I was just looking up information on it and was wondering if anyone else here has it. I was having major problems with my periods. Which was bad considering I want another baby. So, I kept a record of them and went to my ob/gyn.
I went to my regular DR, but he wouldn't even address the irregular periods b/c I have an ob/gyn. I told him also that I had an excessive weight gain almost overnight. I told him that clothes that fit comforatably last week I couldn't even get on the next. He gave me the BS information about calories in and burned, put me on anti-depressants(I was complaining of lack of sleep and energy). I wanted a referral to and endocrinologist b/c of my thyroid and period problems, but he wouldn't refer me. I also tested high with my triglycerides and cholesterol. My thryoid levels were "low normal". Then, I go to my ob/gyn and she does an u/s and says that I have PCOS of which the symptoms of weight gain, difficulty losing weight, abnormal periods and high cholesterol and triglycerides are all included. She put me on progestin to get my periods back and I started SBD.
I was so surprised while reading the book soon after being diagnosed that there is paragraph about a woman that went on the diet with PCOS and conceived. I felt like, "I am at the right place."
I was diagnosed with it - 40 years too late! My kids are adopted and I have been fighting my weight all my life. Thanks God there is help now.
Check out the PCOS site in this Forum. There are lots of chicks in here too who have PCOS or IR or both.
"We shall overcome."
Bad for you Ruth, but what a blessing for your children!
Wow! For some reason when I read your post I started thinking about my weight. I was small in high school. When I started gaining, people said a lot of hurtful things to me and thinking of the lifetime of struggling with weight just made me think of it.
It gives me some sort of comfort to know that I am not just lazy! I am hypothyroid too. I guess I'm just a mess when it comes to metabolism! I have not been diagnosed with IR, but oh, my I had a sugar filled diet before SBD.
Luckily, I do have one child. I am grateful for him, but I would love another.
I have PCOS and was put on a very similar diet to SBD after some illness by an endocronologist (sp???) We had been trying for about 5 years to have my daughter and my cycle had always been wildly erratic.. after about 2 months on this eating plan my periods became very regular and I conceived my daughter a few months later... from what I can gather.. those of us with insulin resistance may have a corresponding oestrogen problem.. so being on an eating plan that stabilises your insulin response can help regulate your oestrogen. (I think that is how it goes - feeling a bitt fuzzy today)
But.. I am sorry that you have been diagnosed with PCOS, but there is loads of information and support available.. and knowing what if causing your problems gives you some measure of power over them.
I think I probably have PCOS...I have almost all the symptoms (I recently discovered some hair loss-- eek! --to go along with the other symptoms). I was tested once via blood test by my OB/GYN, but the test came back normal. I'd give up the ghost on this one but the other PCOS sufferers I've met say that it sometimes took years of testing for them to find out for sure that they had it. If I'm going to deal with infertility I'd like to know now and deal with it rather than waiting a year and then starting the process.
Ruth, I think it's WONDERFUL that you adopted. Just one more reason to think that you are an amazing woman and that I am blessed to know you!
Dana, my OB/GYN said that SBD (or a diet like it) is one of the first things they ask their PCOS patients to do and that it often helps a lot. I'm sure you're in the right place!
I have really abnormal periods too. My OB/GYN kept saying it was the version of the pill that I was using and changing it. Unfortunately, I've been off the pill since November to get ready to start trying, and I'm still having wildly erratic periods. Guess I have to give her a call when I get back in town.
One resource that I haven't started using fully yet, but intend to get into majorly when I get back, is "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"...it's a great book. You might find some insight there even if you just use it as a way to find out more about your body.
Laurie - Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a WONDERFUL book! I used it to get pregnant with Brian. Since I already knew I had irregular periods, I started charting my basal temperature and my doctor was willing to start me on Clomid without waiting for the year. Luckily I got pregnant with Brian after only 6 months on Clomid since it does raise the risk of ovarian cancer and they don't like to use it more than 6 months if you have a family history of ovarian cancer like I do. I've never been tested for PCOS but I do know that I'm only regular when I'm on the Pill or Clomid. Luckily for one, Brian is more than a mother could ask for and I don't plan on any more children.
I was dx'd in 1997, but not until I had my share of doctors prescribing anti depressants and stating that it is stress related! Of course I have stress, we had been ttc since 1992. Five years of clomid, charting, scheduled love making, high hopes, negative pregnancy tests, provera to start my period again.....then the cycle started again, but eventually added in shots and weekly visits to the hospital. (Can you tell I'm a bit bitter about all that).
So, in 1997 I was finally dx'd and put on bbc (their PERFECT solution). In 1998 I found an RE went several times had many tests only for her to come back and tell me that it would be a miracle if I could get pregnant. So I went through the next year very depressed (a lot of bad thoughts) and decided to try a drug (metformin) people were talking about @ soulcysters.com (it is a wonderful sight that helpled me find a world of answers). It took several months and several doctor to convince to give it a try, I tried it for quite a while and it didn't work for me, so they put me back on bbc. I'm thinking that back then I wasn't following a strict low carb type diet and that's why it didn't work.
I have tried every type of diet and it has always been so hard to lose weight. But since I started SBD I have lost 35 pounds. So it is very hopeful for me to get to a "normal" size.
Unfortunately I have given up the idea of becoming pregnant, I have an 18 year old step son, I married my DH when SS was 3. So I guess I am a mother after all.
Sorry for the length, but check out that website it has a lot of information and the women there were so helpful to me, as I'm sure they are here as well, you just can never have too much information.
Sorry, after thought.....to answer your question about getting pregnant after losing weight. I personally wasn't able to, but I know many, many women that metformin worked along with weight loss and they were blessed with beautiful children....
I was diagnosed by a diet doc as having all of the symptoms of PCOS I want to do the blood test for PCOS but you can't be on the pill and do that at the same time and without the pill My period is **** on earth and never ending Literally not that it's ending now.
I can understand your pain. I got lucky and had a beautiful son, but it took me some time. I thought it would never happen for me. I was so depressed. I would break down in tears anytime I heard of someone else getting pregnant. It seemed like everyone I knew was getting pregnant. (Even the ones not trying. ) I was miserable. My mom guilted me into throwing a baby shower for my SIL. She just had no clue how hurtful it was to me to be around pregnant women. I decided then, that was the last baby shower that I was ever going to. It was torture. I would buy gifts and send them, but to sit in a room to celebrate the birth of another baby. I just couldn't do it. And, that was the last shower I went to until my own. I am grateful every day for my son. I am trying to come to terms that one child will be all that I get. I have always wanted two, but my time is running out.
I have PCOS as well. I was told I couldn't get pg unless I took some kind of meds. That was almost 5 years ago. I decided not to take the meds, as I get sick if I take more than a few different kinds of meds, and I have to allow for my allergy & asthma meds. So I figured I just wasn't going to be having kids...
DS is now 19 months old!
Also, since DS was born, my cycles have been pretty regular. Still overweight and having trouble with some of the lesser symptoms (such as hirsutism), though.
PCOS? Anyone else been diagnosed with it?
She put me on progestin to get my periods back and I started SBD.
I felt like, "I am at the right place."
--to go along with the other symptoms). I was tested once via blood test by my OB/GYN, but the test came back normal. I'd give up the ghost on this one but the other PCOS sufferers I've met say that it sometimes took years of testing for them to find out for sure that they had it. 
If I'm going to deal with infertility I'd like to know now and deal with it rather than waiting a year and then starting the process. 
Just one more reason to think that you are an amazing woman and that I am blessed to know you! 
