| Lori83
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| Thank you ... Glad to hear that. The DH will also be glad to hear it :lol: |
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Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:16 pm |
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| manzanita
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I also have PCOS so empathies to all the other ladies on this thread. Apologies if this ends up being rather long...
I started periods at a normal age but was never terribly regular. I had facial hair starting at around 12 years of age, but just put it down as normal and later on considered there may be a racial element to it and I still think there is.
I tried to get pregnant for around 2 years but nothing happened. A few maybes but no yes.
Generally my cycles are heavy and painful. Particularly around when I ovualte - as a FYI, always in my left ovary, never in my right. Wonder if I have a stuffed up right ovary? Cycles were down from every 8 weeks to 1-2 a year. The cruel thing was that I still got the horrendous PMT despite no period!
Anyway, the facial hair got progressively worse over the years but never went to a doctor. I think I was still thinking "this is normal" even when I knew perfectly well that what I was experiencing was not normal or could be attributed to racial genetics.
I finally got some blood tests done - first GP had the attitude of "well, not all women have regular periods" and left it at that. Blood results were low FH, low LH, normal testosterone and normal thyroid function. May have been others, I forget. The second GP I saw agreed with my thoughts on PCOS on the grounds of my symptoms and referred me for a scan. He started me on metformin 500mg and Dianette. Metformin went fine after the initial stomach aches and I did lose a fair chunk of weight with that and SBD. Periods came back pretty quickly around 30-35 days which is clockwork for me! PMS symptoms greatly lessened bordering on non-existent! Woo! As an aside, I was a student midwife so I do wonder if sniffing all those pregnancy and birth hormones helped?
However, the Dianette caused raging PMT, to the point of where I couldn't function. I actually thought of sectioning myself, my thought processes and moods were that odd. It did help ease the hair though so I wasn't terribly up for trying another anti-androgen based drug.
Finally got my scan in a different health trust and no cysts on my ovaries or adrenal gland abnormality or anything in my uterus. My current GP also agreed that what was going on with me needed further investigation and referred me to gynaecology. He considered cyproterone acetate but felt it was better someone else approved it. At this point the scan results weren't known but this gynaecologist I saw also agreed I had PCOS even without scan results. He said that until pregnancy was a major concern of mine, I would be best consulting the hospital's expert in excess body hair as that was my main worry.
Oh boy. I met the b**** from hell. She overrode the diagnosis of PCOS and insinuated that I was stupid and so were the other doctors. She was the expert and she will be correct. She might be an expert, but her caring skills left a lot to be desired! She demanded I take all the blood tests again - I declined as I didn't feel they would show anything different. Totally refused to discuss cyproterone acetate and demanded to see the facial hair. As I had dealt with it earlier in the day, there was none to see. She wanted me to leave 2 days growth which believe me, would have been horrendous and publically embarrassing even with a scraf over my face. She had no sympathy for that and said that I had to do it. Anyone who claims to be an expert in hirsutism should be able to understand the psychological effects of it. Needless to say I walked out of that consultation.
So back to my current GP and apparently since I saw that hirsutism expert, there have been other women who have felt very bullied by the hirsutism specialist. As he (GP) was still unwilling to prescribe cyproterone, he mentioned a new drug he'd been made aware of called Vaniqa. Unfortunately, this just burnt areas of my face red raw and made me itch like hell. Subsequently abandoned.
I got a referral to an endocrinologist and he is fantastic. Didn't override the PCOS diagnosis and was actually sympathetic. He's also realistic about weight loss on PCOS and although he urges me to lose weight, he doesn't expect miracles and like me, is pleased that my weight has stabilized on metformin.
He started me on cyproterone acetate with no question. I'm on 50mg and have to have 6 weekly blood tests for liver function. I also shouldn't get pregnant on this drug, but that's no big deal as my mind has changed concerning children. Shoulder, chest and stomach hair has virtually gone and I consider it to be at normal hair levels now. Improvement on some areas of my face - less dense, coarse and only need to deal with it every 3 days rather than twice daily.
He did increase my metformin to 850mg, but the prescription is not forthcoming at present. Thanks red tape! However, I hope to start that soon.
Periods disappeared again for no obvious reason in February 2006 and haven't been seen since. I started cyproterone in August of that year and that causes menstrual chaos, so have had very light old blood but nothing I'd call a period. Last month my periods started appearing. Seen two so far this month, not SBD related! However there are two pregnant ladies at work so I'm wondering if it's sniffing up pregnancy hormones again!
So that's my story :)
Manzy |
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Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:40 pm |
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| teeteehawk
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| Thanks for sharing! Sorry for all the doctor problems. That sucks! As for me...I hate the whole facial hair thing too! I am thinking of getting laser hair removal on my chin and upper lip...it just comes down to the $$$$ |
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Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:31 pm |
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| manzanita
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teeteehawk wrote: Thanks for sharing! Sorry for all the doctor problems. That sucks! As for me...I hate the whole facial hair thing too! I am thinking of getting laser hair removal on my chin and upper lip...it just comes down to the $$$$
I did consider laser therapy too, but the costs are rather steep. I was told by my sonographer that if you are diagnosed with PCOS you can get laser treatment half price - I'm in the UK. I know the laser people will have seen it all before, but the thought of someone at my hairy bits is rather off putting.
I really wish Vaniqa (eflornithine) didn't burn my skin so bad because I'd try that. Can you get Vaniqa where you are?
Being in the UK, I only pay the current subscription rate of £6.66 rather than the retail price of drugs. Normally I whinge about paying that amount, but when I remember that cyproterone acetate would cost around £55 for each prescription, I count myself lucky! Also, all the consultations and scans are state funded, so thankfully cost has not been an issue for me getting a PCOS diagnosis.
Manzy |
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Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:04 pm |
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| pixel
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Hi all, I'm new to this board and I havent actually started SBD yet but I just started reading about it. I am 29 and 312 lbs, I too have PCOS.
I have never gotten regular periods, and am now somewhat pissed off at my doctors. OBG, endo, regular doc. None of them ever told me half of what I have learned here or recently from watching TV (The Closer!). Yes my doctors told me I should try to lose weight. They also told me I had inslin resistance, but none of them ever really explained all this to me. Telling me to lose weight doesnt help, I dont know where to start. My OB suggested gastric bypass. I went to orientation for having the bypass done and took my hubby. He was very upset and does not want me to have this done.
I told him to help me then, he is also overweight. We decided to start eating right and trying to exercise. He already went and seen his doctor who suggested SBD for him. Thats how I ended up here. I have an appointment with my doc on Thurs.
To be honest I have never really tried to diet before. Growing up I was extremely active but have always been overweight. I played several sports. As I got older I gained more and more weight.
My husband and I arent looking to have children but I want us to outlive our parents and I think if we continue our behavior we will not. I do not get a period, I did for a bit after trying a few different birth control pills but it has stopped again. I have told my OB but she is not concerned about it at this point. I was on spyronolactone(sp) for awhille and it did nothing for me. I have not been on metformin because my endo is extremely reluctant to put me on it. I also have high blood pressure and am on hydroclorithizide (sp) and I think the other is called lisnopril.
I'm missing far too much in life because of being over weight and not wanting to walk. Last night my husband and I went for a walk, it was great. I plan on doing it everyday and am going to try to get someone to buy me a recumbant bike for when its too hot or rainy here (cali).
I do have exessive hair growth - doesnt help that im of italian heritage. I have been getting lazer treatments on my upper lip since about march and have not seen hardly any improvements. The package I have allows me to continue treatments for another 2 years (I've had 7 treatments so far and they are at the max for my skin type and doing double passes). I was wondering about the cream, I read that there are pills and the cream that can be used in conjuction with the laser and you could see better results.
Does anyone have any good links for me to read about PCOS I was also reading about dumping syndrome since I occassionally have this and I everything I could find was that it really only happened to people that have had bypass surgery which doesnt make sense.
Anyway I have looked at some of the before and after pictures and it has really motivated me, we plan on starting the SBD within the next two weeks. |
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Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:10 pm |
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| Butterfingers
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| Didn't know this showed up twice |
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Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:34 pm |
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| Butterfingers
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Hi,
I'm posting this question in two places just to make sure it gets seen by anyone who can help.
If anyone has advice for me I would love to hear what you think is happening. I just know that no doctor I could go to around here would know or even care so I am finding that I just have to experiment on myself.
I have been on Glucophage 500 mg 3 times a day since 2001. This year, in September, I started the South Beach Diet. As I was on the diet about 3 or 4 weeks I started having horrible low blood sugar symptoms: low mood, weak, and shaky. So I stopped taking the glucophage and the weak, shaky feelings went away but the mood is still low. Now that I'm trying to add in grains and fruits I'm not losing weight, either. I'm not sure whether or not to add the Glucophage back in, or how much to add. or what's going on with my body. My mood is still quite low as well as my anxiety level being quite high.
Has anyone been on the South Beach Diet or another lower carb diet while taking glucophage? What happened to you?
According to the doctors, my fasting glucose and insulin were normal (glucose 74 and insulin 5), but for years before I started taking glucophage I had reactive hypoglycemia symptoms, and after about eight months of the glucophage the symptoms mostly went away. (During a GTT my glucose went down to 58.) I've always had irregular cycles and acne.
Another problem lately on this diet is that I get low blood sugar when I exercise, or I feel too weak to exercise. |
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Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:35 pm |
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| Lori83
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Butterfingers: I am in no means an expert and actually I have not started SBD yet and plan to start Monday the 15th, but a few of the posts I have read (I believe) suggest having a little extra protein when you take your glucophage. Have it with breakfast - add 1 cup of milk or something I think.... That is probably what I will try to see if it works. Let me know if you try it and it does :wink:
Well,
I am starting SBD monday!!!!! also I am starting my metformin 500mg and spyronolactone (hope that is spelled right idk). I actually took metformin once for about 3 days. I took 2 500 mg pills, one in the morning and one at night. I am thinking that I need to half that dose because it just tore me up! Anyone had decent results starting out with half a pill in the morning and half at night? I heard some pills you can't cut... just want to make sure you can cut metformin. Anyway, I have my shopping list ready to go and I am ready to start Monday! Tuesday I have to get my Glucose checked so I have to fast monday night for the doctor appt at 10:00am Tuesday. Should I skim my metformin Tuesday morning?????
Any of you that just started SBD and have PCOS: How did your first week go? Lose much weight? Have many problems with the diet/medicine combination?
I just want to be prepared for my first week, so if any of you cysters have any recommendations I would gladly appreciate it!!!!!!!!! Thanks!! |
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Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:53 pm |
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| sistergldnhair66
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Was researching SBD and my DD has insulin resistance. Have any of you heard of the Insulin Resistance Diet..I got this book for her, very good reading. It describes the combing 7gr. protein for every 15gr. carbs eaten, and not to eat more than 30 gr. carbs in two hours time. Protein can be eaten alone any time...
It's titled the Insulin Reistance Diet written by Cheryl Hart.
Sorry it won't let me post the link cause I am new and under 10 posts.
Hope to help. |
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Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:58 pm |
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| TracieJC
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Hi everyone! I too am a fellow Cyster. I was diagnosed with PCOS early in 1998....a few months later I had ovarian drilling which really didn't help at all. Now I suffer from adhesions...pretty painful if I move a certian way! OUCH! :shock:
I low-carbed and just after loosing 10 lbs my periods began coming like clock work. I lost a total of 50lbs and felt great! I've gained 25 of those wretched pounds back, but I still am cycling regularly PTL. :lol: I've been on Metformin, Glumetza, Avandia, Aldactone, Zocor....the metformin gave me TERRIBLE GI distress, so I quit taking them. My doctor has been pushing me to do SB for several months, and yesterday was my first day.
My question is, any of you have your hair start growing back on SB? Did the blasted chin/body hair get better or go away? I have had a couple of laser hair removal treatments...and to tell you the truth, I'd rather forgo these if I don't have to (it's very painful!)
Anyway, that's my story in a nut shell. I hope I get to know alot of you girls and make some friends! :lol: |
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Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:16 pm |
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| TracieJC
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Butterfingers wrote: Hi,
I'm posting this question in two places just to make sure it gets seen by anyone who can help.
If anyone has advice for me I would love to hear what you think is happening. I just know that no doctor I could go to around here would know or even care so I am finding that I just have to experiment on myself.
I have been on Glucophage 500 mg 3 times a day since 2001. This year, in September, I started the South Beach Diet. As I was on the diet about 3 or 4 weeks I started having horrible low blood sugar symptoms: low mood, weak, and shaky. So I stopped taking the glucophage and the weak, shaky feelings went away but the mood is still low. Now that I'm trying to add in grains and fruits I'm not losing weight, either. I'm not sure whether or not to add the Glucophage back in, or how much to add. or what's going on with my body. My mood is still quite low as well as my anxiety level being quite high.
Has anyone been on the South Beach Diet or another lower carb diet while taking glucophage? What happened to you?
According to the doctors, my fasting glucose and insulin were normal (glucose 74 and insulin 5), but for years before I started taking glucophage I had reactive hypoglycemia symptoms, and after about eight months of the glucophage the symptoms mostly went away. (During a GTT my glucose went down to 58.) I've always had irregular cycles and acne.
Another problem lately on this diet is that I get low blood sugar when I exercise, or I feel too weak to exercise.
Hi Butterfingers...I'm not sure if anyone has answered your questions since it's been so long since you posted them. But I'll try to answer them anyway......
First of all, Glucophage (Metformin) does not lower blood sugar directly. It works by making your cells more sensitive to the insulin your body is making. If you are still suffering from reactive hypoglycemia...you might try spacing your meals and snacks closer together. Sometimes I get this after having a large carbed out meal (mainly pasta). Try having a high protein and some milk before you exercise. Hope this helps! |
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Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:28 pm |
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| cottonlily
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| Don't know how I just now noticed this! I was dxd with pcos in 2003 after trying to get pregnant for a year. Fast forward to now and it's gotten much worse and I also have insulin resistance and endometriosis, among other things... I have gained about 50-60 pounds since I was dxd. As we all know the pcos causes weight gain and weight gain causes pcos -terrible cycle to be involved in. My endocrinologist strongly recommended a new eating/exercising routine but I'm just now taking that step on my own. :D I take Metformin XR (the regular version was terrible on my poor tummy! :oops: :x ), but I quit when starting the sbd. I already had light headedness and low blood sugar when eating the old way/regular foods. I hope to reintroduce the met around week 2 or 3 of p2 when I have some fruit and things to up my glucose levels. Good luck to other cysters! |
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Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:29 pm |
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| sss2008
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| I have PCOS and was wondering if SB has helped people with PCOS lose weight.. I exercise at least 4 times a week and watch what i eat but am not losing weight. Any suggestions? :? |
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:34 pm |
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| pixel
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| My suggestion would be to follow SBD. You may be watching what you eat but eating the wrong things without realizing it. That is one of the things that Dr. A has taught me! :D |
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:39 pm |
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| Meesiejean
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May I join? I was dx with pcos in Dec 2005 after my 3rd baby. we were ttc then and after doing low carb/ sbd and Slim in 6, i got pg with baby #4. I have so much trouble losing weight, it is unreal. I now have more to lsoe than ever, about 40lbs or so. I am on vacation/biz trip in Ohio rt now so I cant do sbd too well in a hotel rm but i'm doing my best. i usually do extremely low carb but i know that staying on ph 1 is not what i need to do. I JUST started Metformin March 24. I lost 1 lb this week (hadnt weighed b4). I need encouragement and support above all.. Thanks :)
Melissa |
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:53 pm |
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