2 year endocrinologist update!

Last week I went to my endocrinologist for my 2 year check up! I was seriously excited to go because I was proud to show off all the changes I had made.

I am in no way-shape-or form a doctor. This post is based solely on what my Endocrinologist and myself discussed. If you have health related questions please contact your own doctor. 

 

I am so proud of the woman I was...she started this journey.

I am so proud of the woman I am now...because I have been changing my life for over 2 years.

I am sure I will be proud of the woman I will become...because, well, I can't imagine my life any other way!

**January 2012 - Initial Endocrinologist Results**
Weight ~ 213 lbs
BMI ~ 38%
Hemoglobin A1c ~ 5.9 {normal range according to my Endo is 4.0 - 6.0}

**January 2012 - 2 year Endocrinologist Results**
Weight: 143 lbs
BMI: 24%
Hemoglobin A1c ~ 4.6 after 22 months on Metformin

July 2011

October 2012

July 2011

November 2012

 

When I first got my results back from the endocrinologist I was considered insulin resistant, they thought I had something wrong with my adrenal glands {turns out I'd just recently had a cortisone shot and sent my levels through the roof}, my Vitamin D level was 17.6 L2 {normal range 30.0-150.0}, and I was just in overall poor health.

 

My first tipping point was a Halloween party...but my boulder that catapulted me off the seesaw was getting my lab results back! It really shocked my system. I KNEW I was overweight, I KNEW I was unhealthy & unhappy but until those numbers were on the paper I didn't realize how bad it was. Nothing to me, at that point, was as scary as hearing that if I kept on the path I was I would have diabetes in a year. My endocrinologist was very blunt with me and for that I will be forever grateful. She was the FIRST doctor to tell me I was overweight and needed to change. Looking back that fact still shocks me.

 

Over the course of the last 22 months I did go on a few different medications that I believed help me. I started 500mg extended release Metformin in February/March 2012 and stopped one week ago. I have a follow up appointment in July 2014 to see how 6 months off of Metformin goes and I am so excited to see if the hard work I put in pays off. I admit it, I am nervous to go off the Metformin because I feel like it did help me get to me a little "looser" with my carbs because of my PCOS. But I am ready for the challenge of eating what I know my pancreas can handle. My goal is to only eat carbs at 2/3 meals in my day.

 

I am still taking Vitamin D {I mean, I like in Washington State so I feel like I'd need that anyways}, Singular, and birth control. Totally normal and totally unrelated to PCOS meds!

 

Fingers crossed {that my levels stay low}!!!

{30 thoughts} PCOS & dairy

Over a year ago my PCOS specialist told me to eliminate dairy. Yeah right...I thought. I think I might have even said it. Then, one month last fall, I tried it. And I didn't get a zit all month. I HAD to have been a coincidence I thought. So I started consuming dairy again and BAM! zits galore! What's even crazier is that depending on what type of dairy I eat as to where my acne pops up. Milk = head/hair. Cheese = chin/cheeks. I don't eat yogurt so I don't really know about that one!

Now, I still do have cheese, just now it is only a few times a week and my body kind of seems to be able to process is it without going into overdrive! I am not a doctor so I don't quite understand how this all works but I have read some good articles on it...


{SOURCE}

Will Eliminating Dairy Improve My PCOS Skin Concerns?

It has been proven in clinical studies that dairy contributes to PCOS acne. Put your World perspective lenses back on and look at how acne, a common PCOS symptom, affects the rest of the world. You will find that in less modern and wealthy countries with diets either low or dairy free, acne is non existent.
Dairy consumption spikes male sex hormones, androgens and testosterone, which are responsible for the hormonal production of acne. These anabolic hormones in addition to IGF-1 (remember that ugly hormone from earlier?) literally stimulate your skin to produce skin blemishes. In studies (6) it has been proven that dairy is associated with acne because of the presence of hormones.
BOTTOM LINE: Dairy is a major factor in eliminating PCOS skin issues. Ridding dairy from your diet will reduce the anabolic male sex hormones that are responsible for the hormonal production of acne. 


I am definitely a bit saddened by this outcome but I am willing to accept it most of the time because it just makes life easier! When I do eat cheese you can be certain that it is going to be the best!! I don't order it on salads and I use Feta sparingly on my salads. Barre3 nutrition director Jennifer Currtis said it best when she said "Use it like a spice". I will forever remember that!

I've seen others, specifically my friend Chelsea, in the PCOS community had success with eliminating or cutting back on dairy so it definitely works for some of us Cysters!! Looking back I ate macaroni & cheese at least two times per week...no wonder I always had acne!

**11/6/13**
I found THIS website that really explains it in easy to understand terms why cheese is so addictive and so not good for some people.

I truly hope this helps some of you out there who might have PCOS and be struggling with acne!

Fingers crossed {I don't go cheese crazy once we open the Cougar Gold}...

{30 thoughts} what is PCOS?

PCOS (poly cycstic ovarian syndrome) is a endocrine disorder that causes all sorts of lovely things- insulin resistance/diabetes, weight gain, problems ovulating & infertility, heart disease, thinning hair, acne, etc. 

It affects 1 out of 10 women.

It is incurable but manageable.

Here are some great resources for PCOS...

 

PCOSAA

 

Power Up for PCOS

 

1 in 10

 

Here are some of the books I started reading when I begun this journey...

 

The PCOS Workbook

 

The PCOS Diet Plan

 

This is just a {very} brief overview. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions!

Fingers crossed {awareness for PCOS grows}...

over the rainbow...

As this blog title suggests, I love rainbows.

It all started with my Mom. She also loves rainbows.

Rainbows are defined as a phenomenon. They are special, unordinary, and often come when unexpected. Sometimes you just a piece of one, other times you get a full rainbow. If you're really lucky, you'll get a double rainbow!! Someday I hope to see a circular rainbow which are only able to be seen while skydiving {it's on my life list}!

To me, rainbows seems to come at very important days in my life. Here's a few from the last few years {in no particular order}...

Vancouver, WA. 2010

This rainbow I saw after Jason and I were at dinner up by the mall. We had gone out to dinner to discuss the future. We'll leave it at that ;-)

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Oahu, Hawaii. 2007.

 

This was the first vacation Jason had gone on with my family, we were just dating at the time. We had just spent the day with my parents, snorkeling.

 

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Vancouver, WA. January 2011.

 

I saw this rainbow after walking out of the ultrasound to confirm my PCOS. I was already terrified and anxious and sad but then I walked out and saw this tiny part of a rainbow and I felt better.

 

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Washougal, WA. 2013

 

I saw this rainbow on the day I decided to switch schools within my school district.

 

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Portland, OR. June 2013.

 

We saw this gorgeous full rainbow after a dinner where we were celebrating me losing 70 pounds, Jason's job moving to Vancouver, and another future family talk.

 

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Portland, OR. June 2013.

 

I saw this beauty while driving home from a "secret" barre3 meeting. I've been mentoring a group of women for 8 weeks who are new to barre3 and who are following a plan {more to come soon}. I was asked to give them inspiration, tips, and support as they followed the plan. It was SO powerful and so much fun. I even had a few friends in the group so that made it all the better!!!

 

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Rainbows are my peace. I see one and I get giddy, happy, and clam all at once. They make me smile, pull over to take pictures, and crave them even more. I always am on the look out when I see rain & sun...aren't you?!?!

 

Fingers crossed {that there are more rainbows in my future}...

minus 70 (yes, seventy) pounds!!!

That's still shocking to see, write, hear, and say!!!

70 pounds is two cat litter tubs from Costco

After kind of just easily losing the range from 60-65 pounds...I had to work at getting to that -70 pounds! While I didn't change anything about my diet I did amp up my workout routine as my shoulder surgery draws nearer...and I think I kept adding muscle (which weights more). At least, that is what I am believing.

I feel very lucky that I have PCOS and I have been able to lose 70 pounds. I know many of my cysters aren't as lucky!

-70 pounds in 80 weeks!!!

left: September 2011

right: May 2013

I don't quite know what my trick's have been. I've cut back on carbs, portions, and sitting on the couch. I've increased exercise, greens/fruits/veggies, and my knowledge.

I have really learned how to set myself up for success in many areas of my life...

working out...finding what you love.
I found my one true exercise love - barre3. There is almost nothing I love more than barre3. It calms me and my ADHD brain down, it tones & shapes my PCOS body, and it lengthens and strengthens my osteoarthritis back & toes. Even with all my idiosyncrasies it is the perfect fit and that, is what I love most. Anyone can do this. I did this when I weighed 220 pounds! My father in law has done barre3! Anyone with anything is welcome and fitted at barre3. I also walk...a LOT! Just at work I walk about 3 or 4 miles a day and I know that thanks to my FitBit and I try to walk 2 - 4 times a week but sometimes this dreary PNW weather gets the best of me.

eating better...knowing how & what to eat.
This has been the other major change I have made. Before being diagnosed with PCOS I was so unaware of the food I was eating. I was treating myself badly by eating way too much of everything I ate. I considered a can of green beans enough veggies. I have learned a lot about what portions truly are and how much of each type of food is recommended. A lot of what I have learned I got from participating in the barre3 28 to Great Challenge. It's core values are that of any nutritionist, portions!! Check in out and give it a whirl. I have that chart from the link taped to my fridge as a daily reminder.

believing in myself...I am beautiful like me.
This was a harder one to come by and something I will be working on for the rest of my life. Being over weight isn't an easy thing to be and I truly didn't love myself in so many ways. I still struggle with ideas/ideals about how my body looks but it's slowly getting easier. Now...my brain wants to go to the "well, you can't gain it all back because you'll be a failure" model and I honestly don't think I'll ever go back to where I was.

setting myself up for success...an organizing life is an easier life.
The night before the next day is a pretty busy time around here. We are usually setting out our workout clothes for the next day, making a plan while grocery shopping, or making lunches. You can follow my lunches feed on Instagram {username anniebelle316}. I like to plan when my "treats" will be and focus on them instead of thinking I need a treat every day. I also don't always save treats for just special occasions. Sometimes getting through the workday, the workout, the craziness of life - that's enough.

18 months later...

 

Fingers crossed {that this isn't the end but yet the continuation}...

one year check up!!

I had my endocrinology appointment a few weeks back and got some rave reviews. My doctor was so proud of me {and I with myself}. With Metformin, my glucose and insulin levels are in the average range!!! My bad cholesterol came down into the average range!! It was just the results I'd been working for, hoping for, and waiting for!!

I've decided to, for now, stay on Metformin. Part of me is really, really nervous to take it away. While it is not a weight loss drug - it is an insulin stabilizer and I feel has to have had some result to me losing weight. Granted - I put a LOT of work into this journey...but I'm still nervous.

I am going to see a Naturopath at the end of this month and maybe then, or soon, I will change to an "all natural" insulin stabelizer. I haven't decided yet. Metformin has been shown to have some good results with ovulation...if we go down that path!

Fingers crossed {that my levels stay in the average range}...

2012...the year that changed my life

Well my blog friends {if is anyone out there reading this little thing anymore} it's been quite the year.

This truly is the year that has changed my life. I started out worried in January and now that it is December I am empowered! I now KNOW that I can do this ~ whatever "this" may be. 12 months ago I did not think I could do anything to change the path I was on....but my view on so many things in life has changed!

In 2012 my goal was to lose weight and inform myself about what PCOS is. I think I've done both fairly well. And you know, I don't want to spend a ton of time diving into the past. I did that a few weekends ago and it was hard to read what I'd written through the year. Or more, really, it was hard to remember what I'd really been thinking when I'd been typing.

But I can tell you this...I plan on 2013 being MY year!!

Fingers crossed...

the definitions of...

 

 

PCOS {Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome}
PCOD {Polycystic Ovarian Disorder}

One of the biggest struggles with PCOS is informing people what it is really about, if we even know ourselves. PCOS is a crazy web of various symptoms that can seem like "normal" symptoms but when added together, they can equal PCOS.

SYMPTOMS OF PCOS            * = symptoms I have

• Infertility*
• Infrequent, absent and/or irregular menstrual periods*
• Hirsutism {increased hair growth on the face*, chest, stomach*, back, thumbs, or toes*}*
• Cysts on the ovaries*
• Acne, oily skin, or dandruff*
• Weight gain or obesity, usually with extra weight around the waist*
• Male pattern baldness or thinning hair
• Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are think and dark brown/black*
• Skin tags - excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck*
• Pelvic pain
• Anxiety or depression*
• Sleep apnea

Growing up, almost all of the symptoms I had were considered "normal". What teenager doesn't get oily skin? Gain weight? Is depressed? The problem is my family, myself, and my doctors did not know that we are looking for anything. So we carried on. We didn't know.

Fast forward.

Part of my goal of writing this blog is to inform others. That's also why I like talking about it. I honestly feel that the more people I inform of PCOS and it's symptoms - the more people I can help. If I write or talk to 5 people and they heard of the symptoms and they think of someone in their lives that could be affected by PCOS and they talk to them - then I have helped.

Fingers crossed {that I can do a good job informing and educating others}

{more} bracelet's of love...

As I said in a previous post I have been wearing a bracelet basically every single day since January 20th, 2012. It's like I have this extra layer of love that I'm wearing. I look down at them and think about people or events that make my happy and that helps lighen my heart!! Well, since my last post I have acquired a few more bracelet's!!! I've linked back to where I bought them or recieved them to help if you're interested in any of them. The first two are each handmade so they could be made to fit any needs - not just PCOS. Enjoy!!!

Shades of Awareness

 

When I got the Shades of Awareness bracelet it was a little but I do have tiny wrists. I had to take a few links out which was easy enough to do. It's a bit more of the "statement" in the fact that it is about 1/4" think so I don't wear it as often as some of the others but I love it none-the-less.

 

Sherri Haab Designs

 

I had this PCOS bracelet specially made for me :) The woman who made it was very efficient. The only thing about it now {3 months later} is it is really stretched out and doesn't quite fit...I'm debating seeing if she could just remake the corded part...

 

Tiffany & Co.

 

This little beauty I'd been eyeing for well over a year. My husband had gotten multiple emails about it! He finally got the hint and got it for my 29th birthday. It's aquamarine which is both my birthstone and teal is the color of PCOS. Funny coincidence.

 

Stella&Dot {Bauble Bash}

 

This last bracelet was given to me by one of my parents {I'm a teacher}. It is from Stella&Dot and I don't think it is available any more but I really love it. She gave it to me as an end of the year present and it means a lot to me. The link above is to her direct S&D website...go and support her! She is an amazing person!!!

 

Fingers crossed {and bracelet's on}...

my 6 month blood draw results...

I hate getting my blood drawn {like, I've passed out before} but through all the labs and OHSU visits this year...I'm getting used to it, I guess. When I had my 6 month blood draw labs done a week or so ago...I didn't even need to hold a little teddy bear. Big steps, I tell you!!

Myself {and my general doc} were very happy with the results. I haven't heard back from my Endo but I'm guessing she'll be pretty happy too. I saw my Endo about 6 weeks ago and she was very happy with just weight loss. Ha, just the weight loss. Like that was easy ;-)

I have spent the last 8+ months eating right, exercising, and trying my best to head off any disease or illness {diabetes, heart disease}. While there is still a chance I could get them based off the past years of my lifestyle ~ 80% of the time doing everything in my power to help myself. Because I am not a doctor I am not going to go too much in to the "numbers" of all the tests {but I will post mine and what my doc considers "normal"}...but there was one test of concern but all the rest of the main ones we've been watching are within the "normal" range. And for that I am grateful.

Thyroid - Normal Range.
Vitamin D - Now in Normal Range. Went from 17.6ng/mL --> 63ng/mL. The range is 30 - 100 ng/mL. This is GREAT improvement!
Glucose - Low lower within the Normal Range. Went from 96 mg/dL DOWN to 85 mg/dL!!! The range is 65 - 99 mg/dL.
Cholesterol - This is the ones we are focusing on for the next 6 months!!
Total Cholesterol- 180 mg/dL {range 15- 200 mg/dL}
HDL {Good Cholesterol} - 53 mg/dL {range >50 mg/dL in Women}
LDL {Bad Cholesterol} - 99 mg/dL {range for women with Insulin Resistance/Endocrine Syndromes (PCOS) according to my doc is 70 - 80 mg/dL.

The LDL is the one that we are going to be focusing on for the next 6 months. It is known that women with PCOS have a higher risk for heart disease and having high levels of LDL {bad cholesterol} can also lead to heart disease. Those two things together are a cause of concern for me and my health and my doctors. I am going to be going on a very, very low dose of a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). This medicine can be used many ways. For me it will hopefully lower my LDL count which will likely decrease my likely hood of getting any type of heart disease. I will be monitored monthly for the first 2 months and then I'm not sure after that. They monitor me at first to make sure that my body is reacting well {quickly} and that my liver is doing okay. It just requires a few fasting blood draws and a quick 10 minute appointment in 2 months.

When talking to my doctor about options she did say that I could continue with the diet & exercise but since it is a personal goal of mine to have all this *ISH* figured by the time I'm 30 {on 3/16}and I'm obviously not opposed to medications - we decided to go for it. It's such a low does that the side affects should be very minimal.

I've been on Metformin for the past 6 months to help control the insulin resistance that I have. We are going to stay on it for another 6 months. I have my 1 year appointment with my Endo scheduled for January 2013!! Wow. Hard to think that I'll have been {knowingly} battling this for a year in just 5 months.

The only part of me that is really worried about all of this is that hopefully there is going to be a time when I will be off all the " weight/helpful" meds {Metformin, Pravastatin} and what will happen to my body then? I supposed when it is time to go off all the meds hopefully my body will be in the normal range and ready to rock-and-roll medicine-less?!? Will the weight loss continue or maintain depending on what stage I am in when I go off the meds?? Will I gain weight back?? Will I be on some kind of medication forever? I know I will be monitored by an Endocrinologist yearly for the rest of forever. I get physicals AND annuals {did you know there was a difference?!?!?}? I have no doubt that it will all be examined and a thoughtful process and I look forward {hopefully} to a day where I am medince free and managing my PCOS and Insulin Resistance on my own accord.

Fingers crossed.

it is {almost} unbelieveable...

Every few weeks or so I get my measurements done by my personal trainer!! It is a super awesome way to see the results...see below for the proof!!!

The two I am continuously most proud of are the waist and hip measurements. They are, by far, the most noticeable!!! I'm done 6.75 inches in my waist and 6.25 inches in my hips. It is, to me, crazy. I mean...wow. Just think about that. I don't go off these weights because they are almost always in the evenings and I'm clothed with shoes on...but On my weight loss journey I have lost 33.3 pounds since last October. I've decided to switch to calculating by the 220lb number because that was my heaviest and where I started this journey from...crazy. Just crazy.

The first quote I really put up there because PCOS has so many odds stacked against it and since I have PCOS, that means that I do too. But, I am determined to "overcome" them. PCOS is never.ever.ever going to go away. I have had it forever and I will have it forever. I am doing things like ~ losing weight, eating healthy, washing my hair with sulfate free shampoo {to control the oil}, educating myself as to what PCOS and IR really are and many more things.

It's been 2 weeks shy of 5 months since I went in to the endocrinologist and 2 weeks sky of 6 months since I started working out with Amanda. These have been the most telling, trying, tearful, and terrific months of my life. And for that, I am greatful.

and the results are in...

I have PCOS. It is official. I got a letter today in the mail that said {and I quote}...

You do not have late onset CAH. The most conclusive diagnosis is PCOS.

It feels good to know. Now I know what books to buy, what websites to read, and what things to focus on. I still also have Insulin Resistance which is linked but separate to PCOS. Confusing right? ...tell me about it.

There is so much going through my head. I am glad it is not the worse of the two options. I really, really am. There is still lots to think about in regards to PCOS but not nearly as much as if it had been LO CAH.
I don't know what our next step will be. Right now I feel that it should be to get the IR under control, lose more weight, and learn more about this syndrome that I will be battling for the rest of my life. Pregnancy isn't really the number one thing I want anymore, at least right now. I mean, if I got pregnant that would be amazing but I really want to get my head wrapped around everything else.
I just filled out some paperwork to meet with a nutritionist that is also a local yoga instructor. While I don't know if I will work with her regularly {$150 a session is quite a lot} her initial session is free and I can at least get a grasp of what IR is and foods to start watching out for - either good or bad. I'm still also going to explore the options of dieticians through my insurance...we shall see.

Let the fight begin.

Fingers crossed.