Wow...it saddens me that over 200 people have looked at this post and only 4 have responded. Does that mean there are not many successes out there? Well I will share my story.
I have had syptoms of PCOS since puberty. Although I was never overweight, I had the hairness and irregular periods from the time I was 12. I usually only had 3 or 4 cycles a year, which declined over the years until I was into my early 20's and then I had maybe 1 or 2 cycles a year. About 6 years ago everything went haywire and I stopped having my period all together, I gained a ton of weight in a very short time, the hair got worse, and I developed a bunch of skin tag, and skin problems. Over the course of that time I saw a bunch of doctors who all pretty much shrugged off my symptoms. Finally, just last year (at the age of 31!!) I read an article about PCOS in a magazine. I so totally identified with the article that I immediately knew that I had PCOS. I went back to the doctor and insisted that I be screened for PCOS. My doctor ran blood work, but refused to recognize that anything was abnormal (She even told me that my testosterone level of 98 was only "slightly" elevated). So, I insisted on being seen by an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with PCOS on my first visit. That was just in December of 2001.
So, I began to do research on PCOS. Although my doctor diagnosed me, she really didn't offer a whole lot of suggestions on what I could to to improve. So, on my own, I started an exercise program and I began to eat a low carb diet. I worked out at least 5 times a week (30 minutes of aerobics and 30 minutes of weight lifting). I eliminated all refined sugars, white flour, pasta, rice, and potatoes.
I began to lose weight....something that I had been unable to do for that previous 6 years or so. My body shape changed as well, as I gained more tone and defintion from working out so much. And my low carb diet really helped me to feel better. Gone were the shakes and fuzzy head that I used to get all the time. And I had so much more energy. After about three months of that, I had my period without the help of Provera. I hadn't had it in years without Provera, so I was surprised. Then, the next month I had another one....and I was really surprised. Now I have had my period four months in a row....something that I have never had in my life. I feel so much better too.
I have gone from 265 lbs to 188 lbs. I intend to lose another 30-40 lbs if I can. My cycles, while still long (45ish days), are occurring on their own with no help from BCP's or Provera. My testosterone which was at 98 is now down to 59.
I have started laser treatments to get rid of some of the excess hair and have had great results with that so far.....
The only issue that still seems to be not improving is my hair loss on my head....but I am working on that.
Overall, though....I believe I have been relatively successful in getting a lot of my problems under control. In all, I feel a lot healthier than I did at this time last year. And I haven't been at this for very long either. I self-diagnosed myself in October (01) and was officially dx'd in December...so it has only been 8ish months. I plan to continue improving my health by being diligent and continuing my research. I believe my health is in my own hands, and not the hands of my doctors..... |