carbs-40%proteins-20%fats -- along with exercise. When I am faithful to this, my symptoms seem to be under control.
  • Cytherea
    Cytherea Posts: 515 Member
    I was diagnosed in my teens, and the only medication that I've ever taken for it was birth control. My doctor wanted to put me on metformin, but I'm skeptical of medications and being on the pill was more than enough for me... despite my mother's pleading, even as a teen I didn't want anything to do with it, and despite the fact that I was packing on the pounds. I went off the pill in December, and haven't taken anything at all since then.

    I lost all of the weight that I have on my own, with no help of medication, surgery, or supplements. The BC did help to control the symptoms of the PCOS, but I've found that now that I've lost so much weight, my symptoms have *almost* gone away completely, which has been joyous. It has been a LOT harder to lose weight once I went off the pill (it was hard when I was on it, too, but back then I was averaging a 5 lbs. a month loss, now, it has slowed to 2 lbs. a month if I'm lucky!), but I've still been able to lose and haven't gained any back (which is what my doctor was worried about when I told her I was going off of it).

    Hopefully this can help you; feel free to friend me if you like! It is always good to have someone else who knows what you are struggling with. :smile:
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