Hi Brittney

I'm in a similar boat - my hubby and I have been "not trying not to have children" for a year or two, and are really getting to the "actually TRYING" phase now. I've been PCOS diagnosed for about two years, but only started researching it this last year. It's daunting to see all the problems you can have with this, and how it impacts fertility. I had my first visit to a RE last month, and he recommended that to improve my chances of conceiving, that I really exercise as much as I can, (he suggested 30 minutes of aerobics 7 days a week, but I've decided if I can do 6 then I deserve a rest day!) and lose weight. He said that he expected that I would ovulate, and hence conceive naturally if I could get below a threshold weight (which is different for every woman) and that exercise and diet changes are the best way to avoid diabetes. He said to really give it a 6-month trial to see what happened before he started me on more intensive feritility treatment.

I've actaully started doing a diet called the "insulin resistance diet" that seems to be working - I thought I would be up many pounds after my self-indulgent Thanksgiving weekend dinners, but I was keeping to the diet the rest of the time and I seem to be down half a pound, so hurrah! Did a lot of walking with the WATP tapes and with relatives, and have mostly given up sodas. After two (Three? can't remember!) weeks on this I still feel positive and not starved, and I'm down about 4 pounds, give or take.

And on the internet, here and elsewhere, I've seen stories of women bigger than me and bigger than you report, who have slimmed down, gotten pregnant, and had normal pregnancies. So, it can be done!

Good luck, and keep posting! (I usually lurk, but I love to read how folks are doing!)
Kim

Well... hope everybody had a good Turkey day. My mom won a gift certificate for a catered dinner, so we did that for Thanksgiving. The gift certificate was worth a percentage off, and since there are only 3 of us and 2 cats, it worked well. Lots of leftovers, but not too much to make us sick of the whole thing. And my mom was able to get them to leave ALL the chicken products out of everything. They even made the gravy for the turkey from the turkey juices instead of using chicken broth as a base like they usually do. I should send them a thank-you note. ;)
I wound up having to leave my mom's house early because her kitten and my cat just don't seem able to get along. My mother is insistant that I bring my cat with me for Hanukkah at the end of next week. I will, but I'm going to be a nervous wreck because after we celebrate Hanukkah Thursday night (first night is Wednesday), I'm going to Philadelphia for a science fiction convention. I kept saying I wasn't going to go, because the hotel is pricey, but both my mom and grandmother think I need to do it. Its really the only time I go away... and I get to see friends that I don't see or talk to much outside of the convention. I'm leaving the car and the cat at her place until I come back Sunday night. Fortunately, neither cat has front claws, but I'll still be worried about my cat... I'm not positive he has been eating and drinking while we have been there.
On my own news front, I have an appointment with the nutrionist that my endocrinologist recommended. We have a professional day on Friday (staff reports, but we have no students), so I was able to make the appointment for late Friday afternoon. She seems like she's interested in working with me, because she spent at least 25 minutes on the phone asking questions and taking notes. The biggest issue is that she doesn't take insurance, or credit cards. She'll be able to take credit cards the beginning of the new year, but I couldn't pass up the professional day opportunity: no students means I don't have to worry about lesson plans or coverage. My school has no substitute teachers. And this whole not losing weight thing sucks. The nutrionist did say that I might not be eating enough for my body to lose weight since I'm pretty active.
I have also been trying to reach the other endocrinologist's office by phone: I left one message on a voice mail system, and then one message with a human being, but have heard nothing back. I'm going to call the surgeon's office who wanted me to see her, because I can't seem to get past the gatekeepers.
:mouse:

hey guys..thanks for the warm welcome....

As far as why I dont want to tell me family.....well I know some of them would try to be supportive but some of them would be countersupportive.. does that make sense? And some of them would be doom and gloom and pity. I am not ashamed that I have it and actually was also very relieved when I found out. I will admit it was and still is very emotional for me. Especially with the holidays and my birthday is this Saturday Dec. 4th. I still feel overwhelmed. I am following the GI Diet (Low Glycemic Diet, or traffic light diet) I have lost 10 pounds. I would rather get to my first goal weight of 200-220 before I seriously try and medications or procedures to get pregnant. I have heard to "good" stories. It has been really emotional of late.

I really appreciate the kind words already and look forward to learning more. I have told my mother that I am insulin resistant (diagnosed 1 1/2 yrs ago) and that I was following this diet. She has mentioned more then once that it seemed to extreme or strict. I am torn, i feel maybe if she knew the real reason she would understand. but I also know I cant tell her without the rest of the family finding out. I come from a family of gossipers and having to know everyones business. Some of them can be judegmental.

I thought I would just take some time to figure out my husband and I should do. and where to go from here.

any advice would be great!! And I do get offended easily so please share. I need to learn.....

also on a side note....is anyone going through or gone through a wide range of emotion when trying to conceive for awhile? I have several friends who are expecting...some under good situation some because the were stupid and got i trouble, one one hand I am happy for them and want to share this with them. On the other hand sometimes it is hard and I almost resent it. I am trying to not have these feelings but it is hard. Especially when I have no one to turn to. Everyone just tells me not to worry or it will happen in gods time (I know this mentally, just not always as strong emotionally)

ok this is so long no one will read it now!!! ha ha thanks for reading. I feel better already!lol

oh and what is everyones opinion on telling family?

Brittney
sw270
cw260
gw 200-220

I see what you are saying about the family. If it were me, I'd tell them all, and pass out PCOS informational sheets when they ask about it. Then they won't think you are going to die! Maybe you can tell your mom that your doctor recommended this type of diet so the IR won't proceed to Diabetes. I guess I take PCOS lightly!

I have heard plenty of people say that they conceived after losing weight. Just keep at it, and try and conceive when you are at a healthy weight. You want to be quite a bit lighter than you are now for a healthier pregnancy, especially since you are IR. You don't want to risk gestational diabetes. I know it hurts to see others get pregnant. I had a hysterectomy 6 years ago (fibroids, not PCOS) and not a day goes by that I don't want another. Bittersweet to see friends have babies!

I am closing this thread since the month is over. Go to the December thread! :D