I wanted to give more of an update, Prior to starting the program I would get a period roughly 2 or maybe 3 times a year, when I would get one they would always be VERY heavy I know its gross but there were tons of large clots and I was bleeding through Tampons and Pads and had to change them hourly and the worst part is that my periods would be heavy like this and last litterally about 2 months each time. The last period I got started in Mid June and didn't end until the end of August. Well, I'm just about done with my first month of Insulite and I am SOOOO HAPPY to report that I got my period on 11-20-08 which is earlier than I would have gotten it and this time around it has been totally managable only one heavy day and it was not anywhere close to as heavy as it has been. And here i am now on 11-26-08 and af is just about gone, only some spotting. I have not changed my eating habbits or started to exercize but I am 100% convinced that it's the Insulite that made the difference for me this time around. It is the only thing I have changed so what other explination could there be?
I've been on Insulite for seven months. I'm still stalled on weight loss, but I'm still not gaining weight either. I'm hoping to be able to go back to my exercise routine this holiday, but I don't know. My naturopath really wants me to, so I'm making a special effort. I'm still walking my dogs daily, so that's at least a start.
How things are going:
Unwanted Hair - This is still coming in, but very slowly. I'm getting fewer chin hairs. Unfortunately, they're still really dark and coarse.
Skin - My skin is slowly clearing up. I've stopped the BenzaClin and have switched to the AcneClear that I mentioned last month. I'm still getting the cystic acne, but it's slowed down quite a bit. The naturopath gave me Sarsparilla to take for a week to clear up those that are lingering.
Weight - Not exercising but I'm holding steady, which was not possible pre-Insulite.
AF - I'm waiting for AF, but I'm confident that it will show up on schedule. I noted to my naturopath that it's changed a bit: it starts really slowly and then goes to regular flow until about day 4. Then it just stops for a day or so, then starts again for another 3 - 4 days, but heavier. Weird, but it's ok.
Hidrentitis Supperativa - Just one this month. Not painful. I'm thinking about taking the silicae, but since it's not bothering me, I'm holding off.
Acanthosis Nigracans - This is still in the lightening process. the underarm marks are getting smaller and are almost gone. I still have a small mark on the back of my neck and the patches of darker skin on the inside of my thighs is going away too.
I had another blood panel done and everything is holding steady. My CRP number is up slightly (up to 0.6 from 0.1 in August), but there's nothing terribly alarming there. My thyroid is also holding steady, but the naturopath would like to see further downward movement on this (based on T3, reverse T3, free T4, etc.), so she's upped my dosage of the Thyroid Px to 2 pills 2X daily.
We've been monitoring my blood pressure since the summer and while it's better, it's still not good. I'm supposed to start taking liquid magnesium. THe absorption by the body is supposed to be better so I'm hoping this will mean that I don't have to go on pharmaceuticals for this.
My naturopath wants me to stay on the Insulite for another two months (through the end of January) and then I'm going to go off it to see if my body is ok without. During that time, I'll be looking for old and new symptoms (skin rashes specifically) as well as start a new detox regime. She thinks that since I've stalled with the progress (insulin deposits on the skin, weird AF, persistent acne) that there might be something in my body that needs to be cleared before anything else can happen. I'm a little skeptical, but I'm open. Everything's been going so well so far, so I can't just stop now.
In either case, I'll try the new approach in the new year and keep you all posted.
__________________
Insulite Program
Thyroid Px
Niacinamide (1.5g/day)
Vit. D3 (5000iu/day)
Liquid Magnesium (2 tbps/day)
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As far as Dr's saying the plan is a "complete scam," I think this depends on how much weight your Dr. gives to natural remedies. My original general MD discredits most naturalistic plans and writes a prescription for everything, needless to say I no longer to go him because I prefer natural methods if possible to prescription medication. He would also say this plan is a "scam" but as seen in the original insulite thread, many naturalistic Dr's said this plan's ingredients are right on for what they are supposed to do. My own Dr. told me there is no harm in this program and if anything, it can absolutely help with my Insulin resistance. He fully supported my use of the supplements, in addition to proper diet and exercise, before trying Metformin.
I'm on my 7th week of the plan and today I got my AF in full. I had spotted the first week of taking the supplements but no AF until today. This is the first time I've gotten my period on my own in over 10 years. I've lost 23 pounds and feel better than I have in my life.
Saying this, I have decided to stop ordering the pills so this will be my last week on them. I will be switching to more cost effective natural supplements I've decided on with my Dr. and with the help of the information on this site. Also still sticking to diet and exercise. Do I credit Insulite for my period, regulating blood sugar, losing weight? I'm not sure, but I can credit the system for giving me the kick start I needed to start eating right and exercising and start heading in the right direction for my health, as well as preparing my body for hopefully getting pregnant sometime soon.
my doctor is pretty open to alternative remedies, and went through all the herbs listed in the system and told me what they are known to do and what they could be helpful for. personally, i managed to still gain weight while on the system and my testosterone in particular skyrocketed, so i think he may be right.
granted, taking the actual vitamins clearly isn't a scam. he agrees most pcos-ers are b12 deficient and can benefit from D and calcium, but points at the "herbal" pills as being useless. where he can see it assisting in weightloss is if someone is not eating enough fiber, the pills certainly provide that. since my diet had adequate amounts of that - didn't help.
i do have two boxes, unopened which i'd be happy to sell for 100 bucks to anyone interested.
I've been away from the threads for a little while. Just a quick update:
off Insulite - I was on it for two months and it was overkill for my body, found alternative supplements from several different manufacturers.... yea!
2 new jobs! I was offered 9 jobs in the last two weeks. Didn't know how to handle it at first. If you know of any medical librarians in Ohio looking for work and able to relocate, let me know!
MSA - awesome nutritional/supplemental testing that I highly recommend. It costs around 78 bucks and is not covered by insurance. It allows you to test your response to various supplements BEFORE buying them. Best investment I've made in a long time.
Starting a new company: Blu Aru Studios. I'll keep you posted.
That's it. Returning the Insulite was a hassle at first, however the company did make it right with me after 3 tries.
Peace,
Tsarinaeleni, 34
Vitamin-Mineral Antioxidant
Essential Fatty Acid
Chiro-Zyme Pan
Chiro-Zyme Sml
Chiro-Zyme TRMA
Chiro-Zyme Fem
Chiro-Zyme Adr
Chiro-Zyme Opt
note to reader: please message me if you want specifics in my dosages. Each individual is different and what is good for one goose is not good for another gander.
My Insulite Results -- used for 10 months, now pregnant
Hi All,
This thread (part 1 initially) was extremely helpful to me when I was researching and considering Insulite, so I thought that I would return the favor and stop lurking around.
I was diagnosed with PCOS at around age 25 (I'm now 36), although I have always had irregular cycles (could skip up to 6 months at a time) and have probably had it long before then. After being diagnosed I was tried on provera and later metformin. I generally reacted poorly to these and began researching natural alternative. Natural progesterone, vitex, reducing chemical exposure (in cleaners, etc.), learning to eat healthier, and trying to exercise consistently helped some, but my weight either continued to climb or stubbornly stalled no matter what I did. Low carb eating helped for a while. When spouse and I decided to TTC several years ago, I tried a few rounds of clomid, but again very bad reaction (I actually broke out in hives and my feet swelled up ... very painful). Needless to say I stopped that, and generally had determined that I'd continue to try to eat healthy and exercise and whatever happened would happen. I rarely ovulated and induced regular cycles using prometrium, a natural progesterone pill. Also began and continued taking a low dose thyroid medication, Armour thyroid.
A few years later I got frustrated with again stalled weight, despite my best efforts, and began to look for something that would help to improve my overall health and, if possible, restore my cycles. I found Insulite via a web search (along with a few other options), discussed them with a doctor who was open to alternative medicine, and used testimonial research to decide to give it a try.
So, I began Insulite in Feb/March of 2008. Had decided to take it for 6 months, as recommended on website, before I reevaluated. Simultaneously I increased my workout intensity -- had been doing pilates daily, added in FIRM with weights 3x/week alternating with pilates or dance workouts --, began reducing carbs to moderate level (averaged 50-60 net carbs/day), and utilized the SMART technique (kind of a self-exploration, guided-imagery program to address emotional and other reasons for eating) to help solidify my eating and exercise changes. I think they all worked together, but I accredit SMART for helping me change my eating habits and maintain consistency in new eating and exercise habits -- it really helps to keep that image of how you want to look and what it will be like to achieve health in mind. Initially it was hard to tell exactly what Insulite was doing, but I do accredit it for giving my body the boost it needed to actually begin responding to my changes in eating and exercise. Here is what I noticed more specifically:
1)I was a bit queasy on the pills the first week, but that passed and everything was fine.
2) acne and hair growth lessened, (except right before my cycle, which resumed later)
3) began to loose weight!!!! -- this is big, because previously my weight would not budge regardless of how I ate (low-moderate carb) or how much I exercised. In total I lost about 35 lbs. Weight loss stalled/slowed after this for several months, but had begun to move again at the end of the year.
4) My AF returned (on its own, with no inducement) on the 5th month of my using Insulite. (In other testimonials I noticed women's AF returning in weeks, or they generally ended the program, but I had decided to give it 6 months like the website suggested.) AF continued to cycle every 38-45 days since then (cycle length seemed to reduce a bit each time). This also was huge and one of the main things I had hoped to accomplish with Insulite -- nothing else I have tried had done this in the past...
5)...and then, I seemed to miss a cycle in December. I was a bit discouraged, thinking that Insulite's effectiveness had run out or that my less than perfect holiday diet and exercise routine had set me back... but it turns out that I was actually pregnant! A big surprise to DH and I (actually more me, he trusted my new "regularity" and wondered about the delay -- also noticed my breast grow!). I stopped taking Insulite once I learned that I was pregnant (as recommended on their website) -- I'm about 8 weeks along now. Not sure if I'll need to return to it or not.
So, that's my long (but as quick as I could make it and still be thorough) story. I hope it helps others to determine if this is something that you want to give a try. Personally, I'd recommend it (and SMART Technique) and do believe that it helped to make some major changes in my body and it made it possible for me to conceive. Wish you all the best, and I'm sure I'll still be lurking about in the future.
I have been on the Insulite system for 3 weeks and i have lost 11 pounds! I am going to the gym everyday! and i would generally get home from work, make dinner and then get a shower and go to bed. I have noticed i am sleeping better definitely and need less sleep! also people at work have noticed that i am in a better mood!!
As far as taking so many pills yes it sucks but i bought 3 of the sunday through saturday pill organizers and wrote on them with a sharpie the times to take the pills this way i always have 3 days ready to go so it doesn't feel like a burden or a chore.
I am a very picky eater so this one was tough! but if i have to eat the same things every single day to reach my goal then so be it!!But my DH bakes me enough 5oz pieces of chicken for the whole week while i am at the gym on sundays and that makes it so much easier for work, and i am saving money by always having my food at work and not purchasing anything while there!
I FEEL HAPPY, ENERGETIC AND HOPEFUL! BUT MOST OF ALL I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN LIFE (which i have not felt since 2006 miscarriage)
I will try this for six months to give it the full chance so we will see!!
I'm glad to hear that you're having such good initial results amyjo23. I'd been checking the thread and been wondering how everyone was doing... I was afraid i had killed it after my long testimony!
I thought I would let everyone know my experience.
First, I was dx with PCOS in 1989 at the age of 19. I am now 38 and have tried all the meds - bcp, met, spiro with limited success not to mention gaining a ton of weight over the years. I simultaneously quit all of my meds and began the insulite system in April 08. It took me until mid May to get the scheduling and consistency of the pills right. I went from April to August before AF showed up. Since that time AF has shown up like clock work at 28-29 days and only lasts 4-5 days. Which I think is unbelievable. PMS sysmptoms are minimal - no cramping after the first 2 AF's. I am fairly conssitent with the pills but do occasionally miss a day here and there. The hair growth has slowed down somewhat, but the hair loss had not improved that much at all so I added an additional dose of Saw Palmetto at Christmas. Now the acne has almost completely gone and the hair growth has slowed down even more. I am hoping that by the summer some of my lost hair will have returned. The Icanthosis N has lightened up in some areas also. I started WW with friends in June and by October had lost 35 lbs. However, due to the holidays and extreme work stress I sort of fell off the wagon during November and December and now January and managed to gain back 15lbs. I am back on the wagon and trying to lose the weight I gained and then some but am finding it hard. Ever since the weather turned really cold I have struggled to satisfy my constant hunger which is making it difficult to stay on any healthy eating plan. I am constantly hungry. I never feel satisfied. Oh well, that is for another thread. I do think the insulte system has helped, but I now need to find out what is up with this hunger thing.
I went to a nutritionist and she looked over my food diary and believe me i was embarrassingly honest! But i always drank my sugar and ate skittles alot so for a normal person what i was eating would not really be that bad but she said up the protein and for me and my exercise routine to eat 1800 calories 180g of protein and 85g of carbs and fat and the protein and fat are what makes you feel more satisfied, its a constant struggle!!
good luck (I HATE THIS COLD WEATHER ALSO!)
NOW FOR MY UPDATE!!!
I have been on insulite for 20 days so not long, however last AF was jan 20, 2009 before that i can't even remember! so 20 days into my insulite journey here arrives AF!!! on day 30 of cycle!!! cannot even remember last time i had 2 consecutive AF without medical help!! So I am about to order month #2 of insulite!
Good luck to all
Amy 31
DH 32
2 furbabies dusty and daisy
dx PCOS 2002
tried clomid metformin and AI march of 2008
*Sigh* long time no post for me. I thought it was the Insulite that was making my stomach ache but my stomach has hurt for so much longer. I'm going to see a digestive doctor in about a month (he was booked up til then). My doctor asked me to stop taking Metformin to see if that was the problem, and it does not appear to be, and suggested that perhaps I go back to Glucophage (there may be enough of a slight difference to help my stomach). I got off BC a few months ago, and had AF every month on time until now. So now I'm concerned that since I'm off BC AND metformin my PCOS is about to come raging back.
Thanks 
My Insulite Results -- used for 10 months, now pregnant 
