PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support - PCOS, Metformin & Dieting...

Hello all...I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, not knowing if im IR though, (doctor said he'd treat it like I was anyway). Ive been on Metformin for about a month now and ive been living in the bathroom day & night. Ive read about the breads, refined sugars, etc, however cannot find the right diet for me. I initially started with calorie counting (which was a REAL pain for me), then went to low carb where I pretty much thought I was gonna die from starvation. Has anyone gone through this before? Which "diet" is best for PCOS'er ( i know there was a poll, but i'd like to hear from experiences the good & the bad) Ive kinda hit the bottom with this dieting thing and stopped my exercising too...just extremely overwhelmed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi I took Both Gluchopage and Met. I know they are basically the "same", but I did try them both, both made me very sick and I just couldn't tolerate them no matter what or how I ate. I am now on Fortamet, yes a form of Metaformin, but different and it doesn't make feel bad at all.

I know they say low carb diets are supposed to be the best for PCOSers, but I think each person is different. Yes I think that of course cutting out the junk foods, sugars, etc definately a good idea. But maybe go for the "Good Carbs". I try to eat more Whole Grains and High Fiber Foods.

Here are some links that may be helpful:

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/advice/pcos.htm

http://www.annecollins.com/pcos-diet-menu.htm

http://www.obgyn.net/pcos/pcos.asp?page=/pcos/articles/pcos_and_diet_mckittrick

http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N117.htm

Hi, I am on 2000mgs of Met ER ( extended release ) and my Endo put me on the diabetic diet, which is lower carb but not extreme...I actually went to a dietician and she told me how to eat and when, etc...I have had really good success on the diet. I do have my occasional diareah ( sp/ ) but not that often and normally it is because I ate something that I knew I shouldnt have...salad seems to be something that gets me everytime...

I agree that lower carb is the answer, especially if you are IR, but the key is too not go too low ...I think I have like 200 grams a day...

Good Luck !!!

Hi, I am new here. I have been reading postings for a few days and waited for one to just 'jump' in with. I have PCOS too, I was finally diagnosed with it in 1998 when I found a good gyno, who knew what he was doing. However, he didn't test for Insulin resistance:( and then I had a major fibroid issue in 2003, the size of a cantaloupe, taken off, and I had gotten a new doctor who tested me right away, saying PCOS and IR go hand in hand.

He put me on Metformin, and I too was sicker than a dog. He told me to stay on half a tablet for a two weeks and work up to tolerance. I had good days and bad days on it. I understand the bathroom trips. He just told me to eat low/carb/high fiber and take the anti dirreaha pills when I took them. That worked for me, but I still felt sick. I stopped taking it all together last month, but JUST got back on. YUCK.

I just had a breast biopsy done and when asked if I was diabetic, I said no, but I am IR, and that made them suddenly treat me diabetic. Only one nurse understood what it was. I had them testing my blood sugar without asking me, which I had to demand they stop. I mean, they poked me 4 times in two hours. None of the doctor's even seemed to grasp it is different and I don't check my blood sugar.

I will say this, I have noticed, if I eat 'right' on the metformin, I don't get sick nearly as much. I have used that as a reason to not drink a coke or something surgary.:devil:

I was happy to see a forum here on 3FC that actually covers these topics, that is why I stayed. I have been lucky my family doctor actually specializes in PCOS and IR, as well as my Gyno.

I, actually, had a female doctor, about 14 years ago, yes, I was still fat then, :D tell me to 'earn' my birth control pills by losing weight. She said she had no idea why my cycles were off or any of the symptoms, other than all she could see was, I was fat and causing it.

Funny, the new gyno I got, put me on birth control to treat my PCOS. There is so much educating of even, doctor's.

I am so happy I have found a place where people understand how sick this pill makes you. I have met people who have lost a lot of weight after taking it and we joke that it was because they were too sick to eat.