🙁
Firstly, thank you for your warmth and support with my recent health scare. Unfortunately, the PCOS diagnosis was confirmed by my OB yesterday. Fortunately, I have a definitive answer and a plan. I was prescribed 500 milligrams of Metformin twice daily (click to read more but in essence, it is diabetic drug) to help control my blood sugars which are doing some really irregular things.
My OB gave the most concise and clear explanation of PCOS which described it as a spectrum. Some women experience more metabolic syndrome (like myself), others endocrine problems (i.e. hertuism or excessive body hair), and others “PCOS” (in regards to abnormal menses, infertility, and cystic ovaries). And while most women dabble in all of these arenas, some have more problems in one arena than the others. Many women don’t discover the severity of their PCOS-like symptoms until they are trying to conceive. This is why PCOS is often times undetected until women run into problems conceiving.
My symptoms are much more related to weight gain, trouble losing weight, and insulin resistance than anything else, and my OB seems optimistic that we will be able to conceive (with some added effort) when and if our time comes. Have I lost you yet?
This is some seriously confusing, scary stuff. Infertility…type 2 diabetes…there’s so much to know. I am going to start a tab on my blog devoted to PCOS – as someone with PCOS and working in diabetes/insulin resistance, I hope I have something to offer to others. If you have any questions regarding PCOS or a carbohydrate-controlled diet, please send them to me at [email protected]. I may not have an answer now, but I am devoted to combating this disease head-on and learning as much as I can about PCOS.
I will continue following a carbohydrate-controlled diet. And because my needs are different from others, my recipes may be on the moderate-carb side of things. One reader emailed me with the comment that I’ve been eating more meat, and that is absolutely true. Proteins and fats will be playing an integral role in my diet, and increasing lean animal proteins is one way I can prepare satisfying, carbohydrate-controlled meals.
Thank you again for all of your support! The blogosphere has proved to be a very warm crowd, and I am so grateful for that 😀 Hugs!
I promise to be catching up with everyone just as soon as I can! Life is busy Monday through Thursday (especially with evening hockey games!) and I’ve been taking some added time to just process this news and try and find all the positives in this situation. 🙂
Homemade enchiladas and sugar-free Baja Bob’s (virgin) margaritas for this chick tonight! But probably a Negro Modelo, too 😉
Thank you again.. 🙂
Happy Cinco de Mayo,
Like you said, PCOS can be confusing and scary, but it’s good to finally know for sure. I’ve heard that PCOS effects about 10% of women (have you heard if that’s true?) so you are not alone, Nicole! And you have all of us for support. Sending you a huge hug! 🙂
My mom was put on Metformin a while ago because her dad and paternal grandmother both had diabetes so her doctor wanted it to suppress her appetite so she’d lose weight. It didn’t really work, but hopefully it helps you out. 🙂
Good luck with everything!
Have you ever read anything by Angela Grassi. She is a dietitian that also has PCOS. She wrote The Dietitian’s Guide to PCOS. I use it with my patients all the time. Fantastic resource!
As devastating as a diagnosis can be, I’m sure it is a relief to have answers and to be able to make a plan of attack. It looks like you have already done a lot of planning. I’m sure its a lot of trial and error, but now you’re on your way to managing this. You are goign to help a lot of people 🙂
I am glad that you got an answer to all your unanswered questions, despite the diagnosis. I’ll say a pray for you Nicole!
Homemade enchiladas sounds so good right now, and it is only 8 am in the morning! Hello Cinco De Mayo!
I’m so glad that you were able to get answers to all of your questions. I have a friend who has/had PCOS and was extremely overweight. After she lost 100 pounds through weight watchers, she was able to come off of her medicine. I realize all cases are different and so are all situations, but I just wanted to share my experience with you.
I am sorry Nicole…but I like your attitude and I feel like if anyone can control this, it is you. Are you and your husband thinking of starting a family anytime soon?
I am so sorry, girl. You have an excellent attitude towards it and that is the best you can do!
I’m so sorry, Nicole. At least you know what you’re up against. And you’re so well-informed that you probably have a leg up on most people who have to change their diets. I know you can live with it. If anyone can, it’s you!
I’m really glad you have some answers. This must be hard but given your commitment to healthy living, I’m sure you will make the best of it! As you probably know I tend to eat a moderately low-carb diet myself so I look forward to sharing more and more recipes with each other 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that, Nicole, but you have such a positive outlook and are definitely very well informed. And I know you’ll be here to educate/help not only those with PCOS, but those of us who just want to learn more. Praying for you, girl!
You have such a positive outlook, which is soo very important. It’s great that you are being proactive and getting the information you need. Hang tight, and happy Cinco De Mayo!
I have and am still going through the same problem.
Some suggestions on taking the Metformin:
Take with food, on an empty stomach is not fun.
Do not eat anything high in carbs, (bananas are not good for breakfast) within a few hours of taking the morning one. You will feel nauseous and may vomit. Ya, ask me how I know.
The first few weeks as your body adjusts cut out most sweets, they will make you feel sick and the runs are a possibility.
Cutting the pill into 2 and taking half with breakfast and half with a morning snack helps at the start.
Eat some thing small before bed, higher in protein is better. This will most likely help with the morning blood sugar number.
I am sorry that it turned out to be PCOS but at least now you have a reason for why things have been going the way they are and NOW you have a game plan! I know you will beat this!
You have the best attitude about this news. So many others would probably sit around with sorrow but you’re taking this diagnosis head on. What an inspiration to others dealing with this as well!
I love your attitude, we all must learn to be so optimistic like you…take care nicole, hope everything will be alright soon…
You are strong, smart, and determined. You will be fine. Really, you have such an infectiously positive attitude, makes me feel a bit inadequate, like I really need to raise my game.
I wish nothing but the best for you Nicole.
Cannot go wrong with a Negro Modelo.
Cheers!
I’m so sorry sweetie. But at least you have answers now and know what you need to do to keep everything on track. That is a good thing! Thoughts are with you!
Oh no, I’m so sorry Nicole. On the bright side at least you know now and can take steps to combat it. Your positive attitude is very inspiring!
I am just glad you have a diagnosis so no more wondering. Now you can get the right treatment and get those symptoms under control. Lucky for you, you have tons of background in some of the diet related things and general medical knowledge.
it seems like you are in good hands-your doc seems to know alot! you will be ok…..it is livable and not a death sentence 🙂
Honestly, at least you have a diagnosis, you can now develop a plan and start adjusting your lifestyle. It’s hard, it sucks but it beats not knowing and trying to figure out why your body isn’t doing what you think it should.
I’m still thinking of you and hope you are doing well, as your doctor said you can still get pregnant it will just take more work.
sending big hugs your way… <3
Sorry to hear it was confirmed. You sound like you are ready to face the struggles PCOS comes with though and I have no doubt you will help many others in the process. Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo!
It’s not the best news but at least you have an answer and working on a plan. You have a great attitude and you are very knowledgeable as is. Keep your strength. My prayers for you.
Sending you a big hug! I’m sorry about your diagnosis, but I’m glad that you found out sooner than many and that you can do what’s best for your body.
Enjoy your enchiladas! 🙂
I’m sorry that your diagnosis was confirmed, but at least you know why things have been the way they are. Now you know what to do and you will become healthier and stronger because of it. I’m always here for you.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
I’m glad that you have an answer and a plan and I’m hoping that everything will work out for the best…
A diagnosis is always a good start. I had a bad reaction to the Metformin and chose not to stay on it. I stay on the pill to fight the cysts and never planned to have children anyway. I sorta “forgot” about the PCOS in my efforts to battle my thyroid issues, but I’m sure they’re all inter-related somehow. Eating low sugar/low carbs has certainly been helpful to me. Good luck!
Author
Thank you! I’ve heard lots of bad about Met, but I figured I owe it to myself to at least give it a shot. So far, so good! Good luck to you, too! Lower-carb is hard!
Well, Im glad to know you have an answer. I think not knowing would be far worse. Its something you can work with, and thats also good to know.
That being said, I am so sorry to hear this. You have such a positive outlook though and thats really inspiring.
HUGS!!
I’m sorry to hear about this. The positive side, however, is that you are such an expert with diabetes and meds like Metformin, this will likely be easier for you to deal with than most people. Not only that but you can now be inspiration to all the other women who suffer with PCOS (and I know there are a lot). I’m glad you got an answer, even if it wasn’t necessarily the one you wanted.
I think I said this before, but I hope it’s comforting to know your issue and now you can move on in controlling it. I’d love to see your food plan. I know my body (weight loss related) responds so much better to a lower carb diet.
Just found your blog. It was recommended by a friend as I was just diagnosed as insulin resistant. Sorry about your diagnosis, but I’ve found it’s always better to at least know what we are dealing with. I look forward to reading more!
Author
Thank you, and I’m sorry to hear of your IR. We’ll make it! Excited to check out Twenty Four At Heart 🙂
Sorry to hear the news. You have a great positive attitude though, I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it well. Good luck!
I’m very impressed with your positive attitude, Nicole, and the energy you show behind not letting this take over your life. You are an inspiration! I know this wasn’t the news that you wanted to hear, and I know that we’re all behind you 100% in whatever you need. Thank you for sharing all this with us because I know that there are a lot of women out there who will appreciate your words xoxo
I am happy you saw the doc and have a plan to make you feel better! Do you have to stay on the meds permanently?
Sorry to hear about the news but as many have said, at least you know!
So fortunate you have so much knowledge already – hopefully the medication will help!
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis–that must be difficult. My prayers are with you.
I seriously get a gut-wrenching feeling every time I hear about someone else being diagnosed with PCOS. It causes so many problems! Like you said, everyone’s case is different though. I hope the Metformin controls things for you and I hope when you decide to, that you don’t have trouble concieving. You have the right attitude and that will take you a long ways!
Author
Thanks for your support 🙂