Calling all PCOS sisters!!

I was told I probably have PCOS by a previous GYN back in 2008. Blood test were all normal, but I was told based on my symptoms, that she still believed I have PCOS. I have a 6 year old son, and am TTC#2, but havent been successful due to the absence of periods and ovulation!! I am hoping weight loss will do the trick (before seeking medical intervention) ... I know it has for a lot of PCOS woman!!! I have tried to lose weight numerous times but always quit and give in to temptation! Need all the support and motivation I can get!! Feel free to add me!!!

I have PCOS and probable endometriosis (awaiting my diagnostic surgery).

I too find it insanely difficult to lose weight, and to keep it off. I have yo-yoed up and down in size ever since I was young. I am low carbing as this is the best way for me to loose weight- but I do allow myself a cheat day at the weekend.

My main issues are:

weight gain
hair loss/ thin hair
excessive periods/ heavy periods/ long periods
big cysts (which burst- ouch!)
chronic Pelvic pain
hormonal issues/ mood issues
bowel problems

What if a person doesn't have a period in years. What are the side effects of not having a period and is the person ovulating?

I still don't know where you're going with this. I have gone years without having a period, and then years with having a period.

I have PCOS and probable endometriosis (awaiting my diagnostic surgery).

I too find it insanely difficult to lose weight, and to keep it off. I have yo-yoed up and down in size ever since I was young. I am low carbing as this is the best way for me to loose weight- but I do allow myself a cheat day at the weekend.

My main issues are:

weight gain
hair loss/ thin hair
excessive periods/ heavy periods/ long periods
big cysts (which burst- ouch!)
chronic Pelvic pain
hormonal issues/ mood issues
bowel problems

I was diagnosed approximately 15 years ago having an EXTREME case of PCOS, Alopecia, Metabolic X Syndrome, and Hepatitis.

The Hepatitis is what started the whole 'thing' - was nearly quarantined because of a particular enzyme that was doubling off the charts (Enzyme #9), after blood work, they then found my insulin was also doubling off the charts as well which caused the hepatitis... once they reviewed personal and family medical history, a vaginal ultrasound, and numerous (lost track to be honest), numerous blood test panels, I had two specialists sitting down with me to tell me I didnt have to be quarantined - THAT was the good news, but the bad news is that I had a very conplicated case of PCOS, Metabolic X Syndrome, Alopecia, and the hepatitis was the result of going without treatment for hyperinsulinemia.

I had barely survived having my first daughter - in fact, I had emergency surgery because I was basically on my death bed at age 18... Thankfully my daughter was perfectly healthy, but it took me months to recouperate - and that pregnancy was the 'red light' for the specialists to determine my medical time line. I was informed that based on medical data, I was never diagnosed a gestational diabetic, and that is what brought on the list of problems for me.

Fast-forward 15 years later, going through doctor after doctor.. I finally found a Dermatologist who is about to publish a study based on results I worked on with him as his test-subject (was very honored to be part of it too) regarding acne/male pattern hair loss/male-pattern hair growth in PCOS patients. I had done a 6-month complete dairy-free dietary intake combined with 5-days worth of exercise, blood panels, etc. I had a 35% increase of hair growth on my head (YEAH!!!) and I had an almost 90% DECREASE in male pattern hair growth!!!! It was ASTOUNDING! My face went from tiny little bumpy pimples back to what my skin used to be pre-pregnancy - soft, supple, clear with no inflamation.

Now, Im under an Endocrinologist who has studied in several countries and has a good solid foundation of PCOS treatments, knowledge and understanding. I cried in her office six weeks ago, and as she held my hand to let me vent off the doctors of the past who were really counter-productive, this woman tells me that there were several tests that could have been done back then, but unfortunately there are doctors who just wont come out and admit, that they just dont know anything about it to the level that it should be known - and she is right.

I go for some pretty substantial blood test work in the next couple of weeks - some that has never been done before in my entire PCOS-life so I am working vigorously on my Endo's dietary recommendations.

She has put me on a daily low carb restriction, 40g per meal. My daily intake is 1600 calories. I am still carrying on with 90% dairy free from my Dermatologist, but the Endo needs me to incorporate some skim-milk varieties of cheese (NO PROBLEM!!! LOL) so its limited.

We are definitely out here, no one is alone in this... but, I know that if we want to drop this weight, we HAVE to hope we have found doctors who know enough about what is going on with PCOS patients, and they have to have good ears and eyes. Remain dedicated to what plan(s) have been suggested to us.

Metal_beau and I have a thread "Low Carber Daily Forum" - please by all means come on over - we share our struggles, successes and will gladly welcome others if you are interested.

I have also created a Facebook page for "Low Carber Daily Forum" - to post low carb recipes and photos. That way we dont have to sit here and wait for pages to load to find that ONE recipe. You are more than welcome to find it on Facebook and 'like' it...

PCOS here as well. Feel free to add me

Yep! Yep! I went two months without a period and after an u/s, my endometrium lining was too thick, so she wanted to do a biopsy. She couldn't get a sample, thanks to my weight and her excellent skills as a surgeon during my c-section and tubal ligation (she said I should ever have to worry about my uterus dropping) so she put me on Prometrium in hopes to get my cycle started. It worked. Plus, I started losing weight (not because of the meds, but through diet). I haven't been taking it for 4 cycles now and I'm still starting on my own.

Feel free to add me. :-)

Hi I have PCOS and am due to go under IVF, but they wont treat me until I lose the weight.... wish me luck! Feel free to add me as a friend!

Hi I have PCOS and am due to go under IVF, but they wont treat me until I lose the weight.... wish me luck! Feel free to add me as a friend!

Im willing to bet you that once you lose the weight and keep it off, you wont need that IVF treatment!

Hello! I have PCOS as well :-(. I was diagnosed at age 15...I will be 30 in a few days. I have never had a regular period and as much clomid I have taken to ovualate it has never worked!! Until now...... :-) I recently have lost 80lbs!!!! and last month I OVULATED for the first time ever!! I am trying not to get my hopes up on actually getting pregnant...but I feel I have made a HUGE step in the right direction! I wish I would have been motivated to do it a long time ago....Just wanted to share my success so far, and give some looking for answers some hope...I know reading stories of successful people helps me to cope. Good luck ladies! Feel free to add me if you like. :happy:

I agree!!!!! It will all fall into place without the help you just watch!

Ive had previous patients when I worked primary care, who were told to lose weight prior to going through IVF (also because some insurances held strict guidlines for coverage as well)... By the time they dropped 25% of their weight, they were menstruating and capable of getting pregnant on their own.... it definitely can happen!

Hi to all, another PCOSer here. Diagnosis around 12 years ago, weight struggles all of my life (30 now). I got pregnant with my first child easily but I was at a healthy weight. After he was born I packed on the pounds which made my periods sporadic. When we decided we wanted a second child I lost 60 pounds so that I could ovulate and conceive. After my second child, I again packed on the weight and the periods went crazy again. So, three years ago I decided to lose weight once more but not to have another child but to get healthy. I have currently lost 108 lbs so, yeah, ladies with PCOS are going to have to be patient and on top of it all the time because the weight comes back on so easily! I watch my carbs/sugars, watch my calories and work out six days a week. I promise that weight loss is do-able with PCOS and when the weight is off things get better for most women with PCOS. Feel free to add me, any of you that need support!

Hi all, I'm a PCOSer too. I was diagnosed at 19, and have been dealing with the ups and downs for 10 years. I went from weighing over 350 lbs to weighing under 200 lbs to now weighing in at over 280 lbs. It has been quite a struggle emotionally and physically. I found the hardest part with it all was eating less sugars. All I crave are sugars (bread, fruits, candy, etc.) and that has been the one thing all my doctors have said to stay away from!

I have my friends to exercise with, and family to help with eating, but it's harder not having someone to understand the emotional roller coaster that one with PCOS can experience.

Me too! I did lose the weight years ago but still needed IVF to achieve a pregnancy. I was lucky once and have a beautiful 10 year old daughter, but several subsequent attempts at IVF ended in either failure or miscarriage. I had gradually put the weight back on so am just trying to shed a couple of stone now. Low carb is the only way forward for me, nothing else works for me.