Hope you're all ok! I am new here, and newly diagnosed with PCOS. Just after a bit of advice please
A bit of background info, I've been trying to get a diagnosis for a year now (had a long wait for an endo apt). It started last year in October when suddenly after being on Depo for two years, I had a massive three stone weight increase without changing my diet and I couldn't lose the weight no matter how hard I tried. I changed to the impant however seen no change. I was referred to Endo (finally seen in June this year) to be tested for thyroid problems however they all came back normal. In August I had the implant removed and the copper coil fitted as I thought this was causing my weight gain.
Starting The Body Coach in September, I managed to lose 11lb, however towards the end of September, beginning of October, severe bloating started and to this day, it's never gone down at all (it's there on waking and going to bed), it looks as though I'm pregnant!
I went for a follow up with the Endo Consultant who was able to run the tests for PCOS which he couldn't whilst the implant was in. In the meantime, I went for an ultrasound to also rule out anything sinister for my persistent bloating. They found that I had a large right ovary of 18ml and "multiple follicles". The Consultant has now wrote to me to say the ultrasound and bloods are consistent with PCOS. He has put in the letter requesting my GP to start me on Metformin to aid weightloss and supress my Testosterone.
I feel a bit in the dark as this has all been in a very brief letter from the Consultant with no advice or information regarding PCOS. Feeling a bit lost!
I suppose my questions are:
-Anyone else could share some info/stories about being on Metaformin
-Does anyone else have persistent bloating like mine with PCOS? When researching online, I can only ever find about bloating coming and going, and I was more concerned that mine does not. How could I get rid of it?
Also any general advice/info about PCOS would be amazing.
Sorry about the ramble and thanks in advance!
Written by
mclellans10
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Depo is not good from a pcos point of view and also thought the implant wasnt great either so hopefully the coil will settle it down again.
Look at theanswertopcos diet - it is the only diet that I consistently lost weight on and have now maintained for 8 years (I fluctuate by a stone). I never bloat any more either as it was horrific, I know exactly what you mean about looking pregnant (and looked as if I was about to give birth lol).
Metformin is a tricky one, in my view you shouldnt be given it unless you are insulin resistant which some pcos ladies are and it helps but not all are IR. It is primarily a diabetes drug and not licensed for pcos in the UK
I know I'm so glad I got off it and finally had some answers, feels like it's been a long road to diagnosis!
Great thank you I'll definitely check that out It's a horrible feeling to think you can lose weight but there's still this massive stomach showing. I was feeling great to have lost the 11lb and then overnight this bloating just appeared and has never left since.
I don't think I have actually had any diabetic bloods done, at least not in a while, there was certainly no mention of it in the letter. Although, feeling a bit lost as there's not much in my letter and my diagnosis was a bit of a shock, I knew he was testing for it, but the Consultant wasn't overly convinced I'd have it. I then just received a call out of the blue from the GP to say I was going on Metformin at the request of my Endocrinologist and on receiving my letter yesterday, he has just confirmed that both my bloods and ultrasound are consistent with PCOS and he would see me in 6 months time!
Generally stick to a low GI type diet so cut out all white carbs as they are the route of all evil in my opinion. theanswertopcos diet is amazing and definitely stopped the horrible bloating. The other thing could be IBS as well, perhaps do a food diary, I found not one thing bloated me but combination foods did which was strange, its not to say it never happens but it is really rare now.
Don't worry about conceiving when you decide the time is right (if you do want children) as it is extremely rare not to conceive just due to pcos. The best advise is to keep your BMI under 30 in case you do need referring to fertility as it must be under 30 to qualify. 2 other ladies did the diet at the same time as me and both lost 7 stone and conceived naturally as well.
Definitely think that would be the best option for me. I am already diagnosed with IBS so white carbs are generally a think I avoid anyway as they cause really bad bloating with me. But hoping the low GI diet will be a massive help for me to get rid of this annoying constant bloating!
Aw thankfully I think I’m done with having children. I had my son five years ago and quite happy with just having him, feeling very lucky to have him!
Do you think I should be under a gynaecologist as well as my endocrinologist or do you think just seeing endo would suffice? Just concerned as the past two consults I’ve had with him he’s always been very vague.
.No endo is fine as it is more their issue as gynae is more 'fanny' whereas pcos is hormonal. I only have one son who is now 12 (going on 15), already has hair everywhere so he is definitely a carrier of pcos (as not ovary related so men can have it too). They are sure my husband has it as well - so we are one hairy family lol!!
No I hadnt either, I spoke to Helen Mason at one of the Verity conferences as she had mentioned it in one of her talks so not ovary related at all so the name is very misleading!
I find I get a bloated tummy as well I find it's only around period time. I have found cutting out dairy has helped. I was told diet can have a massive effect on it. It has definitely made a difference with me but then I also have IBS problems as well.
I know weight gain is a common symptom of PCOS although I have had quite the oppersit thing happen to me where I've lost weight since I've been suffering. So I have little information along the lines of weight gain.
Thanks for your reply! Yeah I used to be the same and to be honest that’s when my bloating first started at the end of Sept but just been persistent since then and never gone so finding it hard to pin point any food triggers but I’m definitely going to give cutting out dairy a go!
That is definitely worth a go I've also heard that carbs can have an affect on it as well. But for me dairy has been the biggest problem. Everone is different so it's worth trying out and seeing what helps for you.
Haha I am quite lucky it's that way round for me. But I think I've been loosing weight because I've been struggling to eat lots of food at one time. I find if I have a big plate of food I really cramp and bloat. So I have been struggling to eat normal portions of food for a while now. Lol It's an easy way of dieting for me as I used to be able to eat so much haha. Xx
How did you find cutting out dairy? It’s a big thing to cut out so how did you go about doing it was it difficult?
Wow that’s mad! It’s bizarre how it can affect people in so many ways! I’m just hoping so much that I can get back to normal. I used to be 7.5st when I met my husband and even though that’s unhealthy and I wouldn’t want to be back like that I’d love to be slim again!
You have to cut it out slowly so that you body can get used to it. I've found alot of information on Google. I have also found some nice alternatives to milk like oat milk.
I found it really difficult because I love cheese so what I sometimes do is I have a treat day once every 1 to 2 weeks where I can have the odd bit of cheese but that's it.
It's amazing how everone is different. Hopefully I have helped a bit. X
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