Calling all PCOSisters...

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Good luck to you! I am also Insulin Resistant and found I had to restrict carbs to 15g to lose weight and also had to take the supplement range Atkins recommended for those with extreme metabolic resistance but it is working....slowly!

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hi there!

Im glad its working for you!

Its hard to stay on track

Which vitamins and supplements do you take for metabolic resistance?

I take omega 3
Vitamin B complex
Calcium magnesium vitamin D
Herbs for PCOS

Im wondering if the vitmains I take help for metabolic resistance
I know the herbs do

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hi,

No, those are good but not specifically for IR or Metabolic Resistance. If you are doing Atkins I assume you have the book? You should have the 2002 edition as that has the diet proper as opposed to what came out AFTER Dr Atkins death when the company became Atkins Nutritionals and changed things.

Chapter 20 deals with Metabolic Resistance but he outlines his supplements in the nutritional chapters.

You need to be taking chromium, B5 as well as a B complex, vanadium or vanadyl sulfate, COQ10 Enzyme and so forth. This is in specific doses for metabolic resistance. What herbs are you taking which would treat both PCOS and IR?

If this fits your profile you should also be tested for thyroid and adrenal function and malfunction of both tends to go hand-in-hand with all this. I'm taking adrenal support as mine are shot and I'm also on T3 for my thyroid as the anecdotal evidence points to mine being underactive.

You can return tests for thyroid which suggest all is normal and things are NOT. This is because the testing proceedures are among the LEAST reliable in the world. Luckily I have a great doctor and when I told her my basal temperature was below normla three days in a row plus my cholesterol was unusually high despite eating a GREAT diet, she knew right away these were markers for thyroid malfunction.

Hope your doctor is Atkins friendly!

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hey here!

I have the old book Dr Atkins Diet Revolution

I will try and get the new one, I have a 7 month old daughter so finding time to read is really hard

Well before pregnancy I had very low body basal temperature, it was always around 35.80 before ovulation and around 36.30 after ovulation. Im guessing I had a thyroid disfunction! As that does go hand in hand with PCOS

I started taking iodene supplements but I dont know if that helped

My tests for thyroid always came back mid range so the Drs never did anything about it

When I got pregnant my BBTs really improved and after delivery have stayed nice and high. My pre ovulation temperatures have maintained around 36.30

Also after pregnancy my depression has gone. Im guessing that is also to do with hormone levels and thyroid disfunction improving.

Pregnancy was very very beneficial to my body in many ways, my PCOS hirsutism disappeared, my acne disappeared as well. After delivery I am still really well, despite weight gain. Depression and PCOS are well within control. I dont know if that is due to nursing hormones or my body just being sorted out after pregnancy hormones. Who knows.

I will know after I quit nursing right?

The herbs I take for PCOS are 3000mg cinnamon, this really helps me lose weight, tiredness goes, appetite supression and gives me regular periods.

And 4 x Hyponidd every day. I will list the herbs ingredients for you and their function. They really helped my acne and depression too whilst having the worst of PCOS.

Yashad Bhasma (Zinc Calx) Form of zinc useful in treating impaired glucose metabolism and acne.

Shilajit (Purified Asphaltum) Regulates blood sugar, improves metabolism, antidepressant, promotes longevity.

Karela (Momordica charantia, bitter gourd) Regulates blood sugar, promotes
pancreatic health.

Haridra (Curcuma longa, turmeric) Excellent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties; regulates glucose metabolism, improves gastrointestional and liver health.

Tarwar (Cassia auriculata, Avarakkai, Indian broad-beans) Regulates glucose and lipid levels.

Amalaki (Amla, Indian Gooseberry, Emblica officinalis) Excellent antioxidant, rich in C vitamin; good for healthy skin, hair growth; regulates sugar metabolism and supports a healthy liver .

Raja Jambu (Eugenia jambolana) Powerful hypoglycemic; regulates blood sugar

Mamejavo (Enicostemma littorale) Regulates blood sugar, normalizes lipid levels.

Meshashringi (Gymnema sylvestre) Potent anti-diabetic; improves insulin sensitivity, supports pancreatic health.

Vijaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium) Source of d-chiro-inositol; improves insulin sensitivity; controls obesity.

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) Powerful anti-inflammatory; supports immune system and liver; has anti-cancerous properties

Neem (Melia azadirachta) Supports healthy skin and hair growth; regulates glucose metabolism; cleanses gastrointestinal tract and colon

Kirat Tikta (Swertia chirata) Anti-inflammatory with good hypoglycemic properties; supports liver health.

Hyponidd is actually herbals for diabetics a study was conducted and it was found to be as effective as 1500mg metformin per day. The results were released in the international health summit for diabetes.

First day of induction I have lost 2lbs!

Hope you are well

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

It sounds as if you have the blood sugar problems coverd with the herbal stuff (Ayurvedic??). I'm not sure how they affect your body's ability to reach for fat to burn which is what stuff like L-Carnitine does.

If you are burning and losing on Induction, than you can lose and are not severely metabolically resistant. I just completed week four on Strict Induction keeping carbs to 15g and below and haven't lost an ounce! And I'm showing ketosis!

How are you measuring your basal temp? Mecury thermometer under the arm as soon as you wake, before getting out of bed and stay still for 10 mins? Low basal is THE marker for hypothyroidism.

Cheers,

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hey!

Is insulin resistance the same as metabolic resistance?

I mean I have insulin resistance with all my symptoms but can still lose weight on low carb diets, as long as I take medication for PCOS.

Are you taking any medication for PCOS? This may be why you cant lose weight. I dont think L cartinine is enough for PCOS, you need to address the insulin resistance as our insulin is raised even though we eat low carbohydrate meals. This is a viscious circle as no weight loss means no insulin reduction, no insulin reduction means no weight loss. In my opionion, PCOS should always be treated with medication - being herbs or metformin - as diet alone is not enough, if you cant lose weight... Many ladies can not lose weight even on low carb low calorie diets with PCOS.

I once dieted with 0 carbs and 500 calories per day for 2 weeks and didnt lose a pound. It was very upsetting and frustrating! I didnt have the knowledge back then and just thought dieting was enough. Clearly it wasnt!

My Dr told me that PCOS should always be treated, whether you want to get pregnant or not.

I measure my BBT with Lady comp, Im quite a expert in the FAM,fertility awareness method, I was able to conceive my daughter in one cycle luckily as I knew how to measure my fertile days. Lady comp is a very accurate bbt thermometer to the 10th of a degree. I currently use FAM as birth control at the moment and had done for many years before my daughter came along.

As far as Im aware, low temperatures can also indicate pre ovulation, as the estrogen surge lowers BBT before ovulation can occur. So I doubt it is is ALWAYS a marker for hypothyroid? I mean if you have steady and normal BBT during the month and then have low BBT before you ovulate, this is perfectly normal.

Thanks for all your input it is really nice to discuss issues with someone in the know as youself,

I think youshould look into some meds for PCOS to get that weight loss going.

Good luck

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Yes. I believe IR is the same as Metabolic Resistance AKA SYndrome X.

I had an initial very small weight loss with Metformin (Diabex) and then it stalled totally. I'm now taking the natural alternative Resist-X which has cinnamon, Ginseng, Ipomea batatas, Zinc, Nicotinamide, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Pyroxidine hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Chromic Chloride and elemental chromium.

I'm not looking to get pregnant but have come off the Pill as I was told there was no way to get an accurate hormonal profile on the Pill as it simply masks symptoms. I've only been off the Pill for three weeks or so - I think maybe my body is staying still as there are so many changes happening.

It has taken me 2 months to lose just 2 kilos. I am assuming I am just that sensitive but that also it took almost that time to discover my adrenals were barely working and my thyroid was also affected so it will take time for these things to be treated properly and regain their function.

Yes, basal temp can be affected by your cycle but I was on the Pill when I was taking mine so this was a strong indication it wasn't normal as the Pill fools the body into thinking you are already pregnant. A doctor will ask where you are in your cycle and if you are on the Pill before regarding the basal temp as significant and there has to be other anecdotal factors such as high cholesterol, thinning eyebrows, heat/cold intolerance etc.

I'm relying on the L-Carnitine etc as I'm slowly getting everything else treated but have to give that time whereas Dr Atkins really advocates the supplemental range he outlines for overcoming IR.

I'm very interested in the herbal range you are taking! Where do you get these, who prescribed them for you?

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hey there!!

Its very common for your adrenals to be burnt out after the pill. Itll take up to a year to get back on track

Your ovaries may "wake up" immediately, as mine did - I had a miscarriage right after I came off the pill - 4 weeks after, so I ovulated timely as there were no cysts, but my adrenals like yours were very low.

I was very run down as well and had caught so many colds and coughs, I was aneamic and my estrogen levels were very low and I was bleeding constantly after the miscarriage. My thyroid was also slow.

Acupuncture really helped me recover and get back on track

The ayurevedic medicine wasnt prescribed as such, it is indicated for women with IR and PCOS, also early diabetes.

Cinnamon is really good for blood sugar control although it should be around 1000mg to see a difference. How much does yours contain?

I got my meds through ayureveda for all dot com

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hi,

Thanks for the info, I've had a look at the site but cannot afford those prices! I might try to track down an ayurvedic practitioner here in Sydney but I will be in Mumbai later this year anyway.

The Resist-X has 1g of cinnamon so that's good. I have always generally been really healthy, I don't get colds or flus and have always taken very good care of myself. Everything otherwise is pretty good. It's a slap to have all this go wrong!

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hey

I just wanted to add that my cysts came back after 3 months off the pill. I had around 13 cysts in each ovary, classic string of pearls effect.

My hyponidd costs around £5 / $10 a month, not too bad as I was paying same price for metformin here. The Dr put me on 1800mg metformin but I just couldnt take it. It would make me vomit and have diahorea

How is your diet going

ive lost 6lbs so far, my mum noticed I look slimmer. Mums just being polite lol!

All the best of luck and keep in touch

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

I've never been scanned for cysts - my PCOS was diagnosed on anectdotal evidence and hormonal tests.

I've started with a new doctor since coming off the Pill and have just done a round of new hormonal tests so I guess I'll have to see what she thinks and wait to see how my period behaves.

I'm taking the Resist-X instead of Metofrmin but I don't seem to be losing any weight despite being on a clean Induction for weeks....

Diva

[Deniz]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

how r u

[singadiva]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hi there! I'm OK, bit all over the shop...my latest tests show no evidence of PCOS OR Insulin Resistance which is AWESOME but I seem to be losing the same kilo over and over again. I'm just not shifting the weight.

I'm trying to be patient with the T3 meds and the Adrenotone and Neurostat but it is all quite frustrating especially when I exercise 5 times a week!

I stil haven't had a period yet either but the most significant thing is that the results showed I've started peri-menopause so that explains the hot flushes, night sweats and insomnia! I'm now on a progesterone cream as well - WHEW!

Hoe are you doing??

Diva

[melandtimgoeck]

a different problem

I have been on Atkins one month today. Problem: my PMS is horrible. I've never had this problem before. I have been nauseous, exhausted, and dizzy for 2 days now. Anyone else have horrible PMS on Atkins??

HELP!

[crissyrenee]

Re: Calling all PCOSisters...

Hello fellow cysters! I have alot of the side effects of PCOS including excessive hair growth (how annoying), moodiness, weight gain, heavy and painful periods and infertility. I married my best friend in October of 06 and we have been trying to get pregnant ever since. It breaks my heart to think that I may not be able to have children. I know that the heavier I get, the worse my symptoms become, so Im hoping and praying that this WOL will help me achieve my dreams and start a family. Ive made an attempt at doing Atkins before and lost 30 pounds. I also noticed a big improvment in my symptoms, so Im sure if I can just stick with it this time I'll be taking the first steps toward having children (and no hair on my face!) Im so glad this forum is here and thank you to everyone who makes it possible. Ive really been struggling in trying to deal with PCOS, its not really something I feel comfortable talking about with people. So here's to ATKINS and all you fellow cysters out there! Thank you so much for being here!