PCOS-DIET Messages for December, 2002: Re: Cholesterol & PCOS

Re: Cholesterol & PCOS

From: Amelie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 16 Dec 2002 12:02:56 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Leslie: "Re: Cholesterol & PCOS"

Holy Moly! you sound a LOT like me. My doctor decided I had PCOS after lots of other scopes and biopsy diagnostics that came back normal. I don't have a lot of facial hair, just a few whiskers. I am not losing hair too badly, just around the temples. My mom and my grandma had thin hair and whiskers, I just figured I was turning into them. I probably am!

Also, super high cholesterol for no good reason, even as a vegan, but am stable now on Lipitor (I don't tolerate mevacor and zocor, they make my head spin).

I am not IR, but am relatively heavy and have both diabetes and heart disease in my family, as well as high blood pressure. I figure if I don't do something to stave it off, it's like a time bomb. I weigh about 185-190 lbs. 5'7", and don't seem to be able to lose weight normal ways (like exercise, and I am pretty damn active)

I sought out a friend with the disorder, and she recommended immediately starting to monitor my carbohydrates: to eat 15 grams for breakfast, 15 for a snack, 30 for lunch, 15 for another snack, and 30 for dinner. This was plus or minus 2 or 3 carb grams. Fiber doesn't count. Mixing carbs with protein and fat was a necessity. so, a half apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter was a snack. A protein bar with less than 16 grams of carbohydrate was a snack. 1/3 cup of brown rice was worth about 30 grams of super high quality carb. Basically, I ate much less of the refined sugars and starches and switched to more whole, unprocessed grains and foods. I still eat moderate amounts of junk food. I am no saint. Semisweet chocolate chips, in moderation, is a nice treat for me. And I totally appreciate the little natural sweet/sugar I get from fruit and milk.

I never used to eat breakfast, I've changed from no food to stuff like 2 domino sized pieces of cheese, a fig or prune or apple or whatever, a handful of walnuts or almonds. Sometimes I crave oatmeal, so I make some 9 grain hot cereal. With a handful of dates and walnuts thrown in. I just have something small for snack. A glass of nonfat milk is a good snack, it has 14 g of lactose and loads of protein and calcium. Add a fig, and you have bountiful calcium. Not to mention fiber.

I ran all this by a registered dietician at Kaiser. She advised me that I was doing great, and if I wanted to lose weight, I needed to reduce my calories. I was eating about 1700 a day. I have reduced to about 1500 a day. That means less fat and protein too. So, I'm counting calories and am losing weight, but still eating about 5 times a day. I would like to get to 155.

It's working, slowly. Also, I'm on yasmin. That helps too. I have heard the reason why is that it has diuretic properties. Whatever, I'm happy. I also do yoga sometimes, light weight training when I can, and walk about 28 miles a week (to work) when it's not raining (it's raining now, so I am being lazier). I have definitely increased my activity levels. I feel pretty good.

I wish you much luck, but the best advice I can give (not being too far into this diagnosis and not too burnt out on advice from other people) is to ask for a reproductive endocrinologist, and to ask for yasmin. Also, seek out an reg. dietician, and ask for advice specifically geared to PCOS. Mine was pretty familiar with the carb considerations. Fine one who knows what you are talking about.

I read PCOS: The Hidden Epidemic, and it goes into detail on the hypercholesteremia.

xo-amelie

At Fri, 13 Dec 2002, Lori wrote: >
>I was diagnosed with PCOS and Endometriosis in March after I had surgery
>for appendicitis. I have cysts in both of my ovaries (the basis for my
>diagnosis) and I have an elevated cholesterol level, but all of my other
>lab values have come back normal. Does anyone know where I can find
>information that I can hand to my Dr. that says that the two are linked
>and you don't have to have ALL of the other signs and symptoms to go
>along with PCOS to do something about it? For some reason the Dr. thinks
>that because I don't have facial hair and am not obese, that I don't fit
>enough to do more than "monitor" the situation. I am about 30 lbs
>overweight, even though I don't look it because I'm tall and hide it
>well. I have gained 20 of it in the last year, though no one believes
>it. I have a HUGE history of diabetes in my family and that is what
>prompted the insulin tests at my insistance. I am currently taking the
>mini-pill (progesterone only, .325 mg/day) and have not had a period in
>2 months. I have abdominal swelling/tightness and pain in my lower
>abdomen around my ovaries. My Dr. told me there is no way the cysts
>are causing the pain. Does anyone else have this type of pain who
>doesn't have endometriosis? I modified my diet last year when I started
>gaining weight and eat pretty healthy. I am fairly active and do not
>have a sedatary job, so I don't think gaining the weight has a basis in
>my activity level or eating habits - which is what everyone is blaming
>it on. The Dr. says to lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise,
>duh - but I don't think it's the problem!!!
>
>Anyone have any suggestions? Please don't suggest the Atkins diet, I
>tried it and can't function on that low of a carb diet.
>
>--
>Lori
>

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Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: PCOS and endometriosis"
In reply to: Leslie: "Re: Cholesterol & PCOS"

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