November 8, 2008
PCOS: I’m Dealing With It
Last month, I tried to do a low-carb diet. Not necessarily Atkins or South Beach, but I eliminated all starches (potato, pasta, bread), I nixed the sugary goodness of chocolate (and it nearly killed me) and I tried sticking to a diet of lean meats, cheeses and leafy green vegetables (and cucumbers) for two weeks.
Can I just tell you how awful my cravings were? I cannot even describe the ridiculous dependency my body had has on carbohydrates. Seriously, it got to the point where I had dreams of baked potatoes loaded with all the fixings.
You’re probably wondering what possessed me to begin such a diet and I’m more than happy to tell you why.
Almost ten years ago I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic (and endocrine) disorder that affects ovulation, weight loss/gain, hormonal fluctuations and causes my body to be desensitized to insulin. When I first received this diagnosis, I thought it was some bullshit syndrome that doctors made up because they weren’t sure what was wrong with the women who experienced the symptoms now classified as part of this disease.
The fact that PCOS is a disease scared me, partly because if left untreated the condition can become life threatening. Women with untreated PCOS can develop diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cervical and uterine cancers and other scary things. Sadly, this disease is genetic and typically runs in families. My mother and sister most likely suffer from PCOS, as they’ve experienced most, if not all, of the same symptoms I do. They haven’t been diagnosed just yet, but I’m urging them to get to their doctors to have testing done.
I went to the library and got some books on this condition, along with books on nutrition and fertility because I wanted to be completely in-the-know about what was happening with my body.
I won’t lie. My reasons were selfish at first. I’ve made it known that I want to have another baby (Soon, damn it! Soon!) but that I’m not having any luck in the getting pregnant department. Part of the blame is because of PCOS.
My very amazing new doctor (whom I began seeing this past June) prescribed a medication typically given to patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes. The medicine is called Metformin (known as the brand Glucophage). Metformin is given to sensitize the body to insulin (which is what helps the diabetic patient), and this can help regulate hormones and cure some of the endocrine disorder.
I’ve been taking this stuff for a little over five months and while it’s regulating insulin production, it isn’t really doing all of it’s job. Such as trigger ovulation. I know this because I’ve been charting my basal body temperature for months.
Two weeks ago, I went in for a re-check and Dr. F upped the dose of my Rx to four pills a day instead of two. It’s sort of wrecking havoc with my stomach (a symptom of taking the meds), but I’ve noticed some changes since the increase.
For one, my acne is slowly disappearing. I am one of the unlucky women post-puberty that still gets the occasional zit (or twelve) around the chin area. Acne is a symptom of PCOS. So is hirsutism (excess hair growth on the face and other unwanted areas of the body — I know, that’s so general). I noticed that I had some facial hair problems (mostly on the chin and neck), but now that I’ve been taking the Metformin, it seems to be fading away.
But the biggest change is that my menstrual cycles are shortening. Pre-metformin, my cycles were 47 days plus. Probably why it’s been so difficult to coneive. Each month I’d lose a day or two. I’m down to about 35-39 days depending on other stress factors.
Okay, I take that back. The biggest change isn’t just that my periods are getting more “regular.” I’ve lost 17 pounds, too. Seventeen. Dr. F was so elated when I weighed in. My goal was to lose 10% of my weight in order to trigger ovulation again. I have 10 more pounds to go.
People, this is progress. And while, it’s still frustrating to know that I’m not getting pregnant yet, it’s comforting to know that by sticking to the plan and making small, subtle changes to my lifestyle, perhaps I’ll be pregnant by Christmas. Or maybe Valentine’s Day.
I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but I’m also trying not to give up. It’s like I’m in a holding pattern. Being sick with a cold the last twelve days hasn’t helped either. When I’m sick, I have no ambition to eat healthy or exercise. Sad, but true.
The low-carb diet was much more difficult this time around. (I did it four years ago which is how I conceived Dawson.) Instead, I’m counting calories, making healthier food choices and exercising 4-6 times a week. I feel good about myself and I noticed I’m not as depressed as I used to be.
So, anyway…I’m just really happy with how things are going and I wanted to blog about it so that I can look back and see how far I’ve come. There were devastating days, I know. I lost my shit a time or two. But like Scarlet O’Hara once said, “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
I’m looking forward to my tomorrows.
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P.S.
I don’t know many people who also struggle with PCOS, but I’m hoping that if you are dealing with this condition or know someone who is dealing with it, you’ll leave a comment on this post (please?). I’d love to hear about your experiences.
If you think you may have PCOS and have not yet been diagnosed, please make an appointment with your doctor. It’s very important for you to get treatment. There is help for your condition. And no, you’re not crazy. No, these symptoms are not “in your head.”
I’m happy to talk more about PCOS, and to blog about it, too. The more informed we are, the better we can manage our conditions.
Posted by Dana 7:11 am • Acting Up, Body Image, Health, Wellness, Fitness, Exercise, Infertility, NaBloPoMo, Pregnancy, The Mommy Files, Weight Loss • 9 comments
