Hi everyone!
I just found this site while searching for information about PCOS and diets and, wow, what a ton of information here.
I'm a long typer so please bear with me. I just want to share the background and where I am at this point.
I was recently diagnosed with POCS although my situation seems different than all of the articles I've read about the symptoms. Maybe someone can shed some light for me.
I am in my late twenties and have never had irregular periods. Although I have been on birth control for years, the times I stopped taking them my period would come normally. I don't have any abnormal hair growth, acne, dark spots, etc. I've also never been pregnant.
I noticed something was wrong when I stopped taking the pills in July 05' and didn't get a period since August 05'. Test showed that I wasn't pregnant, so I went to my OBGYN who immediately suggested PCOS. I've never heard of it before so I began doing research. I was a little taken aback being that I have never and wasn't showing any of the other symptoms. All except maybe one, weight gain (maybe due to insulin resistance) although I'm not diabetic. I am 5'5 about 190lbs. I was this weight before but never had a problem with periods. Besides, I thought the weight gain was because of the birth control. Anyway, my doctor scheduled a sonogram and the results showed that I had cysts on my ovaries, which confirmed for him what he had been suspecting. He diagnosed me with PCOS and told me my options which included, taking a medication every other month to force a period, get back on birth control, lose weight, take a diabetic medication (particularly if I planed on having children in the near future). I don't want to get back on the pill for personal reasons (besides the fact that I won't know if my periods return to normal while on it) and I don't want to take diabetic medication. So now I'm down to 2 options, taking medication to force period and lose weight. Hopefully by losing weight my periods will return to normal again.
Now, I'm in a search to find out what I should and shouldn't eat. There is so much information out there and it is getting confusing (and depressing). I want something that will simply tell me what to eat for each meal of the day that will help me get the insulin level to normal (since I think that is what the problem is) without having to cook foods from scratch. I don't like fish so salmon and such are out.
I know someone knows where I'm coming from. Please help.
I saw a book on Amazon, ‘The Insulin Resistance Diet'. Is it simple and pratical? Does it work?
Thanks so much, and and thanks for listening/reading.
Welcome to SC!! As you have already noticed, this is the best place for all the questions you have. Plus you have all of us women for support. You situation sounds similar to mine. My only symptoms are weight, PCO, irregular periods, and fertility probs. Have you been tested for insuline resistance?? Why is it that you dont want to take Glucophage?? It was a big help for me. It also helped kick start some weight loss!!
No I haven't been tested for insulin resistance. I'm assuming that is something my regular doctor would do not my OBGYN, right? I haven’t even gone to my regular doctor yet. I just figured based on what my OB said and from what I've been researching that was the problem. So I wanted to get started on eating properly.
I don't want to take the diabetic medication because I want to see what can be done naturally first (diet and exercise). I'm not familiar with diabetic medication and I don't want to deal with any adverse side affects from it. I guess I have to make an appointment with my regular doc and talk to her about this as well. sigh.
I would try to find and Endocrinologist to see. THey are much more knowledgable about PCOS and IR. It is important to go to someone who knows about PCOS and the right care you need.
Alot of women have had success with diet and exercise. GL to you!!
I absolutely identify with you. I'm in my early 20's, and my diagnosis was a little similar to yours. No abnormal hair growth (though I do loose hair - I shed like a cat, but not in any "male-pattern-balding" way), no dark patches. I started putting on weight when I first went to Depo years and years ago (I was about 12 or so and needed it so I wouldn't have AF because I had horrible cramps). After getting off Depo, I went on and off several types of BCP and BC-items (the patch, the ring, ect).
My problem with the birth control was it seemed to elevate my blood pressure. After trying several different types of BCP and items, my DR decided it would probably be best if I didn't take ANY birth control. This kind of panicked me and my DH, because we are NOT looking to concieve. But my DR assured me that using propper precautions (like condoms and spermicide) would be just as effective as a pill, with the added benifit of not effecting my health.
So off the BCPs I went. Then, about a year and a half ago, my periods went HAYWIRE!! With out insurance, there wasn't much I could do. But in November, I got insurance again and got DX'd with PCOS. I was put on Metaphormin and the Nuvaring (which I had to stop again, due to blood pressure issues) and have been living with PCOS ever since.
First of all, you have to understand that you have a syndrome that can't simply be ignored. It's not going to go away, and with out some kind of treatment, it's not going to get any better. I understand your concern of not wanting to go on any kind of birth control pills again. You should really make your DR understand that. REALLY PUSH THE ISSUE. You DO NOT have to take BCPs if you have PCOS. I don't take them. I can't take them. And I'm doing fine.
As far as the Metaphormin goes, hun, don't look it so much as Diabetes medicine. Yes, technically it is USED for people with diabetes, but it is also used for people with Insiline Resistance (which is something that ACTS like diabetes, but IS NOT diabetes). The likelyhood that you are IR stems from the fact that you are heavy (like me). The Met will help you with your symptoms of PCOS as well as the IR.
Look at it this way, hun. Try to view PCOS as an entire body Endocrine disorder. It's NOT diabetes (but if untreated, it may become diabetets). It's not just about infertility or polycystic ovaries. It is a whole body disorder that effects several different systems of your body. The meds will help your body work like it should work.
If you are still VERY against meds, hun, please look into the alternatives to drugs. Yes, you can regulate your diet. But, as you mentioned, you don't like many of the things that the diet implies you must eat. If that is the case, do you really think that it would work for you? I know, in my case, that a low carb diet would NOT work for me. I just can't go with out carbs on a regular basis. You have to find a diet that will work for you.
And maybe a IR diet wouldn't be right for you, like it isn't for me. In that case, that is where Met comes in. (Though people still can take Met on an IR diet.) Choose a diet that YOU can work with, then let Met help you with your IR. And exercise. (Probably the pot calling the kettle black here, but I am trying to incorperate exercise into my own schedule! ^^;; Just not succeeding yet.)
I wish you the best of luck, hun. And feel free to PM me if you want to chat or need more support! *hugs*
I just wanted to respond to your question about the "IR Diet" book. It has been amazingly helpful for me. It is very easy for me to follow... I don't always have to cook, I just have to follow a 'formula' that is easy to understand and easy to work with. I went on glucophage (metformin) because I was very close to diabetes when I was diagnosed and while the meds tremendously helped my labs and other issues, I still was not losing weight. Upon the recommendation of several cysters, I found the 'IR Diet' book and tried it. I finally, after way too many years, started to lose weight. Each cyster seems to have a magical combination of what works for her (just like we all have different combos of symptoms). For me, I can't do without gluc/met and the 'IR Diet' and exercise. A side note, I was already on bcp's when I was diagnosed. After many months of treatment, I stopped the bcp's and I'm doing much better than I did when I was on them.
__________________ Kimmikat (Kim)
Single
Diagnosed w/PCOS & Hyperinsulinimia (borderline diabetic) 09/02
Current meds:
Glucophage XR 2000 mgs
asthma meds
Haven't had a migraine after starting treatment
Seeing a wonderful RE in Cleveland--highly recommended
Thanks Julieh and Mousekitty.
I'm getting so overwhelmed looking at all of the different books/diets out there that address PCOS and IR. I've never been to an Endocrinologists. Just had blood work to see the level of testosterone, etc. in my blood stream.
Mousekitty, you are right about finding a diet that works best for me. I too don't think I can do the no-carb thing. (I loves bread, LOL)
However, I have to do something. My OB didn't tell me the name of the diabetic medication, but looking over these boards and others I see that this
"Met" is standard. I guess after speaking some more to my doctors I will better understand what is the best course of action.
thanks you guys.
edit - thanks kimm about your experience with the IR diet
Yes, dear. It is very key that to treat your condition you work with your DR. I personally work with my general DR, who is an Internal Medicine specialist. My GYN, in my opinion, missed my diagnosis almost 2 years ago, and I'm in no hurry to go back to him.
One other thing to consider sometimes, though it can be HORRIBLY frustrating, is that you MUST have a DR that takes your condition, your symptoms, and YOUR OPINIONS seriously. It seems, with you actually finding a DR that had diagnosed you with PCOS, that you have a DR who is at the least interested in you. That is a great start.
The next step, in my opinion, is that you need to be your own guide to the best health care for you. Use your DR's a consultants, but YOU are the ultimate person to say what is right to you!
My mother and I discovered this the hard way. My mom has Shogruns, symptoms of Lupus, and Raynards Syndromes. It took her YEARS of determination with her DR's that she had problems. My issue was very similar. I went from DR to DR with various symptoms, but it was only recently that I found a DR that took what I said seriously. You are the one who is ultimately in charge and in control of your health, so you need to ensure that the health care you are getting is up to YOUR standards.
I wish you the best, hun. Feel free to PM me if you want, too.. ^^
Hi my name is Samantha,
My name JJL
That is the intials of the triplets I recently Lost
Julian, Julian , and Lilly
I was on bed rest int he hospital for 3 mnths
due to complications of the pregnancy but lost them at 17 weeks
I am back to work now and seeing the Fertility docs to try again,
I was on the injectables and it worked I tried clomid
first wasnt ovulating.
I found out last year in Jan of 05 I had PCOS
I was pregnant in July and lost the babies in October
I am hoping that 06 brings happier days for me and my husband
I was on the pill for a long time and didnt know any thing was wrong
till I got off the pill and never had a period for about a year
then my doctor sent me to a fertility clinic
Well I feel that I am back at the beging again going for the HSG
again and they want to try clomid again,
I am not sure I would like to go this route , I kinda want to do the injectables again
I guess because I am in a rush I want to be pregnant,,,
I want to have a baby to hold and take home with me
I guess the triplets where to much for my body to handle
I hate to hear your young and you will get there
I am 24 and will be 25 in may my husband is 38 today
I dont want to hear your young,,,
I want to hear I am sorry,,, ahhhhhhhhhh
sorry I am venting ,,, I am glad to be reading other peoples
storries,,, I would love to hear of any one else who has gone
threw any thing like what I have,,,
and if they are trying again,,,
and well just encuragement
My step sister is pregnat and due in March I was due in April
she dont get why I dont want to go to her babay shower
ahhh I dont think i can do it
I cant now any ways,,,
Well I hope 06 is the year for all of us out there ttc
I will have to learn all the short words that every one is using,
Well hope to hear back any info from you all out there
Welcome
I have had luck on The IR Diet, it seems like the only way I can loose & keep off weight. Also the book makes since and had great sample meal ideas and an easy formula to follow
Good Luck
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