PCOS/MCOS No More!

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Comment by Michaela Kuhn on May 11, 2012 at 5:57am

Hey Ladies,

I found this group on accident. I didn't have had my period when I was almost 17. So I went to the doctor. In the next 4 month I had cysts removed two times and tumors also. After that I got the birth control pill. Nobody ever told me a name for this. My doc just told me it would be better to loose weight. I still have noticable bigger cysts in my cicles sometimes. But I got rid of the birth controll pill 1,5 years ago (thanks to my new understanding gynecologist) . And still get my cycle almost regularly. It still makes me cry thinking about this. When there was a noticeable cysts again last summer, I decided to become a vegan, because I thought: I have mommy problems, maybe I shouldn't have other mommy's milk and eggs (I was already a vegetarian for 4 years).

Love to all of you xo

I share this joy for getting the period ;)

Comment by partakati on May 9, 2012 at 8:35pm

Hey everyone, I am new to 30BaD and I actually joined this website to be able to join this group. I've been diagnosed with PCOS from ultrasound with 12 cysts instead of the normal 4-5 and also from blood work. The condition arose when I tried to quit my birth control pills January 2011, wanting to be more natural and get rid of the mood swings pills cause. After quitting I was feeling great, but a couple of months later I started to notice that my hair had gotten half thinner and my face begun to fill up with acne (I was put on birth control when I was 16 due to acne. Now thinking, I had all the signs of PCOS back then, excess facial hair, thinning hair, acne, sudden weight gain but of course doctors think all girls should be put on birth control without actually diagnosing them..)

 

I saw a gynecologist who diagnosed me and said I need to go back on birth control, so I did. Hair stopped falling out and my face cleared up, but I really do not want to be on birth control anymore. However, I'm way too scared to stop because I already have scalp showing through my hair if I don't blow dry and use products, which is devastating for me. About 3 months ago I made an appointment with a woman who is specialized in womens hair loss and alopecia, and she sold me a bunch of expensive products to help re-grow my hair. I've been using them and I can see some new growth but I don't know whether it is due to the products, birth control or something else.

 

Well anyways, sorry for the long post, I just thought to share my story and maybe someone has similar experiences or helpful advice! I am glad to hear that people on this group are having their periods without the help of medication, it gives me a lot of hope!

Comment by Hylas on May 5, 2012 at 8:55am

Hi all, just discovered this group and am happy to see it here. I was PCOS "diagnosed" after having a 9 cm cyst removed from an ovary about two years ago.

Ugh. I'm currently having my period (REALLY heavily and uncomfortably, pain and swelling in the ovary that gets the cysts) for the second time in a month. I typically don't get it at all since going hcrv, but have had a bit more fat in my diet in the past couple of months than usual. I tend to find that there is a direct link between my symptoms and how much fat I consume. I hadn't had my period in about six months until recently (though I do still ovulate) but am happy not to; I hope to "lose" my period again in the future if it's really as healthful as general consensus here makes it out to be.

For the past week my skin has been quite fine (aside from purple scarring) for the first time in sixish months, during which I've had horrendous cystic acne that I can do nothing about. I'd chalked it up to detox but am now thinking it has more to do with hormonal issues. In other words, I'm not sure what's going on... awful period for the second time in a month, good skin, middling/high fat.

I'm giving up overts for a while and hope this will mean my improved skin continues? I will go to the doctor to be sure I don't have a significant cyst but don't want any of their intervention otherwise.

Comment by L on March 23, 2012 at 2:39am

YES! Congratulations, RAWberry! :) It seems like we are progressing as a group! I got my period March 15, too. We got out period the same day, that is awesome.

I can't wait for all of us to get our periods (haha, I know other ladies who regularly get their period would be so confused when reading this statement. Most women abhor their period, and here we are celebrating that we are getting them!)

Comment by RAWberry on March 22, 2012 at 4:04pm

Guess what ladies!!! I got my period on March 15th :)

Comment by L on March 8, 2012 at 4:50pm

Hey all,

I have honestly recently fallen off the wagon hardcore. And the funny thing is, after incorporating low-fat cooked veggie options like brown rice, yucca, etc.... I feel a period coming along.

I also think vegetables are very important, as well as eating lower GI fruits. Thus, I agree with Soph K., perhaps we should focus on lower GI foods and add some extra vegetables. We may be sensitive to blended bananas and dates, although I personally don't think I am as sensitive as I used to be. My facial hair isn't as stubby any more. In fact, it has gotten lighter in color and softer to the touch. Hormonal problems take time to resolve. At the moment, I am eating mostly fruit throughout the week, with cooked vegan dinners 2x a week. However, this is just pure experimentation and my attempt to lessen/ wean off salt and gourmet raw. I think adding salt and occasional oils definitely negatively impact PCOS. After all, we have insulin resistance issues! I am feeling so much better this way, gosh. Less moody and depressed for sure!

When I think back to when I have had my period or to when my period was regular, I recall that I have eaten a lot of fruits AND vegetables at the time. Lots of varieties of fruits and tons of salads and veggie juices, particularly green juices and beet/carrot combos. The first time I had my cycle naturally, I was taking a natural whole foods women's B-complex. There is a lot of vitamin B's in bananas and leafy greens. Interesting right? I also took a D supplement and/or experienced LOADS of sun. My cycle sorta stopped coming in December (when the sun was practically nonexistent), and all throughout winter, I had either a light or nonexistent cycle. So, my conclusions are that B vitamins and vitamin D play a crucial role in PCOS. I also noticed that when I exercise more in combination to the previously mentioned, even if it is just 30 minutes 3-4x a week (ex. jog/run/sprint to and from class), I also start feeling like I am getting a period coming along. This is from years of really experimenting and paying attention to my body, ladies. This is so fascinating!

If any of you ladies are transitioning, I suggest WHOLE FOODS over HIGHLY REFINED ANYTHING. The refined stuff is going to make you retain water, make your blood sugar crazy, and consequently make you moody because we are particularly sensitive! Not good, right? I believe carving up is essential to great moods, but if you are going to carb up, carb up with WHOLE FOODS that are minimally processed and refined. I cannot stress that enough.

Example: brown rice over white rice.
Example 2: Sweet potato over white crackers.

Finally, I suggest yucca (around 330 calories per cup) and sweet potatoes (around 200ish cals/cup) over potatoes (around 130/cup). I feel like yucca and sweet potatoes are not only more filling, but also way more nutritious and have a lower glycemic index than potatoes. I feel especially crappy when eating potatoes. It is very peculiar.

Hope this helps on your journey. I have very little doubt in my mind that high fruits and veggies cause  regulation of hormones, even if you fall off the wagon sometimes. Also, don't stress so much about food. Extra stress means more negative emotions and our bodies being more of a hormonal mess!! I wonder if stressing over doing 811 perfectly has cause the opposite reaction to what I wanted for my body, because now when I eat an occasional meal, I feel less stressed. I am no way advertising this, it is just something I ponder, as I have always been quite the perfectionist, to the detriment of my own body and health.

-Lyanne

P.S. I have not experimented with Lugol's... not sure if I want to just yet. I am going to continue with what I am doing now, plus add some more umph to my exercise and see where it takes me. 

Comment by L on February 24, 2012 at 11:21am

Well, only one way to find out! I am going to be the guinea pig and experiment with extra iodine consumption and see if I can get Lugol's. B12 has helped, D3 has helped, now it's time to test the iodine/iodide. In the meantime, before I purchase Lugol's, I am going to add in kelp granules, dulse flakes, etc, and reduce, and if possible eliminate, foods with goitrogens (broccoli, cauliflower, cruciferous, etc.) Doesn't hurt to try! http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47 And in terms of meds, no way! Wouldn't do that. I am so anti-medication, unless it's a life-or-death situation. I know for sure my thyroid is off, which is why I am going to experiment with more iodine and Lugol''s. I would, of course, advise others to check how their thyroid's doing.

P.S. There's been many conversations on this forum of iodine supplementation, most especially Lugol's. Check 'em out.

Comment by L on February 24, 2012 at 4:33am

OMG, ladies! READ THIS. This may be leading to answers we have long sought, besides implementing a low fat, high-carb vegan diet of course.

I have always known that my thyroid was producing less hormones than it should be, but I didn't pay too much mind to it. My face is also slightly moon-shaped, and most of my weight (as with many who have hormonal issues) is held in my lower abdominal and thighs area, even though I am losing weight in other parts of my body. Hello, I may have a thyroid issue!! SILLY ME. THIS MAY BE YOU, TOO.

“Iodine deficiency may cause the ovaries to develop cysts , nodules and scar tissue. At its worse this ovarian pathology is very similar to that of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). As of the writing of this article I have five PCOS patients. The patients have successfully been brought under control with the use of 50 mg of iodine per day. Control with these patients meaning cysts are gone, periods every 28 days and type 2 diabetes mellitus under control”

http://pcosinfo.com/iodine-deficiency/ 

 

I just heard of Dr. Brownstein and his talks on iodine. I have not paid attention to any of this until recently. Flouride, chloride, etc. apparently competes with iodine. Funny thing is, I have always craved seaweeds/vegan sushi, potatoes, beans, and mushrooms. NOW I KNOW WHY. Pay attention to your cravings, ladies. 


Look at these foods high in iodine (ignore the non-vegan items).

What a revelation. No wonder LFRV works so well for us! Lettuce, bananas, and strawberries are good sources of iodine. It also makes sense why I love carrot juice so much and why my periods may have become slightly irregular again after I stopped the carrot juicing. MY BODY IS CRAVING IODINEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! AHHH, can you tell how ecstatic I am?!

I just devoured the seaweed packet I had (LOL) and sprinkled tons the dulse/kelp/nori flakes I had *seaweed is not supported on this site*. Mind you, I bought the flakes this past summer and ignored what the bottle said about Dr. Brownstein's talks and recommendations on iodine. After consuming it, the crazy knot-feeling under my throat along with excessive thirst has calmed down a bit. Crazy, huh?

 http://www.iodine-resource.com/foods-high-in-iodine.html

I am off to experiment with Lugol's solution. Hope this helps! :)

-Lyanne 

Comment by Rose von Vegan on February 12, 2012 at 2:11am

Hi all. I ought to say hi. I had multicystic ovarian syndrome, a closely-related syndrome that is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood as the more common PCOS. With this in mind, I thought I ought to repeat my experiences here. They can also be found here: http://www.inspirawtion.com/Rose-Newell.html

When I was 20 I "had to" have an operation to remove an orange-sized cyst on my ovary resulting from a very rare, little-known and under-acknowledged condition connected with excessive oestrogen, known as "multicystic ovarian syndrome" (MCOS) - commonly confused with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which also results in cysts.

I have heard of other women finding their PCOS, which is connected with excessive testosterone and additional symptoms include low fertility, weight gain and excessive hair growth, has been cured by the High Carb Raw Vegan diet.

My condition, whilst similar on the cysts and weight gain, differs in that my cysts would always be blood-filled, I am "hyper-fertile", have less body hair, but I have suffered from terrible mood swings. On a high carb raw vegan diet, these symptoms have completely disappeared.

When I was 15 and vegetarian, my periods were incredibly painful and would last up to 10 days, as a vegan they went on 6-8 days, and now they are usually over in 1 and a half days and pain-free.

Comment by Lotusblossom on January 26, 2012 at 4:32am

Hi everyone~

I wanted to introduce myself. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant with my first son. I ended up getting a second opinion from an endocronologist who did not think I had PCOS, but an overactive adrenal gland which was causing my androgen level to be too high.

I thought I would join this group anyway, since I still have some of the same symptoms as someone with PCOS (thinning hair, increased facial hair, oily skin, infrequent and irregular periods, no ovulation, etc.) I am also tired most of the time, which I think must be because of the problem with the adrenals.

After the initial diagnosis I went raw vegan for about 6 months. I had great results. All of my symptoms went away, except ovulation didn't return. I ended up falling of the wagon but I am looking forward to trying again and feeling like I did when I was raw. This is my first time trying a low fat raw vegan diet, as before when I was raw I ended up falling back on a lot of fats and eventually back to a cooked vegetarian diet. Hoping that a low fat raw vegan diet will help me sustain a raw diet and reclaim my health!

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