PCOS-DIET Messages for July, 2001: Re: Losing Weight

Re: Losing Weight - It's working

From: Brandi (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 3 Jul 2001 12:56:59 -0500 (CDT)

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I just read this and it just brought back every memory I had of being diagnosed. I was 19, in college,finally decided I'd like to have sex, went to the campus clinic, lifted up my arm over my head for my first breast exam, and she saw darkening under my arm (and I have all the other symptoms of PCO in the book!!!(besides hair loss)...that's when it all started. She asked me when my last period was and my reply was..."ummmm, like 9 years ago..." From there I was hurried to the hospital for my first ovary ultrasound. Like you, I was never worried about absent periods because I wasn't sexually active, and to me, it was actually pretty nice. I did go to my doctor around the age of 14 to ask questions, she laughed and said, "you're overweight and you're very athletic, unless you want a pap smear that's all I can tell you" well needless to say, at age 14 that was the last thing in the world I was going to elect to do! My diagnosis of PCO was devistating I had just gotten engaged and planned to get married and have babies the day I graduated from college. My doctors put me on birth control told me it was probably genetic, my mom did have some trouble conceiving (5 years trying, and I was the only one) and to watch what I eat, try and loose weight. That was about the 80,000,000 time someone in my life had told me to loose weight, I'd always been the fat girl, it was definately part of my identity. My mom, striving to make my life better for me had put me on every diet known to man beginning at about age 7. I was a very active person in sports and exercise, even through college. I've taught aerobics since I was 18. I had physical endurance that far exceeded that of my 100 lb. friends. With my new diagnosis I not only had the genetics of my parents but PCO to blame for being overweight. It is almost comforting for a day or two to know that it's not that I have a control issue or lack thereof, it's not that I'm lazy, it's because I have a body that is screwed up! It's not my fault...And then it sort of hits (at the time of my diagnosis (November '96) they told me I probably wouldn't have kids. They told me there was no cure, I'd always have this and very few doctors have examined the long term effects of this disorder. Well thank heaven that's all changed!! At age 22 I graduated from college and moved in with my fiance in Cincinnati Ohio. Through my family doctor I was referred to Dr. Glueck, who shince has demanded I stop birth control (he claims it's bad no matter what, falsely stimulating ovaries, or something) and put me on metformin. However, I was up to 2500 mg./day, major GI problems and actually gaining weight (however to answer your question Stacy it did help the acne on my face). He's taken me off of Met. and put me on Actos, which is great, as long as a close eye is kept on liver function, but I've had my first AF without birthcontrol or progesterone since I was 10 years old. However, my main struggle remains to be my weight, I still work out at least 6 hrs./week, and am looking for the reasonable way to eat, without setting myself up for failure. Because I have failed at every diet I've been on!!!! I've heard great things about the new weight watchers point system (from those without PCO and the inherent carb and sugar cravings....) I'd love to have some first hand success stories of people with pco on weight watchers! I'd love to hear how it works, does it feel reasonable? I do worry about the weighing in part, I don't even let my doctor or husband weigh me, I do it myself and write it in the chart so no one has to say it out loud (I know, I have issues). But anyway, let me know how it works for you!! Thanks for reading my story and sharing your experience!

--
Brandi

>>>>Hi Everyone,
>>>>
>>>>I'm new to the forum, but have been lurking on here for many weeks. I
>>>>was diagnosed with PCOS a mere 3 weeks ago. I'm waiting to see an Endo
>>>>doctor - probably sometime in July.
>>>>
>>>>I am 29 years old and single. Like many of you, as soon as I hit
>>>>puberty, I packed on the pounds. I gained an unexplained 40 pounds in
>>>>one summer when I was 13 and have put on even more as I aged. My
>>>>periods throughout my teen years were very irregular - anywhere from
>>>>40-70 days between cycles. I was not sexually active, so I didn't worry
>>>>about it too much. My doctor assured me that my periods would regulate
>>>>when I became an adult. I guess I'm not a grown up yet, huh? :)
>>>>
>>>>Two years ago, I lost my right ovary due to a massive cyst (15
>>>>centimeters). My then-OB/GYN said that cysts 'just happen'. She didn't
>>>>know why it got to be so big. She couldn't explain my irregular
>>>>periods, opting instead to put me on BCP (Levora). She couldn't explain
>>>>the acne breakouts I had on my legs and breasts - instead she put me on
>>>>doxycycline which (rather obviously) didn't help at all. She encouraged
>>>>me to lose weight and to get out an exercise more. And you know what? I
>>>>did that, I went to a gym and also joined a martial arts class - even
>>>>earned my black belt for crying out loud, but I still didn't lose any
>>>>weight. So now I'm fat and a trained hand to hand expert! LOL!!
>>>>
>>>>The best thing in the world happened to me a few months ago. I switched
>>>>jobs and my old doctor didn't accept my new insurance, so I found a new
>>>>doctor. I made an appointment with him for my regular Pap, and while he
>>>>was questioning me about my medical history, he stopped me and asked if
>>>>I had ever been tested for PCOS. "No...what's that?" and he explained
>>>>to me that EVERY PROBLEM I had was a classic symptom! Finally! An
>>>>answer! I am not lazy! I do not overeat! There is something wrong with
>>>>me! Yes!!!
>>>>
>>>>:) Of course, now I'm like "Damn, there's something wrong with me!" but
>>>>for those few shining moments, I felt at peace. I suddenly really liked
>>>>my new doctor. He's not bad, for a guy!
>>>>
>>>>Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone here has been on Weight Watchers? I
>>>>joined in March and have lost 29 pounds so far and (hopefully), will be
>>>>able to lose another 100. The plan is easy, and works well for me. Like
>>>>many of you, I'm a carbo addict, so I have to watch the bread and
>>>>crackers!
>>>>
>>>>I was also wondering if anyone has any helpful hints about treatment of
>>>>acne breakouts. I consider myself one of the lucky ones - I don't break
>>>>out on my face (just the occasional stress zit!). I break out on my
>>>>upper thighs and under my breasts. At least they aren't in public
>>>>areas, but still - it's embarrasing.
>>>>
>>>>Does Metformin help with acne breakouts, or are there any particular
>>>>BCP's that seem to work? I've heard Ortho TriCycline is good for the
>>>>skin, but bad for PCOS. I am not trying to conceive, so will I go on
>>>>medication, or will that wait until I'm trying to have a baby?
>>>>
>>>>My goal right now is to arm myself with as much information as possible
>>>>so I'll know what questions to ask the Endocrinologist when I see him
>>>>next month.
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Thank you so much for taking time to read this! Any suggestions offered
>>>>and experiences shared are much appreciated!
>>>>
>>>>- Stacy
>>>>

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