Re: Weight :-(
From: Krista (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 19 Nov 2002 17:29:22 -0600 (CST)
Hi All,
I also have PCOS and can not loose the weight, a couple of years ago I
did a fasting diet throught the hospital with optifast and lost about
100 lbs. As soon as food was re-introduced I gained it all right back.
I went from a low carb high protein to high carb low protein diet and my
body rebelled. I was exercising 1 hour a day five-six times a week and
eating less than 1300 cal a day when all the weight came back on. I was
about 118 lbs before weight symptoms hit me like a brick wall. I now
weigh about 220-refuse to get on the scale anymore. I went from doc to
doc and they took one look at me and said all my problems were that I
was fat- which was new for me! Never tested me or anything-til one day I
found the most wonderful OBGYN (he has a heat lamp over all exam tables,
flannel and fleece gowns and blankets and warms instruments before exam
yeah!) who took one look at me and said you have PCOS. He recently
started me on Yasmin which has helped all my other sypm but not the
weight as of yet, but getting ready to start Atkins this week and will
see how that helps. I know how you feel and it is so frustrating!
Thanks for saying what I also feel, its nice to know I am not alone, and
Rachel please find a new endocrinologist- check out the American
Diabetic Association web site and look to find one who knows the blood
glucose levels are normal when between 80-120!
At Tue, 19 Nov 2002, anonymous wrote:
>Hi Sally:
>
>My name is Rachel and I have just been diagnosed with pcos (last week).
>I've been suffering with the symptoms my whole life, but every doctor I
>went to said that nothing was wrong - I should learn to work out more
>and eat less. I've had hypoglycemia my whole life, but the
>endocrinologist said that a fasting blood sugar level of 40 was normal
>for a woman of age (idiot)
>
>I'm answering your letter because I have gained 20 pounds since April of
>last year, when I went off Birth control pills. The weight is killing
>my closet, and affecting my marriage. I'm a small person, so 20 pounds
>is huge on my frame. My GYN said for me to "go to the gym" and work it
>off. Listening to your story, I can see that it isn't easy. I've tried
>fad diets - they work a the beginning, but then stop and the weight
>comes back. Have you tried the Atkin's diet? I went to a nutritionist
>who said to blot our carbs totally - no breads, beer, no root veggies...
>Just eat lettuce and turkey.
>
>How do we live?
>
>I'm thinking of eating the Atkins way for a while and seeing what
>happens. Putting your body into ketosis isn't a good thing, the last
>time I tried it I went into insulin shock.
>
>I'm so desperate though. The weight is just increasing and increasing -
>I'm terrified. Everyone in my family is diabetic - and all die young of
>heart problems.
>
>I need support and I don't know where to get it. So I am writing to
>you, just hoping that you will answer back, and perhaps we can support
>eachother.
>
>Take care, hang in there, there HAS to be a way.
>
>-Rachel
>
>At Tue, 19 Nov 2002, Sally wrote:
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>This is just venting so please ignore me - but I have to get my
>>frustration out before I explode. I just don't know what to do about
>>this weight thing. Have not been able to lose a single pound since
>>April (I can gain a couple and get back down to this plateau) - but can
>>not get off it. I still need to lose about 40 lbs to get down to my
>>'healthy' weight.
>>
>>I have now been trying reductil for two week and no weight loss. Not
>>even 1 lb. Though I have had plenty of side effects.
>>
>>Then I saw the Dr. at the gym where I attend 5 or so times a week (who
>>is supposedly a specialist in weight loss). (I am dreading seeing my
>>regular dr. in a couple of weeks when she will be sooooo hopeful that
>>the reductil helped me lose weight - she has been practically begging me
>>to try it for months). Anyway, the gym dr. looked at my food diary (I
>>write everything down) and said that I don't appear to eat too much
>>(unless I was lying about what I wrote down - perhaps she thinks I am)
>>and it appears that I am eating 1200 calories or less on most days -
>>then she said I should try eating less fats and try further cutting down
>>on Calories. She recommended that I reduce to about 1000 calories a day
>>as well as continue to exercise as much as I can and do more weight
>>training.
>>
>>Then looking at my food choice recommended that I don't drink beer (I
>>normally drink one can of beer or a glass of wine most nights - included
>>in my calculated calorie allowance), stop eating nuts (I eat nuts
>>instead of other carb foods) and peanut butter (I use a scrape of peanut
>>paste in place of butter on my 2 slices of whole-wheat bread that I
>>usually have for breakfast with tea), stop eating chocolate (last week I
>>ate chocolate - though it was part of the calories that I counted - and
>>though I do go for months without eating chocolate she just looked at my
>>diary on a week that I did eat it) and be very strict about not eating
>>anything with high fat. Also recommended that I try some liquid meal
>>replacements to further reduce calories and recommended one type that is
>>high fibre and even lower calorie that the slow release diabetic one
>>that i am currently trying. Also only eat green leafy veges not
>>anything starchy. Seems like I can't (SHOULDN't) eat anything at all!
>>And if I combine her recommendations with the list from my gastro dr. I
>>would only be eating leafy things and a little protein. What a boring
>>life!
>>
>>I am trying to follow low carb and am reasonably successful. And I am
>>on Glucophage and thyrax.
>>
>>I just feel like crying (in fact I am). I feel like I can never eat
>>normally - it is almost as if I can gain weight just by looking at food.
>>It does not make scientific sense. If I cannot lose weight on 1200
>>calories with a reasonably active lifestyle and regular exercise (though
>>my job is desk based) - what on earth do I have to eat (or rather not
>>eat) to lose weight. I feel like I should just try not to eat - maybe I
>>would find I can survive on air and be a millionaire overnight -
>>Featuring Oprah talk - the obese woman who got fat on air. I am one of
>>the few people I know who can spend an hour on a treadmill even after
>>hours of not eating and feel just fine. How can I try so hard for no
>>effect? I did a fasting blood glucose once after fasting for 24 hours
>>(accidently - just worked out that way) and it was normal! I would be
>>the fat person in a famine.
>>
>>Don't worry I will get over this..... and just keep on trying.
>>
>>Sorry to blab on like this. Just I am so frustrated. Also the end of a
>>very long work day and I still have not finished everything yet but I
>>only want to go home and cry. I have also started going to the gym in
>>the mornings so that I could have more time at work (or leiure
>>activities, or social life - ha! What is that? - I will never find out
>>if I can have a baby or not the way I am going..) in the evenings - so
>>perhaps I am suffering a tiny little bit from sleep deprivation.
>>
>>Anyway I do feel better for having blabbed. Now I can drive home safely
>>without crying any more (hormones! I will give women a bad name).
>>
>>Thanks a heap and have a nice day guys.
>>
>>--
>>Sally
>>
--
Krista
Dover Florida
dx 8 years
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