My old blue SB book ('old blue' - ha! - I just thought of A Christmas Story!) has gone missing since we moved this last time so until I can get my hands on another copy.... can anyone tell me, are there testimonials (or at least one) in there from women with PCOS? I was just diagnosed today and it sounded familiar, from the original SB book.

I have PCOS with insulin resistance, I was dx'd at 13 (16yrs ago). The last RE that I saw recommended the South Beach Diet and it's been the ONLY diet that I have lost weight without taking the metformin.

I have noticed that I cannot eat most fruits without cravings and weight gain. Starches are my weakness, prefer them over sweets and fruit anyway, but if I stick to whole wheat and allowed starches, I am good.

Most PCOS sufferers are worried about fertility so I will add in that I have 3 kids (all conceived naturally after failed fertility treatments)

Is there anything specific you are wanting to know about pcos and south beach?

I was diagnosed earlier this year with PCOS, so I definitely don't have the amount of reference that LoveMySgt has, but I think it really depends on what you are being treated with. I was immediately placed on Metformin and cannot do a strict P1 if I'm working out. (I walk 2-4 miles a day and have started doing strength exercised 40 min a day, twice a week). I have to have some form of whole grain to get me through my workout and usually eat it 30 minutes before.

I am consistently losing weight now, but only because I started working out regularly. Before that, I would lose weight and then gain it back on P2 - working out just makes me more motivated to eat right, so the two go hand in hand for me.

Thank you both. I'm very familiar with SBD but I just didn't have my book for reference, and I did seem to recall there was some relation between SBD and PCOS.

I'm not really interested in having any more children. I have three under four years old.

I guess, fortunately at this point, the only symptoms I'm having are irregular periods and weight gain. I want to avoid any medications if at all possible. Looks like I need to get a new copy of Old Blue. Thanks again

Heather, Strangely, I was officially diagnosed yesterday as well. But they are putting me on metformin because I am wanting to get pregnant. Since my dr. kept stressing low-carb diet and exercise, I think SBD is just right.

Jessie - if they didn't give you the XR, try to get it! The side effects are less with the XR and if you take it before bed, it will help with the nausea. Make sure you stay home for a day or 2 when you first start it and AVOID greasy stuff and lettuce! I know you are on the SB board but if you stray off the plan, avoid the above It won't take long to figure out what foods you need to avoid because of the side effects.

(I refuse to take it again but I may try Byetta when the baby is weaned)

Well, I am feeling well right now. I expected to be puking today! LOL. I just have a massive headache that won't go away.

PCOS is PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome, also know as PCO Disease or Stein-Leventhal Syndrome.

I don't have a lot of time to type so I am copying some stuff from SoulCysters (don't think I can link it)

Can include the following symptoms:
Irregular or absent menses
Numerous cysts on the ovaries in many, but not all, cases
High blood pressure
Acne
Elevated insulin levels, Insulin Resistance, or Diabetes
Infertility
Excess hair on the face and body
Thinning of the scalp hair (alopecia)
Weight Problems or obesity that is centered around your mid section

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder of women, affecting as many as 1 in 10. While there is no cure for PCOS, the symptoms of PCOS can be managed with proper treatment by a qualified PCOS physican.

oops, wanted to add

Though most women with PCOS are overweight, you CAN be thin and have it!

According to one study, there are 5 types of PCOS, I am a type 3.

1. traditional PCOS -- anovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance

2. endocrine syndrome X -- anovulatory, increased androgens, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes

3. non-traditional PCOS --anovulatory, normal androgens, obese, insulin resistant or type 2 diabetes

4. non-traditional PCOS -- ovulatory, increased androgens, mild insulin resistance

5. idiopathic hirsutism -- ovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance

JessieW: I got dizzy the first time I did the Met, but each time my dosage has increased has been fine. I wasn't able to do P1 completely this time, and I think the Met is part of the reason. (I think another part of it is the fact that I'm working out more intensely). Also, I haven't eaten a single thing that's given me problems. I can eat anything anywhere so far and feel fine. I guess it just depends on how your body reacts to everything. Maybe one day I'll hit a brick wall and not be able to eat something, but for now, everything's good! (Although, I do kind of wish that I would get nauseous mixing the Met and cookies, but only kind of!! )

I'm terrified of Metformin after what I've been reading! IDK.... I think I want to avoid medication if I can. If I can control the weight then I'm not at all worried about not ovulating, yk? My husband is surgically sterile so I don't need to even think about pregnancy. (thankfully, for once )

TY all for your advice and thx to LoveMySgt for the link to the PCOS site. I will hopefully check it out tonight if DH doesn't need the computer for work.

I have read about these symptoms in the past and I have always wondered if not actually thought I have had PCOS since I was in my early 30s. I am 54 now. Obviously, I am way beyond the age for childbearing although I am still getting irregular periods (I never stopped having those!) but that is now probably part of menopause.

I too would not want to go on medication. Other than a desire to conceive, is there any medical benefit a person gets from taking the medication?

I think the recent why SBD is a good plan for PCOS women is that the best food plan for "insulin resistance" is restricting carbs and fruits because of how the body processes the blood sugars triggered by eating those foods.

I wish I would have known about this syndrome when I was younger and wanted more children than the one I had. I was infertile for so long and yet it was virtually ignored by the doctors I went to. Either I didn't ask the right questions back twenty years ago or they didn't know much about this.

I envy those of you who have this information when you are young. I think I suffered so many symptoms including obesity as a result of this.

This disease is still not understood by the majority of doctors. Even 20 yrs ago, only specialists would have been able to give you a diagnosis and they were few and far between. I was lucky enough to be seen by an endocrinologist studying PCOS at the Children's Hospital of Cincinnati when I was 13 and was diagnosed then.

Taking medications can lessen the symptoms of PCOS, even if you are not trying to get pregnant. Metformin and Byetta are used to control blood sugar, making it easier to lose weight. I don't know much about the other meds since I have never taken them. You have to weigh the benefits of the meds with the side effects.

If you were to go to a regular GYN, the would put you on birth control. For some women not TTC that is ok because it masks the symptoms and makes periods regular. Birth control does nothing for blood sugar or help you lose weight.