Any PCOS ladies out there?

[zeebee92]

Hi all, I got diagnosed with PCOS this year which is apparently a very common condition - however, I don't know anyone who has it! I have been on a journey over last 5 months to manage it and lost 44lbs but also managed some symptoms through supplements. 

I just wondered if there is any ladies out there that would like to connect/ share some knowledge/ motivate each other who specifically suffer from PCOS :-). (Don't know if this is allowed!)

I have seen some past forums but these are pretty old, not sure they're used - so opening up this one.

Moderator edit: format

[GeorgyGirl66]

I have it, as well as my four daughters. It's not a really big deal, it just makes it harder for us to lose weight, due to insulin resistance. I take Metformin ER 500mg once per  day. I can tell you that anything with excessive fat or sugar will give you "the runs", as the Metformin tends to remove that stuff and send it out on it's way. I choose baked foods over fried. I choose grilled foods, lower fat.. I choose frozen yogurt or gelato over ice cream. That kind of stuff. It's an adjustment, but the changes in diet alone will drop the lbs. I learned that for fat: #of fat grams x 9 (calories per gram is the amount of fat calories. Divide that by the calories of the food and that's the actual percentage of fat in the food. Keep it under .30 or 30% and you'll feel better.

Again:

example. 10g of fat in the serving.

x 9 calories in each gram of fat

10 x 9  is 90grams of fat for what you are about to eat.

total calories in an example food: 180 calories divided by 90 grams in the example is 50% or .50 . That's a food to avoid. 

If the total calories in the food you are eating is 340 and the fat grams is 10g, then 10x9 is 90, divided by 340, that's 26%. That's much better.

You want to keep the fat grams lower per serving. It will help your stomach feel better if on Metformin, but also help your body process the fats and sugars better. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1993. I went to see a Nutritionist, and she taught me this formula. My cholesterol level is 139. My blood sugars stay about 98-105. It seems like a lot to remember, but you get used to it. Oh, and water.. Water is absolutely your friend. Hugs. DM me if you want to talk about it. I raised four daughters with it. PCOS has a 50% rate to pass on to daughters.

[OllieCrafoord]

I have it and I am struggling a lot with my weight. 😞

[GeorgyGirl66]

Much of the time, insulin resistance is an issue with us PCOS'ers. Ask your doctor about insulin resistance. They'll have you do a glucose test or a fasting glucose test and it will show how your body reacts to sugars. If your sugar skyrockets and then falls, it's insulin resistance. I take Metformin ER 500mg per day. It helps to regulate the sugars in your blood, and you won't feel starving all the time. I know how difficult it is. It really is a challenge, but you can do this!

[GeorgyGirl66]

Have you checked with your doc about Metformin? It's changed things for me tremendously.

[Glenda]

It seems like this topic would be more appropriate in the Health and wellness forum,  Don't you think?

[4DB]

@GeorgyGirl66  Thank you for giving the example of "fat".  I am afraid to try it...haha.  I to suffer from PCOS and Fibroids.  The only meds prescribed were the many diff birth control pills to take, an IUD "Mirena" and Estrogen pills which put even more pounds on my body. I struggle trying to loose weight, and the older I get, the harder it seems to see a diff number on the scale. 😉 

[DBigLoser]

I have PCOS and DM2; I was not diagnosed until after I had kids. I had four later term miscarraiges (16 wks, 20 wks, 16 wks, 12 wks), and the doctor always said I didn't have any underlying cause, just weight (I was 169 with the first two pregnancies), and that I should consider myself lucky to have had a healthy baby, because some women can't.

I had very typical textbook symptoms (very painful heavy menses, anemia, extra-abdominal weight, insulin resistance, etc.) but the PCPs always just said my only problem was that I needed to lose weight.  It was so frustrating because I followed every medical weight management plan, did physical therapy, hired trainers, etc and in two or three months, I would only lose about 10 lbs, and it would come back with a vengeance.

I have finally diagnosed via symptoms and vag U/S about seven years ago and was given birth control (I had to stop because my maternal aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer), then eventually Metformin, 1000 mg twice per day. Soon thereafter, I was also given the DM2 diagnosis, and my endocrine system was not functioning well. This resulted in me being placed on the max dose of Metformin and an injectable, as well as monthly medical and dietician visits. Despite compliance, the weight didn't move and I continued to progress symptomatically.

In February I had the VSG surgery, which has been a magic wand for many people with endocrine/metabolic disorders, and have been doing well. This has been the biggest change and I am finally losing and CBGs are within range.  I follow up with my PCP next month, who supported the surgery after researching the great effects on those diagnoses, and will have my A1c and other labs done to see how things are going physiologically.

[GeorgyGirl66]

I completely sympathize with you. I was carrying twins and lost one in utero. Then I had a miscarriage, then had three more children. The bleeding got so heavy, I had to have a hysterectomy. I wasn't diagnosed with PCOS until my thirties. I saw a Endocrinological Gynecologist. She was a fertility specialist and I had to bang on doors for her to even see me. Not because she wasn't willing, but because she was so sought after. She was the person who got me on Metformin. I still struggle with  my weight, even after the hysterectomy. I have insulin resistence. It stinks because I am built like a candy apple. I have thin on top, thin legs and big in the middle. I hate it. But it's getting better, slow and steady. We can do this. Hugs.

[180Resolve]

I was diagnosed last week and am working to learn the ropes of it. I have been prescribed metformin to help with insulin resistance. 

[charleskn]

Just two quick comments from a guy (my niece has PCOS). Be sure to ask about the ER (extended release) metformin.

This would be a great topic for a public discussion forum, and I would recommend making a suggestion on the suggestion board.

[tonyspark18]

I've had PCOS for two years, lost weight, and got in the best shape of my life (I'm 27). I ran my first full marathon. However, it did nothing for my PCOS, and I still didn't have my six-month period. The doctor prescribed a DHT blocker, and a diet, and while we are monitoring the results