12 year Dx of PCOS met the "Perfect Storm" of health

by Melissa
(Seattle)

My husband and I married young (I was 19 and he was 22) and I was only on birth control for the first year of our marriage. After stopping the pill in May 1999, my periods became very irregular (3 months between) and I met with my doctor in January 2000 to discuss my concerns regarding not being able to get pregnant (due to lack of regularity) and my 30 pound weight gain in the same period of time. My doctor assured me it was “normal” to take some time and told me to come back after I had my next period – so I returned in August 2000, another 20 lbs heavier. It was at that time, at 21 years old, that I was diagnosed with PCOS.

I tried Metformin for a few years (nasty stuff), then I tried losing weight by reducing carbs, taking my basal temperature everyday, etc, but nothing helped or produced any results and I became bitterly depressed. So I decided “if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t” but couldn’t take the daily stress of my efforts as being baby-focused. It was too exhausting mentally!

This last December, after my 33rd birthday (and after nearly 14 years of marriage) I cried as my newly-married younger sister shared her exciting news she was expecting before her first anniversary. So I decided to make a change to my life for myself. Along with my husband and a friend, I joined Weight Watchers in March 2012, joined a gym in April 2012, and because we were getting healthy, we starting doing 5Ks each month. I also started regularly taking prenatal vitamins, and added Vitamin D and NAC and B Vitamin supplements. After watching Forks Over Knives I stopped eating meat or dairy, and my husband and I quit drinking soda. In January 2012 I had my tonsils removed (ongoing problem for me), and since I had met my deductible, in April 2012 I decided to start getting routine chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. Around my 3rd month in Weight Watchers, I reached my 10% weight loss goal, dropping from 231 to 208, and ultimately reached 201 lbs before one random day a few weeks ago when I realized I was ovulating.

I confirmed pregnancy yesterday (my first ever!!!) with an at home test, but had enough signs already that I knew it was true before I saw the double-lines.

I’m still in a bit of a daze and expect to “wake up” from my dream any minute. But, if all keep on track, I am due March 13, 2013, just a few months after my 34th birthday.

For anyone else out there struggling as I did (spending nights crying when friends share their happy news), get to a place in your life you can get healthy for yourself and the other stuff will follow in its own time!

This website and newsletter has been an amazing resource for me! Without it, I wouldn’t have done so many of the things that led to the "Perfect Storm" of health I needed to be able to get pregnant. Thank you so much!!

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