My specialist appointment yesterday.

adymarie

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I wanted to let you guys know what happened at the doctor's office yesterday!

Well, it was interesting at the doctor's yesterday. He pretty much figured that I have something called PCOS (polycysitic ovary syndrome). It cause infertility in about 5-10% of the women with infertility issues. It is genetic, it can't be cured, but can be controlled. It is also the main reason I am so heavy and can't loss weight no matter what I try. He is going to put me on meds (Metformin) to control it and they should also allow me to lose weight. That should be enough hopefully to get me preggers after a few months. I still have to do a few more tests to make sure nothing else is wrong, but then I get the meds. Let me tell you - I hate internal exams. Plus they followed that up by an internal ultrasound - ick!

Here is some info about what I have!

In PCOS, a cycle starts wherein the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to the release of more and more insulin to compensate. This condition is called hyperinsulinemia. The ovaries of PCOS women seem to be particularly sensitive to high blood levels of insulin and respond by overproducing androgens (such as testosterone). This disrupts the "feedback loop" between the ovaries and the pituitary gland, and the pituitary gland produces too much LH (luteinizing hormone), leading to more overproduction of androgens. The immature follicles in the ovaries then fail to convert the excess androgens to estrogen, which inhibits the development of the follicle. Ovulation doesn't take place because the egg couldn't develop properly, and the immature egg, instead of being released from the ovary, becomes a tiny cyst that starts producing its own supply of androgens, which interferes with next month's developing follicle
 

pat

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Hi there....this is something I know something about <G>. First...best site I can highly recommend is:
PCOS Support Org

When I found I was having infertility issues, I was referred on to a reproductive endocrinologist...the first one diagnosed me with PCOS (don't have it, but that's another story, lets just say thank heavens for second opinions and for all the information that helped me understand what pcos *is*), and I began a lot of research, finding the above group, joining a branch of it in my area etc.

I was on metformin as one of the meds we used to treat what we thought I had, and to try and help me conceive (along with other meds). My best suggestion....the above site and use of a low carb or balanced carb diet...I strongly prefer and recommend the Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program as the best I found for controlling the hyperinsulinemia that a high per centage of women with PCOS have (and which I *do* have). I found many stories of women who did lose weight, regain having periods, and lessened their pcos symptoms, due to this kind of change in diet. It is key, from what I learned, and did much more for me than the metformin - however, I also heard of a number of women for whom metformin worked extremely well! I wish you all the best, I know what this journey can be like.

<<<hugs>>>
 
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adymarie

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Thanks for the info - I will check out that site. I have already been doing some online research and am starting today with the low carbs. That will be tough to adjust to as I love my rice, pasta and breads! It will be worth it in the long run!
 

pat

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You will feel so much better once you get the hyperinsulinemia under control....for me it means no longer feeling "hungry" all the time, and I can walk through the baked goods section at the grocery store without having a "war of words" in my head <G>. There are a lot of very good links on the site I listed for you as well.
 
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adymarie

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I am starting small - a co-worker just offered me a cookie and I said no. I love baked goods!
 

pat

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Originally posted by adymarie
I am starting small - a co-worker just offered me a cookie and I said no. I love baked goods!
Me too! I still have them as part of my reward meal <G>.

Good for you!! Btw, for those who insist on "just one or just this once", tell 'em you are pre-diabetic and can't ...hushes 'em right up 'cause diabetes they will understand. Say pcos or hyperinsulinemia and you can expect their faces to go blank
 
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adymarie

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That is what I was thinking of saying - carbs are big in my family and I have a family party on Sunday. I guess this will test my will power.
 

princess purr

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I really need to start having some test done, but i'm scared!!!! We have been trying to get preggers for a year and three monthes with no luck, and we weren't really not trying all that hard before that
Good luck and hope you get preggers soon! Keep us upto date, maybe it will give me enough courage to get some test done!
 

pat

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You'll come up with *your* best way of handling this, but here is what I, and some folks on my diet support group do...
1) eat a yummy reward meal ahead of time so one is full, has had carbs and won't feel deprived, and then eat nothing saying one is not hungry, or...eat only the available low carb items (cheese, celery, salad, plain meat if there is a meal).

2)they take along an "emergency food kit"...i.e.(clean tuna fish packed in water or olive oil, no veggie broth which has msg), cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs, celery sticks) and have this in the car or someplace private...yes, that includes the ladies room) to have food you know is on your plan, then add a balanced amt. of carbs from what is avail.

3)eat low carb stuff, take a piece of cake or whatever for "later" and have it later on as part of a meal on plan. Tell them after the low carb stuff that you are full but ooh that looks lovely, can I take a piece home for later? That will usually do it.

4) take the salad if it's a bring a dish...make it a gorgeous chef with cheeses and homecooked roast beef (hope in Canada it's easier to find lunch meats NOT coated with dextrose, corn syrup and other sugars...here in the US, it's make your own usually to avoid that stuff).

Good luck, I've learned how to handle my husband's company buffets and still stay on plan...you can do this!
 

nora

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My sister is on a low carb diet because she is a diabetic. She has lost a ton of weight (went from size 26 down to a size 18). She also walks 2 times a day (morning and evening). She allows herself a Hershey chocolate bar, because of the low carbs. She reads the labels of everything. It is not a no carbs diet, but a low carbs diet.
 

sammie5

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Ady, I am happy for you that they found out what was wrong, and that there is a treatment for it. Lots of women have PCOS, and many are eventually able to conceive. A friend of mine went through all sorts of treatment, and now has two wonderful babies. The first was born after 4 years of tests and treatments. The second, a complete surprise, was born two years later. Here's hoping for the best for you.
 
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adymarie

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Originally posted by Princess Purr
I really need to start having some test done, but i'm scared!!!! We have been trying to get preggers for a year and three monthes with no luck, and we weren't really not trying all that hard before that
Good luck and hope you get preggers soon! Keep us upto date, maybe it will give me enough courage to get some test done!
I was afraid also - that is why it took so long to see a specialist! I hope that you can see someone as understanding as my new doctor! I am glad that my OB/GYN said that I had to go if I wanted a baby. My new specialist says he has had great success with the treatment. He currently has 87 women pregnant using this and 1 lady lost 90 pounds in 12 months. Now I know why it is so difficult for me to lose weight.

I had a nice chicken ceaser for lunch, minus the croutons.Thanks for the support everyone.
 
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