~PCOS Support Thread~ Spring 2008 - Page 3

KrystaLyn · 07-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Met worked for me to induce regular ovulation. I went from maybe 4 periods a year to having a fairly regular 35-40 day cycle. Still not "normal," but I could predict it with pretty fair accuracy. Of course, I was also temping, so I knew exactly when I was ovulating. Met also raised my BBT (basal body temp) to a more normal range. I never started off extremely overweight, however, so losing a little really didn't make a huge impact on me. The Met did.

CrzyCatLady · 07-10-2008, 08:55 PM

Does anyone have issues with low blood sugar when taking Met? I used to take it about 5 yrs ago and stopped for some reason that I can't remember (probably me being too lazy to remember to take it). Anyway, back then I ate what ever I wanted so sugar dropping wouldn't have been an issue. Now that I'm LC I'm a little concerned about dropping. I took a dose tonight, I usually always took it at night so I hope I feel fine in the morning. I'm sure it will be fine, I'm just a little nervous restarting it.

mac24312 · 07-11-2008, 08:59 AM

Hi
I have been using the Ext Met for 4 days now...I noticed I am very tired for a couple of hours even after eating and then I am fine...My BS monitor is broken so i need to go and get a new one to see if my Met is causing this...

CrzyCatLady · 07-11-2008, 10:42 AM

I'm still kicking this morning so apparently the Met didn't drop me last night. I have a monitor for my cat so I checked my BGL last night. I was 96 and was a little concerned. Oh well must be all well. I guess I need to really figure out what Met really does.

Nik · 07-11-2008, 03:51 PM

I had blood sugar drops with Met. As they always say: eat frequent, small meals with a balance of complex carbs and protein.

From what I understand and remember, using made up numbers:
Met increases insulin sensitivity. For example, When you eat a spoonful of sugar, you ingest 10 grams of glucose. Your body needs 10 grams of insulin to take the glucose out of your blood and into your cells. If each cell has 5 insulin receptors, you need two cells to metabolize the glucose. If you have insulin resistance, then only say, one of the five insulin receptors in each cell is working. You need to have 10 cells to get the glucose out of your blood instead of just two. While "looking" for the ten cells, the glucose stays in your bloodstream longer, causing a *possible* rise in blood sugar. Your pancreas detects the glucose STILL in your bloodstream, and releases more insulin to help the glucose enter the cells. Eventually, the glucose "finds" enough active insulin receptors, your pancreas stops pumping insulin, and you're left feeling full and satisfied because of the abundance of insulin in your bloodstream. (That's why often, PCOSers don't get hungry.)

Of course, while in the bloodstream this excess insulin wreaks all kinds of havoc on our systems: stimulating hair follicles to grow, stimulating ovaries to produce hormones, stimulating fat cells to grow, etc. etc. Those extra hormones also create a whole mess of trouble.

Introduce: Metformin. This increases the number of active insulin receptors in each cell. Now, instead of only one receptor, maybe each cell has three receptors. That same spoonful of sugar will metabolize three times as quickly as it did before you were on met. Your body will pump out 1/3 the amount of insulin, because the pancreas gets the message three times as fast that the glucose is gone. Basically, met slows the cycle of hormone imbalance created by insulin resistance.

Low blood sugar comes into play because we NEED glucose in our blood. If we're not used to metabolizing glucose quickly, our cells (under the influence of met) can take too MUCH sugar out of our blood, causing a crash.

Bad news.

CrzyCatLady · 07-11-2008, 08:07 PM

Thanks Nikie!

TiffJake · 07-12-2008, 01:47 AM

Hey Jenn, I had that problem with regular Metformin, but I don't have it now on the extended release metformin. I do wake up STARVING in the morning (I take my pill before bed at night). I used to wake up with fasting headaches in the morning, from the LBS caused by the metformin and fasting through the night. Now I eat a very small snack before bed, with my pill.

TiffJake · 07-12-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik

I had blood sugar drops with Met. As they always say: eat frequent, small meals with a balance of complex carbs and protein.

From what I understand and remember, using made up numbers:
Met increases insulin sensitivity. For example, When you eat a spoonful of sugar, you ingest 10 grams of glucose. Your body needs 10 grams of insulin to take the glucose out of your blood and into your cells. If each cell has 5 insulin receptors, you need two cells to metabolize the glucose. If you have insulin resistance, then only say, one of the five insulin receptors in each cell is working. You need to have 10 cells to get the glucose out of your blood instead of just two. While "looking" for the ten cells, the glucose stays in your bloodstream longer, causing a *possible* rise in blood sugar. Your pancreas detects the glucose STILL in your bloodstream, and releases more insulin to help the glucose enter the cells. Eventually, the glucose "finds" enough active insulin receptors, your pancreas stops pumping insulin, and you're left feeling full and satisfied because of the abundance of insulin in your bloodstream. (That's why often, PCOSers don't get hungry.)

Of course, while in the bloodstream this excess insulin wreaks all kinds of havoc on our systems: stimulating hair follicles to grow, stimulating ovaries to produce hormones, stimulating fat cells to grow, etc. etc. Those extra hormones also create a whole mess of trouble.

Introduce: Metformin. This increases the number of active insulin receptors in each cell. Now, instead of only one receptor, maybe each cell has three receptors. That same spoonful of sugar will metabolize three times as quickly as it did before you were on met. Your body will pump out 1/3 the amount of insulin, because the pancreas gets the message three times as fast that the glucose is gone. Basically, met slows the cycle of hormone imbalance created by insulin resistance.

Low blood sugar comes into play because we NEED glucose in our blood. If we're not used to metabolizing glucose quickly, our cells (under the influence of met) can take too MUCH sugar out of our blood, causing a crash.

Bad news.

Just an addition to the above: Metformin also works in the liver to inhibit our natural production of glucose (a liver by-product in times of stress or fatigue, as a mental and physical boost). The liver produces and stores glucose for times when we need it, and metformin stops that production. This can lead to tired, cranky feelings (probably complicated by LC dieting, if you are very LC). You might want to go up 5 grams of carbs if you feel tired during the day, since normally your body would use that glucose to power those moments when you are stressed (since that is a FAST source of energy).

Also, metformin lowers levels of testosterone (which is what causes the hair growth in some PCOSers). This also helps the estrogen break through and attempt a normal cycle. Some docs will say you don't have PCOS if you don't have elevated testosterone. Others will go simply by the cysts on the ovaries. Usually the OB/GYN's are bad about looking at the testosterone, and the Endocrinologists will look at the whole big picture (hair growth, cysts, weight gain, elevated insulin, insulin resistance, prolactin levels, cycle history, etc).

I am in pre-nursing classes, and we just finished these chapters

It is VERY interesting!

Nik · 07-12-2008, 07:28 AM

Tiff: I didn't know about Met's function in the liver. Thanks! Did everything else sound about right?

I've never had high testosterone. It's always been on the high side of normal, but within range. Still, I am one of the hairiest women I have ever seen-REALLY. I have dark hair all over my face, chest, breasts, stomach, and back. I am balding. But according to some labs, my levels are "normal." I heard somewhere that some people have an increased SENSITIVITY to testosterone in their hair follicles, so that even small amounts of T will cause major growth. Has anyone heard of that?

If I were a transgendered woman, I would have it made!

mac24312 · 07-12-2008, 07:48 AM

Hi..Thanks for that info Nicki and Tiff

I feel good today so I guess I am getting use to the Ext Met...My Testerone level is very high and my OBGYN is doing a CT scan on Monday because my Ovaries are enlarged..especially the left one. I might have some cysts..I dont know yet. The fluid pill he put me on I had a 4 lb loss this week...nothing today...I did up my carbs yesterday and that my be the reason I am feeling better and not so tired like I had been the past 4 days.

I also had my hair falling out since November of last year and just settled down in June..I have alot of dark hairs on my chin but not anywhere else..

Thanks for the info gals!!

HUGS
Christina

chocoholic1 · 07-12-2008, 08:29 AM

I used to have thick, luxuious hair and am very thin at the crown now...I can see my scalp too much for my comfort. I also have alot of facial hair and on my chest and back. Since I have had my baby, my hair has been fallling out in clumps when I wash it....I get so sad when I wash my hair lol hopefully it will slow down. I take biotin and use Nioxin. I wear it curly all the time to hide some of my scalp. I hate going to the salon...so I always put it off until I HAVE to go...lol

TiffJake · 07-13-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik

Tiff: I didn't know about Met's function in the liver. Thanks! Did everything else sound about right?

I've never had high testosterone. It's always been on the high side of normal, but within range. Still, I am one of the hairiest women I have ever seen-REALLY. I have dark hair all over my face, chest, breasts, stomach, and back. I am balding. But according to some labs, my levels are "normal." I heard somewhere that some people have an increased SENSITIVITY to testosterone in their hair follicles, so that even small amounts of T will cause major growth. Has anyone heard of that?

If I were a transgendered woman, I would have it made!

Yeah, everything else sounded right

And my testosterone was not high either, which is why my Endo was the one to really diagnose me (though my new OB/GYN is really great). I have patches of hair growth, like you are talking about. You are right, you can be more sensitive to the testosterone, instead of having high levels. The estrogen is the over-riding "female" hormone, so even if your testosterone isn't high, if your estrogen is low, or you ARE NOT sensitive enough to it, then you will notice the effects of the testosterone. See what I am saying? It is a delecate balance.

Like Choco, the progst. produced by the fetus (and placenta) made her hair thick and shiney and beautiful, but since having the baby, the progest. level drops sharply, and the great hair goes with it.

Same kind of thing with cycle-related acne. It is all about the cycle of the hormones and their balance. I love this stuff.

butts · 07-13-2008, 10:52 AM

hey guys. kind of introducing myself in this thread - i was diagnosed with PCOS at age 12 (!), and started lowcarbing recently to try to keep it under control. thanks, nik, for the explanation of how met works. i stopped using it because it made me faint-y when i started lc'ing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac24312

I also had my hair falling out since November of last year and just settled down in June..

i'm currently praying that this will happen to me. my hair loss has just been brutal in the past few months. i keep hoping lc will eventually help reduce the loss, but i somehow doubt it. i'm about to get my (very long) hair cut into a pixie cut, because it's thinning so badly, and short hair makes it look less obvious. argh, it's the worst...

chocoholic1 · 07-15-2008, 08:58 AM

Welcome to this thread Butts!

Are you currently on a LC plan? I am using Atkins, and am induction right now. I have lost 13 pounds and feel great, but man....its taking forever!

I htink LC will help with the hair--at least slow it down a bit. The extra protein is good for your hair. I think you will like your hair shorter if its thinning. I went short too and it makes me FEEL like you dont notice it as much...lol. I am tired of my family saying its all in my head and it doesnt look as bad as I think. They just dont get the PCOS thing....

Again

And

to everyone else! Have a great day!

KrystaLyn · 07-16-2008, 03:09 AM

Just wanted to add my experience with Met and LCing. I was on Met for a little over a year before I restarted LC, so I was totally over any side effects from the Met. The only thing I noticed negative about LC and Met is during the 2-3 weeks I was on Induction. If I exercised AFTER taking my Met, I got nauseous. So I started taking my Met at night and had no more issues. Never had blood sugar issues with Met, either. Just the great s/e when I first started it, which lasted about 3 months.

diabeticfriend · 07-19-2008, 05:21 AM

I have PCOS and i am on Metformin, i was DX on Aug 2006, the most thing i hate about the PCOS is no period or to long of one, face hair etc

Wendalina · 07-19-2008, 09:46 AM

I am on 1000mg of Met each day. I usually take it at night so the side effects are minimal, however.....I have noticed that if I dont eat a breakfast that includes some complex carbs, I feel pretty low (sugar wise). So I have started eating 2 slices of Nature's Own Sugar Free bread (I think 8 carbs per slice) with my eggs and bacon in the mornings. It really seems to be helping me out all the way around. I have also heard that people with pcos and/or thyroid issues need to have a little more carbs especially if they are on met...has anyone else heard this or have more information on it?

Just thought that might help somebody.

chocoholic1 · 07-19-2008, 10:10 AM

I have not heard that PCOS women should have a little more carbs....in fact...I have read in various books that we should be eating very low carbs....

I have no idea which way is best for us...lol...I have been on strict induction and lost 7 pounds the first 2 days...but then nothing the past 2 weeks....I feel great, but really wish the scale and tape measure would budge! My face has cleared up tremendously though.

Nik · 07-19-2008, 08:52 PM

Anther benefit to LC'ing: my feet bottoms were really dry and cracked before. ON LC, they became less dry. Now that I'm on a more standard diet with my pregnancy, the feet are becoming dry again.

TiffJake · 07-19-2008, 09:57 PM

What an interesting symptom Nikie!

I have also read that women with PCOS should eat a very low carb, sugar free diet. BUT I think that being on Metformin can cause some people to dip into low blood sugar if they are eating very LC, so maybe that is what you are thinking wendy. I, too, get funny in the AM after taking my Met at night. I have to eat as soon as I get up, instead of going for hours like I used to do pre-met. I don't eat carbs, but I do have to eat a good breakfast (eggs, sausage, maybe some cheese).

Nik · 07-20-2008, 05:34 AM

RIGHT! Too many carbs will just contribute to the sugar high/crash cycle. Get carbs from protein-rich sources, like nuts and maybe beans if you need more carbs. I wouldn't even use whole-wheat grains. I think once you get used to the effects of met, you won't have as many highs and lows, but I don't know. I remember being on met with a regular diet, and I had severe highs and lows.

pri17cess72 · 07-20-2008, 11:41 AM

Hi Everyone!

Just want to get a feel for the dosage of Met you are taking. I am currently taking 1500mg of Met a day. I take 1(500mg) pill in the am and then 2 (500mg) pills at night. Sometimes I take 1 (500mg) pill in the am, afternoon, and night.

What is your Met schedule and dosage.

Thanks for sharing all the great info.

Wendalina · 07-20-2008, 06:43 PM

I take 1000mg of met at night before bed....going for a checkup on tuesday and I hope she doesnt have to change anything....I think I am just starting to get used to this dosage.

TiffJake · 07-21-2008, 01:03 PM

I take one 500 XR at night. I need to be taking one at lunch and one at night, but I forget most days. I am so bad about that. Doc said that is ok, but the goal is 1000-1500 mg a day if I can remember to take it.

CarbCutter · 07-22-2008, 10:33 PM

Hi everyone! I'm new to the board and was told about this thread by pri17cess72.
I have PCOS and haven't been able to conceive a child or lose weight, even on the low carb diet. So I am really struggling. I am staying determined though. I have tried Metformin in the past and it did not help me. I actually gained a few pounds and stayed very sick on it so my doctor took me off of it. I'm currently not taking anything for it. Just trying to lower my carbs and hoping for the best. I look forward to posting with you all

07-10-2008, 08:55 PM	#62
CrzyCatLady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bardstown KY Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: CrzyCatLady Stats: 244/183/134 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 10/29/07	Does anyone have issues with low blood sugar when taking Met? I used to take it about 5 yrs ago and stopped for some reason that I can't remember (probably me being too lazy to remember to take it). Anyway, back then I ate what ever I wanted so sugar dropping wouldn't have been an issue. Now that I'm LC I'm a little concerned about dropping. I took a dose tonight, I usually always took it at night so I hope I feel fine in the morning. I'm sure it will be fine, I'm just a little nervous restarting it. __________________ Jenn "Explain to me an organizational system where a tray of silverware on a couch is valid." Sheldon - Big Bang Theory 61lbs gone forever!! 48lbs to go! Bringing Sexy Back - Mid Year Challenge! Team #5 50/6/44

07-11-2008, 03:51 PM	#65
Nik Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 866 Gallery: Nik Stats: 299/pregnant/150 WOE: ANA Start Date: 8/25/07	I had blood sugar drops with Met. As they always say: eat frequent, small meals with a balance of complex carbs and protein. From what I understand and remember, using made up numbers: Met increases insulin sensitivity. For example, When you eat a spoonful of sugar, you ingest 10 grams of glucose. Your body needs 10 grams of insulin to take the glucose out of your blood and into your cells. If each cell has 5 insulin receptors, you need two cells to metabolize the glucose. If you have insulin resistance, then only say, one of the five insulin receptors in each cell is working. You need to have 10 cells to get the glucose out of your blood instead of just two. While "looking" for the ten cells, the glucose stays in your bloodstream longer, causing a possible rise in blood sugar. Your pancreas detects the glucose STILL in your bloodstream, and releases more insulin to help the glucose enter the cells. Eventually, the glucose "finds" enough active insulin receptors, your pancreas stops pumping insulin, and you're left feeling full and satisfied because of the abundance of insulin in your bloodstream. (That's why often, PCOSers don't get hungry.) Of course, while in the bloodstream this excess insulin wreaks all kinds of havoc on our systems: stimulating hair follicles to grow, stimulating ovaries to produce hormones, stimulating fat cells to grow, etc. etc. Those extra hormones also create a whole mess of trouble. Introduce: Metformin. This increases the number of active insulin receptors in each cell. Now, instead of only one receptor, maybe each cell has three receptors. That same spoonful of sugar will metabolize three times as quickly as it did before you were on met. Your body will pump out 1/3 the amount of insulin, because the pancreas gets the message three times as fast that the glucose is gone. Basically, met slows the cycle of hormone imbalance created by insulin resistance. Low blood sugar comes into play because we NEED glucose in our blood. If we're not used to metabolizing glucose quickly, our cells (under the influence of met) can take too MUCH sugar out of our blood, causing a crash. Bad news. __________________ Pregnancy weight: 5/31: 206.8; 6/7:208; 6/11:209.2; 6/19: 210.4; 7/3: 211.8; 7/14: 214.2; 7/18: 214.4; 7/30: 219.2; 8/10: 218; 8/18: 223; 9/8: 226; 10/5: 231 Nikie Indiana

07-12-2008, 07:48 AM	#70
mac24312 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 1,149 Gallery: mac24312 Stats: 250/141/Maintenance WOE: Stella Style/Maintenance/Eating to my BMR :} Start Date: October 07 2006	Hi..Thanks for that info Nicki and Tiff I feel good today so I guess I am getting use to the Ext Met...My Testerone level is very high and my OBGYN is doing a CT scan on Monday because my Ovaries are enlarged..especially the left one. I might have some cysts..I dont know yet. The fluid pill he put me on I had a 4 lb loss this week...nothing today...I did up my carbs yesterday and that my be the reason I am feeling better and not so tired like I had been the past 4 days. I also had my hair falling out since November of last year and just settled down in June..I have alot of dark hairs on my chin but not anywhere else.. Thanks for the info gals!! HUGS Christina __________________ http://www.fitday.com/fitness/Public...r=mc_gallimore Eating to my BMR of 1400 a day.

07-12-2008, 08:29 AM	#71
chocoholic1 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 158 Gallery: chocoholic1 Stats: (higest ever-296 Christmas 06)277/267.5/150 WOE: Atkins Re-Induction 9/25/2008	I used to have thick, luxuious hair and am very thin at the crown now...I can see my scalp too much for my comfort. I also have alot of facial hair and on my chest and back. Since I have had my baby, my hair has been fallling out in clumps when I wash it....I get so sad when I wash my hair lol hopefully it will slow down. I take biotin and use Nioxin. I wear it curly all the time to hide some of my scalp. I hate going to the salon...so I always put it off until I HAVE to go...lol __________________ See it....feel it....believe it.... 3 months until Christmas cheat free! 9/29 * 269 10/6 *267.5

07-16-2008, 03:09 AM	#75
KrystaLyn MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina Posts: 1,936 Gallery: KrystaLyn Stats: 158/PREGGO/125, 5'2 and claiming every inch! WOE: Trying to be healthy for the babies Start Date: Second Time Around started Jan 01.07	Just wanted to add my experience with Met and LCing. I was on Met for a little over a year before I restarted LC, so I was totally over any side effects from the Met. The only thing I noticed negative about LC and Met is during the 2-3 weeks I was on Induction. If I exercised AFTER taking my Met, I got nauseous. So I started taking my Met at night and had no more issues. Never had blood sugar issues with Met, either. Just the great s/e when I first started it, which lasted about 3 months. __________________ Krysta Watch my belly expand in 2008! It's TWIN BOYS!!! 2007 LC Journal Our Recipes

07-09-2008, 10:02 AM	#61
KrystaLyn MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina Posts: 1,936 Gallery: KrystaLyn Stats: 158/PREGGO/125, 5'2 and claiming every inch! WOE: Trying to be healthy for the babies Start Date: Second Time Around started Jan 01.07	Met worked for me to induce regular ovulation. I went from maybe 4 periods a year to having a fairly regular 35-40 day cycle. Still not "normal," but I could predict it with pretty fair accuracy. Of course, I was also temping, so I knew exactly when I was ovulating. Met also raised my BBT (basal body temp) to a more normal range. I never started off extremely overweight, however, so losing a little really didn't make a huge impact on me. The Met did.

07-11-2008, 08:59 AM	#63
mac24312 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 1,149 Gallery: mac24312 Stats: 250/141/Maintenance WOE: Stella Style/Maintenance/Eating to my BMR :} Start Date: October 07 2006	Hi I have been using the Ext Met for 4 days now...I noticed I am very tired for a couple of hours even after eating and then I am fine...My BS monitor is broken so i need to go and get a new one to see if my Met is causing this...

07-11-2008, 10:42 AM	#64
CrzyCatLady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bardstown KY Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: CrzyCatLady Stats: 244/183/134 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 10/29/07	I'm still kicking this morning so apparently the Met didn't drop me last night. I have a monitor for my cat so I checked my BGL last night. I was 96 and was a little concerned. Oh well must be all well. I guess I need to really figure out what Met really does.

07-11-2008, 08:07 PM	#66
CrzyCatLady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bardstown KY Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: CrzyCatLady Stats: 244/183/134 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 10/29/07	Thanks Nikie!

07-12-2008, 01:47 AM	#67
TiffJake Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 137 Blog Entries: 7 Gallery: TiffJake Stats: 277.7/235.2/165 Next Mini Goal: 225 by 10/1 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 4/28/08	Hey Jenn, I had that problem with regular Metformin, but I don't have it now on the extended release metformin. I do wake up STARVING in the morning (I take my pill before bed at night). I used to wake up with fasting headaches in the morning, from the LBS caused by the metformin and fasting through the night. Now I eat a very small snack before bed, with my pill.

07-12-2008, 07:28 AM	#69
Nik Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 866 Gallery: Nik Stats: 299/pregnant/150 WOE: ANA Start Date: 8/25/07	Tiff: I didn't know about Met's function in the liver. Thanks! Did everything else sound about right? I've never had high testosterone. It's always been on the high side of normal, but within range. Still, I am one of the hairiest women I have ever seen-REALLY. I have dark hair all over my face, chest, breasts, stomach, and back. I am balding. But according to some labs, my levels are "normal." I heard somewhere that some people have an increased SENSITIVITY to testosterone in their hair follicles, so that even small amounts of T will cause major growth. Has anyone heard of that? If I were a transgendered woman, I would have it made!

07-15-2008, 08:58 AM	#74
chocoholic1 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 158 Gallery: chocoholic1 Stats: (higest ever-296 Christmas 06)277/267.5/150 WOE: Atkins Re-Induction 9/25/2008	Welcome to this thread Butts! Are you currently on a LC plan? I am using Atkins, and am induction right now. I have lost 13 pounds and feel great, but man....its taking forever! I htink LC will help with the hair--at least slow it down a bit. The extra protein is good for your hair. I think you will like your hair shorter if its thinning. I went short too and it makes me FEEL like you dont notice it as much...lol. I am tired of my family saying its all in my head and it doesnt look as bad as I think. They just dont get the PCOS thing.... Again And to everyone else! Have a great day!

07-19-2008, 05:21 AM	#76
diabeticfriend Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 6 Gallery: diabeticfriend Stats: 276/276/150 WOE: Diabetic diet Start Date: August 2008	I have PCOS and i am on Metformin, i was DX on Aug 2006, the most thing i hate about the PCOS is no period or to long of one, face hair etc

07-19-2008, 09:46 AM	#77
Wendalina Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jenkinsburg, GA (south of Atlanta) Posts: 489 Gallery: Wendalina Stats: start: 196 goal: 165 WOE: Livin la vida LOW CARB!!!! Start Date: September 22, 2008 - again!!!	I am on 1000mg of Met each day. I usually take it at night so the side effects are minimal, however.....I have noticed that if I dont eat a breakfast that includes some complex carbs, I feel pretty low (sugar wise). So I have started eating 2 slices of Nature's Own Sugar Free bread (I think 8 carbs per slice) with my eggs and bacon in the mornings. It really seems to be helping me out all the way around. I have also heard that people with pcos and/or thyroid issues need to have a little more carbs especially if they are on met...has anyone else heard this or have more information on it? Just thought that might help somebody. __________________ *Wendy* Mom to Maggie, Ashley & Erin Elizabeth(they are 20 months old (Oct. 2) - do they count as exercise?)

07-19-2008, 10:10 AM	#78
chocoholic1 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 158 Gallery: chocoholic1 Stats: (higest ever-296 Christmas 06)277/267.5/150 WOE: Atkins Re-Induction 9/25/2008	I have not heard that PCOS women should have a little more carbs....in fact...I have read in various books that we should be eating very low carbs.... I have no idea which way is best for us...lol...I have been on strict induction and lost 7 pounds the first 2 days...but then nothing the past 2 weeks....I feel great, but really wish the scale and tape measure would budge! My face has cleared up tremendously though.

07-19-2008, 08:52 PM	#79
Nik Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 866 Gallery: Nik Stats: 299/pregnant/150 WOE: ANA Start Date: 8/25/07	Anther benefit to LC'ing: my feet bottoms were really dry and cracked before. ON LC, they became less dry. Now that I'm on a more standard diet with my pregnancy, the feet are becoming dry again.

07-19-2008, 09:57 PM	#80
TiffJake Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 137 Blog Entries: 7 Gallery: TiffJake Stats: 277.7/235.2/165 Next Mini Goal: 225 by 10/1 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 4/28/08	What an interesting symptom Nikie! I have also read that women with PCOS should eat a very low carb, sugar free diet. BUT I think that being on Metformin can cause some people to dip into low blood sugar if they are eating very LC, so maybe that is what you are thinking wendy. I, too, get funny in the AM after taking my Met at night. I have to eat as soon as I get up, instead of going for hours like I used to do pre-met. I don't eat carbs, but I do have to eat a good breakfast (eggs, sausage, maybe some cheese).

07-20-2008, 05:34 AM	#81
Nik Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 866 Gallery: Nik Stats: 299/pregnant/150 WOE: ANA Start Date: 8/25/07	RIGHT! Too many carbs will just contribute to the sugar high/crash cycle. Get carbs from protein-rich sources, like nuts and maybe beans if you need more carbs. I wouldn't even use whole-wheat grains. I think once you get used to the effects of met, you won't have as many highs and lows, but I don't know. I remember being on met with a regular diet, and I had severe highs and lows.

07-20-2008, 11:41 AM	#82
pri17cess72 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SF Bay Area CA Posts: 2,443 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: pri17cess72 Stats: 187/xxx/130 5'5" WOE: Atkins Start Date: 01/01/2007 Re-Start 01/01/08	Met Dosage Poll: How much Met do you take? Hi Everyone! Just want to get a feel for the dosage of Met you are taking. I am currently taking 1500mg of Met a day. I take 1(500mg) pill in the am and then 2 (500mg) pills at night. Sometimes I take 1 (500mg) pill in the am, afternoon, and night. What is your Met schedule and dosage. Thanks for sharing all the great info.

07-20-2008, 06:43 PM	#83
Wendalina Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jenkinsburg, GA (south of Atlanta) Posts: 489 Gallery: Wendalina Stats: start: 196 goal: 165 WOE: Livin la vida LOW CARB!!!! Start Date: September 22, 2008 - again!!!	I take 1000mg of met at night before bed....going for a checkup on tuesday and I hope she doesnt have to change anything....I think I am just starting to get used to this dosage.

07-21-2008, 01:03 PM	#84
TiffJake Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 137 Blog Entries: 7 Gallery: TiffJake Stats: 277.7/235.2/165 Next Mini Goal: 225 by 10/1 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 4/28/08	I take one 500 XR at night. I need to be taking one at lunch and one at night, but I forget most days. I am so bad about that. Doc said that is ok, but the goal is 1000-1500 mg a day if I can remember to take it.

07-22-2008, 10:33 PM	#85
CarbCutter Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 9 Gallery: CarbCutter Stats: 280/258/160 for now... WOE: Kind of Atkins-just not as strict Start Date: November 2007	Hi everyone! I'm new to the board and was told about this thread by pri17cess72. I have PCOS and haven't been able to conceive a child or lose weight, even on the low carb diet. So I am really struggling. I am staying determined though. I have tried Metformin in the past and it did not help me. I actually gained a few pounds and stayed very sick on it so my doctor took me off of it. I'm currently not taking anything for it. Just trying to lower my carbs and hoping for the best. I look forward to posting with you all