So the doc told me yesterday that I have PCOS. Know nothing about this – I went to the doc thinking I was hypothyroid. I’ve been put on metformin and told to low carb for life. Particular reference to the South Beach diet and told to steer away from Atkins because of my cholesterol level which is way high. I’m also borderline diabetic now.

Anybody find the South Beach diet helped? Any good websites, books etc so that I can soak up as much info as possible?

Did anyone find that their symptoms came on strong after an unsuccessful pregnancy? I lost my only baby last year because of Edwards Syndrome, before that, whilst I had a couple of symptoms, nothing was really a problem. But since losing my daughter, and the traumas that surrounded that time, I have been dealing with a whole load of symptoms that I felt had a linked underlying linked cause and that something metabolic was wrong. At first had an unsympathetic, couldn’t-care-less male doc who tried to tell me I was depressed… So he just had to go. Now have much more switched on female doc.

Any info, gratefully received.

Thanks
Tetley

HI!
here is a good link for PCOS.

PCOS is linked to depression but I think that is mainly due to the symptoms it provokes to be honest.

South Beach is probably the best, I usually follow that to some extent, although it doesnt really make a massive difference to me. It does make you feel loads better though.

Sorry to hear of your loss...x

http://www.pcos-vitaline.com/pcosbest.htm

Good luck, if you want to swap info then please get in touch, I am becoming quite an expert think I might write a book....!

Yeah, I agree about the PCOS being linked to depression. But I think it's more from the unbalanced hormones - I used to feel like I was walking around in a chronic state of PMS - constant episodes of weepiness, pessimism, handling stress badly, you know.

After I got going on LC the depression lifted, although it was another year before I started really seeing improvement in the cosmetic symptoms of PCOS.

South Beach is fine, but Atkins is good for cholesterol and blood sugar too just so you know. The best plan is the one you can stick with - this really works. My PCOS is virtually nothing but a bad memory now, but I'm sure it'll be right back if I start eating lots of carbs again, so it's important to be happy in your new way of eating.

Thanks Girls! Actually depression was the one symptom I didn't have, have been depressed in the past and so knew i wasnt now. I don't lack motivation but, boy, do i lack energy, piling up the zzzzzzzzzzzzs by 8pm most nights, asleep at my desk mid afternoon. Can't lose weight, my periods are all over the place, cholesterol high, raised glucose, short-term memory deteriorated, recurrent thrush ... seems as soon as the good bacteria goes in they are recruited to dark side of the force...

The doc felt i'd got PCOS from my Dad's side because he had Type 2 Diabetes and cholesterol problems the combination of both proving fatal for him. But Mum died of undiagnosed until too late cancer of the uterus, plus she used to say that the only way she could lose weight was by ctting out bread and potatoes and she had the world's longest menopause - which i suspect now was irregular cycle, etc because of undiagnosed PCOS that she just assumed was the menopause.

So I suspect I've got a genetic double whammy. Lucky me...

Cheers for the advice...much appreciated.

All the best
Tetley

You poor mite, that is really unfortunate. You should sue for negligence! something wrong has happened there !
Now you know you have it and what caused it at least you are well on the way to fixing yourself up. It has shocked me into doing something more constructive as I have to say sometimes I can be a bit sloppy if you know what I mean, and like you I too am sooooo tired like all the time, I sometimes feel like I am twice the age!
keep smiling anyway! x

Miss Tetley - did they do any thyroid testing? If the did, please post the results in the thyroid section and we'll take a second look for you. Thyroid imbalances sometimes happen (or intensify) post-pregnancy and they cause a domino-effect of hormone imbalances too. I am (sub clinical) hypoT and seeing a hormone specialist to get everything straightened out.

Cheers,

Friday