Okay, maybe not PCOS that made me tired today (it was probably that I was having allergies last night and could not breath), but it did remind me how tired PCOS has made me in the past. Yes, tired, exhausted, fatigued, burned out, collapsed, finished, petered out, stick a fork in me I am done! Some days it is just so hard to get out of bed and walk to the kitchen to take all of my supplements. Today was one of those days. I was reflecting today on my fatigue level, however, and noted that it is not nearly as bad as it used to be. In the past when I had not slept well I would have probably ended up with a migraine, I would have called all of my clients to cancel sessions because I was so tired. But not today, even though I got next to no sleep and woke up when my husband did (at 6:45am), I was still functional. In fact I wrote my lecture for this Wednesday, cleaned up the house, and made it to all of my clients, I even got home and made dinner and got more work done. No one should work until 8:30 pm, it is nuts! Anyway, all of this progress makes me happy. I am excited to have some energy and it makes me think that it may be possible to get rid of the Metformin eventually. It seems like my body is starting to wake up and see that it can do more than it has been doing for the past few years! I have even been considering starting up some exercise in the mornings. I plan to continue to hold off on any heavy duty cardio (like the 5 miles of running I used to do) and start with something like yoga in the mornings and evenings. I think this will help with some strengthening and not push my immune system too far or fatigue me past the point of no return. So, tomorrow, since I have a late start for work, I am going to attempt to get up and do 30 minutes of yoga.. I feel like if I put it on my blog I will have to stick to it.. there are now two people I know of who will know if I don't do it!
I was also considering that I must complete my adrenal test tomorrow or Wednesday, which is challenging. This is something the Acupuncturist/Naturopath gave me to complete. It is a small kit with 4 vials filled with cotton. I have to pull out the cotton, soak it under my tongue, and then return it to the vial, being sure to refrigerate it. I was planning to complete this last weekend, and then got so busy and went out of town, so obviously it did not get done. I am not sure how to get it accomplished while at work (and on top of this I cannot eat any garlic and onions the day I do it for some reason), so it will be interesting for sure. Let's see if i can do yoga and get my adrenal test done tomorrow... those sound like good goals.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Good night!
3.28.2010
Health Care Expensive? Yes!
So, I got an explanation of benefits today from my insurance company, and I almost died. $425.00 for my ultrasound from last month. I almost died. Don't get me wrong, thank god I have insurance in this country! The insurance paid over $1600.00... can you BELIEVE that an ultrasound would be over $2000.00!?!?! I almost died. It definitely makes it worth it to have insurance. But again, it makes me sad for the people who cannot afford health insurance and do not qualify for any assistance. I still await the EOB for the recent blood tests, this venture of trying to get healthy is getting more and more expensive!
I visited Kim, my acupressurist yesterday. It looks like my candida diet continues to help, although I am almost 2 months in and there is still candida in my system. I still have some Candida in my liver, left kidney, and spleen, but it is gone from my sinuses. It snowed again yesterday, yet I am still without a sinus infection. I think my immune system is finally waking up!!! :) We also went to visit my brother in law last night, who lives up above Fort Collins. Again I did not get sick, although usually in the dry climate up where he lives I wake up feeling stuffy and tired. Still tired today, due to the terrible guest bed... maybe less exhausted then usual since we usually drink like fish up at his house, and since I am not allowed any alcohol on the candida diet, I had to forgo it this time! I find it funny that as I go through this experience with the candida diet, I find that I do not have a hard time "just saying no" with drinking and desserts... but I can tell you that today I really wanted a cinnamon roll (these are one of my most favorite foods on earth) and tonight I have been craving chocolate, perhaps due to watching "When Harry Met Sally" and the scene where they are eating the chocolate cream pie!! Yum! Although I find I don't crave these things any more, I sure do miss enjoying them. My husband says I will probably go into a coma the first time I have sugar again, I can't wait! I have no idea how long it will be until I actually get to have some kind of sugary treat, but I dream of it constantly. Fruit as dessert just does not cut it anymore, but I am determined to get all of the way through!
I visited Kim, my acupressurist yesterday. It looks like my candida diet continues to help, although I am almost 2 months in and there is still candida in my system. I still have some Candida in my liver, left kidney, and spleen, but it is gone from my sinuses. It snowed again yesterday, yet I am still without a sinus infection. I think my immune system is finally waking up!!! :) We also went to visit my brother in law last night, who lives up above Fort Collins. Again I did not get sick, although usually in the dry climate up where he lives I wake up feeling stuffy and tired. Still tired today, due to the terrible guest bed... maybe less exhausted then usual since we usually drink like fish up at his house, and since I am not allowed any alcohol on the candida diet, I had to forgo it this time! I find it funny that as I go through this experience with the candida diet, I find that I do not have a hard time "just saying no" with drinking and desserts... but I can tell you that today I really wanted a cinnamon roll (these are one of my most favorite foods on earth) and tonight I have been craving chocolate, perhaps due to watching "When Harry Met Sally" and the scene where they are eating the chocolate cream pie!! Yum! Although I find I don't crave these things any more, I sure do miss enjoying them. My husband says I will probably go into a coma the first time I have sugar again, I can't wait! I have no idea how long it will be until I actually get to have some kind of sugary treat, but I dream of it constantly. Fruit as dessert just does not cut it anymore, but I am determined to get all of the way through!
3.26.2010
The End of the 8 Week Flood
Yes, it lasted 8 weeks. You never realize how annoying that time of the month is until it becomes that time of 2 months!! But it is over, for now, and the progesterone worked. My new life lesson for today? You must take your health into your own hands! In starting this blog, I don't want to imply that my path to health is going to be the same as anyone else with PCOS. Indeed, I know some people out there will think I am nuts, or that what I am trying will not work, or that I am saying anyone else should embark on this path.
My ultimate goal? Down with the Metformin! Is it possible? I have no clue. Is it a health risk, for sure. I may go down this path, get off of the Metformin, grow a beard, go bald, and gain back all of the weight and then some. But I know I must try, because I cannot see living my life popping these pills on a daily basis and feeling that I am just covering up what is really going on in my body. Again, I realize it may not be possible, but I am going to try, and I hope in the end to inspire at least one other person to take their health care into their own hands, explore their options, and find their own path.
So far, my path, has been a bumpy curvy one. So this past week, I have seen the Naturopath/Acupuncturist, my general practitioner, and this evening off to the craniosacral thearpist! The NP is ordering a variety of blood tests to see what is going on. The most crazy thing I have heard yet? Thyroid problems can often produce many of the same symptoms (including LH/FSH Level discrepancies), male pattern hair growth and balding? Yes! Wow.... He is not saying I don't have PCOS but that maybe there is a second component. Okay, this is a bit of a downer... I thought that maybe, just maybe, it would be simple this time... is it ever simple for those of us diagnosed with PCOS?! But, I am still smiling... at least I have found someone, in all of the medical world to look a bit more deeply, to try to find not just a cure but the cause. We have to go back and fix the path, smooth out the bumps, stop the cycle of PCOS and whatever other dysfunction is occurring in this body in a more natural way.
But... did I mention that naturopaths also use pills? All natural ingredients, usually from plants. But pills none the less. So I am currently taking the following:
Metformin (5 pills per day)
Fish oil
Aspirin
Vitamin C
Iron Supplement
Probiotics
Candex
Myco-zyme
NAC (supposedly helpful for PCOS)
Milk Thistle
On top of these I have been advised to add a B12 complex and a pill to "support the adrenal glands". I did point out to the naturopath that my goal was to get away from pills completely, to which he responded that we must "train the cells" to tolerate insulin appropriately as well as increase the function of my immune system. ooookkkkayyyy.... I will try it... did I mention this is expensive too!?!? Between blood tests, ultrasounds, supplements and prescriptions, acupressure, naturopath, and MD appointments, my husband and I may go bankrupt. I am not sure at what point I would have to give up and go back to just Metformin. But I hope to continue trying.
One of my goals on this blog is to not be political. Health problems, PCOS, Thyroid problems... all of the things I am dealing with, others too are dealing with. I think many of us do not realize this until a serious health problem hits us or someone we love. Health problems know no socioeconomic boundaries, but right now health care does. So, I am not going to speak of what side of the health care argument I support, but I will say this... not everyone can afford to give up 1/5 of their salary each month to spend on acupuncture/pressure, MD, Blood tests, and supplements that are not covered by insurance, heck most of us are just struggling to pay our insurance premiums. There has to be some way to make medical procedures and processes that are helpful available to everyone in a fair way.
Just today, I had to have a large amount of blood drawn from my arm. I was informed that although I have a history of thyroid problems and have symptoms of thyroid problems, my insurance may not want to help me pay for the testing. How nice, to be able to chose not to pay for something diagnostic. If the general practitioner had not agreed to order the testing for the naturopath, I would have had to pay out of pocket for the testing, possibly costing over $1000. I know I don't have that much money to throw around... Do you!? But, alas, I lucked out, have a good general practitioner who is willing to let me try this path out, and was helpful enough to order the testing... hooray! So, when the tests return, I will blog again... or maybe I will blog sooner... although I think right now just my husband reads this blog! Maybe someday there will be more than just him.... although Honey.. thanks for your support through it all!!!
By the way, as an end to my post.. remember all of my sinus problems? With each snow this year I have had sinus problems... well, Colorado had snow this past weekend and it is supposed to happen again today. Can I tell you, for the first time this year, it snowed, and I do not have sinus pressure, pain, nor infection! Hooray, thank goodness for little miracles!!
My ultimate goal? Down with the Metformin! Is it possible? I have no clue. Is it a health risk, for sure. I may go down this path, get off of the Metformin, grow a beard, go bald, and gain back all of the weight and then some. But I know I must try, because I cannot see living my life popping these pills on a daily basis and feeling that I am just covering up what is really going on in my body. Again, I realize it may not be possible, but I am going to try, and I hope in the end to inspire at least one other person to take their health care into their own hands, explore their options, and find their own path.
So far, my path, has been a bumpy curvy one. So this past week, I have seen the Naturopath/Acupuncturist, my general practitioner, and this evening off to the craniosacral thearpist! The NP is ordering a variety of blood tests to see what is going on. The most crazy thing I have heard yet? Thyroid problems can often produce many of the same symptoms (including LH/FSH Level discrepancies), male pattern hair growth and balding? Yes! Wow.... He is not saying I don't have PCOS but that maybe there is a second component. Okay, this is a bit of a downer... I thought that maybe, just maybe, it would be simple this time... is it ever simple for those of us diagnosed with PCOS?! But, I am still smiling... at least I have found someone, in all of the medical world to look a bit more deeply, to try to find not just a cure but the cause. We have to go back and fix the path, smooth out the bumps, stop the cycle of PCOS and whatever other dysfunction is occurring in this body in a more natural way.
But... did I mention that naturopaths also use pills? All natural ingredients, usually from plants. But pills none the less. So I am currently taking the following:
Metformin (5 pills per day)
Fish oil
Aspirin
Vitamin C
Iron Supplement
Probiotics
Candex
Myco-zyme
NAC (supposedly helpful for PCOS)
Milk Thistle
On top of these I have been advised to add a B12 complex and a pill to "support the adrenal glands". I did point out to the naturopath that my goal was to get away from pills completely, to which he responded that we must "train the cells" to tolerate insulin appropriately as well as increase the function of my immune system. ooookkkkayyyy.... I will try it... did I mention this is expensive too!?!? Between blood tests, ultrasounds, supplements and prescriptions, acupressure, naturopath, and MD appointments, my husband and I may go bankrupt. I am not sure at what point I would have to give up and go back to just Metformin. But I hope to continue trying.
One of my goals on this blog is to not be political. Health problems, PCOS, Thyroid problems... all of the things I am dealing with, others too are dealing with. I think many of us do not realize this until a serious health problem hits us or someone we love. Health problems know no socioeconomic boundaries, but right now health care does. So, I am not going to speak of what side of the health care argument I support, but I will say this... not everyone can afford to give up 1/5 of their salary each month to spend on acupuncture/pressure, MD, Blood tests, and supplements that are not covered by insurance, heck most of us are just struggling to pay our insurance premiums. There has to be some way to make medical procedures and processes that are helpful available to everyone in a fair way.
Just today, I had to have a large amount of blood drawn from my arm. I was informed that although I have a history of thyroid problems and have symptoms of thyroid problems, my insurance may not want to help me pay for the testing. How nice, to be able to chose not to pay for something diagnostic. If the general practitioner had not agreed to order the testing for the naturopath, I would have had to pay out of pocket for the testing, possibly costing over $1000. I know I don't have that much money to throw around... Do you!? But, alas, I lucked out, have a good general practitioner who is willing to let me try this path out, and was helpful enough to order the testing... hooray! So, when the tests return, I will blog again... or maybe I will blog sooner... although I think right now just my husband reads this blog! Maybe someday there will be more than just him.... although Honey.. thanks for your support through it all!!!
By the way, as an end to my post.. remember all of my sinus problems? With each snow this year I have had sinus problems... well, Colorado had snow this past weekend and it is supposed to happen again today. Can I tell you, for the first time this year, it snowed, and I do not have sinus pressure, pain, nor infection! Hooray, thank goodness for little miracles!!
3.21.2010
The Path Less Traveled
About 2 months ago I was introduced to Kim, a local acupressurist who I believe has changed my life and put me on a path to better health and a life with energy. The first thing Kim did after meeting me for the first time was to talk with me about my passion... horses. It was probably this that initially made me willing to try this crazy new path and stay on it. It is the results I have seen that have kept me on the path.
I have to start this post by telling you that I still have no idea how it all works, acupressure and acupuncture. But, I can tell you that for the first time in many, many, many years I am finally starting to feel better, have more energy, and smile a lot more often. Whereas before I so often felt too tired for life, I am beginning to have mornings where I actually wake up ready to go and meet the world head on. So, what did Kim do.
First Kim was able to diagnose an excess of "yeast" growth in my system, also known as Candida. After a bit of research I found that candida overgrowth often leads to many of the same symptoms as PCOS (i.e. fatigue, G.I. problems, acne, etc). So, a new diet was taken on, and I was quite worried that I would not be able to stick to it.
Over the years I have attempted weight watchers 3 times. The first time was, I suppose, successful, at least short term. So, when I learned that I had to change my diet I was concerned to say the least. The diet consisted of the following:
No Yeast or products with yeast in them (this meant good-bye beloved bread, goodbye beloved pizza). Next, no Sugar... yes, no sugar at all (with the exception in my case of natural sugars - so luckily I was permitted to keep fruit). Then, nothing fermented (yep - goodbye alcohol, good bye vinegar, no more kombucha, and no more pickled items). And also (oh yes there is more), no fungus (yep no mushrooms). Now, I left Kim's first session thinking... "what the hell am I going to eat!?!?" It is surprising when you start to read labels how many products have at least one of these products in them. Almost everything pre-packaged has sugar or yeast in it. I have become very familiar with the variety of names that our friend yeast is known by. But, this time I promised it would be different, and I took this diet on as a challenge. I found websites on Candida and candida diet, I told all of my friends and family what I was doing and found nothing but support and offers of continued support as I continued to face the challenge. Next came the supplements. Kim suggested a variety of supplements to help me rid my body of candida. So I visited the local health food store and bought a variety of supplements.
After a month of seeing Kim (I see her 2-4 times per month), following her suggested diet, and consistently taking supplements I began to see a few changes. In 4 weeks I lost almost 10 lbs. My energy level started to increase and for the first time in a long time I did not feel bloated any more. I had not realized how long it had been since I did not feel like a blimp, so bloated and puffy, often feeling I could float away at any moment. I began to realize how foggy my brain was and how slowly I had been processing information. And finally, I began to remember how it felt to get up in the morning and feel productive, often getting more done in one morning than I had in a long time.
My next step came just 6 weeks in to my treatment with Kim, an acupuncturist Naturopath nearby.
I have to start this post by telling you that I still have no idea how it all works, acupressure and acupuncture. But, I can tell you that for the first time in many, many, many years I am finally starting to feel better, have more energy, and smile a lot more often. Whereas before I so often felt too tired for life, I am beginning to have mornings where I actually wake up ready to go and meet the world head on. So, what did Kim do.
First Kim was able to diagnose an excess of "yeast" growth in my system, also known as Candida. After a bit of research I found that candida overgrowth often leads to many of the same symptoms as PCOS (i.e. fatigue, G.I. problems, acne, etc). So, a new diet was taken on, and I was quite worried that I would not be able to stick to it.
Over the years I have attempted weight watchers 3 times. The first time was, I suppose, successful, at least short term. So, when I learned that I had to change my diet I was concerned to say the least. The diet consisted of the following:
No Yeast or products with yeast in them (this meant good-bye beloved bread, goodbye beloved pizza). Next, no Sugar... yes, no sugar at all (with the exception in my case of natural sugars - so luckily I was permitted to keep fruit). Then, nothing fermented (yep - goodbye alcohol, good bye vinegar, no more kombucha, and no more pickled items). And also (oh yes there is more), no fungus (yep no mushrooms). Now, I left Kim's first session thinking... "what the hell am I going to eat!?!?" It is surprising when you start to read labels how many products have at least one of these products in them. Almost everything pre-packaged has sugar or yeast in it. I have become very familiar with the variety of names that our friend yeast is known by. But, this time I promised it would be different, and I took this diet on as a challenge. I found websites on Candida and candida diet, I told all of my friends and family what I was doing and found nothing but support and offers of continued support as I continued to face the challenge. Next came the supplements. Kim suggested a variety of supplements to help me rid my body of candida. So I visited the local health food store and bought a variety of supplements.
After a month of seeing Kim (I see her 2-4 times per month), following her suggested diet, and consistently taking supplements I began to see a few changes. In 4 weeks I lost almost 10 lbs. My energy level started to increase and for the first time in a long time I did not feel bloated any more. I had not realized how long it had been since I did not feel like a blimp, so bloated and puffy, often feeling I could float away at any moment. I began to realize how foggy my brain was and how slowly I had been processing information. And finally, I began to remember how it felt to get up in the morning and feel productive, often getting more done in one morning than I had in a long time.
My next step came just 6 weeks in to my treatment with Kim, an acupuncturist Naturopath nearby.
3.10.2010
Six Weeks Ago: The New Path
Twenty-four years ago my family moved to Colorado. Since that time I have experience a barrage of sinus infections and colds. Over the years the pediatrician placed me on antibiotics at least 2-3 times per year. With each year the sinus infections got worse and the antibiotics stronger. At the age of 16 I had Mononucleosis and a sinus infection, had my tonsils removed, and was again placed on the strongest antibiotics around for a cure. I missed a lot of high school due to being sick all of the time and now that I look back it was around my senior year of high school that I began to feel tired, really tired.
I often stop in the middle of my day and think, how can someone my age be so tired. I am 28 years old and I am supposed to be alive, energetic, and ready to go, but most days I am just tired.
Last year, I was one of the unfortunate people to come down with H1N1 (or so they told me), but none the less, it was a flu and it was terrible. I was sick for 3 weeks. Since that time I have found myself with a sinus infection or generally bad congestion in my throat and nose at all times. At times it is so bad I have coughing fits and at one point I lost my voice for a good solid week. It was about six weeks ago that I became fed up. After two visits to the doctor I was again placed on antibiotics, which failed to work this time, and then placed on Mucinex. My doctor told me to stay on the Mucinex until the congestion was gone. After two weeks I stopped taking it, thinking I was fine and all congestion returned with a vengeance.
I know, what on EARTH does this have to do with PCOS? It is because around this time I started to ask questions. Why is it every time I go to the doctor (3-4 times per year) I am placed on medication and told to go home and get better. Why is it no one has ever said "let's figure out what is the CAUSE of your sinus problems" and try to fix that? Don't we live in a modern world? We are working to cure cancer but we cannot rid the world of sinus infections!?!
Around this time I also began what I will refer to as the 7 week flood (you get the picture). I became very frustrated and just wanted answers. Why did PCOS happen to me and why isn't anyone trying to help me fix the problem.
It has been my personal feeling, since beginning Metformin that although the medication "fixes" the symptoms, I still have PCOS. Where is the cure? Where is the fix for the problem not just the symptoms. And how can i eventually live independent of PCOS and Metformin all together, without just waiting until menopause?
I am not here to tell you I found the answer, yet, but I can say that a new path opened while I was going through this tough time. While at work one day a Co-Worker suggested that I visit an acupressurist whom she had been seeing, and who she swore had fixed her sinus problems.
The path had opened up so I decided to take a chance and try a new road, after all I had been on the same single track for the past 4 years. It was time to try a new way and hopefully a new answer to all that i have been experiencing.
I often stop in the middle of my day and think, how can someone my age be so tired. I am 28 years old and I am supposed to be alive, energetic, and ready to go, but most days I am just tired.
Last year, I was one of the unfortunate people to come down with H1N1 (or so they told me), but none the less, it was a flu and it was terrible. I was sick for 3 weeks. Since that time I have found myself with a sinus infection or generally bad congestion in my throat and nose at all times. At times it is so bad I have coughing fits and at one point I lost my voice for a good solid week. It was about six weeks ago that I became fed up. After two visits to the doctor I was again placed on antibiotics, which failed to work this time, and then placed on Mucinex. My doctor told me to stay on the Mucinex until the congestion was gone. After two weeks I stopped taking it, thinking I was fine and all congestion returned with a vengeance.
I know, what on EARTH does this have to do with PCOS? It is because around this time I started to ask questions. Why is it every time I go to the doctor (3-4 times per year) I am placed on medication and told to go home and get better. Why is it no one has ever said "let's figure out what is the CAUSE of your sinus problems" and try to fix that? Don't we live in a modern world? We are working to cure cancer but we cannot rid the world of sinus infections!?!
Around this time I also began what I will refer to as the 7 week flood (you get the picture). I became very frustrated and just wanted answers. Why did PCOS happen to me and why isn't anyone trying to help me fix the problem.
It has been my personal feeling, since beginning Metformin that although the medication "fixes" the symptoms, I still have PCOS. Where is the cure? Where is the fix for the problem not just the symptoms. And how can i eventually live independent of PCOS and Metformin all together, without just waiting until menopause?
I am not here to tell you I found the answer, yet, but I can say that a new path opened while I was going through this tough time. While at work one day a Co-Worker suggested that I visit an acupressurist whom she had been seeing, and who she swore had fixed her sinus problems.
The path had opened up so I decided to take a chance and try a new road, after all I had been on the same single track for the past 4 years. It was time to try a new way and hopefully a new answer to all that i have been experiencing.
Wedding, Work, and Worries (2008)
In May 2008 we got married. I had bought my dress while I was in graduate school, and still skinny. The dress was amazing, white, A-line, and simple, just my style. I did most of the wedding planning from California and was so excited for the day. When the day arrived, I had been home for 6 months and had gained 15 lbs. My acne was considerably worse, the hair growth on my chin was embarrassing, and I felt self conscious. My jeans I had worn in California did not fit anymore, and did I mention... I was sleeping all of the time. When I woke up in the morning I was tired, when I ate lunch in the afternoon I was tired, when I came home I was exhausted, and I would go to bed and feel tired again in the morning.
The wedding was amazing, but I felt bloated, tired, sick. We were surrounded by our friends and family. Even my California Girls had come to support me and my best friend in the whole world honored me by being my matron of honor. It was a beautiful day and I realized the huge amount of support my husband and I would have as we went through life together.
I thought once the planning was over I would feel less stress, but this was not the case, I seemed more tired. I was working at a local hospital, having emotional meltdowns daily, and finally quit my job to go work in a school, thinking it was the work... it couldn't be me... it could not be related to PCOS.
In my first year out of graduate school I held 3 different jobs, each lasting no more than 5 months. Each position led to more exhaustion and and increasing waist line. I craved carbs! I lived to eat Carbs! Exercise fell to the wayside and I began to worry frequently about everything. I felt like a failure. How could I be such a terrible wife? How could I be so tired? Why am I the only person who cannot handle having a job? What is wrong with me? My most frequent thought was "damn PCOS!"
I finally found a home for my career after 18 months, part time working for myself and part time working in a clinic as an employee. This has worked for about a year now and career wise I have been happier than before. But times have still been tough. I still found myself tired frequently although I was working just 4 days per week, often requiring the full 3 day weekend to sleep and rest. Any extra activities were exhausting and I could not mentally handle them. And then, just 6 weeks ago, my previously single track path grew forks in the road. I decided to choose a path and give it a try. The road sign was not labeled "western medicine" or even "the answer to your problems," but "Hope" was the road sign I followed. Hope for something to change, hope for energy and life to return to this body that I will live in for the rest of my days.
The California Journey (2005-2007)
Just a month after being diagnosed with PCOS, I was set to move to Oakland California for graduate school. I was tired, excited at new life, and sad to be leaving my family and boyfriend of 2 years behind. I was not sure that PCOS would play a part in my new life in California as a graduate student, but I was hopeful that I would be able to push past the fatigue and come out on top. I feel I should mention I was not a great undergraduate student. In fact, I had to leave my home state of Colorado in order to attend graduate school, as the school here had declined my application. But I knew I was now venturing into a degree I was passionate about and I was sure my PCOS would be pushed out of my mind when I was working hard and using my brain 24 hours a day.
My adventure to California turned out to be bigger than I could have imagined. I came to life in California, for the first time in many years. So many years in fact I could not remember feeling so alive. I made close friends, which I had failed to do during my undergraduate work, mostly because I rarely attended classes and was sleeping all of the time. But in graduate school they knew if you were not in class, so I attended everyday, although I napped in between classes, after classes, and sometimes even in the morning before classes even began. I became known in the graduate dormitories as "the queen of sleep" and often raised a giggle or two from my neighbors when I went to bed at 8:30 at night. But I made room for a good time, pushed my body further than I had before. Many of my friends were runners, and I began joining them on their 3 to 5 mile runs each day. Another close friend and I joined a local Weight Watchers. I was excited, still tired, but losing about one pound per week. By the beginning of my second year I was down to 132 lbs (I am 5' 6 1/2") from my prior 162 lb. body weight. My friends, family, and my (by then) fiance asked me frequently "are you feeling okay" and sometimes even gave me a "tisk tisk, you are too thin." But I felt great, except for the fact that I was still exhausted and still taking 2500 mg each day of Metformin.
In 2007, I moved home to Colorado and within 6 months I had put on 13 lbs again (then weighing 145 lbs).
I left California with amazing, lifetime friends who would support me no matter my weight. Be it 100 or 500 pounds they were my true friends through and through. But I knew that I had to find the right path. At the time, my path seemed to be single track and straight up hill. I knew I was in for the battle of my life, Me vs. PCOS.
My adventure to California turned out to be bigger than I could have imagined. I came to life in California, for the first time in many years. So many years in fact I could not remember feeling so alive. I made close friends, which I had failed to do during my undergraduate work, mostly because I rarely attended classes and was sleeping all of the time. But in graduate school they knew if you were not in class, so I attended everyday, although I napped in between classes, after classes, and sometimes even in the morning before classes even began. I became known in the graduate dormitories as "the queen of sleep" and often raised a giggle or two from my neighbors when I went to bed at 8:30 at night. But I made room for a good time, pushed my body further than I had before. Many of my friends were runners, and I began joining them on their 3 to 5 mile runs each day. Another close friend and I joined a local Weight Watchers. I was excited, still tired, but losing about one pound per week. By the beginning of my second year I was down to 132 lbs (I am 5' 6 1/2") from my prior 162 lb. body weight. My friends, family, and my (by then) fiance asked me frequently "are you feeling okay" and sometimes even gave me a "tisk tisk, you are too thin." But I felt great, except for the fact that I was still exhausted and still taking 2500 mg each day of Metformin.
In 2007, I moved home to Colorado and within 6 months I had put on 13 lbs again (then weighing 145 lbs).
I left California with amazing, lifetime friends who would support me no matter my weight. Be it 100 or 500 pounds they were my true friends through and through. But I knew that I had to find the right path. At the time, my path seemed to be single track and straight up hill. I knew I was in for the battle of my life, Me vs. PCOS.
The Distant Past - quickly explained (Western Medicine)
I don't remember the day, but I remember the words, "I think you have something called PCOS." PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, the words meant nothing, I had never heard of such a syndrome. I went home dazed, tired (as I often was), and scared. How would PCOS effect my life, my future? What did it mean about who I am? The doctor had given me few answers as I sat in the sterile, white walled exam room, staring at my hands. "What can I do?" I asked. The doctor looked at me a sighed, "well you can go on something called Metformin or you can do nothing." I sat for a moment unsure what else to say, how to feel. I left that day with an answer that I had PCOS but nothing further.
After a few days I started to do research. Here is what I found:
* up to 10% of women have PCOS
* PCOS increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
* up to 50% of women with PCOS are over weight.
* Metformin (a diabetes medication) is the #1 treatment for PCOS
* Changes in diet and exercise may also be helpful
* PCOS decreases your chances of conception and leads to a higher risk of miscarriage.
Such uplifting statistics were no help. I felt more depressed, sad, and scared about my future. Until the day that I found the website pcosupport.org and other women with PCOS. I started asking questions, looking for answers. "Why would I do nothing?" "Why was I diagnosed if I am supposed to 'do nothing'?" I slowly began to find answers, a top of the line Endocrinologist (The best in the state and one of the best in the country). Metformin, diet, exercise were the answers i received.
I began Metformin but I was still exhausted, overweight by about 35 pounds, had acne and was beginning to notice dark hairs growing on my chin. I was too tired to exercise, too tired to work, too tired to feel alive.
After a few days I started to do research. Here is what I found:
* up to 10% of women have PCOS
* PCOS increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
* up to 50% of women with PCOS are over weight.
* Metformin (a diabetes medication) is the #1 treatment for PCOS
* Changes in diet and exercise may also be helpful
* PCOS decreases your chances of conception and leads to a higher risk of miscarriage.
Such uplifting statistics were no help. I felt more depressed, sad, and scared about my future. Until the day that I found the website pcosupport.org and other women with PCOS. I started asking questions, looking for answers. "Why would I do nothing?" "Why was I diagnosed if I am supposed to 'do nothing'?" I slowly began to find answers, a top of the line Endocrinologist (The best in the state and one of the best in the country). Metformin, diet, exercise were the answers i received.
I began Metformin but I was still exhausted, overweight by about 35 pounds, had acne and was beginning to notice dark hairs growing on my chin. I was too tired to exercise, too tired to work, too tired to feel alive.
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