Not diagnosed, can anyone please help me for the love of god
Hi everyone,
I had my last period a few months ago, and since then I have rapidly developed terrible acne and gained 10kgs. I have been frantically trying to stop this slide into hideousness but none of my desperate efforts in dietary or skincare discipline has made a jot of difference: everyday looking in the mirror becomes more painful.
I'm 29 years old, and while I have occasionally had the odd pimple in the past, and have always dieted to maintain a healthy weight, the last few months these issues have spiralled completely out of control.
I work on a boat, this is my busy season, we are always in foreign countries and I rarely get ashore, but I managed to briefly see a doctor in Italy and was prescribed antibiotics to clear up my skin and Belara contraceptive pill. She suggested PCOS but was unable to carry out any tests as I only had shore leave for 2 hrs.
I have been trying to follow a low gi diet (I read this could help), but while this has slowed the weight gain down, I'm still getting fatter, just more slowly. Excercise is hard on the boat, but I do when I can, and my job is quite physical.
i hate myself for caring so much about my appearance but I cant stop crying about it. My job is a service role in a very image conscious industry and I am finding every day such a struggle. part of me wants to crawl into a hole somewhere and be left on my own to dream about the days when I was unspotty and only had a couple of kilos to lose. If i put on any more weight I wont have a uniform to wear...
I know a lot of you have had worse to deal with and you all sound so positive and proactive. I was hoping for some advice to kick start a bit of weightloss or something to get me feeling back in control.
Just knowing PCOS may be the cause has helped, though, and reading the posts on this site is making me feel better.
Hi honey -- next time your off the boat see a doctor and get your hormones, thyriod, insulin/glucose tested to get a proper diagnosis... For the weight/ acne try eating a diet consisting of nuts, seeds (esp flax), lean meats, eggs, fish, whole milk, greek yogurt, veggies, some fruits see the GI index for that, brown rice, buckwheat & water (try to eat organic whenever possible).. If you do have PCOS the acne may be being caused by elevated androgens.. check with your doctor about taking an anti-androgen, there are natural alternatives like spearmint tea, saw palmetto and pumpkin seeds.. also take a good multi vitamin, don't use to many products on your skin as that can clog your poors.. and excerice one to two hours a day.. Try doing this face mask once a month -- take yogurt, gram flour, tumeric, and just a pinch of olive oil mix it and leave it on your face for a few mintues (old indian remedy that helps clear your skin)
Wow that is my life story the past 2 years!! I am still trying to figure out how to "fix" myself, but I am trying to take it one step at a time, and that is probably the hardest part! I was just officially dxd with PCOS about 8 months ago, but I believe I have had cysts since the age of 9. They were confirmed at age 11 - and I was on BCPs for quite a long time. Right now I am focusing on weight loss - I don't have much to lose, but I, like you, want to have my "old" body back - back when I COULD look in the mirror, and I am happy to say I am getting there - slowly and with a LOT of discipline.
I changed my eating habits - focusing on more healthy, lean meats, organic veggies (they taste A LOT better), NO fried foods, cutting out sugar and minimizing starch, etc. I also recently started the hcg diet, and I have lost 12 pounds so far - only 10 more to go! I also focus on being as active as I can, and hopefully I will be able to maintain the weight. I am still in a trial and error phase, but I'm hoping that losing some weight will definitely help. I already do feel better - both internally and externally.
I have a tendency to write a lot, but I hope this helps!
I think the others have given great advice...get to a doctor ASAP (I know it may be awhile), do your best in eating lower carb, and use as few facial products that are as gentle as you can...if it's the androgens, not much has helped me other than getting diagnosed and on anti-androgen meds.
lovely to meet you, welcome to sc what id suggest is to write down everything that you want to ask/say to your dr so you dont forget. thats what i always do
eva
Not diagnosed, can anyone please help me for the love of god 
