PCOS.....yeah, it just SUCKS !!!!
Sorry guys, no nice way to say that....it just does. It's awful !!!
I was diagnosed at age 15. No one told me what it was, what it would do to me, or what to do about it. It was presented pretty "matter of fact", and was brushed off....they didn't seem too concerned, so why should I, right ?? WRONG !!!!! If you have been diagnosed, or think you may have the symptoms (listed below)...talk to your doctor, and just as importantly...MAKE HIM/HER TALK TO YOU !!!!!!
Had I known all of the havock it was reeking on my body, I could have done something !! Instead, I sailed through life getting fatter and fatter, unable to have children, blood pressure climbing, all other hormones & levels going out of whack, and when I tried to explain time and time again that the weight wasn't coming off and ask why....they just said "you must not be doing something right". Big help, right ??!! Not !
So, finally at 38 yrs. old, when my whole body was completely out of control, I FINALLY got a doctor who understood and explained it to me so I could !!! See, I always blamed myself !! I thought I had gotten fat, and had given myself PCOS....I was convinced !! So, when I finally saw "Dr. Amazing" (that really is his nickname !! LOL)....he said..."you have PCOS"...I said, (quite frankly) "no shit"...."I know, I know...I got fat...gave myself PCOS...ruined my life and my body, robbed my husband of children...it's all my fault...I get it !!"....he stood there dumbfounded, this sweet, sweet man, and said "who told you that???" I explained a past doctor had, AND had told me to "go home and stay there, so as not to upset people with my appearance". He was blown away, and told me those magic words, which I will never, EVER forget !!! He said, "you have it backwards....you had the PCOS FIRST, and it made you gain the weight...it's part of what it does!" I cried.....seriously, I did. To be told that it wasn't my fault, was the most freeing thing ever !!! And, he let me know how I could help control it....after he gave me a little more info on what it was !!
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - a very misunderstood condition, which 5-10 percent of us suffer from. Many believe that because of it's name, that it is a 'gynecological' problem...therefore, most go to their GYN for treatment. PCOS is in fact a malfunction of the 'endocrine' system !!! You need an endocrinologist !! Being the vicious, nasty disorder that it is, it CAUSES gynecological problems....and just so you know, it also causes digestive problems, heart problems, and a slew of other things !!
The down side: as of now, there is no known cause....and there is no known cure !
The up side: the symptoms are 'treatable' and 'manageable' !!
The symptoms you may experience:
hair loss/ excessive hair growth
irregular menstrual periods - sometimes heavy & painful...in my case, non-existent for about 7 years !!
weight gain - primarily around the middle
digestive issues
infertility
heart problems
hight blood pressure
diabetes
cysts on the ovaries <--- painful !!
skin problems
glucose-intolerance
The things PCOS is kind enough to help you possibly get:
endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease
just to name a few !! So, while no, PCOS in and of itself won't kill you....the problems/conditions it puts us at risk for sure as hell will !!!!
What can you do ?
First of all, if you think you may have PCOS....go to your doctor !! Talk to them, and work out a plan !! You may or may not need meds...you may need a endocrinologist...you will definitely need a healthy eating & workout plan !!! Even if the PCOS hasn't made you gain weight....stay on it !!! It can and will get out of control quick !!!
Second...get the healthy eating thing down !! There are food we MUST avoid...our bodies just can't deal with them !!! If you read Jillian's books, you'll see she talks about the GI indexes...important !! I personally...and I think most women with PCOS do... need the LOW GI INDEX foods !!! It matters....check it out !
Next....exercise !!!!!! The movement is soooooo important for so many reasons !!! We need the extra muscle to fight the fat !! We need the "help" of pushing things through the digestive tract that exercising gives us....and very important...we need the cardio exercises to burn the fat off the mid-section !!! (All things Jillian & Bob taught me !!! Thanks, guys !!)
Some of you probably remember Julie Hadden, (above) Season 4 of the Biggest Loser. An amazing woman, who is INCREDIBLY caring and sweet !! I have "talked" to her a few times via email and such, and she is so supportive !! She too has PCOS, she understands, and she is proof for all of us that it CAN be done !! We can fight it, and win !!!
Thank you Julie, for letting me use your picture....for sharing your story with all of us, for being such an inspiration, and for your love and support to me over the past couple of years !! xoxo
Thank you Julie, for letting me use your picture....for sharing your story with all of us, for being such an inspiration, and for your love and support to me over the past couple of years !! xoxo
Jillian played a big role for Julie, in helping her get to an endocrinologist and understand PCOS better. Jillian dedicates SO MUCH of herself to helping us figure out the 'hormonal' problems, and the effects it has on us !!! If you don't have it already...pick up Jillian's book..."Master your metabolism"....it's incredible !!! We need to listen to her.....don't try to reinvent the wheel !! Learn from her....let her help !!
This much is certain, girls.....we may have PCOS...but it DOES NOT have to have us !!!
We are not defenseless....we can do something about it.....we can take back control of our bodies and our lives !!! And, we can do it together !!!!
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