To ask for reccomendations for Naturopath or alternative health

[FayeFruitLoop]

I suffer from PCOS and I'm severely bloody pissed off with it today. I HAVE to do something.

I have major mood swings. My hair falls out in clumps, people pick it off my jumper, it's mortifying. I'm grossly overweight. With zits. I wake up with a headache virtually every other day. And having one massive pity party tonight. Just had a fucking biopsy and waiting on the results. I'm at the end of my tether.

People are in far worse situations than me, I know. But please somebody, other sufferers... tell me someone's cracked this??

I've already tried metformin, but my GP doesn't seem to think anything can be done but lose weight otherwise, is there anything that helps? (I'm trying on the losing weight front but its very slow progress)

I'm in the London area but would travel to anywhere, if anyone has something that works/can recommend something alternative that isn't hocus pocus?

I would instead look at a complete dietary change OP. I would look at the Paleo diet.x

A good natropath (find one with a medical background if poss) could really help. Issues with diet etc and resulting gut issues can be a major cause of issues like yours. Get googling and you will probably find some good advice on local people to speak to.

FODMAP or a similar diet may be recommended, but speak to people who have real experience in dealing with these issues. A good natropath should require you to undertake a thorough round of blood-tests etc before commencing treatment.

In the interim have a look at the IQS page and maybe get started on cutting sugar out of your diet (at least temporarily) and get yourself some kick-ass probiotics.

For me, eating a lower carb, more organic diet helped a staggering amount with my hormonal nightmare (PCOS and endometriosis). My zits cleared up a lot, weight loss, less headaches, and my periods went from 7 day bloodbaths to light spotting. My mood is so, so much more balanced too. I also fell pregnant, something I was told would never happen!

Maybe take a look at some low carb recipes? Pinterest is a good source :-)

If you're looking to make changes with diet, then see someone qualified. Like a dietician. With a naturopath you run the risk of being prescribed a multitude of 'vitamins' with no proof of effectiveness. You never walk out of a naturopath's office without having signed up for $$$$

But if you do see a dietician and they start spouting out-dated notions about eating low-fat everything then move along. Dieticians are well known for giving some very bad, but very well-funded advice.

Don't go to a dietician.

Nutritional therapist rather than a dietician.

There's an alternative health forum - healthy pages - where complementary therapists hang out. You might get some informed answers there. If I remember rightly there is a regular contributor called Caroline who specialises in nutrition.

Whilst you are sorting out who to see, cut out sugar, alcohol and coffee.
Do NOT replace the sugar with sweeteners.
Drink water. Plain water not flavoured rubbish.
Buy a water filter.

A Naturopath / herbalist not a dietitian.

You'll be a different person in 12 months time.
x

Not a nutritionist but I've visited a very good acupuncturist/herbalist in London who specialises in women's health, including PCOS. I don't have PCOS but she really helped with other gynae issues. Happy to pm details if you like.

Thank you everyone

Ok first I will start cutting out sugar while I am looking. I eat emotionally with the mood swings... Anyone have a go to solution?

I bought organic chocolate spread (which will have sugar in but had less nasties than the bar of galaxy I fancied) so I need to swap and quickly

I don't often drink alcohol or caffeine (other than the odd energy drink) so that's fairly easy to do.

Anyone know how to do fermented veg or kefir? (Looking up some diet and probiotics and saw these coming up a lot)

Kefir is easy as long as you keep on top of it. I'm lazy so mine always ends up bad. My supplier of the starter has stopped using it now so I need to make my own but haven't got around to it. I haven't tried fermenting veg but my Kefir lady has a special pot for it and the end result looks okay. Haven't tasted it but it takes a bit of getting used to apparently.

I know a few people who have had great success overcoming sugar cravings by doing the I Quit Sugar 8 Week Program. I think My mum is doing it soon too.
iquitsugar.com/8-week-program/

Sarah Wilson, who runs IQS, also has some great cook books, blog, fb page etc which I find really useful.

Brilliant naturopath here- think she set up natural health radio....deborah walker of passport to change.
heard her on radio and she is amazingly life changing..