PCOS

[BecksStory]

Could anyone with PCOS give me an insight into how they manage it please?

I'm at my wits end. Absolutely exhausted 24/7 to the point where I could just sleep all day. It is affecting my work, as I am finding it hard to focus, and also the time I spend with my child, as I don't have the energy to run around with her. My libido is non existent because I just feel so tired all the time (also TTC so this isn't helpful). Facial hair is increasing, and my skin is awful. I am going to the gym 2-3 times a week, and have increased my protein intake in order to lose some weight but it is moving at a snails pace, and I'm not sure I have the energy to exercise more. I take quite a few vitamins/supplements but I just don't think they are working, or else there is something I am missing.

I feel like I used to be able to control the PCOS with diet/working out but as I am getting older, symptoms are getting harder to control.

Does anyone know of any medication I could get that helps relieve symptoms? Or blood tests I should ask for from the doctor. I just feel like I need to do something as it is really getting me down.

A quick google and all my symptoms point towards thyroid issues but I had it tested a few months ago and it was in the normal range.

You can ask for metformin. It's a T2 diabetes drug that is used to help PCOS symptoms. I found it helped me to get on top of my symptoms to enable me to get on top of diet changes, so that I could then drop the metformin. I can only manage mine with a very very low carb diet, which is hard to maintain so metformin helps me to keep on track. It also helped to bring back my periods (although we needed letrozole to conceive DD1. For DD2 just the metformin was enough).

To add, metformin can be pretty rough on the gut, so I take an "extended release" version, which is gentler.

@BecksStory I feel exactly the same at the moment! I've always worked fine on about 6 hours of sleep, but recently I'm sleeping way more and by about 2ish I'm struggling.

I assumed it was because I had started exercise and eating better; just thought my body needed time to adjust, however it's been nearly 2 months and I finally called the GP.
I've been booked for a blood test, check for the usual, vitamin d, folate, thyroid, iron and so on.

I'm really hoping to find out what is going on.

I am hitting 40, so we did talk about peri menopause too. (Just to add I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 14- so I thought I had got the hang of it all 😂).

I would probably get things checked out in case it's something as simple as low iron.

Myo innistol changed my life with pcos as dramatic as that sounds.

Its a simple suppliment your can buy relatively cheaply. I buy the powder from goodness direct. But other places sell it too. Just check the dosage.

Indidnt have a period of over a year. Was on metformin which did nothing. Started myo innistol in desperation. Within a month had a period. Then a regular 30ish day cycle. Got to the point i could pinpoint ovulation. Got pregnant first time trying.

As well as the ovulation changes it changed my mood. Balanced my ups and downs. Made me more focused and productive and generally less anxious and more positive. People noticed the change. I also had a natural appetite reduction and less sugar cravings.

It's worth a try. People and doctors will always suggest metformin. But its technically not licenced for pcos and ime its not overly effective. Although has a place of you're pre diabetic.

Myo-innistol will never have mich research done on it as theres no drug conpanies to make money from it. But there is some and its positive. The anecdotal evidence is vast also. I shout from the rooftops about it.

With pcos you should have an annual hba1c. So make sure that's been done with tiredness symptoms etc you could be verging on type 2 Diabetic. Also if you Haven't already ask for iron count to be done. Especially if you have heavy periods.

I’d second taking myo-inositol together with a very low carb diet. I tried metformin but side effects were harsh for me. Myo-inositol does the same thing but without the stomach upset.

I took a fair few other supplements too but feel like that was what helped me get on top of my symptoms and regulate my cycles when TTC.

Thanks so much for all the replies. I really appreciate it, as I kept telling myself I am being too dramatic, but I just don't feel myself at all.

To be honest, peri menopause given all the symptoms did enter my head, and makes me quite nervous, as I am 36 and hoping to have more children.

For those who take myo-inositol can I ask which brand you have gone for? So I used to take inofolic alpha which was a powder you drank, but switched to inofolic alpha plus which is recommended for over 35s and is a tablet. I'm wondering if I should just go back to the drink, maybe the tablet form just doesn't work for me.

Have just googled metformin and it is something I will ask the GP about when I can get an appointment. I am currently on letrozole for TTC, but it hasn't been working so I feel I need to get my PCOS under control first.

It's the lack of energy that is really getting me down. I just don't think I should feel this tired all the time!

I do have heavy periods so perhaps it is an iron deficiency, that's never been flagged before. But years ago it was mentioned I was low in folic acid, and b12 so perhaps that's it again.

I tried a few myo-inositols but found zita west the best. Definitely get your iron levels checked and try taking very high strength vitamin D if you’re not already.