PCOS

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rachelboddy
rachelboddy Posts: 115 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok folks. Nutritionist, trainer and physicians all can't or won't help me. I've raised the issue with them over and over again. I am dieting all the time, exercising 100% more than I was six months ago, and I've gained another 12lbs. My clothes are getting tighter. Does anyone know if there are actual specialists out there that know what the hell is going on with my body because of my PCOS??? My period won't come so I'm assuming my hormones are in teenagerville, I'm getting more hair growth and more acne. Does anyone have a doctor to refer me to?? I am in the Salt Lake Area, but perhaps there's a way....
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Replies

  • ♥_Ellybean_♥
    ♥_Ellybean_♥ Posts: 1,646 Member
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    Have you seen an endocronologist? They specialize in women's studies. Have you been tested, you should have a full panel of tests including glucose, thyroid (TSH And Free T3 & 4) Hormone levels, cholesterol and get a pelvic ultrasound to check for cysts.


    Also how are you eating? It's most beneficial for someone with PCOS to stick with a Low Glycemic or Low carb diet... exercise is super important..

    It's very hard to analyze WHY you are gaining since you haven't been very good at tracking your diary, the few times you did were either Black or White days...
  • catrivett
    catrivett Posts: 9
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    I don't have a clue yet either. But I am definitely harassing my doctors too. Let us all know if you find a proper diet that we should follow as well. I have been exercising now for about 8 months now have lost 22 lbs all together, (need to lose a total of 100 lbs) but am now at a plateau that I can't get past. Though I do seem to be learning more from this site since I was told about it last month. Good Luck!!!!!
  • JULIUSKITTY
    JULIUSKITTY Posts: 126 Member
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    omg wow.. small world pcos sister.. and I live in salt lake also... I was origionaly diagnosed by dr johnson in syracuse tanner clinic... EXCELLENT DR.. but long dr... my new dr is great as well.. Westridge Clinic.. trying to remember name... anyhow.. are you on any medication? I am assuming that is why.. I had the SAME issue not long ago.. now on metformin and doing great!
  • JULIUSKITTY
    JULIUSKITTY Posts: 126 Member
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    if you are taking metformin you really dont need to eat a pcos type diet... however some have gotten theres under control and do not take meds and that would be highly advised to avoid Diabetes.
  • ♥_Ellybean_♥
    ♥_Ellybean_♥ Posts: 1,646 Member
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    Ladies getting your thyroid tested is VERY important, you could have a thyroid issue and that could be halting your weight loss.. even if you do everything 100% right, your thyroid could be the issue, and many women with PCOS have thyroid issues.


    Metformin does help as well since it help break down those sugars in your body, but I will warn you that it's very sensitive to carbs, and over indulging will cause MANY side effects.

    also for the Hair, you could ask your doctor about Spironolactone (sp?) ..

    Also feel free to join our PCOS Group

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/170-pcos-cysters-losing-together
  • eddyca
    eddyca Posts: 153 Member
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    I've never been diagnosed with PCOS but it runs in my family. I experienced slight androgenism when I was in my late teens and early twenties so I know what it's like to have problems with the horrible acne and weight gain. One thing that has helped me a bunch is birth control. The only time I can efficiently lose weight is when I've got my hormones in check. I'm on Safyral now (same thing as Yasmin, except it contains folate) and have been losing weight successfully. I think it's because of the anti-androgenic properties of Drospirenone

    You also might want to get tested for hypothyroidism?
  • LanaN2001
    LanaN2001 Posts: 3 Member
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    I'm in WV so I can't help you with a specialist. I had to just read up on everything. I have PCOS and along with that comes Insulin Resistance. Which is why you gain weight even with counting calories and exercise. Have your doctor test your fasting insulin level for diagnosis. If you have IR then they may prescribe Glucophage, to help regulate insulin levels. The insulin resistance diet basically says to limit carbs to less than 30g linked with at least 14g protein. Do not eat more than 30g of carbs in any 2 hour period. I know, easier said than done. But when I muster up the will power to stick to it, it really does work. I hope this helps, I know how bad it sucks.
  • candefam4
    candefam4 Posts: 2
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    I completely understand what you are going through. I also have PCOS. I stopped the metformin (glucophage) medication about 4 months ago and can not stop gaining weight. I am going to the gym 5 days a week and busting my *kitten*. I am using the myfitnesspal.com to keep a food diary..which also says I should be losing. I am working with my personal trainer and nutritionist also who can not understand why I am gaining. I made an appt with my doctor who told me to keep a log for a month and come back....I am making another appt this week actually. I have gained another 8 pounds this month alone!! I had a hysterectomy last year so really didnt need to continue on the meds and was tired of the horrible side effects. Good luck, if you find any answers..please share.
  • JULIUSKITTY
    JULIUSKITTY Posts: 126 Member
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    Elly has somem very good advice. So I looked at your food diary and you arnt even eating most the calories for the day. That will put you in starvation mode pcos of not and your body will save the fat... I learned this the hard way the first week here. blood testing is a great idea!
  • AdAstra47
    AdAstra47 Posts: 823 Member
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    Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant; the two conditions often seem to go hand-in-hand. My doctor has effectively cured a lot of people through proper use of a low-carb, high-protein diet. Here is one of his colleagues explaining the science behind it:
    http://www.diabetesnewsstand.com/vissue/vernon/titlepage.html

    My doctor prescribed 3 simple rules: eating no more than 25g carbs per day, eating every 3 hours so my metabolism never spikes or crashes, and eating at least my body weight in protein per day (I started out at 300 lb so ate 300g protein per day, that worked out to about 50g protein 6 times per day).

    In the past, any other diet has left me feeling witchy, depressed and hungry. This lifestyle change, on the other hand, has been relatively easy and has cured my depression & mood swings. To me, that is an indication that this is the right path for me. Might work for you as well.

    Here is some more info on this subject:
    http://www.nmsociety.org/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3M75cYpx2w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

    And to find a doctor:
    http://lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com/

    Good luck to you!
  • rachelboddy
    rachelboddy Posts: 115 Member
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    Sorry if you go back a week or two before Thanksgiving you can see a twoo week period where I actually kept track of my journal. I skip once in a while because I'm so consistent that I am pretty aware of what I'm eating. Yes, they've tested me multiple times for all of those tests, and the last person I talked to was my gyno, I've had the ultra sound done and they counted over 14 cysts on each ovary easily. My gyno told me I would be fine with a normal diet of carbs protein and fats. She didn't say there needed to be any special diet. That's why this is so frustrating.
  • mistresseeyore
    mistresseeyore Posts: 717 Member
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    Astra is so right. I've lost 39 pounds by portion control, watching my carb intake, and exercise. Yes, I take my medicine religiously. I'm here if you need any help.
  • rachelboddy
    rachelboddy Posts: 115 Member
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    I've been on Metformin for about a year now. I lost ten pounds the second time my doc put me on metformin after doing the ultra sound and finding out I wasn't crazy or lazy or stupid. I gained the pounds immediately back the same month and have steadily gained since.
  • candefam4
    candefam4 Posts: 2
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    By the way, when I started taking glucophage 13 years ago for my PCOS it worked wonderful and I lost a great amount of weight. After a few years it leveled off and I basically stayed steady. Although I suffered from the side effects (diarrhea) horribly for all those years. I stayed on the medication for a year after my hysterectomy..then talking with my doctor decided to go off it...since I was not needing to have a menstral cycle anyway. If you do not have bad side effects I highly recommend the glucophage.
  • Levedi
    Levedi Posts: 290 Member
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    Try taking Yasmin - it's birth control, but its got an anti-androgen that most BC pills don't have. Don't take Yaz - it made me gain 20lbs in a month. Nothing stopped me gaining weight until I went on Yasmin. It's not easy to lose the weight once it's on, but the Yasmin does help a lot. Check out your other meds to see if some of them have weight gain as a side effect - doctors often don't take that seriously enough. I'd say get a second opinion or a third if you need to. I saw 4 physicians before I was diagnosed with PCOS - one of them told me I was just being vain and shouldn't worry about my looks so much.

    I also take Metformin, but I've only recently started, so I can't tell you how effective it is for me. I think the biggest thing is finding a doctor who will 1)LISTEN to your concerns and 2) aggressively pursue your health goals with you. Keep pushing and come back! Love to hear how you're doing in the long run. :)
  • JULIUSKITTY
    JULIUSKITTY Posts: 126 Member
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    Rachel what dose are you on? they say it must be over 1500 a day to be effective some requiring 3000 mg.
  • rachelboddy
    rachelboddy Posts: 115 Member
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    I believe I need to get back on birth control and maybe that will help with some of my symptoms. I'm hoping to try the IUD (if you ladies think it's ok) so that I don't have to worry about remembering a pill.
  • rachelboddy
    rachelboddy Posts: 115 Member
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    I was on 3000mg a day, my gyno dropped it down to 1000mg a day because she said it was way too high and was what was causing me bloating. I seriously think docs have no idea what they're talking about. Do you think I should go back up to 3000 mg a day (original doc prescribed) and see what that does? I did find out I am lactose intolerant and cutting that out has made a difference on my bloating problem.
  • glo_79
    glo_79 Posts: 37
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    If ur not ttc get on BC this will help regulate your hormones (ie androgens) that are part of the vicious pcos cycle and make us gain, get acne, hair loss and all those other fun symptoms. You really do need to have AF every few months if you don't you are putting yourself at risk of,endometrial cancer.

    If u are ttc. Metformin is a good idea.

    I personally find losing weight to be difficult and often times I dont see much progress with careful diet and working out. I know how frustrating it can be!
  • JULIUSKITTY
    JULIUSKITTY Posts: 126 Member
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    b/c worked great for me as well.. I was on the ortho evera patch. It really helped me get my periods each and every month, as well as help maintain my weight.

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