PCOS

[Gracia_30]

Anyone here with PCOS? I'd like to chat with you about it, and see how Low Carbing is going for you and how it's affecting your PCOS.

Thanks,

Jos

[Karen]

Hi Jos,

I don't know if anyone here has PCOS, but these are two great sites to check if you haven't seen them yet.

http://www.pcosupport.org

This one has a message board:

http://www.soulcysters.com


Karen

[Gracia_30]

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your reply. Yes I know of both, and am a member of Soulcysters.com it's a WONDERFUL site! And they also promote low carbing since most of us are either diabetic or Insulin Resistant (which I am). Even if a PCOS'er doesn't have either, their insulin plays a major factor in their weight and also various other symptoms. Therefore, low carbing becomes the answer for all of us.

You guys should speak to Kat Carney, and become affiliates... I'm sure you'd gain many many new members that way. Of course this is just a suggestion. :)

Josee

[Shoog76]

Hi Jos,
I just found this website today and saw your post. I have PCOS and am on a strict low carb and no sugar diet (Sugarbusters). I've lost 20 lbs since End of October. I am also on Metformin 1500mg/day. I'm 24 and I live in Vancouver, BC. My email is: formyii@hotmail.com
Bye for now!
-Brenda

[doreen T]

Welcome to our forum! Nice to meet another nurse. I'm an RN, there's a couple other nurses here too. Sorry to hear you have PCOS, but I'm happy for you that the lowcarb is helping. Good for you on the lbs. lost too! ... :cool:

Just a question about the Metformin, to help Josee and others. The blood level peaks at 2-3 hrs after the dose, with a half-life of 4 hrs. So, when is the ideal time to take it?? Most of the pharmacology websites say simply to take it with food. The Drs. Eades, in "Protein Power Lifeplan" suggest for all their patients with insulin resistance, should be taken as a single dose at hs. Not specific for PCOS though. My thought is only logical, that it should be taken ac meals. What do you think, or know about this?? I will continue to scour the internet, see what I can find out.

Look forward to hearing more from you, and continued success with lowcarbing!

Doreen

[Shoog76]

Hi thanks for the welcome!
I take the metformin after a couple bites of food at each meal. It's important to have a bit of food in your stomach to cut down on the side effects (nausea and diarrhea). Metformin also gives you a bit of a full feeling so it makes me eat less too. It's suggested to take it immediately following your last bite of food but I try to eat it during as I said above. Hope that helps! -Brenda

[Gracia_30]

Hi Brenda,

I am also on 1500mg of Met perday. I never "really" had a problem with the diarrhea much... only sometimes. After a few weeks on this diet, the opposite happened to me, but it seems to be regulating itself now. Anyhoo, enough talk about that! :p

When did you find out you have PCOS?, and are you finding that the diet is helping it any? I've lost 10 lbs since I started Jan. 2nd. I started out on CAD diet but am finding the overload of carbs in the evening to start affecting me. So I'm reading up on protein power lifeplan.

Did you also have problems with your periods? And if so... Did the met help? Last month I had AF for the first time with no chemical help what so ever. (it lasted almost 10 days though).

Anyhow, I'll let you answer these questions before I ask more LOL.

BFN,

[Shoog76]

I'll start from the VERY beginning. I got my AF when I had just turned 11 and it was painful from the start. I always had terrible cramps. I never get sick but the one thing I would miss school or work for is my cramps. Thank goodness I would only get my AF a few times a year. It never mattered much that I got it so infrequently because it was so dreaded when it did come.
About 3 years ago I had an AF that wouldn't stop. It lasted about 2 weeks and I became sooo tired from all the bleeding. It was heavy the whole time too. I was on holidays at my husband's family house (then boyfriend) so he took me to a clinic and I got started on birth control. From then on I had a year and a half of wonderful short and non painful regular periods. I lost 35 lbs before my wedding on weight watchers. We got married on August 14,1999. Over the winter that year I started getting terrible migraines and high blood pressure. I started taking a low dose of amytriptyline (antidepressant, also for pain)for the chronic pain I was in. It helped after 3 weeks but I gained 15 lbs and I wasn't eating much. So I went off of that. I then decided to go off the bcp's. (I gained a further 15lbs) And we started doing natural family planning as a method of birth control. (Temps every morning, charting and abstaining mid cycle). I ovulated the first two months and had fairly normal periods and then stopped. I had an 80 day cycle and convinced myself I must be pregnant. We wanted to wait a couple years for kids but I got very excited. I went to the doctor for a pregnancy test. I had just started with a new female doctor but it was a locum doctor. The urine test was negative so she sent me for a blood test along with tests for a whole bunch of hormones to diagnose what was wrong. When I met with her again all those tests were normal. I then went for more tests and this time she tested the testosterone and things to rule out PCOS. The next time I met with her she gave me that diagnosis (August 2000). I was devastated, I went in thinking I was pregnant and came out with a disease! I'd never heard of it before. I have very few symptoms other than being overweight and I have a bit of hair on my face but it's blond so it doesn't bother me. When I got home I cried and cried. Then I buckled up and started onto the internet doing tons of research and getting involved in different message boards with woman who had this syndrome. The Dr. had told me the only treatment was bcp's. She knew nothing about metformin but she did know enough to refer me to an endo. The soonest I could get in was Dec 16th!
I called her back and got her to order things like the fasting glucose tolerance test. I then called the endo's office and told them I was desperate, I asked them to get me in on a cancellation list. They called me back in an hour and gave me Nov 7th!
So now after doing all my reading on the internet I wanted metformin. My doctor was back now. I met with her. She knew nothing about PCOS and she didn't know why the locum would have referred me to an endo. She refused to give me metformin and she said I had to be on bcp's if I was to go on it because you could not get pregnant on it. But she said she would contact the endo and find out more info for herself before my appt.
So I was still very upset and even more so after that appt plus confused by the information she gave me. I decided to do what I had control over and started a strict sugarbusters diet on Sept 22, 2000. I started feeling better right away. It felt healthier too. Then my doctor called me and told me she would give me the metformin but she wanted an ultrasound first to determine my diagnosis. She had also learned that people did indeed use metformin to assist in conceiving so I didn't need bcp's. I got the script from her and I called to book an appt for an ultrasound and the waiting list was 4 weeks! It was at the hospital I work at so in desperation I told them I was staff and they squeezed me in on my lunch break the next week. I never heard back from my doctor about the ultrasound but I had the metformin prescription so I cashed it in near end of October. I started out really slow on it 500mg/d for a week and slowly upped it to 1500mg/d. I experienced little or no side effects. I went to my endo appt and had lost 12 lbs by then. She was great and confirmed my diagnosis even though the ultrasound had shown nothing. She gave me a script for a year of metformin and she also gave me prometrium to induce my periods every 60-70 days. (Supposedly less side effects then provera but more expensive.) She said it may take 6 months for the metformin to regulate my periods. In the meantime my total weight loss is 20lbs. I feel a lot more balanced emotionally. I feel healthier. My husband and I decided we would let "what happens happen" regarding children because of the infertility possibilities with PCOS so we are using no birth control. I haven't gotten an AF on my own yet. It is day 50 of my cycle so no luck yet. And that's my story.
Btw when I met with my doctor two weeks ago she was so nice and thanked me for all I taught her about PCOS. She said that since she learned about it she has found a couple other women in her practice that have it!
Let me know if I left anything out. My husband is feeling neglected after all that typing so I better get going. Talk to you another time!
-Brenda in BC
P.S. Congratulations on the 10lbs Josee! You started the met Jan 2nd this month? Wow! Doesn't it feel great. I got into a pair of jeans yesterday I hadn't worn since last summer. hehe It's like a shopping spree in your own closet when you lose weight. :)

[Gracia_30]

Here's my story:

I started my period at 12-13. I was always VERY regular. Thin & healthy. I also got preg. twice in my late teens. I miscarried. When I was 20, I started gaining weight, and my periods stopped. I too thought I was pregnant. So I went to the doctors and they told me I had a thyroid problem. Put me on meds and after starting to feel better I stopped them. (not knowing I wasn't supposed to do that and was to be on that for the rest of my life) But the doctor did tests, and tests and tests on me and my thyroid never went bad again.

So I started working out, and watching what I ate and lost weight. At that time I think I had gained 20-30 lbs. So my periods came back, and I felt great.

Then I met my hubby to be, and it all started up again, only this time I gained 40-50lbs. And not getting my periods. SO... off to the doctors I went only to be told the same old BS they tell you: You're too fat, lose weight and everything will come back. Only this time the diet wouldn't work, I was exhausted all the time and had no energy. So I got fet up with doctors who only told me I was too fat, and I quit going to see them. A couple years after that, I started growing a couple hairs on my chin and it got progressively worse, along with other symptoms. Still once every 2-3 years I went to see a doctor, and I tried all the diets, and the weight loss pills...etc...etc...etc... Never worked so I decided to give all that up for good. However my symptoms worsened to the max. (ie losing hair on head, skin discoloration (indication of insulin problems), skin tags (ver small) and all sorts of icky feelings)

This summer I got a very excited call from my aunt who was watching a TV talk show and they were talking about PCOS. So she made me promise to go on the internet and go check it out. So I reluctantly said ok and went to see what this was all about. I WAS SHOCKED!!!!!! I started reading about it and the more I read the more tears started falling. I couldn't believe that someone was describing ME, and my horrible medical problems and NOT blaming it all on "YOU'RE TOO FAT"... I just cried so much. So afterwards I found a doctor, insisted to see an OBGYN, who didn't help much. He was certain I had PCOS from exterior tests but when the bloodwork came back everything was normal (story of my life) So I went back to the 1st doctor and insisted (after doing more research) on seeing an endo.

She confirmed by comparing my LH/FSH ratio (which is what I had told my doctor) that I indeed had PCOS. I can't tell you how much I felt like calling up that doctor and tell him I TOLD YOU SO YOU INCOMPETANT QUACK, but I resisted. He had put me on Met, after much resistance, for 500mg per day. I had called him previous to my meeting with the endo to increase my dosage but he refused telling me that if 500mg didn't work, more wouldn't help!!! HA!!! SHE increased it to 1500mg and said he didn't know what he was talking about!!!

So I started met in and around October, and increased my dosage on December 1st to 1500mg. On december 31st I got my periods naturally for the 1st time in a long time. I was so happy... If the Met is working, I may get my periods this week if my calculations are correct. WISH ME LUCK!! :D

I started the Low Carb (CAD) diet on January 2nd, and as of this morning I've lost 12lbs. 12!!!!!!! I almost cried when I saw the numbers on the scales... I'm hoping to go all the way down to 120. Right now I'm at 181.5lbs.

This is my story of horrors, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel for the 1st time in 10 years. In march I will start back on Clomid to see if it will help. Maybe one day I'll be able to come on here and tell you all:

I AM PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!

Until then, I keep hoping, and praying, and hope others pray for me. :)

Josee

[Shoog76]

Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like we started on Met around the same time. I can't wait for the day that I get my AF on my own. I'm so happy that things are working out for you. Believe you me I will be really excited to be pregnant too. I think my deepest fear is that I won't be able to get pregnant. I was a part of quite a few "trying to conceive" message boards but it got me really depressed hearing everyone's struggles with it and since I'm not there yet I just had to remove myself from that. I have to keep positive.
I will definetely pray for you and you do the same for me.
Btw where are you from? I'm in New Westminster, BC.
Talk to you later! -B

[Gracia_30]

Of course I'll pray for you :)

I'm in Toronto.

[Shoog76]

I just wanted to update you on my good news. I got my AF naturally yesterday! It was a 54 day cycle but I'm sure that will improve as time goes on. I am so pleased. It's taken 3 months. I've also lost 22 lbs as of today but I think it will be more once the AF bloating is gone in a few days. I'm feeling great. Only mild cramping but it's nothing compared to what I used to get. YAaaaaaaaa. Things are looking up! -Brenda in BC

[Gracia_30]

Good for you!!!! How wonderful! You keep going... you're doing great!!!

Let me know how long it lasts (mine was 10 days when I got them naturally last time)

J.

[Shoog76]

It was a 4-5 day normal period. I usually get severe cramping but this was like I would imagine a normal person's AF to be. It was heavy at the beginning and then tapered off after two days and I was a bit uncomfortable during the heavy days but it was no big deal! YAaaaaa. -B

[Shoog76]

I just wanted to post an update on me. I've continued to lose weight though it's been slow going. I've now lost 30 lbs. My periods are regular and are now usually 34 day cycles. I'm not sure if I am ovulating at all but the regular periods is a great relief. Metformin really seems to make a difference for me.
Bye for now!
-B

[tamarian]

Shoog, you seem to be doing great! Slow but steady :) Way to go!

Wa'il

[Shdwsngr]

Merry met ladies and gentlemen.

Where to start?

I've been radically irregular since I was about 14. Like, once a month, once every three months, twice a week, once a year, three weeks long, one day long, miss another two months, one day long, skip a week, two weeks long...

Doctors and stuff all said 'Oh you're just irregular...' I ended up in the hospital the first time about two years ago after a six week long menstrual cycle. That is not a misprint. I thought I was hemmoraging. [sigh]

Well, I guess I was officially (?) diagnosed with PCOS about a month ago. My ob/gyn sort of muttered something about irregular ovulation and we started playing the birth control pill go round.

We haven't quite managed to convince the ob/gyn to do the full battery of tests, but after doing a lot of homework and tripping over the INCID pages on PCOS (a godsend) we hit the same page. I'm hoping I can convince him to do the whole shebang soon and confirm it.

The first set of pills, I gained 45 lbs. On a woman who already weighed 180 lbs and was only 5'6", this wasn't exactly a great idea. So after some complaint, we changed pills. The new pills were so weak that if I missed them by an hour I bled.

After a year of this abject stupidity, I got him to change them AGAIN. Now I'm on some kind of 35 mcg a day acne cure or something, but I seem to have stopped gaining. I'm retaining enough water to douse a forest fire, but we can't have everything.

My testosterone levels are about double the maximum female normal, so I'm a pretty furry beast and I carry all my weight in the front. No breasts, no butt, a beard and a beer belly, as I explain online to folks.

I'd love to try Metformin, but first we must convince the doctor that my problem is not merely that I'm fat and lazy. [shaking head] Some days I could gratefully punt him.

About a year ago, I went through a stupendous five alarm nervous breakdown and basically ended up on Celexa and nine months of downtime. My weight has been kind of a joke since, since a rather stubborn inability to lose seems to be a side effect.

At one time, I actually weighed 140 lbs. Nobody who's known me in the last 6 years believes me, but really I did. [sigh] Two years of college and a nervous breakdown will do that to you.

I suspect I have thyroid issues, but my ob/gyn won't touch it because he says they're normal. My basal body temperature is about 95.8, so I don't know HOW... but okay. (Maybe he's just reading T4?)

I have spent time off and on on the Atkins diet (or some personally tweaked variant thereof) for a number of years - I was living it when I was 140 lbs and I thought I was fat and gross and needed to lose at least another twenty before I'd be presentable.

My how things change.

I fell off the wagon when I went to college and haven't quite managed to climb back on. It's just so DEPRESSING to walk an hour a day and try to eat right and get nowhere. Especially when you know your pills (BC and AD) are working against you.

I'm hoping to find the courage to give it one more go and stick with it this time. It's frustrating to realize your waist measurement has exceeded your ribcage. (46/42 respectively). If I think about my weight, I get suicidal. I have a very loving partner who doesn't seem to care, but I hate myself.

I've had doctors point out that I probably should be dead of a heart attack. My blood pressure is fine, but I just seem to be stuck - I can't even bring myself to care anymore. I've been fighting with the whole pretending I'm perfectly acceptable the way I am and I know that's such a load of bull because *I* can't make myself believe it...

A fair amount of the information I've read implies that the insulin problems, depression, water retention and thyroid issues may be related to the PCOS so I'm trying to look at killing the body of the hydra instead of lopping off heads and having them grow back.

I've invested in some thyroid supplements on my own and an herbal/amino insulin sensitizer (similar to Metformin) and am going to experiment with those a bit and see if they help me feel enough like I'm not roadkill anymore to try going back to the AWOL. [shrugging]

Mostly ranting, I guess. It's nice to find a Canadian support group. There isn't really all that much in town here, but if I can find folks online to help, it's a start.

-Shadow-

[Gracia_30]

Alot has changed since we last wrote. I've moved back to Ottawa and fell off the wagon for my LC WOL :( I am trying to find the courage and the strength to go back on it.

The only good news is that I have only gained about 4 lbs. This week I started exercising 3 times per week. We have an aerobics instructor who does 3 classes per week in our boardroom. Only thing left is to go back on the wagon.

My periods are back to normal with the met. I AM SO HAPPY. DH & I have take summer off from TTC. Was getting too stressful but we'll be going back to TTC soon. Probably after the holidays.

How are you doing? What's new and exciting with you?

Jos

[Shoog76]

After almost a year on metformin I'm finally pregnant! This is my first pregnancy ever and when I did the hpt on the 20th I was shocked to see two lines. I did two more tests before my husband got home and then he made me do another. Then I went out to get a different brand and did number five, all positive! I had an appt. with my GP and she
ordered HCG levels. Friday was 1406 and Monday was 5064. She told me to stop the metformin on Friday. I had previously done a bunch of research on the internet about this and I don't want to stop it. My husband and I went back today and she ordered an ultrasound for in two weeks for dating. We think I'm 5wks + 3days according to when I believe I o'd but according to my period I would be over 6 weeks. We talked to her again about the metformin and showed her an article. I was kindof nervous about admitting I hadn't stopped it. (I did decrease it to 2000mg instead of 2500mg) She asked me to make an appt. with my endo to discuss it and I have arranged that for next Wed. I can't tell you how excited I am about all this but I'm also feeling nervous too because of "what if's". My husband won't let me tell anyone, not even you guys but I said I HAVE to talk to internet people about it if I can't tell me friends and family.
My symptoms are:
acid reflux and heartburn
dry mouth +++
nausea more in the evenings
fatigue
menstrual type cramps
emotional (feel like crying easily)
frequent urination (all the time)

And I've lost 3 lbs since I've been prego!

I really really hope I get to keep this baby. I don't want to go through losing it but I'm trying to keep positive - at least I know I CAN get pregnant now. I'm praying everyday.
For anyone ttc. This was my first cycle charting after reading
"Taking Charge of your fertility" by Tony Weschler. We'd been unofficially trying for a year without any luck.

Glad to hear your doing so good Jos! Good luck with getting back on the wagon.

-Brenda in BC

[doreen T]

(ok, I'll only whisper congrats for now --- and I'm holding my breath right along with you and yer hubby .. :baby: )

From the reading I've done (probably the same articles you've read and printed out) it seems that you are wise to want to continue the Metformin .. especially during the first trimester. It's a good job you're seeing an Endocrinologist soon. She (he) should be able to guide you knowledgeably in this.

I'm a little worried to read about the cramping and the weight loss. Not good! Um, not sure what level of lowcarbing you're following, but most programs advise that you increase your carb intake to Maintenance Levels, or somewhere around 80 to 100g per day. Try to get the carbs mainly from vegetables, less-sweet fruits (not juice), legumes, dairy and eggs, and small amounts of whole grains.

Here are links to some of the Official low-carb program websites, and what they have to say about pregancy and Low-carbing Carbohydrate Addicts' (http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/preg.html) Atkins Center (http://atkinscenter.com/faq/search.asp?type=condition) (note, select Women's Health from the menu box) Protien Power (http://eatprotein.com/answers10.html#10a)Actually, I just re-read your post, and noted the frequent urination. Make sure you're drinking lots and lots of water. Don't get dehydrated ... that might explain the missing 3 lbs.

Take care, and keep us posted.. :)

Doreen

[Gracia_30]

WOW!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! :cheer:

I am SSSOOOOO happy for you (and a lot envyous). How wonderful!!!!

I can't remember, but where you also on Clomid?? And if I remember correctly, we started Met around the same time right?....

I unfortunately am suspecting that hubby doesn't want kids. I've noticed that every time we talk about starting to seriously TTC, something happens and he can't, but says it's because of that. I really hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am. I'm a little scared to confront him about it in a way because if I do, it means I have decisions to make about our marriage. Everything else is going so well... I really hope this can be resolved! :tears:

But don't you worry about me, this is just me venting. I really am ok and will end up doing what's right. I'm just not quite ready yet... trying to get courage first to be strong for what ever might happen!

Keep me posted on staying on Met... I read somewhere that Dr's in Canada are not allowed to keep you on Met during Pregnancy. Please don't quote me on that but go look it up in www.soulcysters.com and see....Some of the girls are staying on it anyways, and there are testimonials about one that did the whole time and everything turned out wonderfully!!! So keep researching it.

Good Luck, and Congratulations again...

Josee

[RamonaK]

I couldn't help but respond to your postings. I 'think' I have PCOS, I have not gone to the doctor yet. I really don't want to hear the diagnosis. I had a similar situation, I was listening to the radio one day and there was a commercial for an experimental drug for PCOS --- as the commercial went along.. I thought OH MY GOD!!!! --- That is me to a T. I called the number given and I was told I was not eligible because I had regular cycles. I have almost all other symptoms. Overweight, hairs starting to grow on my chin, a few skin tags, alot of pain in my left groin area.. that totally feels reproductive, I can't seem to get pregnant. I have a shadow of skin coloration on my face. etc....

I must say.. however.. that my pain has almost disappeared while on ATkins.. I am curious to see how things go when I get my cycle. The only time I had irregular cycles was in college.. I might go months before getting one.

So.. I know I fall in there somewhere... but I am going to stay on Atkins until I have reached a reasonable weight and see how I feel.

Thanks you guys for sharing your info....

Ramona

[Shoog76]

I'm 12 1/2 weeks pregnant! I thought we might not be able to have kids and I'd been so worried.
For the past year that I've been on Metformin we have done nothing to prevent conceiving and then we decided we will get serious (going to specialists for injectables) in January. September we tried a little harder than usual and sure enough I must have ovulated because I conceived! This was the first cycle that I had gotten back to charting after reading Tony Weschler's "Taking charge of your fertility". It sure helped!
This is our first baby and we are very excited.
EDD May 22, 2002.

Brenda

[Ka3n]

:sunny: :baby: Congratulations!! Keep us posted on your wonderful journey!!

[Gracia_30]

:wave: Hi Brenda,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! :Party:

Enjoy your pregnancy, and then your beatiful baby. I'm sure she or he will be perfect in every way. Just like you always dreamed of.

Josee

[Chele]

What a great site! I have been reading this thread now for about 30 minutes and am amazed. I, too, have PCOS and was diagnosed in 1999 after my first miscarriage. It has been a very diffcult journey for my husband and I. We have been trying to have a baby for over 4 years. I suffered another miscarriage in May of this year and have hit the point where I kind of think all hope is lost. I have previously been on metformin, 500mg 3 times a day, but currently am not. We are currently "taking a break" as infertility has taken a major emotional toll on us. My sister-in-law just announced at Christmas that she is pregnant after about 5 months of trying and I was devestated at first, but really am happy for them (envious mostly!) It seems at times that I am the only person out there who is having these problems, so from the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for sharing your story. Maybe there is hope for me.

Chele :(

[Shoog76]

Chele,

I'm so glad that you were inspired by the posts. I'm sorry to hear about your struggle with infertility. I struggled with it for over a year and can't imagine the emotional toll 4 years would take. Who knows maybe taking a break and relaxing about it will do the trick. I conceived the first month we relaxed and it was the first time I didn't convince myself that I was pregnant that I was! *hugs* for you.

Brenda

[Chele]

After struggling with this for so long and beating myself up about it, it is so wonderful to hear other people discuss what is going on with them. I have never come across such a well put together forum! One of the things that does keep me going is knowing that God has some kind of plan for me (he's just not letting me in on it yet!). Everything happens for a reason, and in the end, it will all be okay. After you've tried to have a baby for so long, when you get pregnant is seems so unreal. And then to get pregnant twice, and lose both babies is just incomprehensible! Now I know that there are others out there who have struggled as much as I have, and even more.

Chele :daizy:

[Chele]

After having been diagnosed with PCOS/IR about 2 1/2 years ago, I had come to understand it and deal with it. My doctor called me last night (yeah, weird huh. He called me from his home at 9p on a Friday night adn talked to me like a person not just a patient!) and says the metformin is too commonly prescribed and he's taking me off of it, that he doesn't believe I have PCOS/IR based on the current guidelines for diagnosing it. I just started going to him in October after changing insurances and I greatly respect his opinion, but I am just dumbfounded! It is ripping me apart! I finally thought that after 4 years of trying to have a baby, that I had understood why I haven't been able to get pregnant very easily (2 prenancies and 2 miscarriages)and now I feel like I'm back to the very beginning and it's 1997! I feel like everyone else is on earth and I'm on venus or some undiscovered planet! I guess the word is, lost. Everything I have been basing my life on for the last couple of years is gone. I am going to research it some more today and see what I can come up with. I am also going to make an appt to see him so I can see the results for myself and how he came to this conclusion. Maybe the first reproductive endo I saw had no idea what she was talking about. He wants me to see another endo and get another opinion, though, which I know is important in medicine. Thanks for listening and will keep you posted.

Chele :help:

[Gracia_30]

My personal opinion on this is that YOU have a choice. He's not the only one who should decide for you.

If you feel great on MET then tell him that you feel a difference when you're on it and you want to keep being on it for now and see for yourself. If he doesn't want to, then I would kindly tell him that you dissagree and will be seeking medical help elsewhere. With a doctor who would listen to your input and your obvious feelings in your own body.

DO more research on it but DON'T get discouraged. We don't always know the reason behind their decisions, and they might be all wrong. Listen to your body, and keep doing what feels good to you.

If you want to see an RE, make sure you SPECIFY seeing one that is a PCOS expert and deals with PCOS clients. This is very important. And what ever that RE finds, especially if they are willing to listen to you and help you out with things, it's important for you to tell that RE to write your regular doctor and tell him what they're doing with you. That way, he will see that he might be getting the wrong info.

Wishing you well and don't lose hope. Keep fighting for what you believe in. They might be Doctors, but they're not God to know everything. They also make mistakes and are often WRONG!!!

[Chele]

I appreciate you responding to me cry for help! I will request and RE who specializes with PCOS, never thought about that! I definitely want a second opinion. I do trust him, but realize that he can't possibly know everything!
Thanks for the input!

Chele ;)

[Gracia_30]

You are very welcome.

I was very lost when I found out I had PCOS. The Doctor I had at the time was an idiot who couldn't see the forest for the trees. But I fought and kept going. When I found my PCOS specialized RE she was a God Send. Right away she said what I thought to be true and it's all been better from there.

Now I only ask for doctors who are familiar and especially knowledgeable in PCOS.


Do not get discouraged. This isn't something you can have one day and not the next. Don't let them fool you.

Good Luck,

[Tara44]

Shoog:

I'm very happy for you that you are having such success with taking Met. I do have a question for you. Something you said has been troubleing me so much. You stated that your periods are regular now but your not sure if your ovulating. This statement totally confused me. I thought if you had period, you were ovulating?!! Please help me to understand this. What am I missing? I am also taking Glucaphage and was under the impression that this medicine would help me to regulate my periods which gave me hope that I could get pregnant. From what your saying, you can basically have a period without ovulating? Any information or if anyone elso reading this can explain this to me, I would be so greatful!

Tara

[Gracia_30]

I had the same question about 3 weeks ago for my doctor. I told her that as far as I was explained, periods happen because you ovulated. But yet another bunch of people who have led us into falshood!!! :mad:

She explained it to me in a way that makes sense:

Your ovaries send a signal to your uterus that it's producing a follicle (egg), and the uterus responds by thickening and getting ready in case the egg gets empregnated. Only the egg is never released (hence the poly-cystic name) and the uterus releases all that extra thickening and the such. Producing a period without an ovulation. Just like it would if the egg got released but never got empregnated.

In other words, our ovaries are tricking our Uterus into thinking that everything is happening as usual.

I hope this explained it to you. I was pretty confused till she explained this to me. :wave:

[Tara44]

Josee:

Wow!!! I thought I had a good understanding on all of this PCOS stuff. Thanks for explaining the ovualation/period concept to me. I never thought about it like that before. It does make sense. I'm not happy about it because I was thinking every once in a while when I had a cycle, that I was ovulating. I have to admit that I'm even more discouraged about conceiving now. Do you have any knowledge on fertility drugs? Do they make you ovulate? I'm on glucaphage for 3 months to help me lose a little weight and to see if it will regulate my insulin levels which in tune is supposed to help my ovaries do their job!! I was just curious because my doctor said for me to be on the gluc for 3 months then we will add fertility drugs. Any info you may have would be appreciated.

Thanks for the info!

Tara

[Gracia_30]

Hi Tara,

Don't ever lose hope. I know that just like me you're probably thinking "great another one tells me not to lose hope when I'm stuck in this situation" but so many people's lives are full of happiness even though we have PCOS. It's a matter of being determined and not giving up. Finding what's right for YOU.

This said:

I'm almost at the same point as you for fert. drugs with met. I've been on Met since November 1999, and on December 31st 1999 I got my first period on my own in months. It happened more regularly afterwards. Not at a 28 day cycle but still almost every month.

The weight loss was there but not hundreds of pounds. I helped myself out by going on lowcarb, which also helps the insulin. The better the insulin, the better weight loss and proper functioning of our ovaries and Ovulation. The BEST way to know if you're ovulating is to take your temperature every morning OR getting a predictor kit.

When I first found out about PCOS I read everything I could get my hands on. And I distinctly remember it saying over and over that ppl who were on fertility drugs alone often didn't get pregnant. HOWEVER if they combined it WITH glucophage (Met) it worked. I'm again thinking this is related to the proper usage of insulin when on Met.

So maybe the combination of 3 things would really help out:

Met
Low Carb diet
Fertility drugs

I'm hoping to find out very soon. I have to do some tests that my doctor requires to see if my ovaries are blocked (which I doubt they are) and then start the fertility drugs. Can't wait.

[Tara44]

Josee:

Thanks for the support! I wish us both good luck...

Keep me updated... PLEASE!

Tara

[Feline1]

I'm still taking BC pills 10 years after being diagnosed, to control my periods, but I'm hoping to lose some weight so I can go off the pills. I know if I could get down to a reasonable weight, the BC pills wouldn't be absolutely necessary. I know there is still that chance of getting cysts, but I at least want to give my body a break from the pill for a while.

I also know the PCOS makes it extremely difficult to lose the weight, and I am hoping this WOE will work for me. I'm sure going to try!

[Gracia_30]

Hi all,

Little update on me. I'm back on the waggon :D and I'm losing slowly but surely. In general I'm losing 2 lbs a week. Except for one week where I couldn't stick to my diet and didn't know I would start my periods at the end of that week (which explained my failure to stick to my diet AND the weight gain).

I have now lost 10 lbs!!! I know it's not much but hey, I'm on my way!!!

Also it's my second month with getting periods. Only last time and this time, I get it, it's normal the first week and like it will end and only last a week, but on the last day, POOF... it starts up again and gets more and more and more... then it tapers off in the 3rd week and finishes (FINALLY) I don't know what's up with that!!! Last time I thought it was due to stress due to events that happened at the same time, but this time I'm not stressed!!! So I can't explain it at all. :confused: I'm not complaining because I'd rather have it than not for months. But 3 weeks.... :( Oh well!

So how are things with you guys? I'm going to be single for a while now. Hubby found a job and they're situated in Kitchener. He will be gone till May 15th, then will be working from home. I can't wait for him to come back. I miss him so. But hey, it's easier to stick to my diet when he's not here, and I thought I'd really try to lose alot and surprise him with the new me when he comes home for good!!!

[Spring]

After one week of this WOE my daughter, who hasn't had a period in a year, started her period today! I have been researching PCOS for about 6 months now and think finally we may have found something that, at least, helps her.

She started out at 12 with perfectly normal periods...then at 14....POOF...sudden weight gain, stretch marks, and no periods. I took her to the doctor and he put her on the magic "PILL". She had periods but felt awful...gained more weight etc. After a year of the "Pill" we decided it was not right for her and took her off. After she went off the pill, she had one period and then they were gone again.
It has been a year since she had any period at all. She started Atkins about a week ago and lost 4 pounds so far and today started her period! We are so happy that something seems to be helping.

I just thought this might be some encouragement to some that are struggling with this problem. I don't know what will happen from here, but we are greatly encouraged!

[Gracia_30]

WOW! That's great! Keep on going. If she loses enough, then she might get them back completely.

Have you tried asking your doctor for Metformin? It truly is a miracle pill. I'm on it and I absolutely swear by it. It has brought back my periods, and helps me lose weight more easily.

I wish you and your daughter lots of luck! :wave:

[Spring]

Thanks for the "Met" suggestion. That is next if she is not back to normal in a few months time. I have her on chromium...she has been for about 4 months now. I am thinking that is why the diet has helped so much so quickly.

Our doctors around here are clueless when it comes to PCOS. I am not even positive that that is her problem, but it is adding up. I do know that there is some sort of metabolic problem if she doesn't have periods. She had them normally for a couple of years and then just stopped and started the weight gain. I really hope that we can do it without medication, but it is good to know that that is an option if this doesn't completely do the job.

This girl lived on potatoes, meat and bread. Her dad had hypoglycemia....they never even checked her for this. I had her to several and all they would say is "the pill". I started researching myself and came up with PCOS. In fact, she read about PCOS in a book on reproduction and I read it and a light bulb went off. That is when I started researching this disorder and found this diet and all you wonderful supportive women :D

[Gracia_30]

Missing periods, weight gain... sure sounds like the beginning of it. I didn't used to have other symptoms but as the years went by and no doctor found what was wrong with me, the symptoms got worse.

Low carbing for me is great. I'm doing my own version of it and I keep losing. I did not want to get rid of carbs alltogether. So I have some in moderation. I try to keep it very low during the day and let myself indulge a bit at dinner time. So far it's working. (Thank God I love eggs though!)

I hope your daughter finds her own way with dealing with this. Weight loss is so hard to do, but is so gratifying when you achieve it. Somehow we have to find a happy medium.

[Spring]

That is so true. To strike a balance between keeping yourself healthy and still enjoying life is important. She kinda cheated today and had a slice of pizza at "Teen Outreach", a club she is in, at school. They meet after school and she was starving! She was beating herself up over it and I just laughed and told her to take an extra lap down the road and take care of what she eats tomorrow. She is doing so well so far.

[pepper]

I'm so glad you are all getting help with your pcos. I was diagnosed with pcos in '89. The obgyn who diagnosed it, treated it like a ho-hum problem and so I never thought anymore about it.I have endured almost all of the symptoms from weight gain to hair loss to skin discolorations and to chronic medical problems.Only within the last two years have the symptoms come together as being part of the same affliction. Only now are the symptoms being seen as life-threatening. My present doctor is working with me for a viable lifestyle in which I can possibly gain some relief. And I understand the tears and frustration you've had when the former doctors rap you over the head with "willpower" comments. How many times have you wondered what was wrong with you, because you couldn't lose weight on a 1200 calorie diet? Thank God Low-carbing came into the picture! In just one week, (no Met yet...) I've lost an incredible 6 pounds and have gone off the Paxil. I can sleep through the night and wake up almost refreshed--I'll give that some more time too! Now I want to learn Yoga! Hope you all have continued success, I have enjoyed your stories very much! I am uplifted and inspired!

[Spring]

This disorder is such a confusing one. With my daughter, it just all happened at once. She was thin when she was young, she had normal periods for about 2 years. Then, boom, wham, no periods and weight gain and exhaustion. I couldn't understand it.

I knew that it wasn't a change in the amount she ate...she was not gorging herself with foot, but at that time she discovered that she loved potatoes. She wanted carbs...she craved carbs. She did not eat a lot of sweets, but she loved potatoes and bread. Over a years time, she gained 20 pounds....she is only 5' tall, so those pounds showed.
The pill increased her weight gain and gave her headaches and upset stomach...she still stayed on them for a year before we just gave up on them. She had thyroid tests and sonograms...all fine. The doctors never mentioned PCOS or gave me any diagnosis. It is sooooooo frustrating! At least we know what the problem is now...at least we have an idea how to fight it. I can feel for every one of you that suffers from this. I have watched my daughters pain and frustration and the awful feeling that there was something less than "female" about herself. I think her self-esteem suffered more than anything else.
We have a friend whose daughter is having similar problems...only worse. They have not taken the girl to a doctor, but I am sure she has the same problem . She was a small child and overnight, she seemed to blow up! She is 13 now and showing the same symptoms as my daughter...only they are more extreem. I told the mother about this diet and the Met and she won't go for it. She says the poor child wouldn't get enough carbs on this diet! The girl is 13 and weighs 265 lbs. She has been picked on about her weight all her life. This is so frustrating for me. I care about this little girl and there is nothing I can do to help because they won't listen. We are still trying to get it through to them and perhaps if they see my daughter overcoming this, they will at least try the diet. I am sure this girl would need Met also, but try to convince them of that!

[Gracia_30]

Welcome aboard Pepper. If you feel the need to ask questions to us, please feel free. We love to help if we can.

Spring: About that little girl you're trying to help: My only suggestion is to first convince the parents to bring her to a doctor. Or give them something to read. The other thing is to give the girl something to read. Depending on her age, she can do things on her own. For instance, if she reads about PCOS and sees that she has alot of the symptoms, then she can convince her parents about things.

I do have questions though: What's her diet like? How are her periods? What symptoms does she have other than weight gain? How old is she?

One baby step at a time. Some people are not willing to open their eyes!

[Gracia_30]

Spring: I just re-read your post... I saw you said she was 13.

[Spring]

I am not completely sure about her diet. When she was over here, she drank tons of milk and a lot of cereal. I think she likes vegetables...it seems she eats normal amounts of everything but pigs out on milk and cereal in the mornings.
Her other symptoms...her periods are not normal but she is only 13. She had a period about a year ago and then one about six months later and I don't think she has had any since then.

I read about a disorder that has a skin discoloration around the neck and under the arms. She is showing this. She also sweats heavily. I always thought it was due to her weight, but now I am not sure. She is very very tall for a 13 year old....about 5'10 or so. She was diagnosed with ADD and has been on medication for that. I keep remembering a disorder that is similar to PCOS where there is a discoloration of the skin. My daughter does not have this dicoloration but her friend does.

[pepper]

My word but that's young to be having so many problems. I can sympathize with you. I wish her parents understood that carbs are just sugar. In nature our bodies are designed for protein and vegetable intake. Fruits and other high carb food sources were seasonal and few and far between. There was no question of being on a low carb diet it seems. Now, all a carb-addict needs is a box of breakfast cereal. My downfall is always breads and potatoes, just like your daughter. But it's so unfair that children are treated like a "market" by advertisers, despite the apparent health risks to them. Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. I'll pray for you to receive wisdom in how to best deal with this. I know it's frustrating, but just listen to that still, small voice. You will do the right thing. Hang tough! Pepper

[Gracia_30]

The skin dicoloration comes from insulin problems. I also have that and was told by my doctor that it's a sign of insulin problems.

It's hard when this isn't your daughter and her parents aren't open to helping their child or open to suggestions from others. Some people resent others help because they'd like to think they know it all!!! Unfortunately they only end up hurting someone they could have helped!

If I were you, I'd invite her over for the weekend, and serve her nothing but low carb all weekend. On Sunday I'd ask her how she's feeling! Explain to her what you're doing with your daughter, and say that the meals are to support your daughter. Maybe she'll catch on, and want to be like her (sometimes they like to do that) ;)

Good Luck!

[Tara44]

Josee:

I'm curious about the skin discoloration. Can you give me specifics. I have PCOS and have been suffering with some sort of skin problem on my face. I'm not sure if this is something your talking about or if it's something else. I have had it for about 5 years now and have finally decided to go see a dermatologist. I know you mention you take Glucaphage or Metformin....How long did you have to be on it before your body adjusted. I hate asking this, but I feel desperate for answers and I feel I get more info from all of you rather than my own doctor. I am suffering with SEVERE stomache problems, I feel like I have to be close to a bathroom at all times. Will this go away? Are you taking 1500 mg?? Do you know if they have this in one pill or do you have to take 3 of the 500? I know alot of questions, Thank you so very much for your time.

Tara

[Spring]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try having her over for the weekend and see what happens. As we are all on Atkins, then maybe she will not feel singled out. I am thinking that as her guardian...she was taken away from her mother, sees my daughter loosing weight and feeling better, perhaps she will let the girl try this...I hope so.
So far, in 10 days time, my daughter has dropped 6 pounds and had a scant period....so there is hope!

[Gracia_30]

Tara: I did read that having PCOS does give achne as well. The skin discoloration I'm talking about is this yellowish tint on the neck, under the armpits and between the thighs. I'm not sure about the face though. :confused:

Spring: Let me know how it turns out. There's nothing better in my books than leading by example. What I told one of my friends is this: try it for a month. If after following it for a month, you see no results then quit it. One month is not health threattening if that's what worries you. When they start seeing just how much they lose in just one month and see that it wasn't so hard to do... they will change their minds!

[Gracia_30]

Tara,

Yes it does go away this whole thing. TRUST ME!!! I thought the same thing as well. Give it time and try to take your met before the meal, during the meal, and after the meal and see which one works best for you.

For me it's after. It certainly cuts down on a diarrhea. I've heard some people taking it during the meal and others before. Try to find your happy medium.

Every once in a while it comes back, but I'd rather every once in a while then day in and day out!!!

[Gracia_30]

I take 1500mg per day. One 500mg pill with each meal. I went up to 2000 but it was too high a dosage for me. I don't know if they make them in higher dosage, but I do believe I know why they make you take them this way....

If they have you take them throughout the day, then the medication is always working in your body. It's like someone with Diabetes. Once a day would be too much of a boost and a downer. Too much roller coster effect. Where as this way, it's a little at a time but constant. Your body will work better with the meds this way.

Hope this helps!

[Kawanda]

Wow! I've been reading this thread, as well as many others in this forum, and its pretty overwhelming. Sometimes I feel so disgusted with drs!

When I was 8 years old I had a lot of stomach aches and nausea and vomiting and my grandmother took me to our family dr who did a blood test, which came back fine. A month later when the symptoms persisted my grandmother took me back to the dr. He told her I was fine, and just didnt want to go to school. The solution, send me to school no matter what. Well, the vomiting and nausea and stomach aches went on for almost 2 years. One night, at about 3am I awoke from a dead sleep with such intense pain I couldnt do anything but double up and cry. My mother called emerg and they sent a dr over (this was the 60s). I remember him arriving and examining me but I dont remember him leaving or me going to the hospital. I was hospitalized, tests were done, they couldnt figure out what was going on, decided to do exploratory surgery, and turns out that I had 9 large gall stones (so they removed my gall bladder), and my appendix was enflamed so of course they removed that too. Would you believe that my family continued going to the same family dr after that?

When I was 12, and had my first period, my mother said I should see a dr for a checkup. I hadnt been to a dr since I was 10 and had the surgery. I refused to go, I begged, I cried, I pleaded. Finally she agreed to find me another dr, a female dr. That was when I began to see Dr Patry. She was my dr for 21 years. And she was a great dr.

When I was 16 I had a problem with recurring yeast infections that didnt seem to respond to the usual medications and she figured out an alternative for me that worked. She also tried to get me to change my diet but hey, I was 16.

When I was 17 I got pregnant. I contemplated having an abortion, or giving the baby up for adoption. My dr told me to think long and hard about my options and told me that she believed that I had "dysfunctional ovaries" and I should include this fact in my decision making. I decided to keep my baby, and I will never regret that I did.

When I was 24 and had been trying to conceive another child, she sat me down and told me that we would try everything we could, but I may have to face the reality that I did have "dysfunctional ovaries" and having more children just may not be in the cards for me. I was very angry, and very sad, and cried and told her how angry I was. She told me that she wished there was something she knew of to be done but that short of an "ovary transplant" which just wasnt done, there wasnt. She said we could try a few courses of fertility drugs and see if that would help, but no promises. So, for three months I used clomid, with no success.

A few years later, she called me at home (from her home) on a weekend and told me that she had just read something about some new research on "dysfunctional ovaries" and would like to refer me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist if I was interested. I lived in Victoria, BC, and the RE was in Burnaby, but I didnt mind making the trip.

I saw Dr. Jerrilynn Prior, and she was great. She told me that she believed that I had something known as PCO "polycystic ovaries" and she would like to try some experimental stuff with me. First, she had me take my temp (armpit) every morn and chart that and my cycles (which of course were very irregular). She put me on a drug called Spiranolactone, and another drug called Provera. She also had me cut grains from my diet (except rice). She told me that she believed that there was a sensitivity/intolerance to grains for many women with PCO. Within three months I was having regular periods, which seemed like a miracle to me. Then, she put me on a series of fertility drugs for three months, with no success. She told me not to be discouraged, we would take a 6 month break and then try again. So, I continued on the S and the P and the grain free diet. By this time I had started gaining weight. I had always been thin (although with very round hips and very large breasts I always thought I was fat). But now it seemed that with each year I put on exactly 15 pounds, no matter what I did (I was also totally into fitness and an aerobics instructor). She tested my thyroid and told me that I had developed Hashimotos thyroiditis. So, she put me on Synthroid.

When I was 32 we moved to another province because of my husbands job. I had not managed another child, and I had continued to gain exactly 15 pounds every year. When I was close to running out of my meds I decided it was time to see a new dr. We live in a small town and there are only 4 drs to choose from. I chose the female dr. I told her that I had PCO and of my history, and what medications I took, and she refilled them. When it came time for my annual physical the following year I told her that I was feeling very depressed and fatigued and that I felt like a beached whale. I was by now obese at 5'1" and 200lbs.

She referred me to her husband who was a dietician and had his own practice in conjunction with a fitness trainer. They had me keep a food journal and bring it in once a week. After the first few weeks journaling had been reviewed they told me that I would never be able to lose weight if I didnt stop lying to everyone and myself about what I was actually eating. They told me that if I only ate an average of 1100 calories per day (which is what my recorded food worked out to) I would not be obese, and therefore I must be eating a lot more and failing to record it. I went home in tears. They didnt believe me about what I ate, and I wasnt lieing. I quit going to them. And, because this was my drs husband I didnt want to go back to her either.

I just kept having my new prescriptions phoned in through my pharmacy. When two years had gone by the pharmacy said that my dr wouldnt renew my prescriptions over the phone and I would have to see her. So, I did, and she didnt mention anything about her husband or any of it. She did tell me that she would not renew my Synthroid since my levels seemed to be normal now on a very low dose.

When I went to see her a year later I had gained an additional 23 pounds. Then she told me that she would not renew my Spiranalactone meds as new research led her to believe that it wasnt good for me. I stopped having regular periods, I gained more weight, I lost a lot of hair, I started to develop hirsutism, and I felt like a mess.

A friend told me of a gp who was also a wholisitic dr and so I waited on a 6 month list to get into see him. He had me charting my cycles and morning temp again, and put me back on thyroid meds (dessicated thyroid). He had me go off the provera, and had me begin taking a number of vitamins and supplements. He had me eliminate caffeine and white flour from my diet (which I had by this time gone back to). I started losing weight and feeling quite a bit better, but I quit having periods. I didnt have one for a full year. Then I began having very heavy periods that would go on and on until I would have to have a D&C.

My gyne wanted to perform a hysterectomy. My gp sent me to another gyne.

The new gyne put me on birth control pills. I started to gain weight again and felt horrible again, although I was once again having regular periods. Then I started having excruciating pain. Turned out that my uterus was enlarged to 4xs its size and my ovaries were also enflamed. My gyne wanted to remove my ovaries. My gp asked me if I was willing to try some alternative treatments instead. He really didnt believe that removing my uterus or my ovaries was going to solve my problems.

That was February of this year. I have since gone off the bcp, and am on natural progesterone cream, as well as b12 shots and many other vitamins and supplements. He also had me cut all sugar from my diet. I also started doing research of my own on the internet. I found the Soul Cysters website where I learned about many women with PCOS having success with LowCarbing.

March 1st I began LCing. During the month of March I lost 32lbs. I also felt a lot better than I had in a long time. And, I had two periods (one for three days and one for ten days) which although quite heavy did stop on their own. When I went to see my gp again, (I see him every 6 weeks right now) I told him of the LC diet I had started. He was pleased with the weight loss, but there was a set back. I had always suffered from low blood pressure since childhood (my norm was 90/65), but when I went on the bcp my blood pressure suddenly shot up to 140/70. So, one of the things we were focusing on was getting my bp down. When I saw him toward the end of March after LCing for four weeks, my bp was up to 160/90. He wasnt pleased and wanted me to stop the LC diet and go on the Paleo diet. Finally we agreed on a compromise between the two. So, I see him again the first week of May and I am hoping and praying that my bp is down so that he will be convinced that LC is alright.

Meanwhile, I have been struggling a bit this month. With the added carbs of two servings of fresh fruit daily, and 5 servings of vegetables I am having a hard time losing weight. It seems to be all over the place. One morning I will weigh 195 the next 201, the next 190, the next 200, the next 191,... I am still overall down, but its very yo yo like and I am having a problem with water retention. It is a real problem. When I weighed 227pounds my rings wouldnt come off but they didnt hurt (my wedding rings). Now, at 190 - 200, there are days when my fingers swell so badly my ring finger turns red and blueish and my rings are so tight it really hurts. I am considering having them cut off it is getting so bad.

Has anyone else experienced this type of water retention?

Another thing that is happening is that my ankles are swelling, which is giving me legaches and hot hot feet. I have always hated having hot feet. I always sleep with my feet out of the covers, even in the dead of winter. My grandmother has radiant floor heating in her condo and I cant stand it! My feet never feel cool when I'm there. At first I thought the leg aches were a lack of potassium as I have heard some other LCers say that this is a common complaint. But, I have been on potassium supplements for three weeks now and if anything the legaches just got worse. Then one night I decided that I couldnt stand how hot my feet were and slept with an icepack under my feet and lo and behold my first night without legaches. So, now I sleep with an icepack on my feet every night and that seems to work.

Has anyone experienced this type of problem with their feet?

Kawanda