I have struggled with PCOS for years.  I've probably had it since early puberty but it wasn't recognized by my mother then and I never went to a doctor about my menstrual irregularities.  When I married at 20 and went off of birth control pills (which I was on to provide me with regular menses) that is when it really came on full force and caused infertility, immediate and massive weight gain.  Why do doctors take action if a woman loses 40lbs without reason and believe it to be medically related but if a woman GAINS that weight without a behavioral reason, it's all her fault?!  It has also caused male pattern  hair growth, some hair loss, darkened, shiny skin in my skin creases and one of the most difficult - insulin resistance which for many women with PCOS is the root cause of the weight gain.

Despite my infertility struggles, we have been blessed with 3 precious children.  My first two were conceived with the help of fertility medications and I was just on a low-carb diet when we found ourselves surprised to expect a third without any medical help.

After deciding that our family was complete, we pursued the typical medical treatment for PCOS.  I went on Metformin under the advice of my Reproductive Endocrinologist.  I lost some weight on it, my menses returned for a bit - but the major negative side effect of Metformin is diahrrea.  I could not get that under control.  That side effect dominated my life and I discontinued it.  I just couldn't take it anymore.

Now, almost 7-8 months has passed since I quit taking it and my symptoms of the PCOS are getting worse.  I haven't a cycle since last August and I felt like I had to do something, but I didn't want to go back on the Metformin.

So, late one night, I started looking into the potential of finding a different doctor that was closer to me who might consider some sort of alternative treatment - even though, I didn't know what that was.

I stumbled upon a web page - http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/ and I was overwhelmed with excitement at midnight one night!  I had only ever read about diets regarding PCOS which were the usual low carb/high protein diets.  But this one was different, it talked about foods and how they affected a woman with PCOS - how it would affect ME!

But, it was radically different than anything I have ever done before...

• No Dairy - No milk, cheese, creams, nothin'
• No Grains - No breads, rice or Grain-based thickeners.
• No Legumes - No beans, no chick peas, no peanuts/peanut butter Or hummus
• Organic meats and produce

I knew in my heart though that this could possibly be my answer, answer to prayer really.  I had to do something radical.  So, I went cold turkey and into the diet.

I'll admit, I haven't been a 100% perfect angel on this.  I discovered the diet on a Tuesday, shopped for it on a Wednesday and started it on the Thursday and that Friday was the start of my church's women's retreat!  That was tough, but I only "cheated" on one meal there and that was because there wasn't anything else I could eat.  It was a King Ranch Chicken Burrito.  Even after only being on the diet for 3 days, I recognized that for the first time in almost 4 days, that was the first GRAIN food I had eaten and within an hour after eating, I felt hungry.  I hadn't felt hungry in 4 days.  I knew that the way my body reacted to the high glycemic value of grains, that was what was consistently making me feel hungry after almost every meal.  Other than that, I think I've had only one whole meal that was off the diet in the last 2 weeks that I have been on this diet.

Symptom wise, I've already seen some improvements.  I have had to shave my chin every day for most of my married life.  I'm thrilled that the hair growth is down to now only needing to do that every other day.  I lost 5 lbs in the first week.  (Haven't lost any since thanks to a tooth infection).  But I hope that starts up soon.  I *feel* better.  I seem to always have a headache after every meal and I don't any longer.  I haven't had a headache in two weeks - well, except for the tooth infection!

I'm really excited about this diet and am very hopeful that THIS is my answer.  It is much easier on me now to eat this way than it was to take a pill and be tied to the bathroom - even as radical as this diet is, I can say that.

I hope that this blog helps others who are battling this complicated syndrome or that you can lead others who are also battling it to knowing that there is something out there that can help in a more natural way.

Posted by mountainmama

I'm glad that you have found something that works for you!

I am having very good results using the Insulin Resistance Diet (pairing carbs and protein) and Metformin. Fortunately, the 750mg XR tablets seem to be easier on the system than most. I take 1500mg XR a day and have very few side effects from it.

I am ovulating regularly and having regular cycles as long as I take the Metformin regularly. I had to skip a week this past cycle and as a result, it was anovulatory and longer than usual.

I hope you're able to keep your PCOS issues under control. :) It's a pain, that's for sure!

Posted by ClassicalEducation4Me

The IR diet seems to be working for me if I follow it very closely. I don't think that I could follow the diet you are on ... I love my yogurt and my high fiber cereal with milk - LOL! It's a good thing that there are several diets that work for those of us with PCOS ;-)

Kris

Posted by Anonymous

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I've just been diagnosed with PCOS 2 months ago and am currently taking Metformin. I went through a week of the runs but now I am feeling much better since I found my stomach prefered if I took the medicaiton right after I ate instead of right before. I have been eating a low cholesterol diet as my levels were a little high. If you have any more info on PCOS, I'm still searching for information and learning everyday. You said you didn't start on Metformin until you were done having kids. I just got married and am waiting to have kids....should I not be on Metformin???