PCOS Soul Cysters Unite

I was officially diagnosed 15 years ago when I tried to get pregnant with my second child. It took me reading a magazine article and finding the doctor who wrote it (unbelievably he practiced in my state) to get confirmation. Although he confirmed it, he gave me no real remedies for the PCOS, except the option of getting a weekly injection that would put me into early menopause. Umm, I wanted to GET pregnant??

Fast forward 15 years of dealing with all the cosmetic issues, telling every doctor I have dealt with about PCOS (and in most cases having to educate them), being diagnosed with "Lupus-like" symptoms for 8 years and taking meds, to now. One month ago I finally was seen by a new rheumatologist, and this is what I really wanted to share. He believed that I do not have Lupus, rather that I have insulin resistance caused by the PCOS, which is now linked to causing inflammation (he had just returned from a conference that discussed this). His own daughter has PCOS, which I believe vests his interests in learning more. Since then he has referred me to a doctor guided nutrition program (high protein, low carb) and I will begin with Met tomorrow.

I would LOVE to be friends with anyone that would like to be!

Cheers to you all,
Sharon

Hi All, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in August 2003 and later diagnosed with PCOS early 2004. I was put on metformin, and avandia and eventually amaryl. Symptoms : ultrasound looked normal (no cysts, no enlargement of ovaries) but I had the dark colouring under my armpits and on the back of my neck with a velvet feel, abnormal periods never consistent and late to begin in adolescence, I was also diagnosed with insulin resistance early but that was never addressed until full bloomed diabetes, I was overweight from age 10+ (my father had us on every new fad diet going but nothing ever worked).

2003 I changed my life, really focused on diet and exercising. I weighed about 215lbs at this point. Lost 75lbs in my first year and really got a hold on life. Found a Nutrition program a few hours from my hometown and decided to pursue a career in nutrition and to move away from home.

My second year away from home I went in for a check up and got some bloodwork done... I ended up in emerg that evening with a blood sugar reading of 50mmol/L ( target 4-7mmol/L) The next week I was put on insulin and my life has been so much better... up until last November. I always fluctuated with my weight but nothing too substantial. Last summer I was the smallest I've ever been and that was 140lbs and a size 6!! I was loving life but I did look sick and I guess my family thought so too but never said anything. October I switched jobs and tried my hand at waitressing... stressful due to the fast pace and not having a guaranteed schedule. I started to pack on weight. :`-( I put on weight and got depressed (depression is said to be common in diabetics now, and this was BAD!!) I put on 40lbs- none of it muscle!! The cellulite that I have and the amount that stuck to my stomach is disgusting but I'm dealing with it... My body has become even more insulin resistant in the past 6 months and it doesn't help with this extra weight.

Life is better now, I'm pursuing further into preventative medicine... I have gotten a job in a fitness centre and am motivated everyday to live an active lifestyle. I have finally discovered that I can't lose weight like everyone else because of my condition and i have to work harder. I am looking at a low GI diet that could be beneficial to those of us with insulin resistance... I am so thankful to have found this thread and will keep coming back for the support and to be support!!


Feel free to friend!!

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 8 yrs ago after the birth of my 2nd child. His pregnancy brought it out I guess. Prior to knowing I had it, my gyn at that time kept putting me on BC and not giving me an answer as to why I didn’t get my Monthly Friend. I got fed up and stopped the birth control. I began to grow facial and body hair, lose my hair on my head, no MF, some acne and just bad mood swings. Finally went to another Gyn, she did some testing and told me that I had PCOS. Well, just the syndrome not full blown at that time. Soon after, maybe a couple of yrs it became full blown. I’ve had cysts that have ruptured and that is soooooooooo painful. Feels like you are giving birth almost. I am currently at my highest weight 221lbs :O( . This is hard for me because all my life I was 110 – 130 lbs and now I am raging in the 200’s. With PCOS I have become Insulin Resistant, Vitamin D deficient and my cholesterol is high. Something that was never a problem before :O(

I am trying to lose weight. Change my eating habits and become healthy again. My hubby and I are trying for another baby and its very hard on me because each time I think it has happened, I take a pregnancy test and my heart breaks. I know this will get better and I will be able to have another child.

I am here for support if anyone wants to be friends!!!!

I've got PCOS. Anyone is more than welcome to friend me. I want to go through and read all this, but I'm in a hurry right now. I'll try to log on and join the discussion later today.

Got this in my email and thought I would share!!!!


What's Better for PCOS -- Walnuts or Almonds?

Some fats and oils are good. Some are bad. Do
you know the difference? For example, are nuts
something you should eat or avoid?

For women with PCOS, raw whole nuts are
sources of helpful fats, according to research from
the University of California.

Thirty-one women with PCOS were given either
walnuts or almonds (31 grams of total fat) for six
weeks.

Although each nut had somewhat different effects,
the overall effect of each one was quite beneficial.

W.eight did not increase with either walnuts or
almonds. And, both nuts reduced "bad" LDL
cholesterol levels.

Walnuts reduced long-term glucose (blood sugar)
levels whereas the response with almonds was
more variable.

Walnuts increased hormone binding globulin,
which is a good thing for keeping your hormones
under control. Almonds tended to reduce the
potency of male hormones.

We recommend moderate consumption of a
variety of raw nuts along with fresh vegetables,
adequate high quality protein, and some whole fruit
occasionally.

bump?

I was diagnosed with PCOS 6 or 7 years ago. I am on Metformin and on and off thousands of different BC. My weight and my mood has been up and down for years. I tried for over two years to get pregnant and after a miscarrage had my beautiful now 2 year old girl. It will happen with consistancy! You just can't let the infertility get you down. Relax and concetrate on your health! I am now working to get this whole PCOS thing in control. ( ps I had a c section and with my ovary in his hand the doctor yelled out to me hey you have PCOS really bad! ) If you haven't already, check PCOS diva website. She has helped a whole bunch! I started last week taking this supplement called Femmenessense macaharmony which is Maca root. I am not sure about it yet. I think being on birth control too I am going to lower the dose to one a day opposite time of the BC. I really think clean eating and avoiding dairy and gluten (not ommiting) just avoiding really keeps the cravings down. Excercise is SO important, but SO hard. Would love some friends suffering and willing to share secrets! oh and MOTIVATION!

We went throught the same thing! I was misdiagnosed for years --- and when my sister couldn't get pregnant, her doctor gave her an article on PCOS. She read it and said "wow thats not me, its my sister!" --- and she was right. It took me a few visits to find a doctor who even knew what it was! I wasn't able to have kids, neither was my sister so kudos to all those who were blessed in that arena!

I was officially diagnosed 15 years ago when I tried to get pregnant with my second child. It took me reading a magazine article and finding the doctor who wrote it (unbelievably he practiced in my state) to get confirmation. Although he confirmed it, he gave me no real remedies for the PCOS, except the option of getting a weekly injection that would put me into early menopause. Umm, I wanted to GET pregnant??

Fast forward 15 years of dealing with all the cosmetic issues, telling every doctor I have dealt with about PCOS (and in most cases having to educate them), being diagnosed with "Lupus-like" symptoms for 8 years and taking meds, to now. One month ago I finally was seen by a new rheumatologist, and this is what I really wanted to share. He believed that I do not have Lupus, rather that I have insulin resistance caused by the PCOS, which is now linked to causing inflammation (he had just returned from a conference that discussed this). His own daughter has PCOS, which I believe vests his interests in learning more. Since then he has referred me to a doctor guided nutrition program (high protein, low carb) and I will begin with Met tomorrow.

I would LOVE to be friends with anyone that would like to be!

Cheers to you all,
Sharon

Hi there

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 13 (10 years ago), and I've been living with a host of ridiculous symptoms ever since. I'm currently not taking any meds to assist with the condition, but I'm looking in to cinnamon pills to help with insulin resistance. I have quite a bit to lose to get to a comfortable weight and I welcome any friends who want to join me on this journey!