Calling everyone with PCOS

[~april~]

Hello all. I am really hoping to get this thread going as support 'group' for people with PCOS. I'm just wondering how many of you have PCOS or suspect you do. Here is my story briefly.....well, I don't know how brief, but here goes anyway. A LC nutrition bar to anyone who makes it through :p

I'm overweight, recently diagnosed with Diabetes, extremely high triglycerides (830), and my pancreas is doing some funky stuff that my Dr. is really concerned about. She has recommended LC in the past (YAH! - a doc that advocates LC!!) but when I didn't stick to it, she's asked if I would get the Roux -En-Y gastric bypass, as my health is quickly going downhill, and I truely believe she fears the worst for me.

I researched the bypass surgery, and realized that it can reverse diabetes and help the pancreas immensly. I also realized that there are a lot of complications. I began making the appointments, meeting with the surgeon, etc. I had a friend who had it done in January of 06 - and she was fine - therefore I would be fine too. Soon, all I had left to do for this surgery was to get the date. I passed all the big hurdles...or so it seemed. I began getting this feeling like something wasn't right. Something would not allow me to get to that "acceptance" phase of having that surgery. Then my friend began having problems. Lots of them. She's been in and out of surgery probably a dozen times, and is in a state of constant pain. She no longer states this was the best thing for her......she says that she's dying. She feels like she's dying.

This scared me (THANK GOD). I began re-evaluating. Even if I had the surgery, I would have to eat LC for the rest of my life anyway - so why WHY go thru this surgery and risk the complications IF there is a way to do it on my own?? Enter left stage: Protein Power. I decided to do PP this time for REAL. No excuses, no going off.......a lifetime of eating, not just a diet, etc etc. I knew from experience that this was the ONLY plan that worked for me.

After awhile on LC (90% on, 10% off) my blood sugar was not getting better. I began searching online for natural ways to lower blood sugar (CAN ANYONE SAY CINNAMON? :D ) and stumbled upon......you guessed it....a site for PCOS. Merely by accident, I might add. I read on and on with more ferver.....because this was me. THIS WAS ME. I made an appt with my doc, who did a series of tests and finally said she believed that I have PCOS, and referred me to an endocrinologist (I have every symptom, lol).

And that is where I am. I have to meet with the endocrinologist still. I've read books, done my homework, researched...and I'm completely amazed. I found that people with PCOS simply CANNOT lose weight like other people (AMEN). Low fat, low calorie does NOT work. Neither does willpower, exercise, or being told that you are lying because the facts are that to sustain this type of weight, you MUST be eating 3200 calories per day. I've had 2 doctors tell me that. I do not eat 3200 calories per day. Never have. I actually used to eat 1 meal per day, drinking coffee the rest of the time.

I am now re-devoted to PP and have stayed on it 100% of the time (except 1 day last week when I was sick and accidentally Overdosed on OJ). I am convinced that my diabetes has a lot to do with the PCOS (and my abuse of carbs my whole life, hehe), and am determined to reverse this without surgery. I only have one issue going on now that I can't figure what it is - and that is this 'pain' in my stomach after I eat. I had this before, and it virtually went away when I did PP about 5 years ago. It is persistant now - even after being LC for almost 3weeks now. Something tells me it's my pancreas....and I don't really want to deal with that, lol.

Anyway, this message board (in general) has been a lifesaver for me. I can whine and get support, and can really feel the love here. I would love to extend that to our own sub-section with PP people dealing with PCOS.

I would really like to get a discussion going, so we can ask questions, relate, and support one another. Thanks in advance.

[LisaS]

I don't have PCOS but I do wish you the best.
I assume in your internet investigations you have found
http://www.soulcysters.com/
they seem to have a lot of good information and a fairly active forum from the PCOS side of the equation. The Active LowCarb Forums also have a PCOS subforum http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=46
where you might find more like-minded folks as they have a larger popluation to draw upon.

[Tad]

My wife had many of the symptoms of PCOS until we first started LC in 2003, and then they started to disappear one by one. She stopped snoring within a few days and other good things happened more gradually. The best - her doctor predicted we would have trouble conceiving, but we became pregnant with our daughter quickly after we decided to try :)

The stomach pain you mentioned caught my attention, because a similar issue is why I'm on PP now and plan to be the rest of my life. Back in 2003, pre-LC, I was experiencing symptoms of GERD. I couldn't lie flat on my back for more than a few seconds without having pain that would take minutes or sometimes hours to dissipate. Two weeks after starting LC, that problem went away. Unfortunately, after several months of great success eating LC, I started to stray, eventually going back to eating junk and getting fat again. Last year, the abdominal pain came back full force and worse than ever. Taking antacids like Pepcid only helped a little. I was also starting to notice some new symptoms that pointed to gluten intolerance.

I couldn't wait to get back to PP and did so quickly. This time it took 6 weeks for the problem to subside, and unlike my first time on LC, I found I couldn't eat things like LC tortillas without causing problems. I still have some GI trouble mainly caused by two things: consuming too much Splenda and doing resistance training that stresses my ab muscles even isometrically. I'm hoping they're unrelated to the original problem, but I'm concerned that there's some residual damage that's made me overly sensitive.

Sorry that most of my post isn't about PCOS, but I'm curious about the abdominal pain you're experiencing and wondering if you're thinking about getting it diagnosed. If I'd known I'd still be having some problems after going back to LC I would've got mine checked out last year. I'm afraid now it's probably not going to show up in any tests without me getting off PP again and I don't really want to do that.

[~april~]

I have had this problem checked out, and no one seems to know what it is. It feels very much like an ulcer, to be honest. I had gone to a dr. and was in the middle of getting one diagnosed (i was on previcid or something like that) when we had a sudden death in the family, and I ended up moving, getting a new dr, etc. My pain had gone away with the previcid so I did not pursue it.

It came back a few years later, but quickly disappeared when I started lowcarb. I fell off LC after having success (go figure)...and back to my old habits.

The pain came back. Now I am on LC, and the pain is not going away. I was beginning to think that it wasn't the LC that made it go away temporarily the first time- that maybe it had something to do with my insulin levels (hence why LC seemed to make it go away), but why then would it not go away now?

I will describe the feeling. It always happens after I eat. It does not seem to matter what I eat, except chinese food REALLY makes it bad. That's the only time I've noticed it. It feels like I am starving. It literally feels like hunger pains. When I eat, it goes away for about 30 minutes, and then it comes back. Eat, pain, eat, pain....it's a vicious circle. It isn't like heartburn, it's like a hunger pain at the bottom of my stomach.

My current doctor tested me for H.Pylori (negative) and that was it. I havne't been complaining about the issue because I have so many other issues going on right now, I'm afraid she's going to think I'm a hypochondriac, so I just keep it to myself and do my own research, and hopefully find what works for me. I'm really bothered by the fact that I can't figure out what it is or how to fix it - and more so by the fact that LC doensn't seem to work on it anymore. Maybe it will just take longer to reverse it this time.

[snapdragon]

That eat - pain cycle caught my attention. My DH had those symptoms severely and it turned out to be acid reflux but felt in a different way. Maybe PPoster is right and you will slowly get better on PP but check w/Dr. about an acid medicine or other diagnosis. That's what we pay them for right?:D

[~april~]

I always seem to forget that part. WE pay THEM. lololol. I'll have to remember that!!

[snapdragon]

April, I forgot to mention oops that I have a sister with PCOS and another sister probably undiagnosed since she has no health insurance. The undiagnosed one tried PP with me but wasn't ready to eat the PP way. She got severe carb cravings and quit. Like Maxlharris say's it's important to read the book and she didn't. The other sister with the diagnosis did Zone diet and had success with it and it helped her symptoms some too. So I think PP should be even better!:D
The pain and eating making it better for my DH was because his valve/flap? at the bottom of the eosophagus didn't shut tight anymore. So he needs medication to keep his under control. But he would be feeling like he was starving with stomach pains until he ate all day. At night he managed to sleep through it but would throw up every morning from the acid and stomach pain making him nauseous. He hasn't had an episode like that since he got a prescription for Nexium, he was taking Prevacid which worked great until we changed insurances. "We pay them" yeah some Dr.'s make it easy to feel intimidated don't they?

[~april~]

:tongue: Yes they do.

I am so incrediably anti-prescription, it's a shame, really. I almost refuse to take any pill until I've exhaused all natural remodies. From past experience, I KNOW that eating LC stopped the symptoms (before). Maybe it has progressed to the point where LC won't work - and I have a misfunctioning valve like you're (DH?? I still don't know what that means!) I suppose I will keep LC for a bit more, and then go see the doc again (errrr) or just go get some prevacid. I think it's OTC now....

[snapdragon]

Sorry "DH" is for Dear Husband or any other meaning you feel at the moment LOL!:D

[~april~]

LOL - too funny

[Mary]

Hi, April. I am a PCOS sufferer, and I also have severe insulin resistance. While I've had it probably since puberty, it wasn't diagnosed until 2003 (age 34). By luck, I had found PP in 2000 and lost 75-80 lbs eating the way I absolutely have to; I just didn't know it at the time. It is a constant battle, and I unfortunately cannot move to normal "maintenance" levels which is frustrating at times. I've vowed to get strict again and see if I can lose these 25 lbs that have crept back despite remaining fairly loyal to PP. For me, I have to work very hard AND exercise just to maintain. If I slip up in any way, shape, or form, I gain.

[gitfiddle]

Hi, Mary, and welcome to the board!

I know I had it since puberty because I got the skin pigmentation about then. I found out what it was about ten years ago, but still no help from my GP. I think I've got my insulin resistance down now because my symptoms have backed off quite a bit. It's the low carb eating that got me here and I will be eternally grateful to the Drs. Eades who wrote the book and the thoughtful doctor friend who recommended it to me. :)

[Mary]

Hi, Carol! Thanks for the welcome!

I was a faithful board member a few years ago, so I decided to make a conscious effort to include this board in my attempts to be extra-strict again.

I actually obtained my diagnosis after reading an article in a low-carb magazine. (Anybody remember this magazine? It was glossy, small, and kind of "newsletter-ish", and it seems that Gaelen even knew the author I'm referring to?) I read an article of which I could have been the author. Since I've never tried to conceive, the non-ovulation hadn't been an issue for me in my 20's and 30's since I had remained on the BCPs that a doctor years ago had prescribed as a (temporary) fix. As it turned out, I was on one of the worst BCPs for PCOS, and since I ended up feeling lousy on the alternatives, I went off altogether in 2005. I now see a specialist in Cincinnati who is a leading researcher of PCOS. He does extensive blood work every 3 months , and hormonally, the Fortamet has everything regulated. So, if we decide to conceive (and I need to figure that out relatively soon), he says I shouldn't have ANY trouble. I had always put it out of my mind as not an option based upon all of my problems, so that's hard to get used to!

I know having lost weight through PP prior to diagnosis certainly did help me in many areas--my HDL is awesome and every doctor who has ever evaluated my blood has commented on it. When I switched from the Endocrinologist to Dr. Glueck, he immediately increased the Fortamet to the max. I am an enigma in some respects, though. Most individuals lose weight on Fortamet (metformin/Glucophage), but I have gained on it. So, while I celebrate that hormonally I am almost "perfect", it's frustrating to continue to gain weight despite continuing my PP lifestyle after 7+ years. (I often wonder if I had so much relatively easy success in losing the weight in 2000 BECAUSE I was still taking those BCPs which were chock full o'male hormones. Heaven knows I was producing plenty of my own in addition!)

I sympathize with anybody suffering from PCOS and Insulin Resistance, including family members and significant others! While there are many common denominators within the syndrome, how they affect each woman varies greatly. At least now, after all of these years, I have some concrete answers which at least helps w/the peace of mind. I always knew there was a medical reason behind my issues, and even though the research hadn't been performed when I first needed it, my hope is that more and more young girls will benefit from the current level of awareness amongst some in the medical community. Thank heavens my personality is one which doesn't allow me to give up easily. If I had not educated myself as much as possible and pursued the diagnosis myself, I would not have it to this day.

[gitfiddle]

If I had not educated myself as much as possible and pursued the diagnosis myself, I would not have it to this day.
Same here. My BCP's twenty some years ago gave me some awful mood swings. The GYN said they were supposed to prevent mood swings, but I gave them up anyway. I immediately felt better. Three months later, I was pregnant, although he had told me I would need help.

PP has brought my bloodwork down to pretty much normal, although I could still boost my HDL's. I lost about a hundred pounds on lc in the late seventies, so I know it works. Come to think of it, I was still doing low carb when I became pregnant. Hmmm. Anyway, I'm in it for the long haul.

[~april~]

Hi Mary!! Thanks for posting. I am very new to the diagnosis of PCOS - but looking back at symptoms, I know I've probably had it most of my life. From my first period, I've never had a normal cycle, and had cervical dysplasia when I was 16. It finally turned to cancer ten years later & I had a Leep done. I have had normal paps since then - but I've wondered if PCOS had anything to do with that.

LC/PP is the plan for me as well. My body responds positively to it (or used to) so deep down I know its for me. Unfortunately, I think I may have ruined my chances because I have gone on and off of the LC sooo many times over the past ten years or so. I'm now at a point where LC does not seem to be working for me. I've begun incorporating exercise into my diet (trainer) and found an endocrinologist to help with the hormones. Even though for the time being, I am off of PP - I am staying away from the simple sugars (no pop, processed stuff) and eating complex carbs. It seems to stop my heart from fluttering like crazy (which is what would happen when I ate simple sugars) so that's a small benefit I'm seeing. I'm just at this point where I'm so incredibly frustrated - I really don't know where I'm going from here.

Did you have any complications with the metformin (besides weight gain)?

[Mary]

Hi, April!

I do experience some gastro distress from time to time, but typically it's either because I haven't eaten much or because I've imbibed on too much wine. :) When I first started taking it, I could definitely tell if I'd consumed too many carbs, but shortly thereafter my body adjusted to it. 2500 mg is a significant dosage. Typically Fortamet is extended release, and my original prescription called for the 2000 mg to be taken in the evening. Dr. Glueck added a 500 mg at lunch and also split up the 1000s into one in the morning and one in the evening. Apparently the ER doesn't always work for everybody! (I'm always the exception it seems.)

When I switched to Dr. Glueck, I was required to meet with the nutritionist during my first visit. It was an interesting meeting. They typically suggest not full-blown l/c but basically more of a South Beach approach (without calling it that). So, according to the nutritionist, as a PCOS patient, I really need to monitor both carbs AND fats. I found this extremely difficult particularly since my mindset has been focused on carbs for the past few years. I do recognize that fats (and the associated calories) DO affect me more than probably some and probably does explain why I can't move to typical maintenance levels of carbs, as well. During that meeting, she encouraged me to actually eat more carbs than I typically would (small baked potatoes, as an example). By following her suggestions over the past few months, I have continued to gain weight. So, while I do respect her viewpoint, I am going to be strict again with PP and see how it goes. Nobody knows my body like I do, and strict PP worked for me. Finding the willpower again might be my biggest hurdle! When I began in 2000, I did not cheat AT ALL for 11 months. So, I know I CAN do it, but I'll have to dig deep this time! I admit to getting lax with the exercise, too, so that's my 2nd challenge to overcome!

Sorry for droning on. PCOS is such a HUGE part of my life that I can often ramble too much about it. Feel free to pick my brain at any time!

[gitfiddle]

You're not droning, Mary. You're very interesting! I find it hard to lose weight without exercise, but when I can walk three or four miles a week it makes a big difference. I can't be burning that many calories, so it must be enough to boost my metabolism in general.

I'm also looking at the fat and calorie aspect. I'm trying to get a handle on how much fat I'm consuming after not considering it for a few years. :suspicious:

[DebJ14]

Those of you with PCOS might want to be screened for gluten sensitivity. You don't necessarily have to have full blown celiac disease to have a problem with gluten. Many people who are gluten sensitive have symptoms ranging from diabetes, autoimmune diseases,migraines, overweight or underweight, PCOS, infertility, thyroid problems, connective tissue problems or depression and do not have celiac disease. This is called NCGS - non-celiac gluten sensitivity and is common among those of Northern European descent. Just make sure your doctor runs the new antibody screening tests when you are still eating gluten. Otherwise, you will test negative. If you go gluten free then get the genetic test as it is reliable whatever you eat. Good luck finding a doctor who understands this. In the meantime, try a gluten free diet and see how you feel. However, this is an all or nothing proposition. There is no such thing as moderation on this diet, but if you are sensitive to gluten you will see good things happen in only a few days. I went from bedridden to walking and jogging within a month and my arthritis, tendinitis, migraines, rashes and hot flashed disappeared. There is a big side effect - if you need to lose weight you will - I lost 20 pounds the first month and have lost over 50 pounds so far. Went from a tight size 16 to wearing sizes 4 & 6 in months. I see a chiropractor who is also a board certified nutritionist. Because of the gluten sensitivity I had malabsorption and blood tests found I was seriously deficient in many nutrients in spite of taking a boat load of supplements. I was not absorbing anything. Have to have the blood work redone in a month and hopefully things will have turned around.
Protein Power probably works for many because they reduce the amount of gluten in their diets. Many of those who did Atkins successfully (induction phase) only to see the weight come back with a vengance when they stopped are probably gluten intolerant.
Debbie

[gitfiddle]

Thank you, Deb, for that bit of advice. I have suspected it, but it seems I can't quite let go of the lc tortillas. That in itself is a really good reason to let go. We often crave the very substances that give us the most trouble.

It will be a big leap for me, but I think I can do it. I'll work it into my June challenge, although that wasn't what I intended up to now. :rolleyes: This is going to be inconvenient. I have a friend who is gluten intolerant and there's a lot more to it than simply giving up wheat.

[back2me2007]

Deb that is very intersting about the gluten sensitivity! I can say I seem to get a slight lower belly ache and lose stools if I eat bread, tortillas etc.You sure have a great story! I'm glad you feel so much better.

I'll just jump on in here if thats ok. I started being treated initially for pcos in 1998. It was hormones, hormones hormones. I finally decided I'd rather be bald than take more hormones. They some rotten side effects no matter what we tried. I quit all pcos treatment after about 1.5 years of feeling worse on hormones but getting reg periods. The diagnosing and treating dr did advise lowcarb but I kind of blew that part off.

I'd beeen hypoglycemic since childhood. I was always underweight up until about 1996 and them poof the pounds just piled on.
In 1987 my thyroid was partially destroyed because it was way to fast with some radioactive treatment. Grr now as an adult it's at the low end of normal and a dr refuses to treat it.

Since I had a diabetic parent I have always had regular diabetes testing. I went in in 2000 due to what I thought were some major hypoglycemic episodes. Nope it was diabetes by this point. Doc instantly wanted to do meds and I flat out refused. He sent me to a nutritionist who had me counting carbs. At my recheck with the dr 6 weeks later my numbers were terrific and I was down 20 lbs. I managed to lose for 207+ to 134 in about 7 months. All pcos symptoms but ovarian cysts were gone!!!! I managed to do well for over 3+ years.

LC goodies and lc tortilla started the beginning of my downfall. LOL. Seriously I started getting off kilter when the lc products started to hit. Before lc junk I had the occasional real treat. Very occasional. The lc junk was supposedly lc approved. Well over the last few years I've regained alot on that version of lc. Diabetes and pcos were full blown again. I started Metformin last winter and it did work well for the diabetes and the pcos. The met also had my regrowing hair I'd lost like carzy(which I loved) Unfortunately I was one of the people who got vit b malabsorption from it. I got sick of getting the b shots and feeling bad muscle pain.I also tried eatting a very clean Atkins type diet and absolutely couldn't lose but 1/2 a lb in 6 months on the metformin. I think the dr thought I was lying on my exercise and food logs because he says everyone loses on Met. I then got pretty disgusted and ate what I wanted for a while with no weight gain. I finally decided no more b-shots and no more fatigue and muscle pain from the Met for me. I weaned my dose down and quit completely last week. I am back to eatting clean!!!!!

I knew in my heart of hearts that I had redone this damage with the pcos and diabetes to myself over time. I decided to quit playing games with myself and get back to the basics that served so well regulating both problems for years.

Pcos and diabetes bite but I was a good testament to the power of lc on these problems until I got stupid and chose to act blind.

Oh heavens sorry this post is a book!!!

Mary your story is very intersting! Thanks for sharing!

[~april~]

I am so happy that you guys are here and writing books!! As I was reading the last few posts, things made a bit more sense, and I felt empathy with you guys.

I am at a point in my life where I have been doing all of the pre-op testing for gastric bypass surgery - as I'm so completely fed up with 'me' that I can't stand it anymore. I do lose (slowly) on LC - but as soon as I go off for ANY reason at all and eat something that isn't that bad, I regain huge amounts of weight. I keep hearing that it's not possible to gain 8 pounds in a day - and 3 every day after that...but obviously they aren't looking at my scale!! For me, it seems like I have to stay at the induction phase - I can't even do 40 per day, it has to be below 30 in order to lose or even maintain. It seems impossible to do that for the rest of my life, and I've just about given up on it.

Along the way, I've come across a therapist who I need to see for 12 sessions in order for my surgery pre-op to move forward. She has convinced me to try south beach. I have found that just by lowering the SATURATED fat (not all fats, just saturated) this has made a huge difference. I'm able to up the carbs a bit, as long as the saturated fats are lower, and my overall calories are around 1600. I was eating strict PP before - averaging 900 calories per day just because I wasn't hungry - but I wans't losing!! I still have the feeling that I can't eat that many carbs though, and I'm afraid I won't be able to do this for the rest of my life.

As far as the gluten allergy goes , I've suspected as much for awhile now. I just got a book called gluten allergy for dummies or something along those lines, I just havne't been able to read it yet. When I go low carb and go off of it for a meal or a day - I have huge issues (gastro-intestinal). I just always assumed that meant that my body did not like carbs. I have not started the metformin yet, because I'm convinced I can do this on my own. I'm afraid of the side effects. I have the opposite issue with hair, however. The hair on my head has been falling out for about ten years - it's about half the thickness that it used to be....and I have hair everywhere else where I don't want it! I have chin hair, mustache, arm....it's horrible. I get so sick of shaving, bleaching, nair........but without it, I actually catch people looking at my chin, etc. I"ve been embarassed for so long - and I'm only 32. I always thought this stuff happened to older people.

Sorry for the book - I am just very frustrated with this entire thing. The weight, the hair, the no hair, and not being able to lose weight like a normal person with simply cutting calories or fat. I've been so frustrated that I've stayed away from the board for awhile too.

[gitfiddle]

April, if it's any colsolation, the hirsuitism is typical and I've had it since at least my twenties. Also the thinning of head hair, which is helped by MSM, a natural sulpher. I take a very large dose compared to the capsules you buy at the store, under a doctor's care.

The part I really dislike and can't do much about is the dark skin folds. I haven't worn a bathing suit in years because I'm so self-conscious. PP has actually helped that, though.

I missed not seeing you around, by the way. :)

On the gluten subject, my doctor said today that one tortilla a day doesn't really have much gluten, bit I wonder how much a little here and a little there adds up?

[back2me2007]

April ~ I glad south beach is working for you. I also had thinning hair. The metformin did fix that. Not everybody gets side effects. The most common is potty issues ( I had none of that). The vitamin malabsorption isn't as common I guess. Very honestly most people I've met on the metformin lost easier and felt better. I wouldn't be scared to give it a try if I were you. I would have kept taking it personally just for the great hair if I wasn't sick of vitamin b shots and tests (It was getting expensive!)

It sounds like you have a good therapist with good advice! Thats terrific! You've found a rare gem. I hear you on amazing amounts of gain on a binge. Same here. It sucks~ I sympathise.

Any chance you would share what you learn once you read the gluten book???

I know it's hard not to stay away due to frustration but seriously not getting support is worse. Come vent! Come brain storm. We're in the same boats here and I think we can help each other alot!
Big hug! Just keep remembering~ It will get better!!!

[DebJ14]

Carol,
Going Gluten Free was a challenge at first, but any recipe can easily be adapted. I found just sticking to organic fruits and veggies, free range organic chicken and beef and wild fish is the easiest way to start. You lose your cravings for the bread, tortillas, cookies and cake very quickly. There are some great gluten free recipes, but beware the calories and carb grams when you start substituting GF flour for wheat flour. I have found it easy to adapt nearly every recipe. I felt great when I first started GF and then had a reaction to corn that was just as bad as my reaction to gluten. So, corn is out of my life as is dairy and soy. The casein in milk and the protein in soy are very similar to the protein in gluten containing grains and many of us react horribly to them as well. I firmly believe the keys to my success were extensive nutritional guidance from my health practitioner and my acceptance of the fact that it was an all or nothing proposition. I view gluten as rat poison and have a new relationship with food in general. I no longer eat for flavor - just for nutrition.
Debbie

[gitfiddle]

Phew! I just quoted the "desperate situations require desperate measures" to someone else, and here I am faced with it myself! :rolleyes: I'm willing to try it, in fact, I've been staying away from wheat for the last few days. I know something's got to give!

Would lethicin be a problem? It's soy, but it keeps my cholesterol at a respectable level.

[Mary]

I have really enjoyed this thread. It's so difficult to adequately relay the stress involved with the syndrome to non-sufferers. Reading about others' paths is very intriguing to me, so thanks to all! I've been away from the Board for a couple of months (seems I always do that when I'm cheating too much w/the way of eating), so it's nice to return. This was the first place I surfed.

A promotion at work and many crazy and stressful LONG hours have contributed to some very poor eating decisions on my part of late. So, here we go again. I will be strict like I know I can be, and I will make time to do it right. For me, that's what it's all about. Whether it is taking the time to plan my meals (which includes shopping AND cooking), exercise, drink more water and less diet drinks, etc, it all boils down to me making and taking the time. When I lost the weight in 2000, I wasn't diagnosed with PCOS yet let alone taking metformin. I've noticed that when I try to be very strict again, the cravings are much more intense than they ever were during those 11 months of absolutely no cheating. I suspect it's Fortamet-related, but who knows. My doctor reminds me every 3 months that failing to exercise simply is not an option for PCOS patients. So, I will be hitting the treadmill again for starters so I can re-establish those habits.

(Of course, the fact that I have a 20-year HS class reunion AND a return trip to Jamaica planned in a few months just might be contributing factors to this newly-found motivation.) :D

[~april~]

I have enjoyed this thread as well! Granted I don't post nearly as much as I used to, I still read this thread and browse. I have been learning a lot of things on this journey over the last several months. I have realized that to lose weight, you really don't have to do something so drastic it puts your body into shock (like I always did before). You can actually tweak whatever you are doing until it works again. Right now (because I missed carbs so much) I began eating as IF I had the gastric bypass surgery (in a way). Small amounts - half a sandwich instead of a full one, drinking 1/4 cup broth-soup with every meal...choosing low carb when I can, but allowing myself small carbs when I want them. No food is off limits, just small amounts. This is the only way I have truely been able to feel like I wasn't being deprived in any way. At the same time, all of the benefits of low carb elude me. I have been toying with the idea of going back to PP, even though I miss some of the foods so much. I suppose I can lose the weight and then go back to how I'm eating right now (small amounts, etc)because it is working. I'm losing about a half of a pound every week or 2, lol. (NOW THAT'S SLOW). I need to kick it into gear however, as I have my last appointment scheduled with the surgeon in August. I made a promise to myself almost a year ago that if thihs weight wasn't lost within a year - I was having surgery. I don't want surgery, so I think I just need to do PP. End of story. It is what my body wants - I know this. :)
I will try to post more. I need to set time aside to read and post, etc - and make it a part of my daily routine. I do need the support and wisdom here as well as the ability to vent about this stuff. Thanks for your ears once again.

[gitfiddle]

My doctor reminds me every 3 months that failing to exercise simply is not an option for PCOS patients.
Mary, that's interesting. My doctor knows absolutely nothing about the condition, so I've had no advice other than what I pick up here and there. I noticed all on my own that I need to exercise to lose weight, though.

I'm glad you came back to share with us again.

April, I'm glad to see you again, too. Is there any way you can eat like you have been and tweak it to make it fit PP? It sounds so sensible! And you're losing weight. Slow weight loss is much better than fast weight loss and it stays off longer. A half-sandwich on lc-ish bread will fit, so will the broth. The bonus is you're not feeling deprived, which is the best part of living. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Are you still exercising?

I've been avoiding wheat successfully, but I haven't noticed that I feel any different. This extended period of no exercise is certainly not helping because I've got much less stamina for anything, even grocery shopping. The pain from the tendinitis in my leg makes me tired. I can walk better than I can stand.

[~april~]

I read the gluten-free living and realized that is way too much of a task for me to take on right now! I feel so much better when I'm low carb - I think that is good enough for me (laughs).

I don't really want to "tweak" because then I'm just not getting the full benefits of LC. I just need to be on it, plain and simple but it's SOOO hard to get re-started. I started today at breakfast and it was over at lunch (darn deep fried squash :eek: ). It has to be a deliberate decision that I make daily on an hourly basis. That is the only way this thing works. I'm just dragging my feet - but I know LC is where I need to be.

You guys are great, I'm glad we are having this discussion. I've tried explaining to my friends what PCOS is, but it's just too complicated. I'm having many of the symptoms and they are getting worse, yet I keep "not" starting LC. I almost wish I would hit rock bottom and realize that this is my life and quality of living we are talking about - and I HAVE my cure(LC works for me) and just get with it already! I feel almost ashamed of myself that I'm avoiding LC. I dread the thought of eggs and no milk....and I love deep fried foods. That is my weakness (much journaling has taught me).

I need to just set a date.

[gitfiddle]

Yes, nobody else has heard about PCOS and it makes me feel like I'm making excuses. This has been a really good conversation.

I'm not gluten-free, because there is so much more to it than just avoiding wheat and I have no celiac symptoms. I'm revisiting "Eat Right For Your Type", which connects certain foods to blood types. It suggests some food choices that conflict with my blood type. Wheat is one. Cheese and dairy, unfortunately, is another. I wasn't willing for a long time, but I'm starting to fine-tune a little. Something's gotta give somewhere! Both types of food can be triggers for me and an occasion to overeat, therefore no weight loss.

Mary mentioned stress, and I know that's another problem for me. As far as symptoms go, PP has made the dark skin fade. That, in itself, is a stress reliever! I really think getting walking again is going to make a difference.

[Mary]

Carol, I can certainly relate to the "doctor" comment. I've also had my share of "clueless about PCOS" physicians over the years. My family doctor probably falls into that category, as well (I don't know for sure because I haven't seen him yet but the nurse practioner readily admitted she had very little background with it.) When I first obtained my diagnosis, it was because I had sought out a Reproductive Endocrinologist after reading that article I previously mentioned. Sure enough, with lab work and an ultrasound, I received that diagnosis. While I have only the highest respect for her (and will be eternally grateful for the diagnosis), her focus was ONLY on me getting pregnant. Granted, this is typically the concern for most PCOS women she encounters. I realize I have to figure that out at some point pretty soon, but as we all know, there are many more issues involved with PCOS aside from infertility. I didn't like the fact that every one of my appts was focused around that one topic. When I learned that one of the leading PCOS researchers was located nearby in Cincinnati (my RE was in Indy), I jumped at the idea to see him and haven't been back to the RE since. I really feel he monitors, addresses, and completely understands the entire syndrome and not just infertility. He explained to me early on (and reminds me every 3 months when I confess I'm not hitting it hard) how our PCOS bodies hang onto every single pound they can. Exercise is just mandatory for us for so many reasons.

[gitfiddle]

He explained to me early on (and reminds me every 3 months when I confess I'm not hitting it hard) how our PCOS bodies hang onto every single pound they can. Exercise is just mandatory for us for so many reasons.
Mary, keep telling me that! :p I am walking, slowly and painfully, but the pain isn't getting any worse, so I will continue. I can certainly tell I haven't walked since February. I remember being at this point several years ago (from first knee) and I got back to good health eventually.

My second doctor, who does muscle work and accupuncture and introduced me to PP, is the one who understands something about PCOS. He's so insightful and caring that I wish he were a PCP. I need a crowbar to get in to see him, though.

My GYN had told me that I would need medical help to become pregnant, but I didn't. I was eating low carb at the time.

[~Am~]

Bumping this thread!

I have had PCOS for a long time. I'm 28 and I've had symptoms since age 8. I'm blessed not to have bad hair or skin issues, but I have been overweight or obese since 8, and had menstrual irregularities starting as soon as I got my period.

I have been on the diet merry-go-round for 12 years now and it's been yucky. I tried the IR Diet, Weight Watchers, Atkins, made up my own, and did many others. The most success I had was on the one I made up myself, which basically limited calories and limited carbs somewhat, but when I didn't watch carbs and wasn't able to work out 5-6x per week, I gained back my weight quickly. I felt great on Atkins but it felt too restrictive and I never could get back to it after a "day off."

I have been doing PP for a little over a week. I'm down 7 pounds (the other pounds in my ticker are the 7 I struggled to lose with WW) and I feel fantastic. I also take Metformin now and I wonder if that is helping me be more successful with the PP way of eating. I have no urge to stray yet and I know when I do, I will be able to start back up on my program ASAP. It feels great.

I have a beautiful almost-2-year-old and I want to give her a sibling someday soon. I've struggled with blood pressure issues since getting pregnant and I'm hoping to solve them with PP. I don't want another over-monitored pregnancy full of worry and testing, if possible.

I am recovering from a car accident :( so I am not exercising at the moment but I hope to add in some exercise within the next few weeks, as I know that will really help me along. I've definitely seen exercise help my IR like nothing else.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi to my fellow PCOSers! Hope you all are doing well.

[gitfiddle]

Am, we're glad to have you with us. Too bad about your auto accident, and I hope you're making progress! I agree that exercise is the best way to treat IR.