Hello everyone, thought it was time for a new thread, the other one was too long. Hope everyone is well and smiling. Hope to hear from you soon.

Jennifer
250/194/150

Just bringing this back to the top...where is everyone?

Hi Jennifer!
I've been a member for a while but have never posted. I was diagnosed with PCOS in September--finally! I am on glucophage right now...only 500 mg once a day due to major GI upsets.
It's so nice to know I am not the only one!

Chris
179/167/125

Hi! You've never posted? How come? Posting is the best part, LOL
It is nice to know that were not alone with the PCOS. It can be very lonely at times. I too am on Metformin, 1000 mg a day. After taking it for 1 month, my periods which were absent for two years, finally came back. And since then I have been very regular, it feels great!
I am now experiencing thinning hair, seems like it's falling out alot. of course no one else can notice, but I do. My hair isn't as thick as it used to be. I have been seeing an RE and he told me that while I am going through infertility treatment. So, after I have a child we will work on the hair problem. Can't take both kind of meds, so I am just hoping am not bald by the time I have a baby. We've been trying for a long time now , and have been through the infertility treatments since July. But am keeping my spirits up.

I have also been losing weight since january, restricting my carb intake, directed by my doctor. To date, lost 58 lbs, feel much better but it's been a long long road. I am losing very slowly but as long as it's not coming on, I don't care. I have about 27 lbs to go before reaching my first goal of 165#.

Hope to hear from you soon...and where is everyone??


Jennifer
250/192/165
T-Day:190
1-1-00

Hi Jennifer!
I don't know why I never posted. I only started checking out the board again a few days ago. I have been just so frustrated with how slowly this weight is coming off.
I was on the metformin 500 mg bid but it was WAY too much for my poor belly too handle. He put me on a one week hiatus which has now stretched into 2 weeks--whoops. After only 2 months on it though--I have been AMAZED by the changes in my skin and my periods. My skin is now clear for the first time in years and my periods are regular(so far) and PAIN FREE! I am wondering about your thinning hair...surprising side effect. What methods are you using to combat infertility? We were going to start trying for a child in December but my endo says NO. Apparently I am also at high risk for gestational diabetes so I have to get both blood sugar and weight into normal ranges. Very upsetting as we have been waiting for the right time to try for years.
Congrats on the weight loss! You must be so proud. That takes serious dedication--you obviously have what it takes! I think it is just so hard to keep at it. I try and keep my future baby in mind
What does "T-Day" mean?

Hope to hear from you--and the others--soon!

Chris

Keep those spirits up!!

Hi, I'm still here too. Just been real busy at work (I don't have a home computer), and haven't been able to check in on some of my "regular" haunts.

I have my yearly appointment with my RE at the end of the month. Why I always schedule it right after Thanksgiving is beyond me. I'd lost the 10 lbs. I gained in the previous year, then last week's PMS (salt and carbs) has now caught up with me, and it looks like I won't have a whole 10 lbs. loss to show.

Jenniffer, good for you on your weight loss! I didn't even lose that much in the year when I was training for my marathon. You've done great...Now, if I can only lose 5 lbs. in the next three weeks.....

Hope the rest of you are well.

Lynn

Hello everyone..am hoping this board picks up again, I sure need it.
I am not doing too well, well, I am, but just crazed. Went to the RE yesterday to recieve an injection to make me ovulate within 24 hrs so everything would be better timed. So, went in and doc had bad news again. I am still responding very poorly to the clomid and the follicles were too small to give me the injection. So, I have to come back tommorow to see if they grew at all. If not,this cycle is a waste again. And then we would have to discuss moving onto injectible fertilty meds.Not sure what they are but he mentioned I would be giving myself the needle each day. Sounds like fun eh? And I didn't even cry. I was so optimistic this month, and it got me no where. I am no longer expecting good news, I figure that way I will not get my hopes up. I also have no idea how much the injections would cost, and if we could afford it. I am very dissapointed with the Clomid, I've heard such great succeses but doesn't seem like they will be mine. I am keeping my chin up, but I am also very numb.

I also spoke with him regarding my hair. He explained to me that in order to take the medications that would help with my hair breakage, I would have to stop the fertility treatments. I am not willing to do that. if it gets to be bad, noticeable to others, I will stop. But right now, I am the only one who can notice, my hair just isn't as thick as it once was. And he said that once I get pregnant, the hair would be doing better. Something about overstimulating your ovaries causes hair loss and breakage. Of course, life would be too simple for only one problem.

Enough of my pity party...

poohsie..T-Day..is short for Thanksgiving Day goal, 190 is my goal, just 2 more to go. I am also at a risk for gestational diabetes, my doctor is a bit concerned but not really with my weight. Of course he wants me to lose more weight to at least 170, but said that it will not cause any problems with my pregnacy as long as I don't gain too much during it. He set a limit of 20 lbs. I've always put things off in my life because of my weight, and am no longer doing it. Of course I want a healthy pregnacy and healthy baby, but even though I am overweight, I am alot healthier than most of my size 4 friends.

Lynn..Chug alot of water, tons of it, and your PMS gain will go bye bye as quick as it came on. Hope all goes well with your appointment, let us know how it goes.

Hope all is well with everyone..


Jennifer
250/192/165
T-Day: 190

First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm Kathy from Kansas, and I was diagnosed with PCOS after the birth of my second child. I've been reading through this thread and want to know more--first of all, I'm taking Aldactone. Also--what have your endos told you about weight loss? Mine tells me absolutely nothing--just wants me to "watch it." I know I need to lose about 40 pounds, so what have you been told that could help me?

I have lots more questions, but I'll just start with those two.

Kathy

Hi. My name is Joy. I'm a newbie. I was just finally diagnosed with PCOS two weeks ago. An Endocrynologist had the information to make the diagnosis two years ago and never diagnosed or refered. I finally found a new doctor who made the diagnosis from the blood tests and notes that the other doctor had sat on for two years. I sound BITTER. Sorry. I just need to vent. My new doctor is afraid that I also have endometreosis. I have to go in for a uterine exray and Laproscopy to make a diagnosis of endometreosis. Right now I'm a little freaked out. Is there anyone else out there that has had both PCOS and endometreosis at the same time?
On the diet side I'm on the standard low carb with as much exercise as I can handle. I'm also taking glucophage. (sp??)

Thanks for giving me a place to vent

Horse Lady (Joy)
For want of a Shoe the Horse was Lost.
Benjamin Franklin

Hello to all,

I am new here too! After years of doctors ignoring my signs of pcos I was finally diagnosed this year. My doctor can't put me on birth control because of a fatty liver that I was diagnosed with last year. I had testing done today to see if I'm a diabetic so yesterday I cried most of the day because I know it's just around the corner. I have older sisters who have all been diagnosed with diabetes and I feel like I'm just sitting here waiting my turn. My doctor never recommended any other medication at this time except for a water pill he gave me to help with facial hair growth.

I have been trying to lose the same 50 pounds since I was a teenager and I will turn 30 this year! I'm just looking for some extra support and if feels good to know that I'm not alone! I hope to have a good day tomorrow! Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories!

[This message has been edited by karbear (edited 11-15-2000).]

Jenniffer -
Miraculously, I woke up Tuesday AM, and was back at 185. Whoo-hoo. That's enough to keep me happy, assuming I don't put on any at the holiday (last year, I lost 3 lbs.). Thanks.

Also, I don't remember, but aren't you taking Metformin? I know the studies that have been done have shown that women on Metformin tend to respond to Clomid better. How are you insulin levels? If you are taking Met, how long, and have your levels come down? It might be worth checking on one of the other drugs (Avandia or Actos) if you don't respond to the Met.

Kathy - I take Aldactone along with Metformin. The Aldactone is a blood pressure pill that helps block the hair follicle from responding to the testosterone, so your hair doesn't grow back as quickly. It is definitely something that you SHOULD NOT take if you are trying to get pregnant.

Regarding diet, I follow a diabetic plan that allows me all the carbs I want, but is lower carb than most American diets. Many of us with PCOS are insulin resistant, and studies have shown that a lower carb diet can help lower our insulin levels, but not making our bodies make so much insulin.

Many of us are overweight (I'm 5'4" and 185), and unfortunately there are still a lot of docs that believe our overweight is the cause of the PCOS. I was told to lose weight and my problems would go away. The reality is that PCOS causes the weight gain, and makes it really hard to lose the weight. The low carb diet helps with that too.

Joy - I went through the same "yeah, you have PCOS, but there's nothing we can do" attitude for three years before I finally wised up and asked for better care. I don't blame you for being bitter. But, hopefully you are in a good place with a good doc. It looks like it.

I know there are some ladies with both PCOS and endometriosis out there. Hopefully, someone can help you out with your questions.

Karbear - Welcome! You're allowed to be sad, but only temporarily. I have three relatives (all on my dad's side) with diabetes, and I'm headed there myself. Since we are prone to type 2, and type 2 can be prevented to a certain extent, maybe you can minimize the likelihood of your developing it. Check with your doc and voice your concern. Weight loss is part of it, so you are definitely on the right track. If your insulin in elevated, maybe they'll put you on Metformin, which helps a lot of us. I went through all the same feelings when I was first diagnosed, and then I decided that I was going to be in charge of my body, and do what I could to maximize the chances of NOT getting it.

It's so nice to see all these new faces . Hope to see you all again soon.

Lynn

Hi everyone,

Lynn-

Thank you for validating my anger. Sometimes its nice to know your not alone or being unreasonable. I'm starting to get to the point now where I realize anger at what could have been isn't going to help me or anyone else.

Karbear -

I have the same diabetes issues that you do. My father is type 2 and I have a sister that is classified as juvenile diabetic even though her diabetes didn't mainfest until her first pregnancy. I like to look at my dad as a good example of how watching your diet can help you. He was on the border line of needing to go onto insulin shots and managed to avoid it by going onto a low carb diet. My doctor also tells me that following a low carb diet and exercise can prevent or postpone getting diabetes. I understand needing to cry for a day. I did that the day I came home from the doctor after getting my diagnosis and hearing I had to go for more tests. Bad news or the threat of bad news is never easy to deal with. I'm hoping you get good news! Good luck.

Horselady (joy)
"For want of a shoe the horse was lost.."
Ben Franklin
216/210/150

[This message has been edited by Horse Lady (edited 11-16-2000).]

Lynn--Could you tell me more about Metformin? I'm going to a new endo the end of December and want to be armed with as much info as I can get. Thanks.

Kathy

Kathy -

Metformin (or Glucophage) is one of the oral medications they give to type 2 diabetics. It helps diabetics by making their bodies use their insulin better.

For those of us with PCOS, we often are insulin resistant, and will have elevated insulin levels (tested for with a fasting insulin level). This insulin resistance is sometimes seen in patients prior to their becoming "type 2s".

It has been found that in patients with PCOS, managing the insulin level is a good thing. Even those PCOS women who don't have elevated insulin levels usually benefit. They aren't sure why.

What does it do for us? It also helps us use our insulin better, which is thought to be the cause (they still don't really know what causes it). Elevated insulin seems to bring on the weight gain (yes, it CAUSES, not us being lazy and overeating), as well as the elevated testosterone (and with it, the hair growth, balding, and acne that some of us have). And, the testosterone is usually what causes us to stop having periods. So, theoretically, if you can improve your insulin level, it is possible to improve your PCOS symptoms.

So, metformin is one of the things they are now used. Most folks take 1500 mg per day, in three doses. Sometimes, your doc may alter the dose, to get a better effect. One of the best ways to see if it is working is to have periodic fasting insulin levels drawn. Usually, they do them every 3-6 months. By the 3rd month, you should see something of a result. Some folks don't see a change until 5-6 months though.

It's a good idea to follow a low carb diet while taking this. The lower we can keep our carbs, the easier it is for the insulin to work. Follow which ever plan feels best to you...some use Atkins, WW, CAD, diabetic. What ever works. The other thing is....

...low carb can help decrease some of the more "unpleasant" side effects. Many folks, when they first start taking it, can have nausea or diarrhea. This usually lasts until your body "gets used to it". Usually only a couple of weeks. I know ladies who get nausea on it have found that taking it in the middle of the meal is the best thing. Some take milk, to help minimize this. You should always take it with food. For the diarrhea, some folks have noticed that it is worse when eating high carb/sugar or high fat meals. Some use Imodium if it gets real bad.

My experience has been only with diarrhea, usually within an hour after meals. I occasionally get it if I've been "bad". But, once it's out of your system for that meal, it usually doesn't recur. I've taken Imodium on occasion, and it has worked well.

Gosh, I know there's a lot more that I could write, but I can't think of it right now. I know that lost of magazines have full page ads for glucophage, and if you read the back page of the ad, it will tell you a lot. Also, check the web. The company that makes it (and I don't know the name) has a nice site. Just punch in glucophage or metformin into your favorite search engine, and you should have no problem.

I hope this helps....sorry it's so long.

Let me know what else you need.

Lynn

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've written in. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 13 years ago. My treatment was mostly just birth control pills. I have since had two beautiful little girls. Now I'm really having problems with low blood sugar. I am being tested for diabetes and am also very interested in the Metformin. My Dr. said that Metformin can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Those of us with PCOS also have to watch out chlorestoral very closely since we have 7 times more chance of heart disease than someone without PCOS.

I have been doing WW and have lost about 14 lbs with about 15 lbs to go. I know that exercise is also very important for PCOS sufferers and have been trying to do more. It's hard with 2 small children to watch.

My weight loss is going very slowly and the hypoglycemia is definitely aggravated by the lower cal. diet. I've been trying to eat more protein.
Please write back with your comments!