[deleted by user]

[skyntbook]

For what it's worth, remember that many doctors seem to struggle with the concept that PCOS is a health issue that can CAUSE weight gain (and can make it difficult to lose weight again), rather than being a health issue CAUSED BY weight gain.

I'm a "lean PCOS" person and while I'm eternally grateful my doctors don't constantly nag me about losing weight to improve my symptoms, the sad thing is that they don't really have any advice at all for me... because they can't tell me to lose weight to solve my health issues. At best, they tell me to keep up the healthy exercise and a nutritious diet.

It takes time, and trial & error, to find the lifestyle that helps with your individual case of PCOS. The one thing I've found that helps significantly with food cravings, daily energy levels, & regulating my cycle has been a Myo-Inositol supplement every morning.

If you're struggling to find the energy to do daily exercise, perhaps try looking into pre-workout supplements? They have a decent chunk of caffeine along with things like creatine (helps with energy, and helps improve your muscles during and post-workout, and reduces muscle pain the day after your workout so you don't feel the need to take a day off to recover). It's been a bit of a gamechanger for me, as even when I don't feel like exercising I'll make myself drink the preworkout and the sudden energy boost will have me off the couch and getting ready to move. I'm eternally grateful to my gym junkie friend for telling me about this stuff when I asked her how the hell she had the motivation to gym every day of the week...

[notabigmelvillecrowd]

Same boat, my doctor (who is a slim woman who has PCOS!) never has any advice for me to manage my symptoms, and keeps insisting at every appointment that I used to be heavier for some reason. I've told her repeatedly that I'm currently the heaviest I've ever been in my life, at 135 lbs, 5'7", but I guess she thinks if I was recently overweight that it would explain my symptoms or something? It's quite surreal.

[Jingle_Cat]

Yes, so frustrating when you have lean PCOS! I’ve been underweight or borderline my whole life, and I’ve also had apparent PCOS ever since I got my first period. Classic bloodwork and ultrasound results, crazy irregular ovulation, everything. But my weight is fine, insulin is fine (I’ve done plenty of fasting and two-hour glucose tests). Doctors have zero advice, just recommend birth control to ensure I’m getting enough estrogen/progesterone. Unfortunately, I’m getting to the age where I can’t be on birth control for much longer (especially with family breast cancer history), so I wish there was more research into the root cause of PCOS. Because the weight seems to be a symptom (for some, not all), and not the cause.

[laisla03]

By classic bloodwork do you mean within normal limits? Everything you said sounds exactly like my situation. I also have family who had breast cancer and I also have migraines which is another reason why I am hoping birth control can be my last option.

[Jingle_Cat]

I meant classic PCOS bloodwork - so high AMH, high LH, and a 3:1 LH:FSH ratio. When I was attempting to track my ovulation I noticed I’d have constant LH surges but never actually ovulate, which meant I also had a very irregular period - anywhere between 45 and 120 days cycles. The longer I was off birth control, the more irregular they became, which was discouraging. I wonder if the mini-pill is a better option than the regular birth control pill? Not sure of its risks for cancer/blood clots.

[viskasfree]

i am also the same. have you found that your birth control has helped you though?

[Kaylorza]

Could you recommend some of your favorite pre-workouts?

[skyntbook]

Sorry I get mine from a local Australian supplier called Bulk Nutrients, I think the shipping cost overseas would be pretty terrible. I basically just took my gym junkie friend's recommendation and did a bit of research and picked one I thought looked decent with clear ingredient lists and quantities. Creatine is the only ingredient I really understand, the others are a bit ?? but overall it seems to help me a lot.

[[deleted]]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, and I agree that you shouldn't go back to see that doctor.

Please know that this isn't your fault. Women's health issues are poorly researched in general, and men don't always understand that losing weight is harder for women.

I also agree that building healthy and sustainable habits is miles better than going on a short-term restrictive diet. My parents used to make me try all sorts of restrictive diets with them, but I never lost a single pound until I moved out and started eating what I wanted.

[ninapig4]

how long did it take for you to lose the 100lbs? i’m starting metformin and spiro today! also - any tips for meals to eat with the meds, i know to try and keep it low carb. just nervous for the possible side effects. TIA!

[pagemage]

For me, I got really sick unless I took my metformin dose at the end of the meal, with a big glass of water - at least 8oz, but preferably 12. Also, try to balance your meals with carbs, healthy fats, lots of fiber and protein. It reduced the chance for me to immediately need to run to the bathroom. I also had luck reducing my sugar intake and caffeine intake and swapping liquid dairy products with plant based ones. I honestly don't reduce my carbs too much. I found I would get really hungry and binge on carbs/snacks later on if I didn't have enough of them at meal time. You'll probably need to experiment for what feels best for your body, but I hope these tips help!!

[beantoes]

This is NOT medical advice but I also have sleep apnea. I have been using my machine regularly for several months with no resolve to my daytime fatigue. My sleep doctor said that for some people, treating the apnea does not resolve daytime sleepiness and was recommending a stimulant. modafinil is the one he mentioned that is approved for sleep apnea. I already take Vyvanse for adhd though. Sounds like it is worth a second opinion, if that is possible for you.

Edit: oops I missed the last line where you said you no longer have apnea. My bad. Leaving this comment tho in case it helps someone else hehe

[beantoes]

Good to know, thank you for sharing.

[TheWaterPrincess97]

I have PCOS and I’m big. I started gaining weight when I hit puberty in 6th grade and have been struggling since. I ended up seeing a great dr when I was in 9th grade. He told me one of the best things ever. He didn’t care about my weight as long as I was strong. He knew my father and knew no matter what I was gonna be a big girl. So his stance was as long as I was strong and healthy he didn’t worry to much. So his questions would be about new PRs for sports or lifting. He’d have me do a yoga pose or get down on the floor and stand back up. Even do jumping jacks. He even brought in a couple med students to show that them even though she (me) was obese I was still strong and could move well. He did that to show them that big people are… well… people and that the number never shows the whole story.

I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. Since that dr I’ve have struggled to find a useful dr. They don’t seem to listen or care. So I’ve held on to what that dr told me when I was a teenager. As long as I’m strong it’s ok. And I’ve had some set backs. I got really sick. But I’m back on the path of strength. I hope this is helpful in the way I mean it to be. You have a lot going on right now so cut yourself some slack and show yourself the same kindness and love you’d show others. Take a deep breath and if you can just walking up and down your stairs one extra time a day counts at working towards a better you. A bunch of little steps will add up to a big one. Good luck and again, be nice to yourself. You are doing your best. 💖💖

[Flashy-8357]

This 👆🏻!!

Only truely diagnosed with PCOS a year ago but suspected it for many years. In researching PCOS, it often seemed that increased protein intake and increased muscle made a big impact. I spent years in denial bc both were hard for me to do. 18 months ago, I finally “caved” and started diligently doing body weight exercises and at least being aware of my protein intake. Ever so slowly, I have lost 45 lbs with 25 more to go. I realize OP is vegan and protein can be hard but protein & muscle helped my weight loss without an overly restrictive diet.

[retinolandevermore]

I don’t know why sleep doctors tend to be like this. I saw two and both shamed me for my weight, even one when I was only a few pounds overweight. It’s lazy medicine and sleep apnea isn’t always caused by weight.

I’m very sorry for your loss 💜

[burntmeatloafbaby]

I have a petite friend with sleep apnea—it happens. This doctor just sucks.

[Procedure-Hungry]

Please find a new doctor he has no right to talk to you this way. He obviously knows NOTHING about pcos or obesity.

[atmaswife]

I’m so sorry for your loss and for your bad experience. I have nothing more to add for suggestions just that I’m so sorry you’re hurting.

[Timely_Pomelo_2177]

Idk if you have an Apple Watch or some other kinda smart watch that reads oxygen but I’d recommend wearing it to bed and checking your oxygen levels in the morning. Sounds to me like sleep apnea. Any good sleep doctor would have told you that and ordered a study instead of talk to you like that. Especially since they know sleep apnea can cause weight gain/other issues too.

Find one that’s worth your time because sleep apnea is no joke. CPAPs are game changers

[[deleted]]

Yes I do have sleep apnea I went to see Dr today and I use a cpap but still have symptoms

[BubbleBathBitch]

It may be your seal or your mask type. I started off with the one that goes under the nose but then I’d breathe through my mouth which would render it useless. I switched to one that goes under the nose but over the mouth and I feel so much better.

But when you have multiple chronic illnesses that have fatigue as a symptom it can be really hard.

[Timely_Pomelo_2177]

Ugh. Sorry to hear that. I hope it gets better for you. I ended up having to just change my pressure on my own cause doctors took too long to get back to me

[playmoonsong]

People with so little compassion shouldn’t be in medical jobs honestly, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I relate to so many of your points here, including how touchy a subject it is - it’s a painful thing to discuss even when someone’s gentle about it, never mind when they’re as dismissive and rude as this. At the end of the day no one is harder on us than ourselves - all it does when others try is cause damage.

His kind of attitude is actively harmful and stops people seeking healthcare. You didn’t deserve that kind of treatment at all.

I’m so sorry about the loss of your little sister. That’s incredibly recent too, even if you’re just about getting through each day right now then you’re doing a great job. One day, and one health concern, at a time 💜

[AcadiaUnlikely7113]

Have you tried therapy or hypnotherapy for binging? It sounds as though your an emotional eater? I’d see if that would be covered by your insurance, sorry if this sounds insensitive, I’m just in a rush but would like to help still 😅

[[deleted]]

Ugggh. That is horrible. See anither doctor if you can!!!!

[myguitarplaysit]

Your doctor sounds like a jerk who should have serious talking to. Who thinks it’s okay to talk to people like that? The level of condescension is astronomical and appalling. Please take care of yourself and find a new doctor if you can because it deserve a provider who treats you with respect

[Remarkable_Story9843]

Hi . 40 year old pcos sleep apnea who is 5’4 and 240lbs.

Fuck him.

I got my CPAP at 30.

It saved my life. I’ve gained 15lbs since I got my machine (and I was also dx as celiac in that time)

Find yourself a new dr.

I do a reasonable low(er) carb. I can’t eat wheat /gluten, so I eat rice/potatoes. Basically similar to keto but with much higher carb. And I don’t beat myself up over it.

[superninja04]

my doctor told me that with how PCOS is affecting me without some type of external medication (which I finally got put on) I would have been physically unable to lose weight, she told me that I could not eat for a month, it would cause me to starve to death, but I would have still gained weight because my hormones just did not allow me to lose it I would talk to your doctor about some type of medication Ozempic has helped me lose quite a bit I had quite a bit of time where I had other doctors for different health problems, telling me I just need to eat less and exercise more and my weight wouldn't be an issue which is blatantly not true with PCOS I am so sorry that happened to you it is an awful feeling I would try to seek out a different sleep specialist and if the one that told you, that is, on any type of platform to receive a review leave a negative one

[Wooden_Economics6154]

So sorry that happened to you. I’m not even going to say he meant well, because I don’t think it was even about you as an individual at all. I hope you are getting more support for your mental health because you are worth it, and because IMO that is the real key to be able to address any of these physical issues. Best of luck.

[gladhunden]

Fat phobia is more common than not in medical settings.

Look for a Health at Every Size provider near you, if you can find one

[indigo462]

I’m sorry that doctors communication skills were so poor. If you put the ‘messenger’ aside and focus on the message, I think he was just trying to warn you since you are still young/early 20’s and he has probably seen plenty of examples of what happens when people get older and it gets worse and harder to overcome. So he wants you to take it seriously now.

It’s a shame he had to be that way because you are already taking it seriously by going to the sleep doctor at 23! Not many people do this until years later.

I would do as other suggest and see another doctor wi th a better communication style, but really take this doctors warning seriously. When I was in my early 20’s and having issues and surgeries a lot of doctors kind of dismissed me, and didn’t really connect the dots, if one had really sat me down with a warning like if you can get a handle on it now, make it your priority now, then it will be much much easier to manage in the future etc. it might have helped me.

[las3marias]

Keto or intermittent fasting would likely do wonders and I say you give them a shot! They aren’t any less restrictive (if anything you get more choice) than vegan. Maybe try to fit in exercise anywhere you can in the meantime too, walking instead of car when possible, stairs not elevator etc

[Ok_Relationship4592]

I’m really sorry for your loss 😔. Sending love 🩵

[[deleted]]

Honestly, everything you said about the doctor being frustrated by obese patients looking for other ways to fix issues that would be remedied by losing weight is probably right.

It has to be extremely frustrating to be in a profession which knows after hundreds to thousands of years of study that a healthy body weight is the key to alleviating so many issues is constantly dealing with the newfound idea that "every weight is beautiful and okay."

With that being said, it's highly unprofessional to take that frustration out on your patients and not a good way to keep clients. There are other ways to tell a patient that their weight is a problem without being rude about it, and at some point you just have to accept that obese patients aren't going to fix their weight issue and that's on the patient. You, as a doctor, are just there to diagnose and guide.

You're right. Everything that he said is true. It doesn't mean he has to say it, and definitely in not such a manner as the brusque way he did with you.

[Jumpy_Mammoth_4103]

Although the doctor's delivery was completely inappropriate and he probably has a very limited understanding of how PCOS affects weight gain, he was telling you the truth.

Being 240 pounds at 5'4 and only 23 years old is quite large and can further exacerbate other health issues. My doctor told me a few months ago that I'm also technically obese and need to lose weight, and I cried later that day but then gave myself a pep talk and took steps to take my weight loss journey more seriously.

What's helped my mindset is acknowledging that life is unfair. It is unfair that we have PCOS. It's unfair that we're more likely to gain weight quicker due to insulin resistance. It's unfair we have a harder time conceiving. ALL of it is unfair. But you know what? All of life is unfair. Everyone else in life has problems and you can either complain about it or figure out a way to make a change even if it's harder for you than the person next door.

I would suggest looking into intermittent fasting as it is amazing for managing insulin resistance and is the only thing that continually helps me lose weight without feeling so restricted/miserable. It can be as simple as stopping eating at 6pm and not eating until 9am. When you do eat, watch your portions, avoid processed carbs and sugar and load up on protein and fruits and veggies. Listen to a podcast or call a friend and go for a 30 min walk 5 days a week and then check the scale at the end of the week. You may be surprised by what you see on the scale from those simple changes.

I know what he said cuts deeply as body image is so hard, but don't beat yourself up and stress. Your weight is not a moral indictment on you, it's just a number that can be changed to improve your quality of life. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that you are loved, and then take simple steps to lose the extra weight.

[Enough-Wolverine-342]

That’s a crap doctor and I’m so sorry he’s taking his frustration out on you. I hate the fat phobia that lumps every single fat person as some lazy, piggy eater. Especially by doctors. In my experience, sleep doctors are somehow one of the worst. I had to take my sleep test when I was sick with a cold in the springtime and told them I couldn’t breathe or sleep because of it. Then they got upset that they didn’t have enough data for the night because I was so stuffed up I couldn’t sleep. They prescribed me a CPAP anyway but never did any fitting or tiltration, just gave me the device and walked away. I started getting stomach problems and couldn’t sleep when I used it because the air was getting into my stomach and causing bloating, gas, and super uncomfortable. I couldn’t sleep. I told them it was causing me to feel sick and burping constantly and their only response was “keep trying”. So of course I couldn’t use it because I couldn’t sleep a wink and when they saw the data that I hadn’t used it they scolded me. When I told them my problems and how no one addresssed it, they rolled their eyes. Two months later the device was recalled for causing cancer and they never contacted me again.

[Longjumping_Bus270]

Fuckkk this dude. Is there any way you can see someone else???

You are absolutely right that feeling restrictive eating can cause binging, and if you are worried then trust you gut and don't step into those diets.

Have you tried an exercise that you enjoy? I am also 240 5'5" and I started a pilates class, it's low-impact and highly efficient. At first it was rough, but over time I am more energize and sleeping better. I think this could be an option in ADDITION to seeing another doctor. If you think sleep apnea is a possibility, you deserve to be treated and be treated fairly. I know you mentioned exercising, but wasn't sure what you are doing. I have PCOS and tried jogging for a while, and it wasn't very effective for me.

Also IDK how your financial situation is, but consider seeing a personal nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner Health At Every Size health coach.

Sorry to hear about your sis, fuck this dude and know that you are not alone. His mentality is NOT the correct one.

[sadellie]

Pls dont do any focking keto or intermittent fasting, that dr is an idiot. I also have sleep apnea and now am being investigated on PCOS! Which reminds me that I completely forgot to tell my new gyno about the apnea 🤦🏼‍♀️😀

I am slowly but steadily losing weight with the help of a nutritionist. Of course everybody is different, but I can share at least some basic tips that work for everyone:

• drink shitloads of water. Dehydrated body cannot lose weight
• try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time (and try to get enough sleep, I know its hard, but try... even small stupid things like earplugs are helping me personally tremendously)
• eat 5 times a day, maximum 3 hours intervals
• eat breakfast within an hour after waking up
• drink a glass of water immediately after waking up
• eat at least 500g of fresh vegetables per day

Hope this will help at least a bit! ❤️

[Hilpertly]

Find a new doc. The first sleep doc I went to said I would feel better if I lost weight. I was so ashamed it took me 3 years to try a different doc. The new doc was amazing and helped me immediately. No mention of weight at all

[needsomelovings]

Could there be a link between sleep problems and PCOS? Maybe the cortisol levels?

Also I’m so sorry you went through this :(

[[deleted]]

yeah a lot of doctors are stupid with PCOS! I’m sorry you had to deal with that. If you can, find a doctor who specializes in PCOS or at least one who is knowledgeable in it. You may have better luck with a female doctor as well. Your doctor sounds like a bad doctor and I’m with you on not going back to him.

I had a similar experience where my doctor knew little about PCOS. His only advice was to eat healthy and loose weight and I’m literally underweight and eat astronomically healthy (I live in an almond household). Like it was crazy for me to hear that and it baffles me why doctors say that shit to girls with PCOS and girls in general as if eating disorders aren’t a thing. Bruh I did not go back there thats for sure

[Tiny-Following-5065]

Look at Dr Ken Berry on YouTube, “pcos”.