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  #1   ^
Old Sun, Feb-17-02, 23:55
tanaka39's Avatar
tanaka39 tanaka39 is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 34
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 343/336/170
BF:
Progress: 4%
Location: Louisiana
Unhappy PCOS

I have just recently been told about the medicine metformin from a nurse that I know. She told me to discuss the idea of going on this med to my doctor and I have'nt done so yet. I have'nt asked hom because he seems to get very impatient when you ask him questions, he's a foreigner and I cant understand everything that he tells me and when I ask him to repeat himself he seems to get upset!

I had decided that maybe I would talk to my internal medicine doctor but I just received a letter in the mail the other day saying she no longer excepts my insurance, so now that means I have to get a new doctor. Do you all think that I should go to a endocrinologist first and talk to him then find a doctor or should I find a regular doctor first. I really do want a baby I have been trying to have one for the last five and a half years. I don't get my periods I'm lucky if it comes on by itself. Which is maybe every two to three years. I eventually end up taking provera or something but it seems to me that my hair falls out really bad when I take them I've even taking a couple of doses of clomid and I did'nt even ovulate or have a period after taking them....I think I just wasted my money because nothing happened. Please someone help me decide what I should do first remember my situations with my doctors. Keep a prayer in your heart for me and I will do the same for you all.
-Tanaka
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  #2   ^
Old Mon, Feb-18-02, 05:00
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default I hope I can help

Tanaka,

I have PCOS. I had been sick for 10 years with almost no periods and doctors could not figure out what I had. Till one day I read about PCOS and knew it was what I had. Sure enough... that is exactly what I have.

I did ALOT of research on PCOS and trying to find something to help. Here are my 2 answers:

1- METFORMIN - Wonder Drug is what I call it. After not having my periods for 9 months, I took it and got periods after 1 1/2 months!!! And got them almost every month after that. Keep in mind that in the beginning, Met makes you sick (you can have diarhea and/or nausea) but it DOES go away. You just have to stick with it and after about 2-3 weeks, it's gone (for me anyways)
I had to fight with my foreign doctor to get Met as well. DO NOT GIVE UP. I will comment on doctors after this next paragraph.

2- LowCarb diet - Another wonder in this world. It seems that Met combined with LC has an unbelievable effect on our bodies. It's a miracle what these two things combine can do. In the beginning our bodies retaliate, but it's not long before you can see the benefits and that is always a great thing!


DOCTORS: as I said, I had to fight to even get Met. In my research, I also found that you definitely need to see an Endocrinologist. But since you want to have a baby, you need to see a REPRODUCTIVE Endo. You have to specifically ask for that specific kind, and also INSIST that she/he specialises with PCOS patients. Sometimes they're hard to find. But you can call around yourself and find one. Then you ask your doctor to give you a refferal letter, and you fax it to that doctor's office (if you're in the US, I'm not sure if this is how it's done) but you get the general picture.

DO NOT lose hope. Keep fighting. If this yahoo of a doctor you have won't listen, get another one! Preferably female as they seemto understand our problems better (from my experience anyways).

I am here if you have questions. I've been through hell and back with this disease, and hope that I can give you the answers no one was capable of giving me. If it were not for the internet, I would still be stuck in a bad situation!!! You're on the right track my Dear... just keep on going and we'll all be here to support you along your journey!
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  #3   ^
Old Mon, Feb-18-02, 05:04
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Ooops forgot

Also forgot to mention this:

MET combined with CLOMID = WAY better chances of becoming pregnant then on Clomid alone. If you would like more percentage rate on that, I can find the article and send it to you. VERY encouraging for us women trying to conceive (also known as TTC).
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  #4   ^
Old Mon, Feb-18-02, 05:15
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Here is a website

Tanaka,

I believe that Knowledge is POWER in our situation. Go take a look at this website and it should answer many questions for you.

http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos.html

Also, go look at research accumulated on this other website which is much like this one, only geared towards PCOS women instead of LC people.

www.soulcysters.com

Let me know if you find the answers you were looking for. If not, I will help you find them.
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  #5   ^
Old Mon, Feb-18-02, 15:31
tanaka39's Avatar
tanaka39 tanaka39 is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 34
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 343/336/170
BF:
Progress: 4%
Location: Louisiana
Talking PCOS- THANKS

Thank you so much Gracia_30 that was some wonderful info that you gave me. Now I feel better knowing that you had a problem with your doctor but you still received your medicine. I think I will go and call my doctor's offfice right now and see if he knows about this wonder drug and if he would consider giving me a script. I wil let you know how everything turns out. Love you much Tanaka
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  #6   ^
Old Wed, Feb-20-02, 04:37
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Met

So Tanaka,

How did your enquiries go? Did your doctor give you some? Or will you have to insist or find another doctor?

Give me an update when you have the chance.
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  #7   ^
Old Wed, Feb-20-02, 15:12
mommy2boys's Avatar
mommy2boys mommy2boys is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 70
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: -/-/- Female 5 feet 7 1/2 inches
BF:
Progress: 31%
Location: Wild & Wonderful WV
Default

Hi there Gracia_30!!

I would like to have the info about the percentage rates combining Met with Clomid. Eventually, that will be me!!! Not for awhile though!

Christy
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  #8   ^
Old Wed, Feb-20-02, 16:42
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Hi.

I will try to find the percentage rates. I know I read it somewhere. As soon as I find it I will post it.
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  #9   ^
Old Wed, Feb-20-02, 19:51
tanaka39's Avatar
tanaka39 tanaka39 is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 34
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 343/336/170
BF:
Progress: 4%
Location: Louisiana
Talking Just Maybe

Gracia, I don't know yet if he will give them to me or not but I did make an appointment to talk to him about it. His receptionist told me that he's really up to date as far as meds are concerned so I will see him at 8:45am on March 5th. I was thinking if it is wise to follow the atkins diet with the meds if he gives them to me and if so to what extent? Can you tell me how that works because I looked up some info on the med and it was saying something about the amount of sugar Please if you can let me know soon!

By the way I am unsure about doing atkins all the way because I may not be able to do the supplements and I need to find out more! Do you have any suggestions, any info will help.
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  #10   ^
Old Thu, Feb-21-02, 05:07
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Hi.

Hi Tanaka,

I have never read the Atkins book but I can say that LC along with MET has helped me immensely. Most doctors I have to warn you do not believe in LC. They're still on the "no fat/calories" mentality. But my opinion on that is: aren't they also the ones that told us to lose weight and everything will go back to normal in our bodies? That was the reason we were getting sick is because we were overweight?

So as far as I'm concerned, I've put more time into researching what is wrong with me then he has, and I know my body more than he does... I have to live with it every day. He only sees me every once in a blue moon. Fortunately, since I changed doctors, I have found one that is willing to listen to me and my symptoms and needs. I have also found a great RE and she's doing a procedure on me today actually (I'm pretty nervous about it).

As to what extent you should follow the diet is really up to you and it also depends on who you speak to. Some people are very hard core about it, others are more relaxed. I also noticed that some people get cravings very easily, and others don't. The ones that do: have to follow it to the letter or else their bodies won't follow it at all if they cheat (vicious circle). The ones that don't: generally follows the diet with a few twists of their own, keep losing and have no problems except for certain foods they know to keep away from (called trigger foods).

You will really have to find your own way, and what works for you. My best advice is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY and what it's telling you. I sometimes cheat, and I'm the one who pays the price. It also depends what that cheat is. Is it a complex or simple carb? Was it good food or bad food...what does it do to my body and make me feel afterwards??? So I'm still learning to pick my battles as they say, and I now know a bit more on what triggers me into a web of cheats. So as hard as it is, I try, and hope for the best!

(hope all this rambling helped... )

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  #11   ^
Old Thu, Feb-21-02, 12:16
mommy2boys's Avatar
mommy2boys mommy2boys is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 70
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: -/-/- Female 5 feet 7 1/2 inches
BF:
Progress: 31%
Location: Wild & Wonderful WV
Default

I have some good news though. Doctors are eyeing up the low-carb lifestyle... My husband was talking to another physician about me doing the Atkins Diet and this other physician said that low-carbing is excellent and that he had been on it, and now is low-carbing. Also, two other of my husband's collegues are doing the Atkins Diet... So, the word is spreading and these new doctors are seeking for answers... Obesity is the fastest rising health problem in America. I know you see that on Dateline and other broadcasts, but it is really becoming a major discussion point in the medical field... I just wanted to tell you that!

Christy
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  #12   ^
Old Thu, Feb-21-02, 17:29
tanaka39's Avatar
tanaka39 tanaka39 is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 34
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 343/336/170
BF:
Progress: 4%
Location: Louisiana
Angry I'm upset

I'm so upset I could just CRY CRY CRY....my emotions are too bad these past couple of days and everytime I think I have one thing under control I come into another problem. I looked at the site you told me to look into for PCOS and I found out some news that just tore my insides up

They said that the medication that I take daily (Valproate) is a drug that can bring on pcos and that it can also make pcos worse if you have them before starting the drug. Now i'm wondering if I should just cancel the appointment with my Dr. because it seems as though it will be a waste of time and money to get on the Met knowing this info My other doctor is not going to take me off of the med because it is one of the few that work for me. He also gave me a script for depression last time I saw him I was thinking I did'nt need to get it filled but these past couple of days I feel like I want to cry a river, so i may fill it tonight!!!

I'm getting so ANGRY
Tanaka
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  #13   ^
Old Thu, Feb-21-02, 20:31
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Default Don't lose hope

What you're going through is very normal. I've had my time of anger and tears also. Let it all out. Don't keep it bottled in. That's what we're here for, so you can vent.

After you have time to calm down and things about things, write down what you need to do. For me it was goals I'd like to attain. For example:

1- Getting healthy
2- Controlling my PCOS
3- Pregnancy

Then I wrote down what I needed to do to attain those goals...

1- Losing weight
2- Find proper medication and help from a doctor
3- See a specialist to help my infertility

Then, I did research on how to do those things in the best way for my condition:

1- Low Carbing - light exercises
2- Get and take metformin - find a good doctor who will help me
3- Find a specialist who is willing to go the distance - go back on Clomid at same time as Met (still waiting to do that)...

But you know what... all those things didn't happen over night. I had to work hard to get there and I too got discouraged at first. I'm the type who wants it NOW! So I had to learn to pace myself and take one step at a time.

Remember that your PCOS might cause you to have those mood swings and so on. I wish you luck with your meds and to learn how to take it one step at a time and be patient.

Please keep posting and letting it all out.
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  #14   ^
Old Sat, Feb-23-02, 01:22
tanaka39's Avatar
tanaka39 tanaka39 is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 34
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 343/336/170
BF:
Progress: 4%
Location: Louisiana
Post Thanks for understanding

Gracia I want to just say thank you and tell you how much you mean to me You understand me so well. I can't say thank you enough for all of the encouraging words and the postitive remarks you make. You are so kind, I thank you for letting me cry my heart out to you, because you don't even know me and you have all the right words to say I'm not going to give up and like you said I need to take one thing at a time so I think that I must work on my weight first (335lb) at 5'4. So that will become my main focus for the next couple of months.

I wasn't as moody today, thank God

Thanks,
Tanaka
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  #15   ^
Old Sat, Feb-23-02, 10:40
Gracia_30 Gracia_30 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 253
 
Plan: CAD/CALP
Stats: 184/181/150
BF:
Progress: 9%
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Smile You're very welcome

Good for you for coming to a decision. Keep thinking ONE DAY AT A TIME and MINI GOALS. If you write things down on a big board, and every day writing down what you did, even the slightest thing like a certain choice in a meal, to attain your goal, then after even just one week you will see a difference.

It's almost like seeing a piece of clothing in a store and not having enough money to buy it... you write down what you want on that board, then write down how you can get it, then writing down your progress every day until you reach your goal: BUYING THAT PIECE OF CLOTHES. Only for you it might be losing weight. Same process.

I'm very happy that my words make sense to you and they help. I believe that your attitude in life makes a difference. And the way you see things can make the difference between success and failure. Like you, I deal with it every day. Like right now:

I'm spending the weekend at my parents who love me to pieces. Only they're having a hard time understanding or I should say remembering what I can and cannot eat. My parents don't have much money, so if my mom prepared a meal and what she prepared is full of carbs, I will not turn around and tell her I won't eat it or waste food when they spent what they had to make it. So I eat it, and then pay the price. Now their hearts are in the right place and they want to help. But they don't always realise that it's not always so. So today and last night, I offered to make the meal. I made a roast, with carrots and roasted potatoes. Now dinner is usually my complimentary meal, and I did cheat a little. But I also cheated at lunch time cause I had soup with some pasta in it. Not a big deal. So today I made myself some eggs & bacon and did not cheat. That's what I'm talking about... Choices and changing things when you can. If not, you pick up the next day and that's it! You don' t beat yourself up about it.

I sat my mom down and explained to her that some of the foods they eat may be ok for them, but it makes me gain weight and also makes me sick. She of course understood after I explained what that particular food does inside my body. And of course is wanting to make sure I eat what I need to make me healthy. Sometimes though, we have to have someone explain it to us because we're not understanding it ourselves even.

Well enough rambling.... I'm in one of my moods LOL.....

Hope you're doing well today. I will go into my journal and put my cheats for yesterday in it...
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