Developing Your PCOS Plan of Attack

When facing any medical condition: Education is important!!!! I have learned that doctors won't always share the specifics of your issue with you or take the time to fully educate you in the office. Hey, their day is hectic and there are more patients to see. The best thing that Lew-Ann (my midwife) told me to do, was to go and research it for myself and started me off with some literature to read ... along with her reccommendation for a course of treatment, which in my case was diet and exercise.

That's something that us PCOSers need to learn. We have to be our own advocate and take our course of treatment on for ourselves.

Don't forget, the doctors we deal with are not general practicioners, they are OBGYN's and midwives ... they are in a business, and while, yes, their business is health, it is also to make MONEY. The simple fact is, there isn't any money in telling a patient to go home and diet.

Think about the other patients they see every day. How many women have I known that have had C-Sections when it could have been avoided, been induced because the doctor pushed them before time, had every-other week ultrasounds to test for a complication that happens to <.002% of women?? These doctors will find any excuse, any scare tactic, to keep women in their office, play by their schedule, and keep us on the meds they get a kick back from. You have to keep in mind, you may have one of the few doctors in the country that are 100% there for you and what's in your best interest .... but sadly, the only person you can really trust to keep your best interests at heart IS YOU!

   

I came up with my own course of treatment after doing a great deal of research. While I immediately started my crash diet per my physician's advise, I was able to tweek my course of action as I learned more. 

Think about it ... most mother's-to-be develop a "birth plan" because there is simply so many ways to have a child these days. Some people with arthritis or gout swear that drinking a glass of ginger tea cures their aches while others swear by their medication. From this point on, your "PCOS plan" is unique to you and should be developed after seaking medial advice and after doing extensive research.

I can't count how many hours I spent reading books, blogs, pamphlets, and medical references before my final "PCOS Plan" was finished, and I have to say, it's far from complete. For me, I do the research and then play a game of trial and error to find the right way for me. It's like being back at school again ... cracking the books at the end of the night as if cramming for an exam. There are TONS of medical websites out there that deal with the topic of PCOS and methods of teatment. Unfortunately, the most frustrating site to navigate around in is WebMD. ... though it is always worth a look.

So Here's My PCOS Plan:

• For the first year, approach with diet and exercise. Goal is to lose 15% of total body mass in 12 months or 31.5lbs.
• Monitor blood sugar once or twice a day using a diabetic testing kit. Readings in the morning should be around 75 and two hours after lunch, should be around 95-105. If high, pinpoint foods that may have triggered increased blood sugar levels. (I got a reader at WalMart that didn't cost that much)
• Be concious of carbohydrates. ... avoid white carbs and have whole grains in strict moderation. Limit intake to 30g or less per day. (subtracting fiber)
• On simi-cheat days (earned once a week) limit intake to 60g or less for the day. (Subtracting fiber)
• On full blown cheat days (earned every other week) limit intake to 110g or less for the day. (subtracting fiber)
• Protein, Protein, Protein! Attempt to get in around 40-50g per day of protein with the bulk intake at breakfast.
• Veggies, Veggies, Veggies, and Fruit!!! Veggies and fruit do not contribute to "Carb Budget" for the day.
• Milk debate: Milk is okay in moderation. It provides levels of calcuim that are essential to my diet. ... I will revisit the milk debate down the road as I do more research.
• NO SODA OR JUICE ... it wouldn't fit into my "Carb Budget" anyway.
• Have 3-4 days a week of moderate, light exercise to start. ... on own schedule, increase intensity and duration.
• After one year of diet and exercise, tests for androgen levels and insulin/sugar levels. Weight will be measured in % of body mass lost and period cycles as well as other symptoms will be discussed and checked for improvement. If all readings and symptoms have subsided ... no medication will be required. HOWEVER: if I am unable to manage the weightloss or hormone balance, metformin will be required along with other possible medicinal treatments.

*** I have already met the first goal *** I am already down over 18% of my body mass .... so I am certain that Lew-Ann will be pleasantly surprised. :)