Re: PCOS and Endometriosis - Diet Issues
From: Heather (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 11 Oct 2001 13:16:25 -0500 (CDT)
Mel,
Thanks for all the good information. I'm still learning so much. I too
have been Superwoman... I work at a high stress job and try to do it
all... I've always been a "Type A" and have had issues with anxiety
since I was a kid.
I think I need to get Dr. Lark's book. I have another book on endo and
nutrition but haven't read through it entirely. I'm drink a lot of diet
soda... and eat pasta and bread pretty regularly. But if in fact I do
have PCOS I suspect that that will be changing.
I think I'm really vane about this thing right now. I know that I'll
have children someday (my own or adopted) but it's not yet time in my
life so that's not necessarily what motivates me to fight the endo and
PCOS... instead, I'm dying to get rid of this big belly and excess
weight and have my skin clear up... and feel better overall... feel
free to live again... so maybe it's not all vanity. I guess I discount
the ibuprofen I ingest every other day... and the high doses of
ibuprofen on days during my period... and the fact that if I don't
fight the endo I could be faced with a hysterectomy very soon.
Sorry... I was thinking it through while I typed.
Anyway... thanks again for the info. I hope you'll stick around this
board so I can ask you more questions as I travel further on my
journey...
Thanks again,
Heather
At Thu, 11 Oct 2001, Mel wrote:
>
>Hi Heather,
>
>Actually, I've found quite a few women with both PCOS and Endo. It
>seems like once the reproductive system goes awry, then everything else
>follows suit. In my case, my lifestyle was definitely to blame -- very
>high stress job, long commute, emotionally draining relationship. A
>textbook case of a type A personality and Superwoman syndrome all rolled
>into one big mess. I recently resigned from my job, packed up my bags
>and moved across the country so I could take care of my health. A
>luxury, I know, but one I intend to make full use of.
>
>Yes, I did get some pain relief from removing Dairy and Meat and
>following the other recommendations in Dr. Lark's book. The only
>problem I've encountered was using carbs to substitute for the animal
>products. Tofu is a carb/protein which makes it somewhat unsuitable for
>PCOS. In addition there appears to be mixed opinions on whether it
>actually "blocks" estrogen in the body (good for endo) or adds to it
>(bad for endo).
>
>I've also added an essential balance oil to my diet which is supposed to
>reduce inflammation. In addition, I take lots of magnesium (malate,
>citrate), Vita E, Vita A, calcium, multi vit and zinc. If you have a
>lot of pain right now, try epsom salt baths twice daily for a while. It
>really helped me.
>
>So, in order to comply with both diets, it looks like fish, chicken
>(organic), vegetables and fruit. This co-existing condition appears to
>rule out the following: coffee, black tea, sugar, bread, pasta, red
>meat, dairy products (including eggs, cheese...), processed foods, deep
>fried foods, alcohol...
>
>Whoo hooo! Well, at least we have the consolation of knowing we'll be
>skinny as rakes before too long!
>
>Good luck with your quest.
>
>At Wed, 10 Oct 2001, Heather wrote:
>>
>>I don't know how to reconcile the differences but I have to tell you
>>that finding someone else with Endo and PCOS helps me to not feel so
>>alone. I have stage 3 endo... and I suspect I have PCOS... I've got
>>an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist on Nov 2.
>>
>>I also go to a naturopath for my endo and I never had her say anything
>>about having high carbs for endo... the main thing has been eliminating
>>any beef and dairy products from cattle that were given hormones. I
>>think the gist of most of the diets that are recommended for endo are
>>trying to promote optimal intake of nutrients... from food rather than
>>pills... I don't think it's the carbs themselves that they are trying
>>to promote... so I suspect that removing the carbs and trying to get as
>>many nutrients from your food as possible may be one way to go... My
>>naturopath told me that the only way to go with PCOS is to remove carbs
>>for 90 days and then slowly re-introduce them... but only on a limited
>>basis. I'm going to see with the reproductive endocrinologist says
>>before I go down that path...
>>
>>I haven't read the book you're referring to but I'm curious if you're
>>finding a good deal of valuable information for your battle with endo.
>>
>>Good luck,
>>Heather
>>
>>At Wed, 10 Oct 2001, Mel wrote:
>>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>I have both severe endometriosis (Stage IV) and PCOS (just diagnosed). I
>>>am a little perplexed about my diet. I had been following the advice of
>>>Dr. Susan Lark in her book on Endo and Fibroids, which is basically a
>>>vegetarian diet, and very high carb. Although I had some pain relief,
>>>my weight just never budged. I now know this was due to the insulin
>>>resistance from the PCOS.
>>>
>>>My question is: how do you reconcile the different diet recommendations
>>>of the two conditions? They seem almost mutually exclusive! Endo diet is
>>>supposed to be mostly vegetable, with no animal foods and lots of whole
>>>grains. PCOS diet is supposed to be mostly protein with limited carbs.
>>>I don't want the pain back, but I'm very tired of all the PCOS symptoms
>>>I'm suffering with.
>>>
>>>Anyone been through this? Advice?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>
>>>--
>>>Mel
>>>
>--
>Mel
>
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