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Re: (Monica) TO CLICK Re:general new to this
From: Monica (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 25 Aug 2000 13:45:56 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Amy,
I appreciate your reply. I know there are so many conflicting opinions
out there these days about the low carb diets and in some cases it's a
pretty hot topic. I try to filter out what I hear in search of the
truth! :) I read the zone books and never got the impression that they
were endorsing chemically processed junk over natural foods. Did I miss
something? I'm being very sincere and not the least bit disrespectful
(it's hard to convey that over the internet)! I do recall they said it
was not only important to look at the total carbs in a food but the
glycemic index as well so it would seem strange that they would endorse
eating a candy bar (read high glycemic index) over a piece of fruit. I
know they make and sell ZONE protein bars but I just figured that was
for people who need something quick to grab and go on occasion. I would
never make it a large part of my diet - been there, done that, with
Jenny Craig, Nutri System, etc. ! Just curious. Can you elaborate. I'm
interested. Thanks, :)Monica
At Thu, 24 Aug 2000, Amy wrote:
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>Hi Monica - I guess my problem with the "Zone" diet is they seem to think that
>chemically processed "junk" is better for you than natural foods ... the group
>sugars all together and there is a big difference between a candy bar and an
>orange ... I just do all foodgroups in moderation ... Seems to be that most people
>just need to find out what works best for them be it no carns or all carbs ...
>PCOS is caused by insulin problems, you hit the nail on the head there ... I
>commend everyone also for their search for the truth ... Hats off to you all!!!
>Amy
>
>Monica wrote:
>
>> Hi click,
>> I haven't read all the replies to your post so maybe what I say is
>> redundant but I felt compelled to write to you while I had a moment.
>> Bravo to you for finding out as much as you can about PCOS. Knowledge
>> is power! And you seem very knowledgable! It sure does sound from your
>> description that you very well have pcos. Much research has indicated
>> that insulin resistance is at the root of PCOS. With this in mind I
>> would suggest you get an IGTT blood draw. Have you had this one? It is
>> a glucose tollerance test with insulin levels. The *with insulin
>> levels* part is very important in making an accurate insulin resistance
>> diagnosis. Insulin resistance also effects the testosterone that your
>> body produces. And MET/glucophage or another one of the insulin
>> sensitizing drugs out there like Actos or Avandia are very effective in
>> treating this disease.
>>
>> Don't worry about the fats in your diet (other than trying to make them
>> the *good* fats; like olive oil, conola oil, etc... you know, the
>> monounsaturated ones.) The fats are what triggers the "I'm full" feeling
>> in your brain. You need an adequate amount in your diet. Without even
>> realizing it you may be eating too many of the wrong carbs (like pasta,
>> white bread, carrots, rice, corn, potatoes which have a higher glycemic
>> index which means they turn to sugar faster once they are digested.
>> Unlike some whole grains, fresh fruits, certain veggies which take
>> longer to turn into sugar, thus not spiking you insulin levels). Sugar
>> Busters has a good book out as well as the Carbo Addicts Diet but I
>> prefer the ZONE; it keeps carbs, proteins and fats more in balance
>> throughout the day. We've been sold a bill of goods with this whole low
>> fat crusade these past 15 to 20 years. By removing the fats, the
>> manufacturers of foods have added more carbs which is exactly what we
>> PCOSers DON'T need. (I just compared frozen Lean Cuisene to regular
>> Stoffers dinners. Lean Cuisene has a higher carb contnent and lower
>> protein! We think we've been *being good* when we eat that stuff when
>> really we'd be better off with the *regular* foods!)
>>
>> Some women find relief on birth control but I hear more and more say
>> that unless they find the right one they are misserable on them.
>> Remember, BC pills just mask the symptoms of PCOS, they don't get at the
>> root of the problem. Women on MET have reported normal cycles as well
>> as relief from the other symptoms of PCOS. Even women who are not IR
>> still get relief; researchers are still trying to pinpoint why.
>>
>> It sounds like you are on the right track. Don't be afraid to speak up
>> for what you think is best for your own health. You are so fortunate to
>> be addressing this in you teens, due to the lack of understanding about
>> the complexities of this desease many of us have suffered with this and
>> watched our disease progress for many many years. We never knew what
>> was "wrong" with us and what made us so different from everyone else.
>> Thanks to the recent leaps in the medical awareness in the last 10 years
>> we are just now starting to get a handle on this. In the last 5 years
>> the awareness of how to make a diagnosis and how to treat it has
>> improved 100 fold.
>>
>> I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted. We're always here. Sorry
>> I got long winded! I hope it helped some. :)Monica
>>
>> At Sun, 20 Aug 2000, click wrote:
>> >
>> >I don't have a specific question, but I'd appriciate general thoughts
>> >and support.
>> >
>> >I haven't had a period in over a year, and after 8 months without a
>> >period (i'm 16 years old and have never really been regular.. my
>> >periods started regular for 3 months and got farther and farther apart
>> >each time, just as my weight gain started when i started my period and
>> >got larger and larger each year (eg, 10 pounds first year 20 the next,
>> >etc).. Anyhow, I went to the doctor and was then refered to an OBGYN
>> >and endocronologist. My first blood work showed that I had a normal
>> >level of estrogen, a high level of testosterone, low blood sugar, high
>> >choloesterol and low good chloresterol. I also have very high blood
>> >pressure lately, and two years ago I was on the low side of normal for
>> >my age. I am now 5'6 and weigh 230 pounds, I build muscle insanely
>> >easily and have a mild case of acne, including body acne.. I don't eat
>> >bad- mostly eat pasta with vegetables and fruit, rarely have fatty foods
>> >and don't have *that* many carbs a day. I excerscise, but not as much
>> >as I should, but I still feel my weight gain is ridiculous...My thyroid
>> >level is normal. I don't have a big problem with hair growth, however
>> >my arm hair is awfully dark and long and my leg hair grows stubby the
>> >same day I shave or wax it.
>> >
>> >My original doctor (before being refered to the two specilists)
>> >suggested that with my symptoms I may have PCOS. My OBGYN sent me for
>> >an ultrasound to block out cancer, and that was clear.. The
>> >endochronologist called for more blood work to check for pituitary
>> >abnormalities and then a cat scan to rule out an adrenal gland tumor.
>> >Originally, all three of my doctors suggested that if I did have PCOS,
>> >they would probably put me on birth control and metformin. My
>> >endochronlogist went on vacation the day before my cat scan results came
>> >to him, and his assistant called me to follow up. I didn't have an
>> >adrenal gland, so she began talking of treatment for PCOS however I was
>> >not directly diagnosed with PCOS- or anything, for that matter. She
>> >didn't mention metformin, and just told me i needed to loose weight and
>> >contact my OBGYN to start birth control- this is not what my doctor told
>> >me before, and I feel they aren't giving me enough information.. On top
>> >of that, I CAN NOT control my weight- I am trying, excerscising like
>> >crazy and eating no more than 2 grams of fat a day.. I've tried a low
>> >calorie diet, and I just can't function on it- I get fatigued and dizzy
>> >easily. The endochronologist called in an order for me to take
>> >progesterone for 5 days, and I started this yesterday.. I've had severe
>> >dizzyness and I've been generally out of it- its hard for me to type and
>> >everything seems to have streamers in my perifial(sp?) vision. I have
>> >to call my OBGYN on monday to get the birth control, however I have done
>> >alot of research lately on this condition and have noted several
>> >medications and alternatives that I feel may be better options. I also
>> >don't understand in what conjunction with the projesterone I should
>> >start birth control, and I'm weary of birth control because I am already
>> >severely overweight and it takes a large tole on my self confidence as
>> >in the past I was a normal weight and now have social issues due to this
>> >change.. I also do not heal as quickly as I use to and find it harder
>> >to run or participate in sports, although I assume this is due to my
>> >weight.
>> >
>> >Some of the alternative treatments I have come accross include D-Chiro
>> >Inositol, acupuncture, metformin alone, birth control alone (of some
>> >sort), and chiropractics although I am already seeing a chiropractor on
>> >a semi regular basis.
>> >
>> >I'm just interested in your thoughts on treatment and how birthcontrol
>> >alone in conjunction with this 5 day treatment of progesterone will
>> >effect me.. I realize there probably isnt a doctor around, but I'd like
>> >some thoughts from other women with PCOS. (and I'm not even sure that's
>> >what they've diagnosed me with. I hate doctors, I really, really do.)
>>
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