My story...

xXHayleyXx · 05-09-2008, 07:04 PM

I've just joined this forum and I guess you could call me a newbie - I was diagnosed with PCOS late February this year. However, I have suspected that I have had it brewing since puberty but back then, I didn't have a clue what PCOS was - and my doctor sure didn't think to test me for it (I'm currently thinking of changing doctors!)

I had TERRIBLE acne that began when I was about 11, the same age as my periods started. They treated me for the acne by putting me on roacutane - a very powerful vitamin A drug that has a whole load of complications. I don't regret it though, as it has made my skin more beautiful then every before!

As I got older my periods got more and more irregular and when I was about 17 - 18, I didn't get one for a whole year! Considering this and the awful acne that began at a young age, I was basically a poster child for pcos! In my younger days I had terribly oily skin and hair too - but still - my doctor NEVER mentioned PCOS. I was always a very slim girl back then, but I always had regular exercise and a healthy diet - no junk.

Skipping to early 2006, I had come out of a horrid and abusive relationship, moved back to my home in New Zealand and was just having and all-round "I hate life" kind of year. I became anorexic for about a year which saw me drop to about 42kg at my lowest (I'm around 5'3 tall).

When I began to get healthy and eat again (I've always exercised as well), over a period of a year, my weight did not stop creeping up. At first I thought that my body had been in starvation mode for such a long time that it was now in storage mode and it may take some time for my body to adjust. I exercised more and more and tried to eat great! But still - nothing!! I had been slim right through puberty until now, and although I feel that PCOS may have always been there, though subdued, I think the trauma I put my body through may have been the cause for insulin problems which made it virtually IMPOSSIBLE for me to lose that extra weight.

I educated myself about PCOS, as I just knew in my heart that there was a reason for my sudden weight struggles. I realised that if I didn't do my own homework, my doc sure wasnt going to do much. So I went and DEMANDED a hormonal test and made him refer me to a gyno. Sure enough, I was right! I also had the ultra sound to confirm and saw the cysts for myself.

I've been taking metformin since the end of February. I have a personal trainer who weighs me (I don't like doing it myself) and he tells me i've lost about 4kg. I really don't see it, but I am very greatful! I've also gone back onto the pill (mainly to keep my skin good).

I've been trying to eat a low GI diet, which is really very easy. I bought a low GI diet book about learning to manage PCOS symptoms and I really didn't have to tweak my diet much at all. I would recommend this way of eating to anyone, as it is so easy to follow, and doesnt eliminate foods, it just helps us to make good choices for a lifetime.

So here I am today, I hope to become a part of this little community, so please feel free to ask me anything. I always have questions about this and that to do with PCOS so it'll be great to talk to women that understand.

Take care everyone

LaLaRanger · 05-09-2008, 08:19 PM

Welcome Hayley,

I got diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. I'm on metformin and I started the Insulin Resistance Diet. I sure hope it works. My doc wants me under 200 lbs, before I get pregnant and I have 57 more to go...lol. I wish you the best in your own treatment.

Peace

xXHayleyXx · 05-10-2008, 01:59 AM

Ohhh wow your even newer to this then me! I was devastated when I found out, but I can tell you have the right attitude to succeed. Your very positive and thats great - it's definately something I have to work on!!

So tell me about the insulin resistance diet? What do you eat and what don't you eat etc? I would be very interested to hear about it.

Take care x

funkypetals · 05-11-2008, 02:00 AM

Hey Haley,

Welcome to the board I'm new here myself and this site is fantastic. I'm glad your did your research on PCOS because my doctor was sorta the same way. I asked what was wrong and why was I gaining weight when I actually started not eating but once a day a small meal afraid I was going to keep gaining weight. So like u I got the ultrasound and turns out I had cysts on both sides. Although my doctor just prescribed me metformin 1x at 500mg a day and that was torture..the side affects were horrible. But the first month I lost 5lbs then gained it back the next month. I think I am insulin resistant but not sure. I'm going to a better doctor soon. I got the name of a great doctor here from this website and cant wait to meet her. Its so nice to get to meet and chat with other ladies that are going through the same thing and know exactly how u feel. Best of luck with everything

mesha · 05-11-2008, 02:09 AM

Hey

You ladies are right. This site is a great resource because we are all "experts" Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Have fun!!!

Mesha

Eva37 · 05-11-2008, 04:12 AM

welcome to sc

there is a link in my siggie for the newbie road map
eva

xXHayleyXx · 05-12-2008, 05:45 AM

Hi Funky Petals,

I'm on about 2000mg of Metformin a day at the moment.

I too had horrible side effects for about the first 6 weeks (gastrointestinal problems and nausia)! I am much better now tho and have lost a bit of weight.

Just curious, but why do you think you gained your weight back? I don't want that to happen to me!!

Hope to hear from you soon.

xx

funkypetals · 05-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Hayley,

I had the same symptoms you had! Nausia like crazy and I think I was more in the bathroom then out LOL (so gross)...I know I gained the weight back because I went to my doctor after being on it for a month and lost 5-6lbs something like that then when I went back again in a month to check, I was back at my original weight +2lbs

Best of luck!
Jennifer

xXHayleyXx · 05-13-2008, 05:12 AM

Oh I'm really sorry to hear that, thats so unfortunate. But why do you think you gained it back? Did you stop taking it or...? Just curious.... I would like to prevent that happening in my case! I work out a lot and eat good 80% of the time but I didn't start to lose any weight until I began metformin. I know it isnt a magical pill and that diet and exercise are key, but it just goes to show, that obviously my insulin levels were way outta wack - scarey! So why do you think you gained the weight back?

I was talking it 3 times a day (1500mg) and ive been feeling good on that amount lately so then I upped it to 2000, then 2500. I'm a silly girl as I am feeling the effects today

I have an aching and bloated stomach!! What is the maximum dosage of metformin anyway? I've heard a few different theories but i'm not sure what is right?! I think i'll definately be doing back to 3 tablets of 500mg tomorrow!! Lesson learned!!

funkypetals · 05-13-2008, 12:40 PM

Hayley,

I think I gained it back because I went to another pharmacy to get the prescription filled and they didn't give me the met , they gave me glucophage (spelling on that may be wrong LOL). So I think not getting met gave me the worst side affects from it. So please learn from my mistake and keep getting the prescription filled at the same pharmacy so the pills are made from the same place and the same kind! I'm happy now that I learned this early on rather then later and thought I would need to stop taking met. Hayley what kind of diet are u on? Ive been doing research on diets and really just not sure what would be the best for me. Thanks Hayley!

xXHayleyXx · 05-14-2008, 07:27 PM

Oh really? Because I thought Glucophage and Met were the same things?! Shows what I know haha. So are you back on Met now? Its annoying how some pharmacies and medical people are like that ay. They just treat you like another statistic!!

Well I'm still a little confused about diet myself....I Low LG book especially people to manage PCOS and its great, I highly reconmend it. Low GI is great because it doesnt eliminate any food groups eg. carbs and it really just helps you to choose the correct products and to combine foods with low gi with foods that might have a high gi. The best thing to do is to buy the book. I still need to work on my diet, as i'm still not eating enough as I probably should. One thing is for sure, if you decide to eat the low gi way, you'll NEVER go hungry, as it emphasises to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks and even a low gi dessert if you feel like it.

I've had a breif look at the insulin resisstance diet for example, and it basically tells you that the only carbs to include in your daily diet are veges and a little fruit. It just seems that it would be a little hard to sustain.

I'm always open to new information about which diet is best and gives the best weight loss results for PCOS though, so if you have any light to shed - please share it with me!

funkypetals · 05-15-2008, 11:07 AM

Hayley,

See stay with what your body is used to with the met and gluc...seriously I learned my lesson the hard way. I didn't realize that getting scrips from other pharmacies would make that much of a difference. Im going to start the Met again today ( i stopped it cause the cramping and that fun jazz). I might try to up my dose and see if I get the same effects from it. Might try twice a day. I'm curious though what is the name of the book though? I wouldnt mind looking that up and getting a copy.
Take care
Jennifer

xXHayleyXx · Yesterday, 03:39 AM

Yes definately get this book - it's so concise and easy to understand! I'm in the middle of reading another book but this one I like better :

The New Glucose Revolution - Guide to Living Well With PCOS.
By Jennie Brand-Miller.

Sarrah · Yesterday, 06:38 AM

Thanks for your story Hay.
Very similar to mine in that most of my 20's tall and slim but as I put on weight I knew in my heart something was wrong (I had scalp hair loss start at 29 and had chin hairs which gradually got worse from 25 ish onwards and thicker than usual body hair mainly leg hair.
Anyway thanks for sharing.. remember PCOS and IR is only just becoming more known to doctors now... and some especially the older ones still don't know much....
Its essential to go to someone who know about it. Most endo s do but even then you have to pick one who knows a lot about it.

wed2luis · Yesterday, 04:37 PM

Just reading this thread has been so helpful I was just diagnoised w/ PCOS & IR a couple weeks ago so all this is new and frustrating to me.

05-09-2008, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	My story... I've just joined this forum and I guess you could call me a newbie - I was diagnosed with PCOS late February this year. However, I have suspected that I have had it brewing since puberty but back then, I didn't have a clue what PCOS was - and my doctor sure didn't think to test me for it (I'm currently thinking of changing doctors!) I had TERRIBLE acne that began when I was about 11, the same age as my periods started. They treated me for the acne by putting me on roacutane - a very powerful vitamin A drug that has a whole load of complications. I don't regret it though, as it has made my skin more beautiful then every before! As I got older my periods got more and more irregular and when I was about 17 - 18, I didn't get one for a whole year! Considering this and the awful acne that began at a young age, I was basically a poster child for pcos! In my younger days I had terribly oily skin and hair too - but still - my doctor NEVER mentioned PCOS. I was always a very slim girl back then, but I always had regular exercise and a healthy diet - no junk. Skipping to early 2006, I had come out of a horrid and abusive relationship, moved back to my home in New Zealand and was just having and all-round "I hate life" kind of year. I became anorexic for about a year which saw me drop to about 42kg at my lowest (I'm around 5'3 tall). When I began to get healthy and eat again (I've always exercised as well), over a period of a year, my weight did not stop creeping up. At first I thought that my body had been in starvation mode for such a long time that it was now in storage mode and it may take some time for my body to adjust. I exercised more and more and tried to eat great! But still - nothing!! I had been slim right through puberty until now, and although I feel that PCOS may have always been there, though subdued, I think the trauma I put my body through may have been the cause for insulin problems which made it virtually IMPOSSIBLE for me to lose that extra weight. I educated myself about PCOS, as I just knew in my heart that there was a reason for my sudden weight struggles. I realised that if I didn't do my own homework, my doc sure wasnt going to do much. So I went and DEMANDED a hormonal test and made him refer me to a gyno. Sure enough, I was right! I also had the ultra sound to confirm and saw the cysts for myself. I've been taking metformin since the end of February. I have a personal trainer who weighs me (I don't like doing it myself) and he tells me i've lost about 4kg. I really don't see it, but I am very greatful! I've also gone back onto the pill (mainly to keep my skin good). I've been trying to eat a low GI diet, which is really very easy. I bought a low GI diet book about learning to manage PCOS symptoms and I really didn't have to tweak my diet much at all. I would recommend this way of eating to anyone, as it is so easy to follow, and doesnt eliminate foods, it just helps us to make good choices for a lifetime. So here I am today, I hope to become a part of this little community, so please feel free to ask me anything. I always have questions about this and that to do with PCOS so it'll be great to talk to women that understand. Take care everyone

05-09-2008, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
LaLaRanger Changing for the Better Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Exuma, Bahamas Posts: 15 Points: 368.60 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 368.60 Donate	Welcome Hayley, I got diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. I'm on metformin and I started the Insulin Resistance Diet. I sure hope it works. My doc wants me under 200 lbs, before I get pregnant and I have 57 more to go...lol. I wish you the best in your own treatment. Peace __________________ Me (32) and Hubby (41) Diagnosed April 25, 2008 Symptoms Obesity, Hirsutism, Skin Tags, Irregular Menstruation, Insulin Resistance, High Blood Pressure, Cysts in Right Ovary Meds and Other Treatments 1000mg Metformin 25mg Hydrochlorthiazide (BP meds) 10mg Norvasc (BP meds) Insulin Resistance Diet Exercise (trying for 5 days a week...lol) Weight Stats 5'6" - Highest Weight (285) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-11-2008, 02:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
funkypetals Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 44 My Mood: Points: 1,298.88 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,298.88 Donate	Hey Haley, Welcome to the board I'm new here myself and this site is fantastic. I'm glad your did your research on PCOS because my doctor was sorta the same way. I asked what was wrong and why was I gaining weight when I actually started not eating but once a day a small meal afraid I was going to keep gaining weight. So like u I got the ultrasound and turns out I had cysts on both sides. Although my doctor just prescribed me metformin 1x at 500mg a day and that was torture..the side affects were horrible. But the first month I lost 5lbs then gained it back the next month. I think I am insulin resistant but not sure. I'm going to a better doctor soon. I got the name of a great doctor here from this website and cant wait to meet her. Its so nice to get to meet and chat with other ladies that are going through the same thing and know exactly how u feel. Best of luck with everything __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-11-2008, 02:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
mesha Baby Dancer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 145 My Mood: Points: 1,847.02 Bank: 212.24 Total Points: 2,059.26 Donate	Hey You ladies are right. This site is a great resource because we are all "experts" Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Have fun!!! Mesha __________________ Mesha (28) DH (28) TTC 5 years 2005 PCOS & ENDO 04/06 BFP 05/06 M/C 09/06 Clomid, HCG 10/06 BFP 01/07 IC/PTL To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. WE miss you Kyah!!! 05/07 chemical pregnancy 04/08 Clomid 3-7 WE ARE PRAYING FOR OUR BFP

05-11-2008, 04:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Eva37 UK Mod Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South Wales Posts: 12,572 My Mood: Points: 21,601.97 Bank: 1,041,115.92 Total Points: 1,062,717.89 Donate	welcome to sc there is a link in my siggie for the newbie road map eva __________________ PCOS, LOCAH, Lichen Planus, IBS, HS,alopecia - raised bp/ cholesteral. Wheat and dairy intollerance Meds: Spiro, Bendrofluazide, Amlodopine, Simvastatin, Met, Prednisolone, Mirena iud, Colpermin multi vits, Me - 41, hubby 36 son 11. Married 14 years She is buffeted by the wind, but she does not sink. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-10-2008, 01:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	Ohhh wow your even newer to this then me! I was devastated when I found out, but I can tell you have the right attitude to succeed. Your very positive and thats great - it's definately something I have to work on!! So tell me about the insulin resistance diet? What do you eat and what don't you eat etc? I would be very interested to hear about it. Take care x

05-12-2008, 05:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	Hi Funky Petals, I'm on about 2000mg of Metformin a day at the moment. I too had horrible side effects for about the first 6 weeks (gastrointestinal problems and nausia)! I am much better now tho and have lost a bit of weight. Just curious, but why do you think you gained your weight back? I don't want that to happen to me!! Hope to hear from you soon. xx

05-12-2008, 11:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
funkypetals Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 44 My Mood: Points: 1,298.88 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,298.88 Donate	Hayley, I had the same symptoms you had! Nausia like crazy and I think I was more in the bathroom then out LOL (so gross)...I know I gained the weight back because I went to my doctor after being on it for a month and lost 5-6lbs something like that then when I went back again in a month to check, I was back at my original weight +2lbs Best of luck! Jennifer __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-13-2008, 05:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	Oh I'm really sorry to hear that, thats so unfortunate. But why do you think you gained it back? Did you stop taking it or...? Just curious.... I would like to prevent that happening in my case! I work out a lot and eat good 80% of the time but I didn't start to lose any weight until I began metformin. I know it isnt a magical pill and that diet and exercise are key, but it just goes to show, that obviously my insulin levels were way outta wack - scarey! So why do you think you gained the weight back? I was talking it 3 times a day (1500mg) and ive been feeling good on that amount lately so then I upped it to 2000, then 2500. I'm a silly girl as I am feeling the effects today I have an aching and bloated stomach!! What is the maximum dosage of metformin anyway? I've heard a few different theories but i'm not sure what is right?! I think i'll definately be doing back to 3 tablets of 500mg tomorrow!! Lesson learned!!

05-13-2008, 12:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
funkypetals Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 44 My Mood: Points: 1,298.88 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,298.88 Donate	Hayley, I think I gained it back because I went to another pharmacy to get the prescription filled and they didn't give me the met , they gave me glucophage (spelling on that may be wrong LOL). So I think not getting met gave me the worst side affects from it. So please learn from my mistake and keep getting the prescription filled at the same pharmacy so the pills are made from the same place and the same kind! I'm happy now that I learned this early on rather then later and thought I would need to stop taking met. Hayley what kind of diet are u on? Ive been doing research on diets and really just not sure what would be the best for me. Thanks Hayley! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-14-2008, 07:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	Oh really? Because I thought Glucophage and Met were the same things?! Shows what I know haha. So are you back on Met now? Its annoying how some pharmacies and medical people are like that ay. They just treat you like another statistic!! Well I'm still a little confused about diet myself....I Low LG book especially people to manage PCOS and its great, I highly reconmend it. Low GI is great because it doesnt eliminate any food groups eg. carbs and it really just helps you to choose the correct products and to combine foods with low gi with foods that might have a high gi. The best thing to do is to buy the book. I still need to work on my diet, as i'm still not eating enough as I probably should. One thing is for sure, if you decide to eat the low gi way, you'll NEVER go hungry, as it emphasises to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks and even a low gi dessert if you feel like it. I've had a breif look at the insulin resisstance diet for example, and it basically tells you that the only carbs to include in your daily diet are veges and a little fruit. It just seems that it would be a little hard to sustain. I'm always open to new information about which diet is best and gives the best weight loss results for PCOS though, so if you have any light to shed - please share it with me!

05-15-2008, 11:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
funkypetals Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 44 My Mood: Points: 1,298.88 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,298.88 Donate	Hayley, See stay with what your body is used to with the met and gluc...seriously I learned my lesson the hard way. I didn't realize that getting scrips from other pharmacies would make that much of a difference. Im going to start the Met again today ( i stopped it cause the cramping and that fun jazz). I might try to up my dose and see if I get the same effects from it. Might try twice a day. I'm curious though what is the name of the book though? I wouldnt mind looking that up and getting a copy. Take care Jennifer __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Yesterday, 03:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
xXHayleyXx Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10 Points: 623.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 623.83 Donate	Yes definately get this book - it's so concise and easy to understand! I'm in the middle of reading another book but this one I like better : The New Glucose Revolution - Guide to Living Well With PCOS. By Jennie Brand-Miller.

Yesterday, 06:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sarrah Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 375 My Mood: Points: 9,799.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 9,799.76 Donate	Thanks for your story Hay. Very similar to mine in that most of my 20's tall and slim but as I put on weight I knew in my heart something was wrong (I had scalp hair loss start at 29 and had chin hairs which gradually got worse from 25 ish onwards and thicker than usual body hair mainly leg hair. Anyway thanks for sharing.. remember PCOS and IR is only just becoming more known to doctors now... and some especially the older ones still don't know much.... Its essential to go to someone who know about it. Most endo s do but even then you have to pick one who knows a lot about it.

Yesterday, 04:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
wed2luis Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: In da country w/ a big ole yard Posts: 10 My Mood: Points: 242.30 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 242.30 Donate	Just reading this thread has been so helpful I was just diagnoised w/ PCOS & IR a couple weeks ago so all this is new and frustrating to me.

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