[mellybean]

hi, new here. i was diagnosed with PCOS in 1998, my endo said i'd had it since at least 1993 based on my reported symptoms. i went insulin resistant in 2001 and began gaining. i was just diagnosed hypothyroid after losing 38 lbs. while pregnant, then gaining back to higher than my pre-pregnancy weight while eating only Slimfast shakes! i've been afraid to even try losing weight, i have other health problems and don't feel like fighting the PCOS/IR again (metformin makes me sick as a dog for the first 4 months, with a new baby i'm not sure i could handle it!). but if i lose weight, the fibromyalgia and arthritis won't hurt so badly.

my story: i had always been either slim or too thin, i worked out a lot, totally type-A. i was anorexic, and have always had problems forcing myself to eat. then i came down with "chronic mono" (now CFS) and fibromyalgia, gained 12 lbs., no big deal. then whammo, in only one year (1993-94) i gained 70 lbs.! then i gained 20 lbs. a year after that. up until i was 270. after i was diagnosed with PCOS, i went on metformin, spironolactone and BC pills, plus a modified Atkins diet (more carbs like whole grains) and lost down to 179. i was happy with that, i still had my muscle mass and i did a lot of walking and toning. i could see myself staying at 180 for the rest of my life, i wasn't obsessed with being a size 4 anymore, i looked good in my clothes.

insulin resistance hit, and i gained steadily back up to 260. i became pregnant, and LOST weight during the entire pregnancy! even on the GD (gestational diabetes) diet where i was eating a LOT of food. i lost another 20 lbs. after giving birth. so i was 230 when my daughter was 4 months old. then whammo again! up to 260 in 3 weeks! my dr. did a lot of tests and i am finally hypothyroid (was borderline for all those years). i'm taking Synthroid.

i am SCARED to take more meds. metformin was very hard for me, it took me many months of just lying around nauseated all day before i got used to it. it sapped all my energy. the spironolactone headaches and moodiness were hard also. i just can't see going through all of that again, only to fight the insulin resistance futilely, you know?

i'm sorry this is so long! just a lot of frustration stored up. i would be very, VERY happy at 180 lbs. i just have no idea how to get there. my diet is this: i have time to grab 2 Slim-fast Optima (1/2 carb) shakes during the day. my husband will make me something at night, usually something low-carb or whole grain bread plus almond butter. i have NO appetite. i eat approx. 800 calories or less per day, with 24 grams carbs or less. (it's been like this since the day Willow was born. i have NO energy even to make toast, i have to use ALL of my energy and then some to take care of the baby.) i drink a LOT of water. i walk as much as i possibly can. i do yoga with my baby. and i run around after her all day but i gained 12 lbs. in the last 3 weeks even on Synthroid

peace,
meli

[Valarie250]

I'm not a doctor, I don't even play one on TV, but I do know that if you starve yourself your body will shut down and you will never lose weight, you'll just be sickly all the time. Your body needs a certain amount of food to run it's basic processes.

Generally, you need your body weight X 7 calories a day to maintain weight. I too have PCOS, and my doc is looking into thyroid problems. I still have to eat 1750 cals/day to stay this big. I have noticed that when I go lower, in an effort to lose weight, my body shuts down and I can hardly workout. Also, the less I eat, the more my body tells me I'm hungry all the time, even if I have just eaten.

Unless you weight 115 lbs, 800 is a rediculous amount to eat! Additionally, if you are working out, you need to replace the "7" with an 8 or 9... if you weight about 260, you need 1820 to maintain. if you are working out, eating 1820 should help you lose weight. Aim to burn 250 calories per day above what you do living, and eat 1800. that creats a deficit of 500 cals/day, or one lb/wk... in normal women. Your body may shut down and refuse to lose- mine did, but it is worth a try- eating 800 will only hurt you and keep you unhealthy.

A few things I would recommend- check the sugar content on SlimFast. If memory serves, they have a lot of sugar. Skip that in favor of some fruit or veggies and some cheese for protein- you'll also get mroe calcium and vitamins that way. Fresh foods give you more than processed shakes. Make sure you get lean protein in. Keep your chin up- I've been fighting a while, and I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunel.

All of the info I just posted concerning nutritian and the body came from a PhD I know who has shared a lot of good info over the years.

PM me with any other questions

Valarie

[andreaphilip3]

hi ,
i too have both and mmost definitely metformin makes me sick and dizzy and tired. i think i only lasted on 2 pills!

[Rizeninme]

Mellybean-

I agree with Valarie250- I think that 800 calories a day is very dangerous, and is probably doing more damage than good. You are literally starving yourself, and that is why you have no energy.

Have you seen a specialist? You should consider seeing an Endocrinologist. There are many medications that you can try and he/she can also help you with a diet plan that is best for you.

Slimfast (IMHO) is convenient, yes, but not a long term solution.

Just my two cents....