Don't Shoot! I'm underweight and can't gain. Anyone else?
Hi - I know some of you might not want to respond, but I'm hoping there are others out there going through the same thing.
I'm 5'8" and 106 lbs. I used to average about 120-125, but then the doc started me on the low-carb diet and I've steadily lost weight.
I can mark PCOS symptoms back to junior high, but it wasn't diagnosed until high school. 6 years after that, they finally tested my hormones and they were wacko. 2 years later, my uterus had prolapsed, and I had 2 laparoscopy's to correct, during which they found a plethora of endometriosis. Then it was a 6 month Lupron treatment - menopause at 26 - it's a wonder my husband married me after that Early this year, the doc's finally found the insulin resistance. Now I'm on glucophage and blood tests, along with the other 10 prescriptions I'm on.
I run a pharmacy out of my bathroom. I can only eat the white meat of white meat, some cheeses, some veggies, and few starches. 5 tbsp olive oil and flax oil. I even have a protein shake every morning before breakfast to up the ante.
But I keep losing weight. And now I read that the glucophage, while it will help with ovulation and hopefully pregnancy, will most likely cause weight loss. I can't afford to lose any more, esp not if I want to get pregnant.
Is anyone else going through this? Does anyone have any tips?
I'm new to this forum. I found this site a few days ago. I wish I'd found it 3 years ago. So much information available, and I was just sitting in the dark waiting for my docs to show the light (guffaw!). I'm really awed by all of your stories, and look forward to spending time here.
He he he, I won't shot! While I need to lose (many pounds) I understand your situation somewhat. My dear SIL who I love dearly has the same problem. The ONLY thing that has helped her is weight training. She lifts weights every other day, starting with 5 lbs weights. She's up to 10 lbs now I think. She is still alittle to thin, but she is looking gorgeous (she has been doing it about a year and a half) You should see her arms in a sleeveless shirt! Beautiful!
Good luck! Let us know what you find that helps you.
__________________ 310/255/180 (5'9")
Goal: 25 lbs by June -Exercise and moderate low carb.
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Proud Mom of 2,
Thanks for the tips. I've been trying to do more exercising - one of my least favorite things to do. Weight training would be a good addition to the yoga. Now I just need to get myself to do it reqularly.
Lara, it's my understanding that exercise will also help you use that insulin more efficiently. So they more you do, the more muscle you build, the better you are able to regulate your insulin levels. So perhaps down the road, you might be in a position to eat more carbs, and maybe go off glucophage.
The glucophage itself isn't likely responsible for your weight loss, since it by itself doesn't usually cause weight loss, unless it upsets your system so much you are having problems with vomiting and diarrhea. Have you kept a food diary to track how many calories you are taking in on a daily basis? It could be that you just plain aren't getting enough.
Now tell me, why is your diet really low in fat in addition to low in carbs? Maybe some judicious use of richer foods, in terms of fat content, could help you keep some weight on, while working on regulating your insulin. Going much lower in weight isn't going to be so good, because you don't want to supress possible ovulation by being underweight.
Another explanation for unexplained weight loss it the development of type two diabetes, but I am sure that your doc has alread verified that that isn't an issue for you, right?
Have you gone to a dietician or nutritionist to work out a plan?
Good Luck!
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
Just some answers to your questions.
Exercise will definitely be a part of my regimen. As much as I dislike, I know it's necessary.
I just started the Glucophage last week, so I don't attribute my current weight loss to it. Just worried about future. I've been slender all my life, genetics, I guess. But in the last 4 months, I've lost 12-14 lbs. I know it's mostly the reduction in carbs. I'm trying to watch the calories, I know I'm most likely a little under there.
My diet's not really low in fat, it's just low in certain fats. I can have olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil, just no corn oil, vegetable oil, etc. Trying to increase the good omega-3 (forgotten my chemistry) fatty acid chain oils. White meat of chicken and turkey, some fish. Some cheeses (no cheddar) and some vegetables - no corn, soy, potato or carrot products. Also, reduced wheat products - substituting with spelt flour products. Similar to the Atkins diet. It's called 40-30-30 or something like that. Protein - Carbs - Oils. Very heathly, but difficult to get used to.
It's a regimen my gastroenterologist put me on to try to regulate my digestion. I came home from my honeymoon sicker than I had ever been (and I've had stomach problems for a few years now). They did the GTT and I'm insulin resistant, pre-type 2. They also did a few tests that measure how I digest food - one they tracked the electrical impulses in the intestinal membrane, and discovered that instead of moving food through in a normal procession, that my intestines were randomly seizing. I also did a stomach emptying test, and I flunked that one too - takes longer than 90 min for half my stomach contents to empty.
In any case, the DR has done a lot of work with women connecting the dots between PCOS, endometriosis, and gastrointestinal diseases - like diabetes. What he says makes sense. (Except for the NO CHOCOLATE part!!!!! )
Anyhoo, while I used to eat everything under the sun, and eat like it was going out of style, I've really dropped my calorie and carb intake a lot. It caused my hormones to jump on me again, which has now been re-addressed. I'm doing much better, health wise. Calories and exercise. I know there are worse things, wish it didn't have to be this way.
Don't Shoot! I'm underweight and can't gain. Anyone else? 
Early this year, the doc's finally found the insulin resistance. Now I'm on glucophage and blood tests, along with the other 10 prescriptions I'm on. 
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