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About to give up...

by Allison
(CA USA)

Hi Wray, just poking in for a quick update to let you know how I've been. I clearly suspect I have pcos although doctors have not diagnosed me as I've been several times with no help from them. I exhibit almost all symtptoms: 70 pounds overweight, scalp hair loss, hirsutism, irregular menses, etc. I began to take progesterone last year and it's helped some, but I've come back because I'm at my wits end. The last time I upped my dosage was back in March of this year, I went from 290mg to 332mg or 1 tsp in the am, and 1 tsp in the pm. It's been three months, and I don't know what to do anymore. In those three months I've cut back on most carbs, except fruits and vegetables, I don't remember the last time I had bread, potatoes, candy or soda. I went on a 4 day juice fast, lost 4 pounds which is good, but I've been unable to lose more weight, even when I went on a raw food diet for 7 days. THe last time I did that I lost 11 pounds in one week, this time, not one ounce. My depression has come back, it's getting hard to get up in the morning, I feel like I have nothing to look forward to and I can't bring myself to do everyday chores like washing dishes or doing laundry. My scalp hair has not improved, nor has the stray hairs I find in places I shouldn't have them gone away. My periods have become irregular again, the last one I had was in April. I don't get it. I'm trying really hard and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. If I've been trying really hard to nourish my body with natural fresh juices, and no more processed foods, no dairy or meats, why haven't I seen any improvement? I used to at least walk daily, but I've stopped as I haven't been able to force myself to get out. The same goes for the vitamin d, I was getting at least 10000 ui's in supplements but I did take only 5000 ui's if I was outside more than 20 minutes getting natural sunlight instead. I haven't bothered with it anymore since I feel what's the point. At this point the only thing that was stayed the same is my acne, I've been clear for awhile now, with only an occasional zit here and there. What am I doing wrong now? I feel like the progesterone cream is just another band aid, but it's not even helping with my symptoms anymore. And why did this happen? Why am I feeling like this again? Am I really supposed to increase yet again? And what will happen if I do? It will just help me get out of bed for the next three months before my body adjusts to it again and I keep living in limbo with symptoms never resolving themselves? I am highly discouraged as you can tell, please help me as I really don't know what to do anymore.

Comments for About to give up...

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Jun 08, 2012
 About to give up...
by: Wray

Hi Alison I do agree with you about the possibility of having PCOS. Please confirm this page here is you too. It sounds like it is. If we assume you have PCOS, then this has to be reversed before things can right themselves. It's caused by oxidative stress, so you need large amounts of antioxidants, progesterone alone is not going to do it. It is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, but it will need help. Please consider taking the nutrients listed on the PCOS page. I also gave you a list of nutrients to help your hair, all of which are needed for PCOS anyway, did you try them? You were taking vitamin D but now say you see no point, it's one of the most important nutrients for PCOS. A lack of it reduces the benefits of progesterone and causes weight gain, Insulin Resistance and obesity, see here, here, here, here, here and here. I would ask you to have a vitamin D test done, this is most important to check your level. I feel you will probably benefit from 20,000iu's per day for a month or two, then reduce to 10,000iu's per day. Don't reduce to 5000iu's simply because you go in the sun, unless you spend every day out, with minimal clothing. You say you have cut out most carbs, but modern fruit is just a bag of sugar water, with little else to offer. You should avoid it except for 1 portion a day only of 1 apple, 1/2 cup berries, or 1 under ripe banana or pear. I rarely eat fruit now. Avoid all the sweet starchy fruits and veggies, these all convert to glucose. Avoid all fruit juices too, far too much fructose and glucose, veggie juices are good. The raw food diet needs to be done for at least a month for any lasting benefit to be seen. And please eat meat, all meats plus fish and eggs. These stabilise blood glucose, heal and repair the body, plus give sustained energy. Continued below.
Jun 08, 2012
 About to give up... Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Alison The good fats and oils are needed too, like butter, olive oil, MCT oil which I mentioned on the previous page. This can be used by the cells as a carb, but does not give a sugar shock or get deposited as fat. Please have a read through our Nutrition page, the Paleo Diet is a good option. And please have a vitamin D test done. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Jun 09, 2012
 Dont give up
by: Anonymous

Hi Allison please dont give up I have been in your situation and its taken a year to get my body heading in the right direction, keep perseveering with your change in eating your body will thank you for it eventually! It just takes time for the body to repair and balance. I find yoga, swimming and tai chi are life savers for me both mentally and physically, do things that YOU love doing and say out loud to yourself every day haw fabulous and healthy your are, even if you feel like absolute shit, thoughts are powerful!
Take care
Jun 12, 2012
 Low Thyroid?
by: Anonymous

Also, have you had blood testing done for low thyroid? Low thyroid can cause the loss of scalp hair and inability to lose weight. Please have Free T3 and Free T4 blood testing done to rule this on or out. Good luck.
Lisa

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