PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support - New here...

Hi. I just discovered this board and am already enjoying all of the information that I am finding.

I am 35 years old and have PCOS (dx 2 years ago). I had a baby girl 5 months ago with the help of IVF and now I have at least 40 lbs to lose to get to my pre-pg weight. I was gaining at least 10 lbs a month during most months of my pregnancy even though I felt like I wasn't eating any worse than my peers. I even saw a dietitian for two months, tracked my meals, and ate very well. I still gained 10 lbs that months and threw in the towel. I was sick of eating well and not getting any benefit. I wonder if those with PCOS gain more while pregnant? I have no idea. I am breastfeeding, which has not been the magic weight loss answer that I was hoping for.

I started a low Glycemic Load diet a few days before Christmas (basically no bread, no rice, no potatoes, and a few others). I've also been exercising regularly (4-5 times a week). My doctor said that I would lose 7 pounds the first month. The reality is I might have lost 1 or 2 lbs, and I'm super frustrated.

I just started taking Yasmin 3 mg today and am holding out hope with that. I am also going to get my thyroid checked this Friday and will ask to get an insulin resistance test.

I am about to start reading posts about success on Yasmin. I hope that helps me. Right now, I am soooo disgusted with my appearance and angry at my body. I don't care about the hair growth and acne at this point. I am getting laser treatments for the hair loss. I just want to lose weight. I'm a disgusting slob right now! I'm sorry to sound so negative. I'm just so frustrated I could scream!

If you got this far, thanks for reading.

Brigitte
35 years old
PCOS diagnosed 2006
mommy to Elizabeth (IVF baby)

:hug: Brigitte! I'm really sorry about the bad time you are having. Hopefully you'll get some answers from your Dr! I gained weight the same way you did at pregnancy. I was out of control! Low GI does not help everybody. Some IR's even lose weight on high GI. Calorie restriction and faithful exercise are the two most important things. The regular exercise is a must for people with IR. You've got to burn that insulin (the 'fat storage' hormone) off quicker than it can tell your body to store fat.

Good luck, and let us know what the Dr said. :crossed:

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for the welcome! :-) So I found out that I have had hypothyroidism at least since December. The doctor just said it was OK and didn't treat it. He was a fill-in for my regular doctor who was out. My reg dr checked my levels again, and I'll find out on Friday what it is now. Either way, I am getting thyroid medicine at the end of the week. Yay!

BTW, do you know if there is a test out there to check for insulin resistance? How does one really know if they are insulin resistant? I've only been told that I have it. I don't recall every getting any kind of test. My OB told me "I was fine" (his standard answer for EVERYTHING) just b/c I passed the glucose tolerance test when I was pregnant. The doctor who told me I am IR said that I can tolerate glucose just fine. My body just has to make 9 times more insulin in order to do so. Just wondering how he knows that. Sorry for rambling.

Yes, there is a test for it. He probably did a fasting insulin. I've asked doctors for that before that looked at me like I'm nuts for wanting it! Anyway, since he knows you are IR, he must have drawn it. You should ask him what your level was. Anything above 10 is considered IR. 10-13 is 'mild'. Above 13 means you have a greater resistance.

I'm older than you gals here....and I am insulin resistant along with being hypothyroid. The latter is found through a blood test for sure. NOT sure that there's a true test for IR but have had several doctors tell me I am. What I do know is that I have tried to lose weight for quite a long time now without good results. BUT most recently have been doing a "low-fat" food plan and it's not working! I've done quite a bit of reading in the last couple of weeks out of my frustration and carbs are the culpret. Low fat isnt' the way to go for an insulin resistant person (google insulin resistant helps and read several of the posts). What happens when you are IR is that the cells in your body can't process the insulin. When you eat (carbs) more insulin is produced and rather than burning it up through your metabolism, it will just pile on the fat. I think this is a simple way of explaining it. If we don't get a grip on how to eat...the IR will eventually lead to type 2 diabetes! Also, exercise is a HUGE component as well (this said by a person who hates to exercise...but is turning over a new leaf). By the way one or you called yourself a fat slob or something of that sort. ITS NOT your fault...it's the way your body metabolizes and I think if we all stick to this site we can figure out a food plan that will work for us PLUS get the support we need from others who have "been there". Blessings!!!

Hi Brigitte, I just wanted to share my experience on Yasmin with you. I was just dx with pcos & IR 3 weeks ago, so I don't have great info on that. I was on Yasmin for about a year and that was around the time I started developing my problems. I gained 65lbs in that year out of no where. So as far as I know it didn't help the weight gain for me. Hang in there!

I gained almost 30lbs in 3 months on that pill, without changing diet or exercise. It's been my worst nightmare. Now I'm off and trying to undo the damage. My roomie's friend works in a gyno office and she has horror stories about women on Yasmin. Just a warning- if you don't lose weight despite much effort try Ortho-lite, or something else. This pill can be terrrible!