PCOS and Weight Loss Issues

thesuiteshoppe

PCOS and Weight Loss Issues

thesuiteshoppe

Hello all,

Just found out that I'm hitting a huge weight loss wall because of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).  So frustrating!  Doctor put me on Metformin.  Any ladies out there struggle with PCOS and weight loss?

Miya

CrunchyPoodleMama

My fertility specialist a couple of years ago told me I could be a case of "hidden" PCOS (my bloodwork didn't indicate PCOS, but other things did), and I can tell you that Metformin really does help. I started on 750mg, quickly ramping up to 1500mg, and at the same time attacked my weight with everything I had in me... intensive cardio every day and strength training several days a week.

With PCOS, although the initial weight loss is VERY hard, if you're really intensive about your exercise (need to do aerobic, anaerobic/intervals, and strength training), and cut out refined carbs (and even lay off grains altogether for a while -- e.g., instead of cereal for breakfast, have a pastured egg or two), you will eventually see dramatic results, and the Metformin will help that... you just have to keep pushing through that emotionally hard phase where you seem to be running in place for a while.

You know that PCOS can be reversed, right? It doesn't happen in all cases, but for at least those of us who were overweight when diagnosed, when our body weight gets to a normal range, the polycystic (and infertility) aspects often disappear.

otter

I was glad to see this thread pop up in the Active Topics list tonight.  A good friend of mine just told me yesterday that her GYN thinks she may have PCOS, and he has recommended that she start taking Metformin.  She (and I) knew Metformin was used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but neither of us had heard of other uses, like this one.

She is struggling with her weight, and with irregular periods and excessive facial hair, and (Julia, you'll recognize this one) with trying to get pregnant.  I've never investigated PCOS, but it looks like I need to do some on-line searching on her behalf.

otter

thesuiteshoppe

Crunchypoodle and otter - Nope, I didn't know PCOS could be reversed.  I think my doc is playing it cool because of my age (43) and other factors against my weight (Seroquel to sleep, for example).  Since July I've been on a 3 hr-a-day exercise regime aerobic/weight training plus insulin resistant diet/reduced caloric with medical supervision.  Only lost 7 lbs.  So I'm really down in the dumps and reluctant to start another weight loss regime.  Granted, this time I'm on Metformin, and the doc is reducing my caloric intake even more, so we'll see.  I don't like to whine, but I really need to whine, this just isn't fair!  There.  Whining accomplished.  I'm trying to lose weight for an upcoming reconstructive surgery.  Lower BMI will make it safer for me, as the incidence for blood clots will go down with my weight going down.  But apparently I've been up against PCOS this whole time.  I may need to postpone the surgery, which I don't want to do.  Sounds like another drastic attempt at exercise with radical dieting and Metformin may be just the thing to jumpstart a weightloss.  We'll see.  Oh, and Otter, the facial hair I've struggled all of my adult life with.  I've had laser hair removal for about 3 years.  I still have a bit of stubble every morning on my chin that I have to shave, but I don't believe that some of us will ever be 'hair free'.  And as far as infertility goes, my daughter was a miracle.  I got pregnant out of nowhere after being told 'sorry, no children for you'.