[northernpalmtree]

Hello, my name is Racheal and I am 30 years old. I learned of PCOS back in October from my sister who has it. I went to my family physician who also does GYN exams and let her know what problems I was having. After having blood work done she came back and agreed based on the symptoms.
She put me on a small does of Metformin and then had me up my dose as 3 months had pasted and no change.
I was so greatful for the Metformin, because it seem to relieve my terrible mood shifts I was having I would be wonderfully happy and laughing, then like a switch I would be in a rage of anger, next to teary weapiness, and finally I would become depressed which would last awhile. Oh and not to mention a terrible urge for sex
Now by 8 months I am up to 1000mg a day of Metformin and still nothing - so I was refered to my endo to seal the deal on the comfirmed diagnosis. Also was tested for insulin resistance, because I can't lose weight. I am at 215-220 constantly and I just cannot omit anything more from my food durn the day or I will starve to lose. And still not lose
I have been from WW, to NutriSystem to HerbLife to you name it and all the while its been this cause.
Right now I am starting to see that the 1000mg of Metformin is not quite holding me anymore on my moods. I still get so sad and down and it hits suddenly like nothing I've dealt with before.
Does or Has anyone experienced this before?
I am in the waiting of what my Endo is going to do, and right now I feel so
Messed up - constantly feeling Fat and never going to be normal, my pretty hair is thinning out, and I can't stay on one mood, I feel like I am fighting myself all the time to keep it going one day at a time. One step in front of the other, but I feel like the next step is not going to come because I may give up making them.
I am soooo hoping she can help, I am Tired of Feeling like a Mess.

Sorry for my rant, considering I am a N.E.W.B.I.E, but I needed too. No one I talk to knows what it is.
Thanks Girls

~!~ Racheal

[anasazee]

It's OK, Racheal. I've been there, myself. I still get that way sometimes, though it is getting better. You may not want to hear this (I know I didn't), but one rather common symptom of PCOS is Depression. Not feeling depressed, but the chemical imbalance, medical disorder, Depression with a capital D. It can affect your mood very badly, of course, but it can also affect your ability to lose weight, metabolise sugars and level of energy (oh no! Not another thing that affects all of those! ).
You might want to get checked out for it. It never occured to me before my doctor brought it up to me, but once I was on medication to help it for a few months, alot of the symptoms that were really bothering me eased up some. That's when the whole disease became easier to deal with and the steps became just a little bit easier to take.
Good luck, girlie! We're here for you anytime

[fl_mom]

Welcome to 3FC Rachel.

I agree with the previous poster that Depression is a big problem with PCOS and maybe you should actually consider an antidepressent for a while to deal with that aspect of things.

I am currently doing the south beach diet by advice of my repro endocrinologist. I have not been able to lose weight with other plans (WW, Atkins, sugar busters) because of the pcos. With south beach, I have lost 21lbs in the past 2 mths. Have you tried following the IR diet, south beach, or something else that takes into account the glycemic index of foods, not just counting calories? Honestly, you cannot expect to lose weight, even while taking MET and still eat the high sugar/high carb foods that normal eating plans allow.

You may also want to talk with your doctor about upping your dose of MET to 1500 or 2000. If you are having problems with side effects, there are extended release versions available. In my experience, until my RE now, I have always known more about PCOS than any of my doctors and had tried to convince them how to treat me. I know have a doc that knows more than me and it's great!

Note: I wasn't sure if you had heard of the glycemic index yet. This is the calculation of how food affects your blood sugar, not just the measurement of how much sugar is in the food. This is VERY important to know since you have PCOS/IR.

[Mazarin]

I know how you feel I was told I was depressed back in 2000 long before I suspected I had PCOS, I finally saw my GP over the PCOS this year and am awaiting a scan to confirm it.

Looking back the symptoms have been there for years and years and I just never really did anything about it!

However I am sick of being down, depressed, moody and just hacked off with my life, so this week I joined a gym and I am determined to tackle my weight problem one way or another!

I don't do my induction at the gym until Friday though!

I find I turn to food for comfort after working all day, I come home and just eat junk food which is so bad for me!

I won't know if I have PCOS till November at least, but with the blood results and symptoms I am pretty 100% certain I have it.

[Lisa_WY]

Honestly, no diet is going to help...it is a lifestyle change. One you have to really WANT to make. Like, Mazarin I have been going to the gym for 2 months now and doing WW. You CAN lose weight with PCOS but you really do have to exercise more than the average person. Any movement is good. I "use" my 5 year old daughter to help me. We go on bike rides, walks, swimming and to the park. She is a great motivator and although she rides too slow, we just increase our time on the bike. I also go to the gym by myself 3 times a week. My point is you don't have to go to the gym, you just have to get out and move. I really have to push myself or I will get lazy. Last night, I went to the gym for 45 minutes, mowed the lawn, and pulled weeds. My total workout time was probably 3 hours. Not a typical but it felt so good. I sweated buckets, moved my body. Some nights my daughter and I just ride to the park and I will play on the equipment with her.Don't quote me on this but from what I understand: Exercise gives off a chemical in your body that helps you become happy and it eases the depression. Since I have started exercising, I sleep better, feel refreshed in the am, and I have no depression or mood swings.
Lisa
Wyoming