| lilac
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twinmom - I hope you find me over here. I didn't want to reply in that topic because we are trying to let all the extra diabetic threads fall behind and I didn't want to bump it back up to the top. :) Besides I thought us PCOS girls could use our own thread.
I've done a lot of research on pcos and the one thing I'm counting on is the interaction of hormones in our bodies. Twinmom when you said SBD helps with pcos symtoms you were right. Most of the pcos symptoms are caused by hormones. Thyroid - LH (ovarian) - insulin - testosterone (yes we women have *some*) all affect each other and if one level is off it can effect the levels of the others. BUT if you can nudge one back into normal levels it may help with the other levels.
So basically, getting insulin levels in check can help with ovulation (this is what I'm counting on :wink:) . This is what Metformin does, it controls the insulin levels and helps reset the other hormones. It can also be done with diet.
I have been 'dieting' since April and lost 15lbs, but more amazing to me is my periods have become more regulated. I went off the pill last fall and in the past when I was of the pill I might get a period every 6 - 8 months and at times I have gone as long as 18 months. For the past 5 months I've been getting them every 5 weeks :D My friends think I'm crazy that I'm excited about getting my period.
Marilyn |
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Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:13 pm |
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| srwerner
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| I hope you don't mind my asking, what is PCOS? |
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Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:55 pm |
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| lilac
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PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome
It causes a variety of symptoms and sufferers many have some or all of them. Many small cysts on the ovaries (causes irregular periods), infertility, weight gain, male pattern baldness, excessive hair growth (body and face), acne and higher chance of miscarriage are just some of them.
Ever see old carnivale pictures of bearded ladies...they are usually over weight. They likely had PCOS.
Marilyn |
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Fri Aug 13, 2004 7:29 pm |
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| kbair
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| I too have PCOS. I'm 25 and was diagnosed when I was 22 I beleive. I have heard others with PCOS say this diet can really help. I sure would hate to think of myself as a "bearded lady" Is anyone else taking this metformin? I've heard alot about it, but never had a doctor mention it to me. |
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Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:20 pm |
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| Elspeth
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I've been on Metformin for around 5 years. I have a 3 year old Meformin daughter after years of fertility drugs. I can tell a huge difference in how I feel when I'm taking it than when I'm not, not just hormonally, but also mentally and physically. I have had borderline depression my entire life, but on Metformin I feel great all the time, I have more patience, and my temper has improved. The only thing is i never lost much weight on Metformin, but now with the SBD I have lost about 35 lbs so far.
I have been diagnosed with PCOS for about 16 years, and have done a lot of research no it. Even my specialists call me the expert. If anyone has any questions about it please ask, I'm willing to help. |
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Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:21 pm |
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| rainbow~beach
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Hi all :)
Although my periods have always been regular and I've never had particularly painful periods/cycles (I'm now 32) AND I have never had probs conceiving, I thought something was wrong when I just couldn't lose weight and the wispy dark hairs on my chin started sprouting thicker than my boyfriend's :oops:
FINALLY my Dr sent me for the appropriate blood tests, and it turns out that my sex globulin is too low, creating too much free-flowing testosterone in my blood, hence the hair and other PCOS signs.
I am seeing a gyn next month, so they'll be able to tell me more about whether I actually HAVE PCOS, or some kind of sideline of it. |
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Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:52 am |
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| Elspeth
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Rainbow~Beach, problems with your adrenal glands can cause this also. That is the one thing they checked first on me, it can be serious.
The high levels of testosterone is turned to a form of estrogen by our bodies and deposited in the fat cells. That is why when we start losing weight our cycles get messed up, all the estrogen is released. The estrogen, called androgenous estrogen can't be used like regular estrogen.
There is a lot of things that can cause extra hair growth including age and heredity. |
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Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:15 am |
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| rainbow~beach
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Elspeth wrote: Rainbow~Beach, problems with your adrenal glands can cause this also. That is the one thing they checked first on me, it can be serious.
The high levels of testosterone is turned to a form of estrogen by our bodies and deposited in the fat cells. That is why when we start losing weight our cycles get messed up, all the estrogen is released. The estrogen, called androgenous estrogen can't be used like regular estrogen.
There is a lot of things that can cause extra hair growth including age and heredity.
Why could it be serious? My Dr thinks it's PCOS, but from doing research, I'm not so sure :?
I've only been on SBD for 2 weeks, the blood work was done a couple of months ago....
I actually have the correct level of testosterone, but I have low sex globulin, making the ratio too high, meaning that I have too much free-flowing testosterone showing up in my blood. |
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Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:42 am |
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| Elspeth
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rainbow~beach wrote:
Why could it be serious? My Dr thinks it's PCOS, but from doing research, I'm not so sure :?
I've only been on SBD for 2 weeks, the blood work was done a couple of months ago....
I actually have the correct level of testosterone, but I have low sex globulin, making the ratio too high, meaning that I have too much free-flowing testosterone showing up in my blood.
Excess production from the adrenal glands are caused by a tumor. I just know that when they got the results back from the original blood tests done at the specialist they immediatly called me and schedualed the test because it was much more dangerous thatn PCOS.
Are you schedualed with a reproductive endocrinologist? They know much more than a regular gyn dr. Until a few years ago PCOS was almost never diagnosed, now it is being used as a catch all for anyone that they don't want to take the time to work up right. For my diagnosis they took a whole page of blood tests to track it down, and about 5 vials of blood. Just my opinion, but I have reached the point that I question almost everything a dr tells me, and I stand up for myself otherwise it is too easy to get caught in the shuffle and never get your answers. |
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Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:50 am |
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| riverscape
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Hi,
I'm a newbie to the board and I just started beaching 10 days ago. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 18 mths ago after complaining to my gyn that I hadn't gotten pg despite no precautions after several years. I had my dd at age 35 and conceived on the first try :o So my problems are secondary. I did have gestational diabetes and my fasting blood glucose levels have risen considerably though not quite into borderline range yet.
I tried Metformin but I felt AWFUL on it. No energy, I got up planning my next nap and I could hardly drag myself up the stairs, terribly short of breath.
I did get pg after the Metformin (I only stayed on it for about 10 days). I had also started losing some weight then. But I started to miscarry before I even realized I was pg, with my cycle so screwed. After Christmas I started to put weight back on and I'm nearly back where I started.
I've read that even a small weight loss can reverse the symptoms of PCOS and trigger ovulation, but does anyone have info. about whether that effect repeats for us backsliders?
It's nice to hear from others who are dealing with this, though I 've been very surprised to find several close friends who also have PCOS in real life.
Donna |
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Fri Aug 27, 2004 3:48 am |
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| mommyto2
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Hi everyone I am new to the boad,
My name is Tara and I am 29 years old I was diagnosed wit pcos when I was 20 years old while I was trying to concieve my first child. I had been trying for 2 and half years, with clomid for 3 months I got pregnant to my daughter who is now 6yrs. I then started trying for child number 2. It took 1 year two miscariages and avandia with clomid to concieve my son who is now 3. I went from 180 pounds at age 20 to 302 at age 29.
I started seeking a doctor due to having thyroidism and gaining weight rapidaly. The only time my pcos was addressed is when I was trying to concieve, otherwise I was on paxil and synthroid on NO metformins. I am tired of feeling tired. Tired of being overweight, Tired of having more facial hair than hubby :( Tired of having acne.
I went to an RN that speacializes in PCOS and metabolic syndrome. She has been helping alot of patients with these conditions and have seen amazing results. I went in to her and she said it was divine intervention that I was there with her and she said she will get me and my lovely hormones back on the right track.
She weighed me put me on a machine that measured my bmi and also put me on another than told her how many calaries to eat to lose weight. We did lots of history of medical conditions. I did the 2 hour glucose test which thank GOD came back Neg... YAHOO... and took 6 viles of blood.
Ok, came back got the results, cholesterol is borderline, everything else is high too which we knew they would be. Something interesting though, I can't remember the name of the test but it was very very HIGH, she stressed to me NOT TO EAT ANYTHING WITH WEAT. she said that I was alergic to it. I looked it up online and have NO symptoms for that so I ? that.....
Overall result, I am on a metformin, paxil, synthroid, once a day and I take vitamin C500mg, E400IU, and chromium picolinate 200mg as well as omega 3 all of these which I take 2 times a day.
Then she highly recommended the SBD as well as 30 min excercise a day.
OK, I walked away disapointed as well as.. frustrated. Is the SBD a quick fix. I HATE to cook and I HATE easting breakfast, HELP !!!! I would luv to join all of you, it would be nice to know I'm not alone.
MY Goal Weight is 180 I have 120 to lose.... |
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Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:54 am |
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| CampbellsHealthyMommy
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Hi Tara!
I was first diagnosed with PCOS about 8 years ago, although I have been treated (with BCP's) for about 18 years. I lost about 40 lbs a year and a half ago on WW and started on my own!! (Only fellow cysters understand the joy of starting on their own!) Anyway, a nurse practioner I worked with who was always encouraging me with my weight loss made note and came back a couple weeks later with an official signed script for me to take home to my DH to "Attempt Procreation STAT; as directed; refill 3 times!!!" Imagine our surprise (and hers!) when a month later I took a positve pregnancy test!! We actually kept that script and am debating on whether to frame it or just put it in Campbell's baby book.
Anyway, a couple of months ago I had my lovely yearly appt with my new OB/GYN (we just moved 6 mos ago) and she started me back on Metformin, which I hadn't taken in a long, long time and recommended SBD. She said that PCOS weight was hormonal and nothing attacks it like SBD. I have to say she knew what she was talking about. I have been on it for five weeks and have lost 30.6 lbs!! It is really not that difficult, and is definitely worth any effort it takes.
I totally understand what you mean about being sick of all of the lovely effects of PCOS--the weight, the hair, the acne, the "blahs" and the list goes on and on. I have honestly felt some alleviation of most everything except for the hair. UGH!!! I have about decided that laser removal may just have to be one of my big rewards.
Hang in there and you can do this!! Not only is it good for you, but also to your children, as they will have both a healthy mom and a good example!! Looking into my little miracle's eyes is one of my greatest motivations.
Keep in touch!! |
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Sun Sep 05, 2004 4:53 am |
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| riverscape
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Wendy! Way to go!!
I've been beachin' for 3 weeks. I'm going slow starting Ph 2 because my dh decided to join me on my 2 week anniversary :roll:
Not that he really needs it, but age 40 is finally catching up with him and he's started to gather a little around the waist, resulting in a real confidence crisis. Honestly, I didn't think he would keep it up... but in some ways, it's made things easier not to cook carbs for him!
My PCOS was a recent diagnosis 1.5 years ago and I think we caught it really early. I don't show any of the physical signs except I had started to deposit weight around the middle, not just the hips, my typical storage area. And my cycle skewed longer and longer and longer.
I tried the Metformin for 10 days and felt more miserable. My doc thought it would help me get things moving faster. I felt like I couldn't move. I was out of breath at the landing on our 14 stairs when normally I would run up them. So my doc thought I might be one of those rare situations that it causes cytosis in. Did you guys have a hard time adjusting to it? I wondered if I tried a more gradual adjustment period with maybe just a 1/2 dose to start with if it would help. But if I can set things right with just my diet, I'd like to.
Then last July, I had taken an early pregnancy test because my cycle still seemed long. It appeared negative to me (I've since been advised that any color is positive). Then I started to spot moderately and wouldn't stop. Went to the doc about it and because of what I thought was a negative test, pregnancy didn't occur to me. I began miscarrying on Labor Day last year and we still didn't figure out what was going on.
I went in for a D & C and came up pos. for pregnancy, we spent half of a day looking at ultrasounds trying to figure it out. They thought an ectopic, but when they did laproscopic surgery that turned out to be a small cyst. The doc only noticed a few cysts on my ovaries, bearing out my thought that this was caught really early.
But I let the weight pile back on after Christmas. I feel so uncertain about which way to turn. I don't trust my body to carry a baby now, I'm thinking even if I can conceive would my hormones actually let me carry the baby? I don't want to try fertility drugs, we have one already and I can settle for that. But I don't want to keep waiting indefinitely. I'm a SAHM and my dd is in school now, if there's not going to be another one soon (I'm 40) I'll go back to teaching.
Tara, Hang in there! I've heard it mentioned that some people crave the very thing that they are somewhat allergic to. I think Burdle had posted some of her thoughts and info. on allergies recently.
Hate breakfast huh? I don't love it but I know it's important to get your metabolism revved in the morning so that your body doesn't immediately start hoarding carbs like it won't receive any more fuel. Since you don't like to cook either, I would fix something ahead that would work for multiple days or choose a no cook option like Candian Bacon or lean ham or turkey, cheese rolled up. At least get a little something. For a fix ahead, I posted an easy Oven Denver Omelet recipe on the Food board recently. Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing.
Donna
Began SBD 8/16/04
185?(didn't weigh, scales broken)/ 172/148 |
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Tue Sep 07, 2004 12:24 pm |
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| SpritelyOne
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Hi, I'm a lurker on the boards. I wanted to test the waters here because my oldest dd (22) was just officially diagnosed with PCOS today. I had been hearing about it for the past year and learned more of what it was and she fit the bill to me. So I told her to go to a doctor and ask them. Fortunately (?) she got strep throat about a month ago and finally decided to go to the dr. about two weeks ago. Strong girl. lol Anyway, she asked him and he sent her to an OB/GYN who apparently happens to be the expert here in Reno, NV. Anyway, she went in today and the dr. told her she definately had it. And because of her weight (she's 4' 11" and over 210 lbs.) and the insulin (which I guess hers is on overtime, I don't know if that's normal with pcos) she would be diabetic and have heart disease at age 40. The dr. also said that all the eggs in our ovaries are cysts, when one ruptures it's just an overgrown egg. :?: The dr. also highly recommended SBD, said that Atkins would kill her. And she said that my dd would never be thin, the weight would come off slowly, but not to think thin. She said walking was pretty much the only exercise, not aerobics because "little susie would be standing next to you losing weight right and left and you'll just got nuts." She also pretty much said that my dd's only hope of ever having children is through drugs. Which really upsets me, because two and half years ago my daughter accidentally got pregnant (by accident I mean she had been on depo-provera for a few months previously and hadn't had a period for almost two years, so didn't think she was able to.), and she lost the baby. So the thought of her never having another one is kind of upsetting. Anyway, I'm really hoping that the SBD will help her lose weight. Any thoughts on the comments from the dr.? I'm not too sure about some of the things she said, just doesn't jive with what I've read. But, then maybe since I'm not a dr. I don't know as much as she does. lol
Thanks,
Vicki in Reno |
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Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:49 pm |
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| riverscape
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Hi Vicki,
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis, but at least now she knows what she's dealing with. My OB/Gyn recommended SBD. The growing resistence to insulin that is triggered by overindulging in carbs, throws off the hormonal balance and leads to PCOS. Several of the low carb diet books have sections that explain the problem pretty well, like Atkins. I've read of studies that have shown that just a small weightloss like 10% can trigger a reversal of PCOS and start your menstrual cycle. My Dr. recommended Metformin, but I couldn't tolerate it. It's a diabetic drug but increasingly they are using it for PCOS patients who are borderline, like your daughter. I went in to the Dr. last week and my fasting blood sugar (finger prick) was 90.
Just after I tried the Metformin last year, I got pregnant. I don't know if the drug made the difference or not. I was also losing weight then. But I began miscarrying before I realized that I was pregnant. You know with mixed up cycles, if you can't guess when your period is coming --you sure can't guess when it's late :roll: After that, I was discouraged and let the weight creep back on after Christmas. That seems to be another problem with this hormonal imbalance, it's difficult to maintain a pregnancy.
I've started SBD and I have lost about 15 pounds. My last few periods had been regular (a change) but not normal, too light. This month was definitely more normal.
My family dr. told me of a patient that used the Metformin throughout her pregnancy (there isn't enough evidence to pronounce this safe yet) with no problems and delivered a healthy baby.
I do think the Dr. that your daughter consulted is right about the weightloss being slow. When you're insulin resistent it seems to stick that much more.
Donna |
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Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:58 am |
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