So as some you may remember I recently did some bloodwork and an all so pleasant internal ultrasound to try to figure out whether or not I am indeed PCOS.

Well, yesterday the doctor's office called and I do have PCOS.

I have an appointment with her tomorrow but maybe some people have some advice on what I should ask her about. My DH is going to come with me so that is a bit of a relief.

I must say I am terribly disappointed. The whole fertility thing is of course very distressing - we've been trying for a few years now and had really wanted to have 4-6 children. We are still going to try and are looking more seriously at adoption. But the thing I think that upsets me more is that I had always thought that the weight and depression go hand in hand. Now that my moods have been the best they have been in the last ten years I thought I may finally have a real fighting chance at getting the weight down and (perhaps foolishly) I thought once I was down the maintenance would be much simpler. Now I feel like I've been given a life sentence to a constant struggle with my weight.

Any words of advice?

Lifeguard I am so very sorry that you've received such distressing news. I am really unaware of this condition, so I don't know what to tell you in specific about talking to your doctor. I do believe there are forums on this site that do deal with that though. Perhaps you can get some help there. I would also do a little investigating on the web to see what you can find out and make a list of questions that you have to ask the doctor. Writing down your questions is a good way to insure that you don't forget them. And I would also write down the things that she tells you as well.

You mentioned that you have now been given a life long sentence in the struggle of your weight. Again, I don't know much about the condition that you have, but I gotta tell you I know I will ALWAYS struggle with my weight. Every single day of my life. Day in, day out, month after month, year after year and decade after decade. That is something that I had to face up to. Yes there are easier days, the ones where everything goes according to plan and I could care less that there's fattening food all around me. And then there's the harder ones, where I seem to have no resistance and even the dried out rice cakes are calling my name, not to mention that even though my home is stocked with healthy foods, the outside world is right at my fingertips with tempting food EVERYWHERE. Easier days where I am rearing to go on the exercise front and harder days when there seems like an earthquake could not get me to move myself. Having been morbidly obese for so long (and at 5 feet tall I still am even after losing 100 lbs.) I know I will struggle with my weight til the day I die.

Lifeguard, many people overcome obstacles, some worse then others and I have no doubt when you get this all sorted out you will come out on top here. And it will be that much more meaningful and worthwhile. Good luck and keep us informed please. We are all pulling for you here.

lifeguard,

I'm so sorry that you are struggling right now. I don't know alot about PCOS to be honest. I do, however, know there is a support board here at 3 fat chicks for people that have it. I sure they will be a huge support and offer lots of advice of how to do with this and weight lose.

I know people on this board (100 club) have this same issue. I'm sorry I can't offer much more then that. Just know that we are ALWAYS here to and willing to listen!

Hi Lifeguard. I am very sorry that you found out you have PCOS. I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but please dont lose hope. Having this diagnosis does not mean that there is zero possibility of ever having children. Please ask you doctor about dietary changes. From my studies, I know that women with PCOS usually also have insulin resistance. A lot of women have had success with following the Southbeach plan. Although I don't have PCOS, I am insulin resistant and have had success on Southbeach when other plans have not worked for me. Even if you don't decide on Southbeach, removing refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup from your diet will help. Also, replace white bread, rice and pasta with whole grain alternatives. You might also find that your problems with depression are related to your diagnosis of PCOS and managing the PCOS will help with the depression as well. For years, I have been estrogen dominant...my body just made too much estrogen. This made gaining weight extremely easy and contributed to my depression. My understanding is that PCOS is also a hormonal issue. Hopefully, your doctor will have a lot of good information for you.

Lifeguard, I'm very sorry to hear the news. Please talk to your doctor about your concerns! I know it can be pretty intimidating to talk about this, but it needs to be done. Ask as many questions as you can about the condition and how you can still lose weight. I believe there is a forum here at 3fc for dieting with obstacles... pcos is one of the subforums? I think. There is also a site of just message boards for women with PCOS.. I believe it's called something like soul cysters? I'll look it up. I'm sure ladies who have been diagnosed have a wealth of information they'd be happy to share.

I can be wrong because I'm certainly not too health-knowledgeable, but I've heard that PCOS symptoms can be lessened with weight loss, even if it make weight loss harder.

Like Robin said, many of us will always struggle with our weight, even at the maintanance stage. It's hard work but it can be done. Please don't let this be the end of your efforts.. you have worked too hard to stop fighting! You're in my thoughts.

Hi Lifeguard . . . Lot's of good advice already.

Just wanted to mention that I have full-fledged Type II Diabetes (diagnosed better than 15 years ago) and I do most of my posting in the Diabetes Support Forum which is a sub-forum of Dieting with Obstacles.

As mentioned by some of the other girls, there is defiintely a thriving PCOS group over there and they would just love to hear from you. It can really help to be able to chat with others that face the same problems as you do. Here is a link . . . http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14 . . . to the main forum and you will see that there is a PCOS/Insulin Resistance Sub-forum. Feel free to hop on over (you too, GirlyGirl). I know you'll get a great big, welcoming and lots of support.

Have a great day, gang . . . keep things moving and shaking . . .

I am sorry you are struggling right now. I also have PCOS. Do losts of research and talk openly to your doctor. It is a little scary at first, but the symptoms of PCOS vary WIDELY not just from person to person, but from an idividuals month to month! It is NOT a sentence to anything. I am losing weight. I have soon to be 4 children. 2 are biological (no fert. drugs) and 2 are adopted (by choice). We are bringing our 2nd son home in about 2 weeks!!! You can not cure PCOS but you sure can help it A LOT!! There is lots of hope for all the things you want to do. Take care. Jelly

Lifeguard - already you have gotten some great advice here. I do have a good friend with PCOS - and yes, she has struggles in her life that I don't have, but she has a great life too! Keep a positive out look - and learn all you can about your syndrome. (And ericka was also able to have 2 children - so it isn't impossible) - talk to your Dr.s and know we are all here for you. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Lifeguard, I was told by my hepatologist albout 20 months ago that I have PCOS and that I am insulin resistant. Prior to that I had no idea. I knew that I gained weight easily but didn't know why. My Dr. started me on Glucophage 500 mg. twice a day, my insulin level was 10 times higher than it should have been. 4 months later my insulin level was still 4 times too high and he increased the glucophage to 850 mg. twice a day. I have been able to lose all my weight with the PCOS and Insulin Resistance. I have been maintaining my wt. loss for almost 9 months. It really isn't a life sentence. If I were you, I'd try to look at the positive side of this. You know now what is causing a lot of the weight struggle and your Dr. will now know what med. to give you that will make losing the weight easier and keeping it off easier. Also, the weight loss in itself helps with fertility issues and depression. It is never easy to find out that we have some type of medical condition, but identifying the problem is a big step. Let the Dr. help you. Ask what med's could help? Which type of food plan would work best? (My Dr. had me do Low-carb to take my wt. off as he firmly believed it helps best with PCOS and Insulin Resistance). I wanted more variety in my food and was having some tummy problems , so I switched myself to calorie counting after maintaining for 6 months or so. Ask what amt. and type of exercise does the Dr. recommend? I know that you already exercise, but he might have some helpful suggestions. Hugs, I know this is all foreign and scary, but there are many of here at 3FC's with the same diagnosis and it can be controlled and wt. loss/maintenance is completely possible.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

Your show of support was just what I needed. Thank you! I don't have any friends who really understand and although DH wants to he doesn't truly get my anxiety about this.

I really am not overly depressed about this - it is just an added stress on a crazy week. I tried finding some books on it but neither the book store or the library in town had any books at all! Crazy! Guess I'll have to go to the city - lol!

I see the doc tomorrow but I am worried that she will say I have to see a specialist & that will take forever before we start doing anything to treat it. I don't want to wait!

Lifeguard, I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago. My situation is a bit strange though.. I don't know if I have it or if it has gone away - but is it something that goes away? I don't know. I will be seeing a doctor sometime soon I hope.

I have been losign weight steadily, not counting carbs or anything really. I dont know if I have it but if I do.. I'm an example of someone who's had it ok. I hope that helps Let us know how your doctor's appointment goes.