PCOS Book - Karen's Musings

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			PCOS Book - Karen's Musings Random Rambling




			04:01 pm March 14th, 2004

estherchaya


	PCOS Book
	A friend lent me a book called PCOS: The Hidden Epidemic and told me that it was a must read for me and that it was the first book that she'd read that made her realize that she wasn't a complete freak. Now, arguably, she and I are both freaks for completely different reasons, but having read just a few sections here and there, I realize what she's saying. Polycistystic Ovary Syndrome affects a very large percentage of women, but it's a highly under-diagnosed syndrome. It took a long time for me to get diagnosed, though I had all of the classic signs, and I've only just found a doctor who's taking me seriously, though I've probably had outward signs since I was 14 or 15. This book is making me realize how very insecure I've been about certain things, but more importantly, it's helping me to realize that it's not just me. It's not my fault. And I'm not a freak (at least not for THESE reasons). And that's after reading a total of maybe 5 pages in a 400+ page book. Current Mood: calm

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	Comments




			Thread started by Sister Goldberg, I presume?

From: cecerose	Date: March 14th, 2004 02:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Interesting...I'm pretty sure I have PCOS too, though I've never had a diagnosis. My periods have always been irregular, until the last two or three years.

I'm glad you don't feel like a freak and hope that you can get the proper treatment...

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:29 pm (UTC)		(Link)

have your doctor test your hormone levels (including testosterone) and your fasting insulin level.

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			Thread started by Spooky-Lu

	From: spooky_lu	Date: March 14th, 2004 06:32 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I was diagnosed with Poly about 18 months ago....

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:27 pm (UTC)		(Link)

yeah, that doesn't surprise me. Good thing you don't want kids, eh? Are they treating it at all?

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	From: spooky_lu	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:43 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Not really

I cannot take estrogen because of my history of stroke. I have diebetes (another lovely side affect of PCOS) and am being treated for that.

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:55 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Not really

I can't take estrogen either.
Usually what they'll do for PCOS other than oral contraceptives is use glucophage. Actos apparently is also fairly successful, but there's a longer history of case studies of glucophage with PCOS treatment. But you're probably on that or something similar if you've got Type II Diabetes.

PCOS doesn't necessarily cause diabetes. It is, however, related to insulin resistance (which is the key component of Type II diabetes). No one knows whether the PCOS causes the insulin resistance, or if the insulin resistance leads to the other symptoms of PCOS. If you're insulin level is wacky and untreated for too long, obviously, it can result in diabetes. Diabetes is not incurable, though. There are people who completely eradicate Type II Diabetes through diet and exercise. Obviously, this is not true for everyone, and it's certainly easier said than done.

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	From: spooky_lu	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:58 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Not really

I was on Glucophage for the past year. But I had some bad side affects. They just switched me to Avandia. I am not happy about that, but I have no choice. I could no longer live with the side affects.

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 08:11 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Not really

I'm getting to a point where I can't deal with the side effects of glucophage either. Eventually, I might try actos. We'll see.

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			Thread started by Lynne

	From: chite	Date: March 14th, 2004 06:53 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I don't know if you read all of the case studies, but there are a few instances in the South Beach Diet book where the SBD helped to reduce PCOS symptoms.

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:25 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I didn't read all the case studies. Actually, I'm not sure I read any of them. So thanks! it doesn't surprise me that SB has helped reduce PCOS symptoms. One of the things recommended to people with PCOS is that they eat fewer carbs and move the majority of those carbs to the morning. It's not recommended that you have a no-carb diet, but low-carb is definitely recommended. It seems to be one of the only ways that people with PCOS are successful at losing weight and keeping it off. It doesn't help the infertility except inasmuch as being a healthy weight helps to a degree. But it does help other symptoms. So there you go. Here's hoping!

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	From: spooky_lu	Date: March 14th, 2004 07:51 pm (UTC)		(Link)

A no-carb diet is recommended if you have Diebetes....

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	From: estherchaya	Date: March 14th, 2004 08:10 pm (UTC)		(Link)

right, but not PCOS

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	12 comments or Leave a comment