Just when you thought no one would understand, God sends a life line! I was so ready to give in to this disease, syndrome, whatever it is called, after seeking the help of a reproductive endocrinologist after loosing Dylan. During the pregnancy I got GD (Gestational Diabetes) early on. I knew it as soon as it hit. One bite of bread made me sick and threw me into a carbohydrate fog. Those of you with the syndrome (and some of you without) may know it to a lesser degree. Normally it just feels like you get sleepy soon after eating a high-carb meal; pasta, a sandwich, etc. That never happens when you eat a huge steak and salad! Whether you have PCOS or not, if you are familiar with the phenomenon, multiply it by 500 and add a sick feeling to your stomach.
A few days later, the nurse called and confirmed the diagnosis. I had not been eating so well before I got the shock of my life (I was pregnant). I was in one of my I give up phases and taking cake decorating classes. And yes, I was having no trouble sampling the specimens. Needless to say, my glucose levels and IR were out of control. My OB proceeded to tell me I was a diabetic already. Well, I knew better than to take such a diagnosis lying down. I'm not going down without a fight. I did my Internet research and discovered the A1C (unless seriously high) should not be used to diagnose diabetes. So ladies and gentlemen, don't let the doc push you around. Get a fasting GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) or at least a fasting Glucose test. I really don't care for the random glucose tests as who knows what you ate and how long ago you ate it (although it should also not be too high). If you "fail" the tests twice, you are indeed a diabetic. Your fasting level should be below 100. If your glucose is 100-125 you have pre-diabetes. Greater than 125 indicates diabetes. When you take the fasting GTT, your blood is taken at fasting levels and then again an hour and sometimes 2 hours after drinking a high carbohydrate drink. There are different criteria and different carbohydrate levels in the drinks to diagnose diabetes in women who are pregnant, women with PCOS and those who don't meet either criteria. At the time of this post, for those with PCOS, the two hour reading should be lower than 140 mg/dl. You will be required to drink a substance with 75 grams of glucose.
Well, back to the endocrinologist. After loosing Dylan at 18.5 weeks gestation, I sort the medical attention of a reproductive endocrinologist who I thought could help me with my PCOS diet and when we were ready the attempt to conceive again. Unfortunately, after all of my blood work came in (I was no diabetic and did not show insulin resistance) she sent me to the nutritionist she worked with who proceeded to put me on a 40% carbohydrate diet. From my experience, I knew this would not work. But, I figured I would humor them. I would be diligent with my workouts and food journaling. After I gained I assumed they would give in and realize this does not work for me. Well, 30 lbs later, the nutritionist said, "You are working out a lot, it is muscle. It will turn around!" Huh? What planet are you on? I never went back. So discouraged I was, I went back on the No-Carb diet and paid a visit to a NPD (NaturalPathic Doctor). I thought maybe I should try the bioidentical hormone therapy. If my hormones are corrected, I should be able to eat normally and still loose weight right? Well, not so fast. The NPD wanted to try supplements first.
Along the way, I went online and tried to find more information on PCOS and treatments. I came across a bulletin board. This bulletin board had women just like me. Women screaming and yelling at the top of their lungs looking for help. Looking for someone to understand. Women saying exactly the same things I was! Women experiencing their own wonderlands. This bulletin board, SoulCysters was a life line. Suddenly, I'm not alone!
