Met, Low Carb Diet and Weight Loss

Leslie549 · 09-23-2003, 06:12 AM

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed today with PCOS. My doctor has prescribed Metformin and a Low Carb Diet. I just have questions... Is it the Metformin or the Low Carb Diet or the combination of the two that are going to help in weight loss? And with this treatment will my body go back to normal? Is PCOS something I am going to have for the rest of my life or with treatment does it go away? Is this going to help me to become concieve? I do not want children right now but, I do want children in the next few years. And I am just concerned that I will never be able to get pregnant.

Thank you in advance for answers...
Leslie

Juliekaboolie · 09-23-2003, 12:13 PM

Hi! I believe the combination of MET and low-carbing is what will help you. The MET can only do so much... you have to help it along by eating right and exercising. If you stay on MET and watch your diet and exercise, MET should help regulate Insulin and therefore your hormones which will make TTC easier than if you hadn't done any of it. PCOS is something you were born with and something you will have forever. They are beginning to say (the drs and medical community) that PCOS is a metabolic disorder and Metformin treats this. I wish you much sucess on this new road and welcome to SoulCysters!!!

christyz · 09-23-2003, 12:37 PM

Welcome!

Is it the Metformin or the Low Carb Diet or the combination of the two that are going to help in weight loss?

Both. The Met's job is to lower your insulin and other hormones. If you don't eat low carb, you will spike your insulin, making the drug work harder than it has to lower it. I did just met for over a year, and it just is not as effective on your bloodwork or weight on it's own, as it is with a low carb diet.

And with this treatment will my body go back to normal? Is PCOS something I am going to have for the rest of my life or with treatment does it go away?

You can have a really good quality of life once your insulin is under control, but you'll always have PCOS. There is so cure for it, so we try to treat the insulin resistance that usually is the problem, and treat the other symptoms as well.

Is this going to help me to become concieve?

It sure can! Many of us have regular cycles and ovuilate normally when our teststerone, androgen and insulin are lowered. Your Dr can monitor you to see if you are O'ing and it can be a big help for those trying to have children.

If you have any other questions, check out the FAQ thread at the top of the Metformin page, or feel free to post again. Getting a diagnosis is so over-whelming, and we're happy to help!

KYBluegrass · 09-23-2003, 11:58 PM

Wowzers, that was a loaded post!!

Okay, I've ben on met for over 19 months now, and I will tell you my experience. Don't assume when docs say that you should eat low carb, that means atkins. Any diet that is lower in carbs will help women with PCOS. There are a slew of diet choices out there...choose one you personally can live with, because if you can't stand the food, you won't have much success. The way I looked at it is this... you are taking a drug that is normally prescribed for Diabetes Type II patients. For diabetics, it is not necessarily sugar that is illegal.... they watch the carb intake in their diet, because that causes your insulin to surge. By eating lower carb, and adding more protein to your diet, you are slowing the insulin response, and allowing your body to use insulin more efficiently. This, in turn, helps the met do all it can for you. From my own experience and those of other cysters, it is when you make the lifestyle change along with the medication that you will see the maximum results of what the met can do for you. The met has given me control of nearly all of my symptoms, and I have a much better quality of life. Best of luck to you, and check out the diet forum....you'll find more info there than you can shake a stick at!!