Curious if anyone else struggles with PCOS (Polycystic Ovaries).
It makes it hard to lose weight but last year I lost 45 lbs. This year I gained 12 back while trying different meds for the PCOS. Going to really try and work hard at it this next year. I was really enjoying when the 14s felt loose - now I'm back in the 16s. I'd love to be wearing 12s.

The meds have really helped all the other PCOS symptoms - my hormone levels are normal again...having regular periods (never had them much before)...my liver and kidneys are doing well.
(the meds can be hard on them).

- jul

Hmm
I read a web site by a DR that specializes in this. He sent me a questionaire and once he had ev aluated it, he wanted to see me right away. He says I have this disorder and need medical attention. That was last year, and i still have not made it ot the dr!
I do however have lots of trouble losing weight, have been a 24 for years. Guess maybe I need to check into it for real!
BTW welcome to the village!

I've read that any type od lo-carb diet is good for ladies with PCOS.

lovin - yes a low carb diet is what I try to follow...its pretty tough with all our travel for business. I'm home till mid-feb so hope to get back on track with low carb. - jul

Hi Jul! Welcome!
Yes, I have a terrible time trying to lose weight.
I was diagnosed with PCOS this past August, I seem to have it fairly mild, am now taking Yasmin birth control pills and they seem to be helping quite a lot. I was able to get 8 pounds off this past year and am very hopeful of losing all this extra weight in the coming year. I bought a book called "PCOS DietBook" by Colette Harris and I'm going to use it as a guideline on what I eat. Have you visited the website http://www.soulcysters.net I've learned a lot from this site. If you want a PCOS buddy just pm me, maybe we can diet together!

doodle, yes I'm familiar with soulcysters....in fact I mentioned it at 3fatchicks website on a discussion board and made the mistake of telling them to check out soulsisters.....bad mistake (one of those porn sites - yikes).

I'd love to visit with you - I've never heard of that book going to look into it and spend more time at soulcysters this year too.
I'll p.m. you!! - jul

I see this post is two years old, but is anyone with pcos still active on this forum?

Yes I have it. Have had for 16 years. This post showed up on my new postings list so I am checking it out. :-) Anything you want to chat about?

Deb

Are you taking medication, or did they take your ovaries? I'm taking yasmin. If I want to have more children, I think I have to have surgery.

I really need to lose 50 pounds for my health. I don't want to develop diabetes or heart disease. My biological father died of heart attach in his early 40's, so that's against me too!!

I'm pretty sure I have it. Every symptom either ceased or improved after low carb eating, though, so I've never bothered going for testing for it.

Best of luck to you. :smball:

I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance (the two often go together) this summer.

With treatment for the insulin resistance (Avandia), my periods returned and many of the other problems are much better now.

Originally posted by cheapgeek
I'm pretty sure I have it. Every symptom either ceased or improved after low carb eating, though, so I've never bothered going for testing for it.

Best of luck to you. :smball:

Pretty much the only thing they can do to test for poly cycstic ovaries is to do surgery and take a look to tell for sure. Insulin resistance on the other hand can be tested just as if you were going for a diabetes test.

Deb

Originally posted by okmomx2
Are you taking medication, or did they take your ovaries? I'm taking yasmin. If I want to have more children, I think I have to have surgery.

I really need to lose 50 pounds for my health. I don't want to develop diabetes or heart disease. My biological father died of heart attach in his early 40's, so that's against me too!!

I do have metformin and have been taking that for around 8 years. I'm also on birth control pills called Diane-35 which has been used in Europe for over 20 years for treatment of PCOS with great success and isn't available in this country. I have to get them from a pharmacy in Germany. I may be going off the birth control pills very soon due to the migraines I get all the time anyway, they make it worse.

I've also been seeing an accupuncturist for the last two months and things have pretty much almost gone away.

Deb

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 18 yrs ago, when trying to get pregnant for my son. I have tried meds for it but am on so many for other, more symptomatic issues, that to throw more in would be insane.

I did get gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy, and have been glucose intolerant for about 8 years, probably longer, but diagnosed 8 years. I've tried Actos for that when it is severe (when my weight is up).

I honestly find that if I control my weight, and yes that IS hard; the other symptoms seem to lighten up. I can't use hormones as I get very severe migraines and they can last for weeks on end.

I did try the South Beach Diet this past spring and was able to lose 43 lbs and felt wonderful. I enjoyed the fresh food and body stopped "craving" carbs after about a week. DSO and I are planning to go back on it...well, we missed the 1st, when the bag of m&m's on the counter is gone :)

They were able to comfirm I had cysts by doing a pelvic ultrasound.

That is how I was officially diagnosed as well...all the symptoms made it obvious, but the ultrasound confirmed it. Thanks for mentioning that Tami, I had forgotten to mention that!:bang:

Insulin resistance on the other hand can be tested just as if you were going for a diabetes test.

Yes, but insulin sensitivity improves with exercise and carb control, so by the time I would have bothered, my tests would have been normal. I'm in Canada, in an underserviced city, and I had no family doctor at the time. People in that situation can't really get medical care unless you've really got something wrong. :bang:

I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago. I never did anything about it,because one,I was young and didnt know any better and two the Dr I was seeing said nothing could be done unless I wanted to get pg and then I'd have to take Clomid. Which I did with 2 of my kids.

My thyroid Dr just put me on Aldactone 50 mg...twice a day. I've taken Metformin before But got pg and stopped it.I guess cause all I did was throw it up...yuck!

I have to take provera every month the 1-10 to have a period.Then I bleed VERY heavy and for about 3 weeks.By the time I stop,it's time to take it again.....So I tend to skip a month here and there just to take a break.

My ob/gyn did say he'd do a hysetercomy if I wanted,cause I have so many probs but he wouldnt remove my ovaries cause he says I'm to young.I'm not having a surgery that isnt going to help me kwim?!

I know one thing....PCOS sucks!!! Dont you agree!?!