My Story...
BACKGROUND: I got my periods when I turned 11.They were always very irregular so I consulted a OBGYN and my Pediatrician about them. They both bu told me to wait 2-3 years because they might become regular. At the same time I also started to get severe acne and extreme weight gain ( 35 pounds in 3 months..and I'm 5 feet) . I was also a vegetarian and as a child I always liked Pasta and Cheese a lot. I tried lots of home remedies and lotions and antibiotics, but the acne kept on getting worse. I also consulted Dermotologist who also gave me different antibiotics and lotions. They worked for few months but over time acne started gettting really bad. My irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, severe acne, and balding (yep..one of the signs) had a severe effect on my self esteem and I started feeling depressed and became a major introvert.
Later, I developed black skin tags on my neck and my Pediatrician did suggest that I might have Diabetes. He tested my Fasting Glucose which came slightly elevated. I was told to watch my diet and exercise. I started playing tennis and eating healthy. I started eating more vegetable, fruits, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread etc. My glucose levels tested further normal hence no so nothing was done, except a yearly fasting Glucose test which used to be always within the nomal range.
However.....I was also really into competitive tennis, playing almost 6 times a week for 2-3 hours each time. Also, I was a dancer and was actively involed in tap, ballet and jazz. Even with all of this exercise, I still kept on ganing more and more weight. Also, my acne started to get worse and after exhausting all other treatments my Dermatologist suggested Accutance. Because I had no other option, I did a course in Accutance and my acne got much better though its not completely cured.
HOW I GOT DIAGONESED AS HAVING PCOS: In order to take Accutance I had to go on BC. I went to see a OBGYN for a prescription of BC. She suggested that BC would help regulate my montly cycle and I should go on a very aggresive High Protein Diet to loose weight and see her after 3 months. I did that and inspite of a very strict High Protein Diet and eating only 1200 calories, I did not loose any weight. In fact, I GAINED WEIGHT!! At that time she suspected that I might be IR and suggested a Blood Test to determine that. As suspected, the Blood Test showed very High Levels of Insulin and that combined with my other symtoms like black tags on neck, weight gain and difficulty loosing weight, acne, excessive hair, irregualr periods, difficulty sleeping, carrying most of the weight in the middle area, thinning of hair on head, family history of diabetes etc all lead to the diagonose of PCOS. With the BC, my periods started becoming regular but I started putting on weight. Hence after my treatment of Accutance I also stopped BC . I was also prescribed Metformine for my symtoms. I then consulted a Endrocronologist at CHOP who increased my dosage of Metformin to 1500mg a day.
How I successfully reversed PCOS and Insulin Resistance: I did not want to take BC and Metformin because they were not muchhelp, and because Allopathy (Western Medicines..yes I'm Indian and were big on the natural remedies) did not have anything else to offer, I started searching for Alternate Treatment. I did lots of research, consulted many doctors but nobody really knew much about this disease and how to treat it. Everyone used to take about Fertility but I was more interested in loosing weight now and treating my acne and was not worried about having a baby at 13. I finally found this website( www.insulitelabs.com) which had alot of information on PCOS and Insulin Resistance and also had natural treatments to treat the disorders.. Searching through the website, I felt like this what I was looking for,but since it was on the internet, I was little sceptical to start the treatment. I tried few other treatments and also tried to loose weight by plain exercise and diet, but nothing was working. Finally after 6-8 months in Feb 2010 I decided to start the treatment. Because it was completely natural, there was nothing to loose even If I did not gain anything. The treatment was a combination of herbal medicines, low carb, moderate protein and good fat diet and exercise. They also have a good support system and a Naturopathy Doctor who you can talk to directly. To my utter surprise, I started getting regular periods just after 1 month of treatment. I also started loosing weight, having more energy and feeling much better than I had felt in years. I continued with the treatment for 6 months but was not loosing as much weight as I would have liked. Then by chance someone suggested a diet program called www.accuweight.com. This is also a natural diet program, and the Dr was confident that even with PCOS I would loose weight. I started the diet in August 2010 and lost 30 pounds in 2 months. The Three Hour Glucose Tolerance Test showed that I my Insulin Levels had reversed and they were in the bottom of the normal range. Also, my glucose levels were normal and even my hormone levels were better . I am still taking natural medicines to regulate my periods, but I have much more energy , very little acne, ,more self confidence and feel like I have gotten atlest part of my life back. I am in Contorl of my Body and PCOS is no longer controlling me.
FOLLOW UP: As PCOS is a life long condition we can reversal the causes and manage it by being aware of it and by following a healthy life style.I am still experimenting to see what I can and cannot eat. I am Insulin Resistant free for almost 4 months and kept all the weight off. Yes, I am still scared every time I see a piece of bread of a bowl of Oatmeal. Yes, I still am a little obssessed with the weighing scale. However, I am working through all of this, and I know that I am slowly getting my life back, and that one day, I will be able to live without fear of PCOS and IR.
MY GOAL: Since I have struggled so much to first find the right information, and then the treatment, I would like to help others(especially teenagers) to recognize the symtoms and to get treatment for it.
Me in Mexico !
