new to all this

[Littlev]

hi all, I decided I need support and some advice as I’m only 44 years old and just had my diagnosis yesterday and feeling overwhelmed by it and just wondering what is the best way of dealing with pcos belly as it is my biggest problem and don’t know where to start

[Str0ppy]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you've only just received a diagnosis in your 40s. I'm not surprised you're struggling to come to terms with it as it's a difficult diagnosis and research or support serms to be poor. You could try the supplement myoinositol, or your GP could prescribe metformin. Both of these may help with insulin resistance and thus, cravings and weight loss. A low carb, high protein diet with non-starchy veg may also help. Try to avoid white carbs, processed and sugary foods. Take a vitamin D supplement, a good multi vitamin and add omega 3 if you don't eat oily fish like salmon at least once a week. It's worth getting your thyroid checked too, as PCOS and an hypothyroidism often go together. Hypothyroidism can also cause you to gain weight around your middle.

[Littlev in reply to Str0ppy]

thank you for your reply and I have been on metaformin for 15 years and it don’t seem to be helping and I take vitamin D and a multivitamin and had my thyroid checked and it’s fine but I am struggling with my diabetes and I need to get my sugar levels lower to have my gallbladder removed. It don’t help being on antidepressants and anxiety meds as well as pain relief for my fibromyalgia as some of these meds makes me gain weight.

[Str0ppy in reply to Littlev]

Oh bless you, you've a lot going on. I'm not surprised you're struggling. Has your GP referred you to a diabetes clinic, dietician and counsellor for some support?

I remember watching a documentary of Michael Moseley's about intermittent fasting once and it seemed to be an effective way of managing diabetes and weight loss-if you can stick to it as it was 500 cals for 2 days of the week. You can probably still catch it on bbc i player. I think there maybe different plans based around eating all your cals within a certain time frame, but don't know if these work as well as the original. It might be worth looking into this, at least to lose weight in the short term so you're able to get your gall bladder sorted.

[Littlev]

I speak to my diabetic nurse regularly and I haven’t been offered any support or counselling but I have to speak to my doctor in a month’s time to discuss how I’m getting on with my antidepressants. The one thing I am seeking advice on is how to deal with facial hair as it’s something that stands out and it makes me self conscious.

[Snowybell]

Sorry to hear that you have been prescribed antidepressants.I was also given them when I was about 42 but have since been informed that the symptoms I was experiencing that led to that were actually hormone fluctuations due to first stage perimenopause. Have you had your FSH levels checked?

Too many GPs incorrectly prescribe antidepressants when then should be starting to look at possibly treating perimenopausal symptoms.

This is one of the reasons I ended up becoming a Menopause Wellness Practitioner as I wanted to help others in similar situations.

I would highly recommend Menopasing by Davina McCall to provide awesome info to you right now.

[Littlev]

I have had so many blood tests I have lost count. My list of health issues is so confusing it’s unreal, my head is on a constant go trying to suss it all out.