My Story(taah)

taah · 07-08-2002, 05:04 AM

My struggle began years ago. I am 26yrs old, I was recently dx with PCOS. I have had symptoms since I was 13 and been trying to convince doctors for years but no one wanted to listen to me. I started gaining weight as a teenager and no matter what I did I could not seem to lose the weight. I was very active and did not eat that much but I kept gaining weight. I also started getting hair on my chin then on my neck and sideburns and finally had to begin shaving, then it was showing on my stomach. I started getting skin tags all over my body and dark patches on my thighs, I was not having periods, and I was not feeling very much like a woman. I knew something was wrong but didn't know what. Every time I went to a doctor I was always told to lose weight. I tried and I told them to please tell me how, I tried everything they said and nothing worked, but they basically called me a liar, said I was eating to much. There was one point in time when I actually stopped eating because of this and became very sick and weak but it was the only way I could lose any weight. All of this caused me to fall into a deep depression and stay there most of my life, I married when I was sixteen and ended up in divorce 8yrs later was never happy in that marriage, just thought I could not get anyone else. I was on a path to destruction, my syptoms kept getting worse and nothing was helping. Every so often I would get the courage up to try a new doc but then the same thing would happen, they would just tell me I was to fat and to lose weight and I would cry, the last one yelled at me to stop crying, and then abusively gave me a pap smear and hurt me so bad I left and never went back. I went on a down spiral and I was seeing a thearpist at that time. I wanted to commit suicide. I felt it was all hopeless and I was tired of dealing with it all and tired of the pain. I finally met a man that changed my life and has been a life saver for me. He showed me I am worth saving and that I am a beautiful person, although, I must admit, this was a very tough task he undertook. I did not want to accept what he was telling me for a long time, but he was patient with me and loved me enough to keep trying. I am so thankful he did. He is very supportive for me and told me if we had to travel the world we would find a doctor to listen to me. We were married sept 14, 01. He saved my life. I finally did find a doctor that listened and dx me with PCOS and we are now working to get this under control. I have suffered through two miscarriages and years of infertility. I am currently not ovualting and wonder if I will ever concieve a child, I however , have come to terms with this and know that no matter what happens I still have a wonderful life ahead of me. I struggle with all the problems and issues of PCOS everyday, but I know that I will overcome this. I have started the Insulin Resistance Diet, for the first time in my life I have lost weight and am keeping it off. I have lost over 30lbs in 3mths and feel so much better. I am getting healthier and starting to enjoy life more. I had scheduled the gastric bypass in July, I felt that was my last option on losing weight. However, after being dx with PCOS and IR and understand more about my condition, I decided to try the Insulin Resistance Diet. I gave myself one last chance out of surgery. I told myself that if I had lost any weight between April and July that I would continue on the diet and not do the surgery. I was only talking maybe 10lbs at the time, never did I expect to see such great results. I have more energy now more than ever, I am losing weight, I am not as angry or depressed. I plan to keep this up for the rest of my life and continue to reach my goal. I believe the greatest thing that has helped me has been to let go of the guilt and to realize this is a medical condition. Now that I know what needs to be done to help myself, I am doing it. I have no reason to feel guilt or shame, and I refuse to let anyone make me feel that way, including myself. I am researching all my options to see what is best for me. Atleast I know I am not crazy anymore. I am sure alot of you can relate to my story, that is why I want to be able to share this so other women will know they are not alone. Lets keep the awareness alive. I want other women to learn to accept themselves as they are, love yourselfs and have confidence to do anything you wish. I finally realized this and now I am so much happier and feel like so much has been lifted from my shoulders. I have gained confidence in myself to finally attend the University of Alabama Birmingham. I will be Majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chemistry and then on to a Masters in Forensics. I know I will be successful in anything I do. I have fought the battle with PCOS for years and its has not beaten me , I refuse to give up. I deserve more out of life than just mere existince.

TERRA SCOTT

Kat, I do have pictures before I lost any weight and I also have some recent ones. I have pics before and after depression and marriage.

taah · 07-11-2002, 06:19 AM

Hey,

To help promote awareness, I have opened a store on Cafepress. I made a design for the products there. Please take a look and see what you think. Please give me your honest opinions, good and bad. You can get to my store by the link under my picture in my sig. I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

mts1wildangel · 07-12-2002, 02:07 PM

Good GREIF.. You have been thru the mill and back...You are a strong woman. and an inspiration..

taah · 07-31-2002, 01:41 AM

I just wanted to say thank you very much for your kind words... I am sure I have not been through much more than many of our other cysters that have to deal with this awful condition. We just have to make our minds up that we will not let PCOS control our lives.

TERRA

taah · 08-21-2002, 07:26 AM

just wanted to update my story that I have now lost 44lbs in just a little over 3mths... we can do this ladies.... we just have to take control back over our bodies.... wishing you all the best..

TERRA

Rebecca Penn · 08-28-2002, 06:55 PM

Terra,

I just discovered this site and have been reading peoples post. Your story is also mine. I have been married to my 2nd husband for 8 years. His support is crucial to surviving PCOS. When your mood and depression is half the time you start to wonder who is the real me the nice one or the crabby one. One day after I finally had a name to what I was living my husband said to me " PCOS is not an excuss for abuse" It was like a light went off. I was not the only one that PCOS was affecting. Tell me more about the IR diet. Is there a book that you are following or did you get it from your Doctor.
Thank,
Rebecca

taah · 09-01-2002, 06:26 AM

I am following the Insulin Resistance Diet book... its great for you even if you are not insulin resistance... its mainly about balancing and linking carbs and protiens... basically for every 15grams of carbs you need to link it with 7grams of protien,, no more than 30g carbs per meal... do not eat any carbs within 2hours of last eating carbs... and drink plenty of water... this diet is so simple and you are still allowed so many good foods as well so you don't feel so deprived as alot of diets leave you... this has been a great change in lifestyle for me.... I wish you the best... feel free to ask any questions...

PS.. you can get the book on amazon.com... or check local bookstores...

TERRA

kumahahci · 09-01-2002, 11:48 AM

Terra,

Thank you for sharing your story. It was wonderful. You have been through so much. I wish you the best, good luck on your weight loss.

Jen

P.S. You DH is a cutie

hollymlb · 09-06-2002, 01:53 AM

Ok first I want to say great story sorry you had to go through so much.

Second.....I am the type of person that I can wear a ratty old dark tshirt for days (I don't but I could) and not spill anything on it at all. BUT the 5 minutes after I put on a white shirt I spilled something on it. I love the designs on your site and if I ever get money I plan on buying something.....but is there anyway that the shirts could be a darker color????? PLEASE!!!!!!

I already have a Tshirt from SoulCysters and lets just say thank goodness for my mother who has 24 years of practice getting stains out of my clothes.

taah · 09-30-2002, 09:01 AM

Hey holly....

I wish the shirts were different colors as well... I am looking into changing companys to maybe accomodate this, however, at this time the only colors offered from this company are white and grey. The only thing I have control over is the design. They make the merchandise and I make the design that goes on it. Sorry about that.... hopefully things will change soon.

TERRA

PS... thanks to everyone for your kind words... greatly appreciated

MotorGirl · 09-30-2002, 11:26 AM

Thanks for sharing your story. It gives me hope. I like your attitude. My theory is: I will win and PCOS will lose.

I just ordered the IR diet book Friday. I had no idea it existed until I joined this BB. Thanks! Some time soon I will have to write up my story, which is a lot like yours. In fact, I am having awful trouble with doctors right now. My OB refuses to put me on Metformin. He wants me to exercise 3x a day. Who has time for that? I do walk everyday and do other forms of exercise. I follow a 1500 diabetic diet. I have lost 20-25 pounds, but I am at a standstill. I am trying to get into to see an endocrinologist, but I have hit a wall. Anyways, thanks for the uplifting story. I am glad everything is working out for you and your DH is adorable.

And I have the discoloration on my thighs and had no idea it was from PCOS. I figured it was from my underwear rubbing because my thighs are so big.