Maybe finally found some help with PCOS

I don't usually blog but I feel like I should if it can help others with losing weight, particularly if they suffer from PCOS (Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome) or whatever the male counterpart may be.

If you are unfamiliar with this syndrome, it is a syndrome where insulin resistance in the body cause all sorts of problems like: lack of/infrequent cycles, infertility, acne, inability to lose weight, cystic ovaries, hair loss, diabetes, inflammation, among other things.

My PCOS presented itself to me around the age of 10 during a pre-puberty stage. I was a small thin child who suddenly gained a lot of weight within about a year. Slowly I thinned out throughout puberty, but my belly fat always remained. I was very self conscious and wore clothes to cover my belly at all times.

From the beginning of my cycles, they were never regular. They were not a month apart, sometimes 40 days, sometimes I skipped a month altogether.

My freshman year of college I left home for the first time and loss my best friend in a car accident. These stresses increased my PCOS symptoms, most noticeably, I did not have a menstral cycle for a whole year. I went to the gynecologist and she told me I most likely had PCOS and put me on birth control to regulate my cycles. It did regulate them, but I also put on a lot of weight over the next 3 years. At graduation, I was about 30 pounds heavier than I was as a freshman.

Through my 20s I dieted and worked out and gained and lost weight within about a 40 pound range over and over again. I got married young, at 24, and started trying to conceive a baby around 27. I had to see a reproductive endocrinologist who put me on metformin to regulate my cycles. It did that, but I was still not ovulating. So at 29, I conceived my first son with the help of an oral medication, chlomid. I was able to keep my weight gain minimal throughout pregnancy, but gained 30+ pounds nursing over the next 18 months. I was at my heaviest point of my life.

I also had a horrible bout of cystic acne on my entire face as well as severe sleep apnea. I was miserable and very stressed out because I had a difficult time being alone 24/7 with a special needs toddler.

Around the age of 33 I decided to get my body ready to try for another child. I did the paleo diet and lost about 30 pounds pretty quickly. I also started sleeping with a CPAP machine. Within about 6 weeks of using the machine, I was pregnant with my second son. I believe that a combination of diet (low carb/high protein) and the first time on having some sort of real sleep in years helped me conceive my second son. I did not have to take any meds.

Throughout his pregnancy I only gained about 10 pounds because I started heavy. Then, after his birth I was suddenly almost 30 pounds lighter than I was to start the pregnancy! During this pregnancy I did have gestational diabetes and had to count carbs for the first time. I believe this led to weight LOSS during pregnancy.

Again after 18 months of nursing I put that 30 pounds right back on.

So from the age of 35 until now at 42, again I have been yo-yoing between about 35-40 pounds. Ugh!

Finally, I found a Doctor in Colorado Springs who specialized in the care of women with PCOS! What?!?! A doctor?!?!?? A real medica professional?!?!? Not an online nutrition coach. Not an acupuncturist. Not a yogi. Not someone who wants me to meditate and become a vegan?? (I'm not knocking these people. They are all helpful in some way. But PCOS requires medical attention, not just calming down and magical nutrition and stretches to cure you).

So in November, this doctor put me on Phentermine and Metformin. He said the Phentermine will help me with cravings and be able to reset my set point weight because my body always wants to jump right back to the same number. This is a strong body reflex in women with PCOS. The metformin will help the insulin resistance and weight loss as well.

So it is almost 6 months later and I have lost 33 pounds. Up until this point it has all been with sticking to a very low carb/ high protein diet - less than 50 g of carbs and 80-100 g of protein per day. It is very difficult to continue to eat this way, but the Phentermine has helped tremendously. I also have only been doing light workouts up to this point; walking, light weights and yoga. I am currently trying to increase my physical activity to push the weight loss a little more and because I miss it. I have always been physically active. Two years ago I trained for my first half marathon and actually GAINED weight while running and eating healthy. PCOS is a very unforgiving syndrome and makes it feel hopeless to lose anything. I know I am lucky because I was able to conceive two babies and have not had any losses. I have relatively clear skin now and a decent head of hair. My doctor has told me I do NOT possess polycyctic ovaries. My cycles are now regular with no birth control pills. My biggest wall is tackling this weight loss. I kept remaining in the red Zone for pre-diabetes. It just got to the point for me where I needed to find some real help or face diabetes. It's either the Phentermine and Metformin or it's become a diabetic. I am choosing against Diabetes. I will do whatever it takes to avoid that.

I recently had my blood drawn and my A1C is down about 1/2 a point since November. I will continue this method of weight loss until I reach my goal weight. For me that is about 55 pounds away. I feel like it's more realistic now. I will keep you updated.

If you suffer from this syndrome, seek help. It's not your fault. Don't beat yourself up. It's a hard one to tackle, but it can be done.

Nice to meet you all.