PCOS Support

[KeiraYvette]

Hi, just thought I'd post my history as I also have PCOS. I only found out I had it after a year of trying to conceive.. The thing that worked for me was going on Metformin, and a complete lifestyle change.. I ate a Low GI diet and exercised my heart out.. after a few months we conceived our daughter. .. just wanted to share what helped with me as we were told we would most likely have to try IVF, Clomid etc..

[Swah]

Hi all,

I am new to this, and have been TTC for a little while now with no luck as have PCOS. GP suggested I may have luck with Clomid, but gyno said must lose weight ( well duh) before she would prescribe. As I said to her, trying to lose weight with PCOS can be a hard and long process, and as I am over 30 I don't want to wait any longer for pregnancy. Am in ACT, and have heard that Dr Armellin is more understanding of girls who are carrying weight, and may prescribe assistance without making me jump through hoops. Obviously am trying to lose weight at same time, but would love to know of Dr who will assist without making me wait ( weight? LOL) any longer. Keeping a brave face, but am feeling sad and useless.

[belle75]

Hi Swah,
Just wanted to give you a I am over 30 as well and feel the same as you. My Gyno is reluctant to prescribe clomid as well. Sorry I can't help you with any Dr recommendations as I live in Melb. However, I just wanted to reassure you that you've come to the right place with your questions. There are some great ladies on BB with heaps of knowledge and experience. Everyone is so beautiful and supportive. Hope you find your answers soon.

I agree with KeiraYvette, a low GI diet (don't have to limit yourself too much, I know the word "diet" sounds really dramatic ) just watch your carbs no added sugar, no processed food try to eat as much fresh, homemade food as possible and regular exercise ( just a 30min walk a day is enough to stimulate ovulation). I just walk the dog with my DH every night after dinner or go early morn now that the weather is so beautiful . Have started ovulating regularly after 12 years of irregular periods.

Also, I read in one of the other threads that transfats will impair fertility. Try to watch out for these (in packaged food, pastries, cookies, marg/butter, chicken skin etc). Transfats helps processed food last longer. Hope that helps.

for a for you soon hun.

[Swah]

Hi belle,

Thanks for your words, encouragement and prayers. I haven't even told my close friends we are trying coz I don't want the ' so are you pregnant yet?" questions, so to be able to talk about it here is wonderful. I am joining Curves tomorrow, so hopefully that will get things going, as I so badly want a bubba. Already losing with diet, so maybe I won't have to end up taking anything, as I am getting more regular. Your story gave me hope, so nice to hear from someone in the same boat, as all my GF's fell first go, or soon after.

[tk1999]

KeiraYvette, how much of a change was the switch to low GI? My problem is that I work full time and study at uni part-time so try to eat as well as I can but sometimes it can be too hard to eat well... and I hate cooking so DP does most of it and he likes his certain meals... would love to hear a bit more about your experience with eating low GI to manage PCOS.

I am already going to the gym three times a week and seeing a personal trainer for one of those sessions - it is all I can manage with my life at the moment...

[tashgoode@hotmail.com]

Hi all well i havent been on this site for so long....all i can say is stick to your guns the low gi diet is really great..my first thoughts on this diet were a bit grim but its so easy i just bought a book that shows most of the supermarket foods and it tells you if they are low, med or high gi after a week i pretty much new what i could and shouldnt eat. my dh has the foods that he likes but its really not that hard to even chage his diet without it causing to much fuss..... i mean there is still some foods that i cook for him that i dont eat but hey thats fine with me..I was on low gi (very strickly) for 3 months after being diagnosed with pcos because we really wanted to start a family and avoid using fertility drugs and to my suprise i fell pregnant!! im am now 20 weeks yay!!

Good luck

[tk1999]

Tash, what is the book called? I went looking in the book store yesterday but found it all a bit too confronting so thought I would do a bit more research first.

[Pooley]

tashgoode

I too am confused about my diagnosis. I did have PCOS then I didn't. The only thing I had was the cysts on the ovaries, then they did a blood test to confirm. I have not weight to lose either. It has taken me 3 1/2 mths for my AF to arrive and now after temping this cycle its looking pretty grim, I don't think I ovulated. A different doctor says that I don't have it so am waitingfor my next AF and if that doesn't come am going to see a specialist.

I think you need a second opinion especially since you were diagnosed so long ago.

Good luck

[KeiraYvette]

Originally Posted by tk1999

KeiraYvette, how much of a change was the switch to low GI? My problem is that I work full time and study at uni part-time so try to eat as well as I can but sometimes it can be too hard to eat well... and I hate cooking so DP does most of it and he likes his certain meals... would love to hear a bit more about your experience with eating low GI to manage PCOS.

I am already going to the gym three times a week and seeing a personal trainer for one of those sessions - it is all I can manage with my life at the moment...

Yeah I understand how hard it can be, I was working shifts so was very hard to not just grab some takeaway instead of having something like a salad. I brought this book called 'The low GI guide to managing PCOS" by Pro Jennie Brand-Miller, Prof Nadir R.Farid and Kate Marsh. It has a list in the back of many different foods and there GI levels, which helped me managed my intake.

At first I found the change hard, but ended up getting use to it. id make most normal meals but where my husband would have carbs Id have vegies or salads. If your trying to loose weight as well, maybe try something like the Tony Ferguson Diet..as its a low GI based, might be easier for you too with your schedule.

I have to say I found it very hard first few weeks as I love my carbs but I ended up getting use to it and found I didnt need as much food as I use to eat so my portions got alot smaller.

Hope this helps!

[tk1999]

KeiraYvette, thank you for the info... I have been on TF in 2006 and found it really easy as we were working towards my best friends wedding but now I have found it hard to get back into but I am thinking about giving it another go now that I have a TF centre close to me rather than just the Terry White Chemists. I know I need to do something but I am just scared of failing.... I stopped TF after my friends wedding and am now so scared that I won't be able to keep up with it.

Thanks again for the info... I now know that I can manage this PCOS through other methods other than just a lot of medication.

[tashgoode@hotmail.com]

i found "the low gi shopper's guid to gi values 2008" book very helpful it has a wide range of supermarket brands and foods it even helps you to recognise/understand low gi food on a resturant menu. I found this book at a collins book shop.(it is hand bag size so it lives with me and i use it as my bible).

i hope this is helpful for you

[KeiraYvette]

Originally Posted by tk1999

KeiraYvette, thank you for the info... I have been on TF in 2006 and found it really easy as we were working towards my best friends wedding but now I have found it hard to get back into but I am thinking about giving it another go now that I have a TF centre close to me rather than just the Terry White Chemists. I know I need to do something but I am just scared of failing.... I stopped TF after my friends wedding and am now so scared that I won't be able to keep up with it.

Thanks again for the info... I now know that I can manage this PCOS through other methods other than just a lot of medication.

If you have success on TF before Im sure you will be fine being on it again espec if your trying to conceive. Gives you a goal at the end. I was also on metformin myself to get my cycles back, found the combination of both the healthy lifestyle and the meds helped for me.. best of luck!