Kimberly ([info]livingquixotic) wrote in [info]pcos,
@ 2008-11-09 12:31:00
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Current mood: calm

Hi Everyone!
I'm new here. I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years back. Basically, my doctor told me to "get used to being fat and hairy." He didn't offer any advice or anything, and I've really just tried to ignore it ever since.

Now I feel like I really should try to manged it. I've read that eating a lower carb diet can help. Has this worked for anyone? I've started exercising, and I'm working with a homeopathic doctor in San Francisco. My aunt swears by him, and she's helping me pay for it, b/c I have pretty crappy insurance right now. They only cover $50 a month in prescriptions, so I don't think taking bc or metformin is an option right now with an MD.

I guess due to my bad experience with an MD/insurance issues, I'd like to try and manage things naturally. Has anyone tried homeopathy for their PCOS or http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/? I've been interested in trying their program for a while.

Thanks for any tips or advice!


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[info]rainsongs
2008-11-09 06:39 pm UTC (link)
Just FYI, metformin is on most $4 dollar generic lists with pharmacies. You can also get B/C from your local Planned Parenthood. It sounds like you need a new doctor, though, asap. :(

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-09 07:12 pm UTC (link)
Oh wow. I didn't know about the metformin being on the generic list. I'll definitely look in that. I've tried getting b/c from Planned Parenthood, but they won't give it to me because I have an IUD.

Thanks for metformin tip!

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[info]lele244
2008-11-09 06:58 pm UTC (link)
I'm doing cinnamon and flax seed oil - I dont know if that answers your question - but I just can not handle metformin

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-09 07:12 pm UTC (link)
Have they helped at all?

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[info]3339666
2008-11-09 07:26 pm UTC (link)
I'm not the commenter you are replying to, however, I do have some cinnamon experience to share. I started taking cinnamon two and a half weeks ago (between 3000 and 4000 mg/day, depending on what I eat) and yesterday I started my period naturally for the first time in nine months. I'm only in week three of the cinnamon experience, so who knows, but I do believe that I have the cinnamon to thank bc it is the only change that I have made.

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[info]lele244
2008-11-09 09:51 pm UTC (link)
whooo hooo! this makes me even more optimistic!

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[info]lele244
2008-11-09 09:49 pm UTC (link)
In my opinion - yes. I feel much better on these compared to metformin and I just feel over-all much better all together. I plan on starting vitex soon to regulate me. My only complaint with flax seed oil is my skin is a bit shinier but I'd rather have to blot every once in a while rather than make a run for it and shit water.

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-10 12:24 am UTC (link)
Thank you for your responses! I'm going to try to do some natural stops before taking prescriptions. It's good to know some have had success with it.

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[info]lele244
2008-11-10 01:33 am UTC (link)
honestly, i know this sounds corny. but i am at the point with my infertility and pcos where i feel that if God built me this way, i should rely on God made things, natural things [even though they're store bought] rather than putting my body and wallet through Rx hell. i may eat my words some day but as of right now it is working, and i feel amazing.

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[info]grant_me_wings
2008-11-09 08:26 pm UTC (link)
Homeopathy won't fix PCOS. It will make you waste your money. It has absolutely no basis in science at all, and it serves the purpose of taking money away from people who believe it. Find a real doctor. A GOOD real doctor who understands PCOS and who will help you treat it.

It is much better to spend your money on gym membership, Metformin, hormonal BCP, and low glycemic index foods (IE protein and veggies).

Eating low carb is good for PCOS. I've found that eating a low calorie balanced diet with lots and lots of veggies has helped me lose weight and feel fantastic.

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-10 12:19 am UTC (link)
Thank you for your advice. She does their web design, though, so we're only paying a fraction of the cost. But personally I don't know really know much about homeopathy. The MD I had was a from a really small town in Washington. I now live in Houston and know I could someone way better here. :)

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[info]silverluna
2008-11-10 04:26 am UTC (link)
I used to live in houston.
try the diagnostic clinic there.
I forget the name...they are pretty good.
the two endo. doctors are good.

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[info]grant_me_wings
2008-11-10 01:36 pm UTC (link)
Homeopathy = taking a substance that gives the opposite effect (like, if you have a fever, they'd take something that in large doses would give you a fever) and then diluting it until the odds of finding a molecule of "active ingredient" in the solution are almost infinitesimal and then calling it "medicine". It's actually water, and hope. Placebo has a ~30% rate of helping symptoms.

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[info]mslivewire
2008-11-09 10:43 pm UTC (link)
I am a believer in the body being able to heal itself, even from PCOS, given the right tools... sometimes those are natural and othertimes prescriptive.

You might enjoy this website - it speaks to natural ways of addressing PCOS symptoms: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-10 12:23 am UTC (link)
Thank you.

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[info]tenseiv
2008-11-09 11:22 pm UTC (link)
I used Insulite, and I absolutely adore it. I was very apprehensive at first, but I was sick of taking metformin, and cinnamon didn't do much for me.

After hearing from some other women who've had success with it, I decided to give it a try.

It's a little tough at first getting used to taking all those pills (16 a day, I believe), but it's very worth it. After about a week or two, I was feeling great - my blood sugar remained stable, facial hair pretty much went away, and I had a ton of energy.

After one month on Insulite, I got pregnant, My husband and I weren't trying, but we weren't preventing either. I strongly recommend using protection if you're sexually active and not currently trying to get pregnant.

I can't credit all of my success to Insulite, but I believe it was the final piece of the puzzle that helped straighten out my body.

At the time, I was exercising vigorously (10 hours a week) and eating lots of lean meats and veggies - cut out all refined, processed foods. I also ate LOTS of fish.

You don't necessarily have to work out 10 hours a week, but adding to your activity every day and cutting out processed foods will go a long way.

To be honest, I'm heartbroken that I can't take Insulite while I'm pregnant. I miss how good it made me feel.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-10 12:22 am UTC (link)
That's really great. I think I am going to try it before trying prescriptions. :)

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[info]wenchsenior
2008-11-10 12:28 am UTC (link)
I've eliminated or reduced nearly all my PCOS symptoms by adopting a diabetic lifestyle. Basically, I exercise a bit more, and I cut down or eliminated sugar, refined carbs, and processed food.

Originally, I had pretty much every symptom except the weight gain. I suspect if I'd had the weight problem, I would've needed Met to control the PCOS. Some people don't respond as strongly to the diet/lifestyle switch as I did. However, it's worked for me for about 9 years, whereas I was symptomatic for about 15 years before that.

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[info]livingquixotic
2008-11-13 05:47 am UTC (link)
I've wondered if women with PCOS should just eat like a diabetic. Maybe I'll look into diabetic cookbooks.

Thank you!

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