Success Stories!!! - Page 4

*Kaotic*DrEaM* · 01-03-2004, 10:55 AM

The BC pills are the ones right now working magic (I actually changed again from NeCon 1-28/25 to arpm or something, i'd have to check the pills) but i never really broke out much to begin with; just when i was diagnosed it was like i had a rosecea (SP) type thing goin on.

I've dropped 8 more pounds in the last week ladies

(Not exactly the healthiest though; i am going through a pretty sad break up after 6 months). But i'm planning on maintaining it though, and I think I can cos I'm so active, so this gives me hope. I now actually weigh what my now-ex weighs (140). Yay!
Size 5/6 here I come!

But that's all, I will be in touch w/ you after I move back to A2 (this was not the Xmas break I was hoping for, but at least things are starting to perk back up?)

- . : * : . Jess*ca . : * : .

notpregnant · 01-06-2004, 07:54 PM

I have a loong way to go but THANK YOU ALL for these success stories

mix · 01-06-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Also, can any of you ladies tell me how did your doctor diagnose the cysts. Mine said that it is not even worth doing an xray because they won't be noticeable.

i was diagnosed back in 1990. i had blood tests which showed the hormonal imbalance and i had an ultrasound scan which showed the cysts. might be worth asking your doctor to give you a scan.

PrincessJilly · 01-29-2004, 04:16 AM

Thank you for all of your success stories! Lets keep em coming ladies!

I finally have dx, awaiting the rest of my blood tests.
I finally have an incredible endo, and am finally not feeling like such a hypocondriac.
Had a rough day, It was great to read a few happy out comes!
You made me smile! So happy to have found this site!

Thanks!!!
-Jill

zdreamer25 · 03-14-2004, 12:07 PM

Well, I guess I have to say that one success is knowing what is wrong with my body. After years of different doctors just saying if you would just lose weight you would be fine...........

I am finally starting to see some of the weight coming off......20lbs in the last ten weeks with low carb dieting. I'm sure if I make it to the gym more than 2-3 times a week the weight loss will speed up............

I think the facial hair is lessening..........it seems to be less frequent plucking.........

My cycle is weird right now but it seems like my body is trying to adjust to the low carb lifestyle.........spotting in the middle of cycles seems to be the norm right now.

I love reading everyone else's successes as well because I realize there is always hope!

Success to all !!!

Auntlee · 03-22-2004, 12:21 PM

Unexpected success story,

When we were TTC, the doctor put me on four cycles of chlomid, which didn't work, so I researched what complementary medicines might accomplish the same thing and found out that mega-doses of folic acid can have an estrogen-like effect on the body, along with the mineral boron, that the body needs PABA to synthesize folic acid, and that acidolphilus will help the body create its own folic acid.

I wasn't even thinking of the hirsutism; my main idea was to get pregnant, but after just a couple of weeks on this regimen, I noticed a definite difference in facial hair, which I've had large amounts of since I was 15, 30 years ago. 30 years of getting up early to pluck for an hour before I could start getting ready for the day.

Since it was working, I was scared to make any changes, so I decided to keep it exactly the same for three months and then up some of the dosages to see what would happen. I wish now I had upped the dosages immediately, since it seems to work better every time I up something.

But gradually over the past four months, the hairs started losing the black color, getting weaker & thinner, growing more slowly, and some areas look absolutely "normal". I very seldom nowadays have a coarse black hair with a real root. My skin is very soft, nowhere near as oily as it was, and there's fewer pimples -- actually, today, CD 27, there's no pimples at all, which is a first. I used to shave my legs every day because there was always stubble, and I don't have to anymore.

If I were starting over again with this regimen, this is what I'd do:

Folic Acid (B9) - 40 - 60 mg -- 20 800 mcg pills three to four times a day;
PABA - 1 mg time release pill twice a day;
Boron - 6 1 mg three times a day;
Acidolphus - as directed on bottle;
OptiVite PMS vitamins
B-Complex - as directed
Occasional extra B-12 and B6

It sounds ridiculous taking large numbers of the B9 pills, but here's the reason -- long ago, the FDA imposed a rule that limits the amount of folic in any one pill to 800 mcg. The reason is that if you're *already* suffering from a B12 deficiency, the B9 will cure some of the most visible symptoms but not other symptoms, so that that a serious B12 deficiency will be "masked".

Anyone who may be anemic should check with a doctor and get that fixed, anyway. My doctor said that I could take the high doses of B9 as long as I also take extra B12, just in case -- B vitamins are water-soluble, and the body disposes of what it doesn't need.

The complementary medicine book we use also recommends mega-folic acid to treat IBS problems and depression, two of the most other frequently reported maladies here on the PCOS board. Women are reporting here that they're getting good results with hair loss by taking Biotin, another B vitamin.

All this, I think further supports my theory that at least some of PCOS can be traced to a B vitamin deficiency, or a difficulty in processing B vitamins correctly.

My hope is that the disappearance of the facial hair and pimples means that my body is healing itself of whatever has always been wrong -- and that I might be able to hope for a full-term pregnancy.

Dotsia · 03-26-2004, 08:29 AM

Hi,
I am happy for your success. Which medications did your doctor suggest specifically for your hairloss? What is spironolactone taken for? My doctor recommended it for both acne and hairloss but I am not sure if this is correct. Also, any of you taking antibiotics for acne? It seems to be the only thing helping me, but I am a bit confused - i thought the reasons for my acne were hormonal and not bacterial. In this case the bcps and not antibiotics shold help, but bcps don't seem to help me... Thanks for any suggestions/clarifications.

MaddieGirl · 04-10-2004, 01:42 AM

Here's my success story:

After years of symptoms, I was finally DX by a doctor who actually listened to me.

My greatest success is my beautiful little boy. After a painful miscarriage and fertility treatments, I finally became PG. I think that PCOS gives you a different perspective about children and motherhood. For us, pregnancy is something that may not happen. When I was PG, I was on cloud 9 everyday. Morning Sickness, ankles the size of watermelons and stretch marks are nothing compared to holding my little one each morning. I never thought that I would have him and I thank God everyday for blessing me with him. Even if he's the only one that I may have, it doesn't matter. My body may be my enemy, but having Nathaniel means that I may not always win all the battles with this syndrome, but I won the one that meant the most to me.

zeozot · 04-10-2004, 04:38 AM

Hi, I'd sure like to know how you keep from getting sick when you take your b's. They make me extremely nauseas, even when I eat something before taking them and now I am afraid of them.

PLEASE keep us posted on your results with hair growth vs. b intake!

Also, have you a weight problem, and if so, are the b's helping with that? It's almost 4 am and I can't sleep because the weight is coming on so fast I am horribly depressed. If the b's only help with the hair that would be fantastic too, I'm beginning to look like Yassar Arafat. Was the hair on your legs very deep rooted? Mine is so deep that even when I shave I have dark spots where the hair is showing under the skin, so I look like I have dark red pimples all over. Very flashy as it goes with the major spider veins I have from chronic constipation as a result of undiagnosed low thyroid function. At least they appear color coordinated.
Zeo

Auntlee · 04-13-2004, 01:23 PM

Zeo -- is your question for me? I'll put in an answer anyway:

Usually everything upsets my stomach, but the B's don't, as long as I take them on a full stomach. You might try starting on acidolphilus pills for awhile and then do the B's and see if that helps -- it sounds like you need acidolphilus anyway, as that is great for the bowels.

Yes, the very black hair always showed through my pale skinned legs, but it's much better now than it was.

B's don't really seem to have anything to do with weight -- though Atkins prescribes this same mega-folic acid therapy for depression, which is interesting.

As to weight, I was one of those people who was fine with weight most of my life, as long as I exercised regularly. Then a couple of years ago, I suddenly put on 20 lbs in three months, without changing anything, though of course nobody believed I hadn't changed anything. The diets I had always gone on before didn't work anymore, so I was resigned to being chubby.

Then I went on Atkins & lost the same 20 lbs in basically the same amount of time it came on.

Since I was diagnosed with IR, just a month ago or so, I've been taking chromium, vanadium & bioton for IR -- can't say if it's working, but it does seem that I'm much less likely to need a late-morning or afternoon snack -- could be my imagination.

I do think that Atkins or a similar diet is the only way someone with IR is going to lose weight. DH & I have actually had a lot of fun with the diet -- I'll post the link to my menu & recipe page if anybody's interested, and the alt.support.diet.low-carb google group is great for info.

zeozot · 04-13-2004, 04:33 PM

Hi Auntlee, yes, I was hoping you would think I was talking to you. I was! I have extremely fair skin, so people are always surprised that the hair on my legs and now my face and stomach is so dark and coarse. I really do have man hair.

The b vitamins make my sister violently ill too. I take probiotics on a regular basis, and that doesn't seem to be the problem. I tend to get less sick if I eat lots of protein about a half hour before I take the b's.

I went on Doug Kauffman's candida eradicating diet and gained 14 pounds. I stayed on the first phase (most restrictive, he recommends 2 weeks then the less restrictive for several months to life) for 3 months. I also took caprylic acid, olive leaf, etc. It is basically no fruit but lemons and blueberries, meat and some vegetables. Like I said, I gained. I went on a juice fast for 1 week and gained, got extremely sick and became badly acidic. Every diet I go on, I gain weight and I haven't lost any weight for about 4 1/2 years, only up, up, up.

My dad is diabetic and he said Co Q 10 is making a huge difference in his IR, also alpha lipoic acid. His numbers are coming waaay down by just adding those 2 items to his diet. If you are taking Chromium, be sure to take Zinc also, and make sure you are taking the chelated versions of those (plant or yeast sourced). Something that has helped me cut waaay back on sweets (I never use to eat sweets til recently-uh oh =) and don't eat much when I do) is taking a few tablespoons of virgin coconut oil. When I take that I often forget to eat as I don't get hungry. I don't usually eat anything until after 1pm anyway (just discovered that is a huge sign of b6 deficiency). I was getting afternoon energy slumps and would eat my biggest meal around 4pm. If I take the VCO at 1pm in a smoothie, I won't eat til around 8pm. It doesn't seem to matter what or how much I eat, I still gain slowly and steadily. This all started with a prescription for an antidepressant called Elavil (amitryptyline). Gained 40lbs in a month and steady gaining ever since. I read in the PDR that if you are on thyroid meds, you aren't supposed to take it, so I am assuming that it messes with the thyroid. Makes sense, since I developed hypothyroid symptoms from using it.

I sure wish Adkins made me lose weight....you are soooo lucky. Go ahead and post your diet page anyway, I like to look at new recipes (even though I'm too tired to do anything with them!)
Thanks for responding!!!
Zeo

CysterChrista · 04-13-2004, 09:46 PM

I was going to pass this one by, but then I saw the post about over 200 people viewing this thread and only 4 people responding. I don't think we have that problem now, but I am rising to the challenge anyway.

* PCOS taught me to stand up for myself with doctors.

* PCOS has given me confidence in myself. I now know that I am strong enough to be my own advocate. If I can do it with something as emotional as health issues, I can do it with anything!

* Gluc failed me, but in the process I found the IR Diet. I'd rather change my eating habits than take pills, so I could this as a success. I'm med free!

*I have lost 35lbs and have confidence that I'll lose the other 35lbs when my body is good and ready!

*I've ovulated at least once (one time that I had the kit to prove it anyway).

*And the list goes on!

Christa

Smeggle · 04-14-2004, 10:27 PM

You're insulin resistant and taking no medications but the IR diet seems to be working well for you. I'm not taking any medication for my IR after I spoke with my gyno who said I had to go to an Endo and she didn't believe (cause of my agemainly) that the severity of my IR would interfere with me being able to lose weight if I eat properly, exersize etc. I'm also thinking about the IR diet because so many women have had success on that and because I tried the Atkins before and I just don't care for it though I believe it helped me at one time. Plus I'm terrible with meds. I'd like to stay away from them as much as possible for the simple reason I hate taking them (it's like a chore). Though I don't think they're a scapegoat either as some people really need them. However, I don't think I'm in the percentage that needs them with my history of weightloss. My cousin has lost weight successefully to with IR but she has allot of trouble more so than myself and when she goes off the Atkins diet, she blows up like a balloon (One time she gained ten pounds in a week!! and I noticed it). The only real problems which are serious to me mind you, is excess hair growth and lack of menstrual irregularities and of course lethargy and the like that goes on with that. and ultimately the weight. I'm not sure which is worse, the hair or the weight, but I have a feeling contrary to what's been posted on some of the boards that if I lose weight the hair should atleast come in thinner.

zeozot · 04-16-2004, 07:45 PM

CysterChrista,
Had you tried other weight loss methods prior to the IR diet with no or little success? Everyone thinks I'm a freak or think I cheat on diets (jeeze, cheat WHOM?!) because I always gain on diets. The weird thing is, I can eat almost anything and however much I want (I have never been the sort who could eat at night or eat a whole bag of cookies, I tend to eat once or twice a day, sometimes a sandwich or oatmeal around 1pm then veggies & a protein for dinner), with the same slow but steady gain and then, all of a sudden, I gain 10 pounds in a week and they stick like glue. No rhyme or reason.

I just don't want to go on another diet and gain again (it's always about a 10lb gain with each new diet), I just bought more clothes a month ago and am already sprouting out of those.

They say men think about sex every 6 seconds, me, I think about how fat I am/will be every 3 or so seconds. It's driving me crazy. If I ever lose this fat, I wonder what I'll do with all my free mental time? Oh yeah, I'll be in the bathroom shaving.

Zeo

meredith13 · 05-03-2004, 10:38 AM

Glad to hear so many success stories!!

As for me...

One of my successes is that I'm hopeful and learning more everyday.
For the longest time I thought I had cancer- cervical or ovarian or uterine... Losing my hair, bleeding for days and days.... then going just as long without bleeding. Then within the past year I've noticed an increase in hair growth (and not where it's supposed to be), skin tags, weight gain... I could go on...but you know the deal. I finally got the courage to go to the GYN and inquire... and I was told I probably wasn't ovulating because of my weight. As for my symptoms...she said my weight contributes to those as well. I had been trying to lose weight for months with no luck. I thought things were hopeless.
I was searching online and found PCOS- and that was a light bulb moment-- relieved as well as scared, I woke my husband up at 3 am to tell him- "HONEY I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!" (I won't include his smart response).
Now the more I learn the less scared I am-- and the more validation I feel.
As I read your stories, you give me hope! Hope that I can LIVE with this... and that I can have some control. Most of all I know I'm not alone.
If that's not success- I don't know what is.