2012 February PCOS Support Thread!

astrophe · 02-07-2012, 11:29 AM

Total pizza binge yesterday/today because I didn't want to cook dinner and wanted to crawl into the couch and die. Bleah. I'm paying for it today feeling bloated as all get out with the sodium.

TOM is due tomorrow. I hope I get it soon because I'm the most cranky and moody that I've been in a looooong time!

Writing in my journal to help vent/do something constructive.

A.

Later ETA: Did a short DVD workout. I feel a lot better. Both in terms of trying to do something constructive and my moodiness.

But I still wish TOM would show up!

PghGal · 02-07-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rana

Jess -- I'm not a doctor, but I just have to ask if you've had a gallbladder attack or did they find the gallstones through an ultrasound?

Unfortunately, I have gallstones.

I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago which showed several small stones. Given my symptoms, the Doc wants it out as soon as possible. I've been getting sick once every couple weeks, despite a gallbladder-friendly diet.

Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday (happy hearts day to me!), so at least I'm getting it out of the way quickly!

Once I'm recovered, I really want to focus on my PCOS. Since losing weight and having the cyst removed from my ovary, I've been regular the last couple months. I don't have IR but I do have some of the other nasty PCOS symptoms.

Hope everyone is doing well!! I'm SO hungry today it's not even funny. Trying to stuff myself with veggies but my head wants pizza. BLAH!!

astrophe · 02-09-2012, 01:32 PM

PghGal -- hope the surgery goes well!

My Check In:

Doing better. Had the "whoosh!" and even though I kept getting up to pee last night and it meant my sleep was bad I'm relieved to be that much lighter today as the PMS bloat said goodbye. So period -- c'mon. Where are you?

Been making the time for short workouts this week -- I'm feeling stoked about that. Working on the food log thing. Taking all my meds on time. Baby steps.

There's a lot of other things I wish I could get done but I promised myself to keep it real and not overload me.

Things with eldercare world are suspiciously quiet. Mom's not sure if Dad's just "playing the game" and heading for another wigginz or if he's actually really TRYING this time or what.

I told DH I really don't care if Dad's faking or for real with his classes and psych appts. The only one he hurts is himself. We can't do it for him.

All I care about is that we've been relative drama free and not dealing in shenanigans! Let's hope it continues!

If this is our "new normal" it's SOOO much better than before. I can actually have a life of my own even while helping out instead of being on call every two minutes and dragged over there to sort out a Dad tantrum.

A.

Rana · 02-10-2012, 10:02 AM

Update for me, I've been traveling, so I'm up. I don't know how much, I forgot to weigh this morning, but last night I was up a pound so I'm guessing up again. it's all the dehydration with the sodium because I don't think I eat that many calories... but it just means it'll be days before it comes off again.

Jinxy · 02-10-2012, 10:03 PM

I'm new to this group I'm hoping to find some help here for PCOS.

How are you? How is your PCOS management? Ok I guess just a little confused on what to do for my PCOS. That's because I have no insurance and can't rely on doctors to help I need to find some way to use supplements for it I guess. I've been on this boat for a while and have almost given up thinking that there is help out there for me. I finally got to the doctors (OBGYN) this year (since trying to find a new one), my periods are irregular she told me that was not good, since I had no insurance she gave my samples of BC pills (Beyaz) to use for a couple months, and finally since paying for the visit on my own she lowered the cost of the visit for me (

Yay, for a nice kind OBGYN this time). So my goals are to lose weight during this time (and continue it afterwards), find some support for PCOS (very important to find anyone who understands, and find some way to use supplements to help with my PCOS after going off BC pills (maybe even before it too). After the BC pills I plan to TTC again (I have been TTCing since 2004 before the BC pills, no luck).

What are you going to work on in February? My weight, trying to establish an exercise routine that won't get boring (exercising for me needs to be fun and interesting or else I start to lose interest in it), and to eat healthier foods then I have been.

I hope to find friends and support in this group. Losing weight is hard enough but having to deal with it and PCOS is a pain. Started gaining weight in 2nd grade and battled it ever since.

astrophe · 02-11-2012, 12:41 PM

Rana -- Spot on! Travel and sodium def do that. You travel so often and handle it so well -- I am in awe! WTG!

Jinxy -- Welcome!

Have you seen Mary's PCOS Treatment Faq?
http://pcosfaq.com/

Two five stars are free to you -- exercise and lower carb diet. See what else is doable. There's also a BCP article to think about.

Birth Control Pills for PCOS

HTH!
A.

Jinxy · 02-12-2012, 01:14 PM

astrophe, Thanks for the Mary's link I didn't see that one. I did read the BC pills area since I am on them right now. I was wondering if my new doctor gave me the right BC pills for PCOS and she did as far as I could determine. So I think I finally have a doctor who is a keeper

.

astrophe · 02-13-2012, 11:00 PM

Jinxy -- good to know you like your doc then!

My Check In:

Had a rough day today sticking to food log plan. Just headaches and blah and blood sugar misbehaving for some reason. I did exercise so that is good.

I hope tomorrow is better.

A.

JigglyBits · 02-13-2012, 11:35 PM

Jinxy - welcome on board

astrophe - do you log your foods anywhere? online or in a diary? I find that helps me to stay on track. I use sparkpeople so it give me the number of calories eaten and how much I have left so i don't go overboard.

Rana - drink lots of water to wash out the access sodium and just stick to your plan again the weight should come off. good luck.

My update: I am too tired to exercise in the morning so I cram it all in after work. I'm starting to run on the treadmill but my left knee hurts I think I need to get a knee brace to support it. On the bright side, lost almost 3 lbs since beginning of Feb - 2 more lbs to go for this month

susiederkins · 02-14-2012, 08:10 AM

Hello all!

Who is here this month?

I'm here cause I'm tired of Calvin throwing snow balls at me!

I'm new and evidently a huge Calvin & Hobbes fan.

How are you?

I'm frustrated cause I haven't lost any weight in 2 weeks.

How was last month?

Last month was meh but then there was some movement in the scale

but I didn't lose inches.

How is your PCOS management?

Periods are regular and I just want to lose 25 pounds! I've been at it since Sept 2011.

What are you going to work on in February?

Reaching 170 would be sweet.

susiederkins · 02-14-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JigglyBits

Jinxy - welcome on board

astrophe - do you log your foods anywhere? online or in a diary? I find that helps me to stay on track. I use sparkpeople so it give me the number of calories eaten and how much I have left so i don't go overboard.

Rana - drink lots of water to wash out the access sodium and just stick to your plan again the weight should come off. good luck.

My update: I am too tired to exercise in the morning so I cram it all in after work. I'm starting to run on the treadmill but my left knee hurts I think I need to get a knee brace to support it. On the bright side, lost almost 3 lbs since beginning of Feb - 2 more lbs to go for this month

Yea sodium sticks to my body like a bad boyfriend.

ems81wales · 02-14-2012, 11:01 AM

Who is here this month?
me just about

How are you?
not to good girls my depression has kicked off again and im back on meds

How was last month?
not to good my depression kicked off like i said and my college work has gone down hill

How is your PCOS management?
well as you know they only found small cyst in the end so havent got it but they did tell me i have ibs now.

What are you going to work on in February?
getting my head straight and trying to maintaine xxx

astrophe · 02-15-2012, 09:37 AM

ems81wales: Good to hear from you! Sorry about the depression coming back. Hang in there -- hopefully you will get to a better place soon with the meds helping.

My check in:

Felt better yesterday -- cleaned a lot of the house. Errands today and more cleaning. Whee!

A.

Jinxy · 02-18-2012, 07:39 AM

My check in: My visitor is here and she is raging at me. She was one of the many reasons I choose not to work out the other day. I've been drained and very achy. Last night I felt horrible, when I finally was able to go to sleep I woke up two times both earlier then usual and the last time had the added benefit of having a nightmare with it. This is not normal for me at all and I'm tired yet again today. I do not think I'm going to continue my BC pills either since they gave me big time mood swings and now this. I also got some of my records (finally) from one doctor and this conformed the reason why I stopped using it in the past (horrible mood swings, I'm am not myself at all). I need to go to town today and see if I can find something stronger in the visitor pill section because this stuff I have (plus other things I have tried) haven't stopped the pain yet or cut it in half. UGH! I have never had the visitor be so so rough with me until this.

Questions for all:
If I can't get back on Metformin I'm going to have to find something else over the counter to deal with my cycles and such. Has anyone tried Vitex yet? How has it worked for you? Did you pair it with something else?
I ask because I have heard of it in the past but would like to know more opinions on it and info about it before I spend money on it. Thanks all.

I hope everyone else is doing better then I am I really do I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

astrophe · 02-18-2012, 10:42 AM

Jinxy -- Sorry you are having a rough TOM. Hang in there!

Vitex is an adaptogen -- meaning it will do whatever it is that is needed and adapt to your body needs.

I had it a few times in an herbal class as part of a tea tasting of select herbs but never took it as a tincture or capsule for PCOS management. I've read about a few PCOS people who have taken it when TTC in the hopes of regulating cycles.

http://pcosfaq.com/ gives it 3 stars.

I guess if you want to try it you could check in with an herbalist, naturopath, and/or doc? I don't know what other meds/supplements you take. If it were me I'd check in with someone to make sure it doesn't interfere with those.

A.