To Andrea C--re weight loss

10-02-2004, 12:08 PM

I was so impressed when I read your post about how much weight you have lost. I am still waiting for my first appointment with the endocrinologist, but I was wondering how much you think your loss is down to any treatment you've received and how much to the diet regime you've followed. I am insulin resistant too, and there is just so much conflicting information out there about the "right" diet, my head is spinning. This last year, in spite of struggling to stay on my Weight Watchers diet, my weight has soared, and if I am to be honest with myself, there's about 7 stones I need to shift . It seems so daunting when you think of it like that, and I know I need to set little, achievable targets to begin. Any advice gratefully received!

Also, every so often, I get the most intense cravings for something sweet that seem to come out of nowhere and are so strong I feel almost faint and quite nauseous. I've tried ignoring them, or having a drink of water or very weak tea, but they make me feel quite ill and shaky. Is this just me being weird, or does anyone else have them?

AndreaC · 10-06-2004, 01:54 PM

Hi Carol,

I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner, I spend most of my time on the 'trying to conceive' forum!!!!

I feel for you, I really do and I wish I had an answer that would really sort it out for you!

Basically, my weight spiralled out of control in my late teens. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid first, then the PCOS.

I did try diets and I probably managed to lose around 20lbs each time but then it would just go back on really quickly, unless I starved myself! I was always hungry and had/still have the sugar cravings you describe (although they are much better since taking Metformin the last month).

Anyway, basically, I don't think my body was actually 'able' to lose weight until i conceived. I honestly don't know how or why but I even slimmed down whilst being pregnant. I lost a lot of my 'bloated' look. I gained a stone and a half during the pregnancy, which took my weight up to 15st 9lbs the day before i gave birth. Literally 8 weeks after giving birth I was 13stone something. Now there is something strange about this and i wish I knew what it was. I believe my hormones balanced out whilst pregnant, giving my body the chance to actually lose weight for once. I obviously noticed this initial weight loss and embraced it!! I took advantage of it and tried to eat less and a little more sensibly. i didn't deny myuself anything. I think that is very important. You will just crave what you can't have.

After about 18 months I was down to around 10 stone and stay around that weight now (sometimes lighter, sometimes heavier). I also do aerobic twice a week as i wanted to tone up.

I really wish i could tell you exactly what to do but in my particular situation it was the pregnancy balancing my hormones that started the weight loss.

I am not cured of the PCOS or anything. I am finding it difficult to conceive again and I do really struggle to keep the weight off when I'm not on the pill (again, this helps to balance my hormones). I can still gain weight very quickly but I keep an eye on it and then try to shift it before it gets out of hand.

I, personally, think if you're going to do a particular 'diet' then weight watchers is probably best. This is because it doesn't cut out any food group and you can still have treats. Also, see if you can get on Metformin. This tackles the insulin resistance problem that we have, which contributes to the weight problem. Any good Endocrinologist should prescribe this to you, mine just did. Definitely ask for this when you go annd don't let them fob you off. Make them test you for insulin resistance if they won't prescribe it, although dr's think the ALL PCOS sufferers have a degree of insulin resistance annd this has a knock-on effect and unbalances all the other hormones.

I'm sorry this is so long but I wanted to tell you that it's not your fault. We can all overeat at times but I know what it's like to actually diet and not see the weight shift. It's not as simple as dr's say. I have lost the weight and STILL have my fertility problems, which they implied would mmagically disappear with weight loss

I really hope you have a constructive appointment with the Endo. If there is anything you want to ask me or don't understand something they've told you then feel free to ask me again on here. The key is getting your hormones balanced and the best way to do that is with Metformin.

I hope I helped a little.

Take care.

Andrea.

Maddy · 10-26-2004, 08:28 PM

Hello Carol!

I am starting to stray over to this site - I am a Mod over at Diet and Exercise and spend most of my time over there

I just wanted to put an alternative point over on the diet and exercise front.

It is very difficult in the UK to get Metformin prescribed by GPs unless you are either a) lucky; b) very overweight or c) ttc

I have never been able to get Met prescribed but did try it after buying it over the internet. I really thought it was going to be a "cure all" and have read up on a lot of info about it. I have to say though that it may well work in the long term but it has quite difficult side effects. I persistently felt as though I had very bad morning sickness; in fact I had to eat more to compensate for the nausea and never felt "well"

If you can get it prescribed and under Dr's supervision it can help but be prepared for the side effects!!!

I have discovered that Chromium GTF (which you can buy from Rosemary's or Holland and Barrett) is fabulous for blood sugar control; and kelp can really help with energy levels.

I also hear ya on the WW front. I joined WW; jogged the 20 minutes there and back every week and stuck to it rigidly for 12 weeks and lost............ 0.5lbs! It was most degrading to step on the scale each week and hear "stayed the same" and see the look on the leader's face as she asked "what happened?"

WW has worked for a lot of people but if it doesn't work for you try something else.

Lowering carb levels helps enormously; or even just lowering "white" carbs and sugar can make a huge difference.

If you wander over to the Diet and Exercise forum there is loads of info in the diet information sticky at the top of the page - and also lots of weight loss suceess stories too!

Good Luck!

10-27-2004, 09:31 AM

Thanks guys, for the info. Sorry I haven't been around for a while--holiday preparations then a few family problems! The hospital have written to me saying that it will probably be about 17 weeks until my gynae appointment and my g.p. won't prescribe anything until then (apart from trying to throw anti-depressants down my throat!) I am apparently IR too; I have been sort of carb-balancing lately, and at least I have had 6 weeks now where I haven't gained weight. I am going to send for the IR diet book and see how that helps. I have cut out most fast carbs and refined sugars etc. etc., and am not feeling so sluggish and sleepy after meals.