Hope with PCOS

Home
Hope with PCOS

I'm Keeley and I live with
It's been a long journey so far with many road blocks. After more t

19/09/2023

It's suddenly occurred to me that I've never updated you on my journey with Hirsutism.
For the last 18 months, I have been making regular appointments with Shannon at , and she has been working magic on my chin!
We started with weekly IPL treatment, which gradually went to fortnightly and then every 3 weeks. After several months, she also introduced electrolysis.
18 months on, i visit every 6 weeks for treatment, but each visit, we see less and less hair.
This journey had given me a tremendous sense of self-confidence. I used to back away from people and tuck my chin down, and I hated being in photos.
Not only that, I had never realised how much pain I was in from it as it was constantly there. It was itchy, and ingrown hairs caused lots of inflammation.
I am so happy I finally gave IPL a go and I am so thankful to Shannon who has supported me along the way.

28/08/2023

It's so important to listen to your body!
This morning, I woke up at 6 am to the sound of lorikeets feasting on the eucalypt flowers, so I got up to take Lucy for a walk. All was going well until we were about 5 minutes from home and I realised it was going to be a tough day. I was super tired and was struggling to walk. Our usual 40 minute walk actually took me an hour. I had so much planned for the day but decided I needed to replan the day and leave all the tasks that required energy until tomorrow.
I didn't want to waste my day and I'm not one to watch a lot of TV so I set about doing all the easy tasks.
There really isn't anything wrong, but I've had a busy few weeks so that is my body's way of saying, "I need a rest". I've learned to listen to these warnings or I do become sick.
Taking a break is not a bad thing and you should never feel bad for looking after yourself. If you don't, you can't look after others that are important in your life.

10/07/2023

I realise how crazy it sounds when I say I've wanted to come out to Stanthorpe (QLDs coldest town) for a winter! We usually visit in the summer, and I always look at the fire in the room and imagine how nice it would be to light the fire and settle down with a good book.
So we decided we'd come out for our anniversary this year. The days are lovely, and I've enjoyed sitting in the sun reading. We've also done a bit of exploring. In the evening, hubby lights a fire, and I settle on the sofa with a book, glass of wine and cheese, and biscuits.
This morning was the coldest it's been since we got here. But I braved getting out of bed. I had to go see if the grass was crunchy as I remember crunching through frosty grass as kid in the UK. Plus Hubby wanted to see the weather tower in the town at a minus temperature.
Although it's cold, its definitely a different type of cold compared to home. It's fresh and crisp and actually quite energising. I'm not crazy enough to go out without all my woollies, but it does make you feel alive!

07/07/2023

You have to try these if!!!
I had to grab some milk this morning and was feeling like something a little naughty. I'd seen these in the health food section of Woolworths before, but I felt they were a little expensive in case I didn't like them. Well, they were on special today, and I can safely say I'd definitely pay full price now that I've tried them. The nuts taste superfresh, and the dairy free chocolate is beautiful.
That's my biggest worry when buying anything that has chocolate and is vegan. I've had some terrible vegan chocolate over the years, and they're not cheap. You can actually find dairy free chocolate in the regular chocolate aisle, and they're not at inflated vegan prices. Lindt makes some lovely ones.
This is an Aussie brand so may not be in other countries, but if you're Aussie, you have to try them

30/06/2023

Hopefully, Miss Lucy appreciated the effort to get out of bed this morning 🤣
I've had a few people message me about my sensitivity to the cold and the raynauds phenomenon (I don't like the term disease). I wanted to explain a little as it's important to know that feeling the cold a little more than others is not Raynauds. Raynauds is another condition that may develop with people who feel the cold.
I'm not a medical professional, but I'll explain it how the doctor explained it to me. Our bodies help regulate our heat by controlling how blood flows through it. On a hot day, it opens our veins, allowing blood to flow more freely, especially to the extremities like fingers and toes, which prevent vital organs from overheating. When we feel cool, the body contracts the veins, reducing flow and keeping blood closer to organs. For the most part, you'll never know your body is doing this.
In the case of someone raynauds, the narrowing of the veins happens super quick, stopping blood from flowing to fingers and toes (and for some, ears and nose). When this happens, I get the feeling of pins and needles, and the fingers and toes go white as there is no blood. It lasts anywhere from 10- 20 minutes before blood starts to flow back.
I don't always have a raynauds attack when cold, it depends on how my body reacts. I can't stand cold things on my skin and things like cold glasses and bottles feel like freezer burn to me. Another reaction I have is cold induced urtica which is like heat rash but brought on by cold. If I've been rummaging around the freezer, then wash my hands under cold water, I generally break out in a rash. It's why I react strangely when people give me cold things to carry.
It's hard to really explain but not liking the cold is different to sensitivity to cold and the other symptoms that may arise. If worried, best to see your GP.

18/10/2022

Aches and pains have been a constant part of my life. To the point where it just feels like a natural part of the body and it takes me sometime to realise when there is no pain.
I've had the pain looked at several times especially when it's really impacted my life. I've been tested for gout and lupus in the past but it's always been put down to inflammation from the PCOS. The lupus tests always come back as inconclusive.
This winter however has alerted us to the fact there is something more wrong. For many years I've noticed my finger tips get pale when I get cold and sometimes they go completely white and tinglely. I was never worried as it was only the tips and it was brief. This winter, I started losing colour in more of the fingers and often a few at a time and the rashes I get when cold were getting more intense.
After two episodes in one week, I went to the GP who said it looks like I have Raynauds and after a few blood tests, It's secondary meaning something else causes it.
Today I am off to see a rheumatologist to confirm if I do in fact have Lupus as all my blood markers are off. It's possibly very mild which is why tests have always been inconclusive. Hopefully I can get some relief of the constant pain I live with.

12/10/2022

Last week I went for my 6 month check up. The week before, I got all the usual fasting blood work done.
For the last 4 months, I've had to be on the alternative medication and although it works, I felt better on the original one. I was keen to see what the test results would show.
My specialist was so excited to tell me they are the best results I've had since our records went digital! My blood glucose levels are super low and there was no excess insulin in my body.
There are still a few minor things like trying to increase my vitamin D level a little more along with iron, but other than that, she said the medication is doing what it should.
We did discuss the differences of the two medication and there is hope that I'll be allowed back on it early next year. For now though, I'll continue my daily injections and enjoy the improvements.

30/09/2022

It's been a while! The last 7-8 weeks have been hard and I know I should have written about it given that this page is about sharing my experience. However, I have struggled through the last few months and have very little energy to do anything other than my job.
Winter is always a hard season to get through and the older I get, the harder it gets. This winter though has been different. I'm in the sub-tropics so usually we get what everyone else calls a mild winter with maybe a week of cold. This time, our Winter started early, got cold early and stayed cold until mid September. It was also a very different type of cold to what we are used too making it feel like it was dragging on forever.
The problem with the cold is it slows my body right down. I get more fatigued than usual and I ache all over. I get to the point where I can't open jars or bottles due to inflammation in my hands. Although inflammation is a symptom of PCOS, we now think there is another underlying issue.
I became very much aware of a condition I have experienced in the past briefly but has been more prominent this winter. It's called Raynaud's phenomenon or disease and it involves the extremities like fingers and toes loosing all blood and colouring. It happens when you are cold and the body pulls your blood to your organs to keep you warm by contracting blood vessels to out body areas. However, it does it too quickly stopping blood flow. It doesn't "hurt" but does feel weird and can look pretty scary. I used to get it in the tips of my fingers but this winter, it has been a whole finger or several fingers. After some blood tests to see what was causing it, it looks like I may have lupus which explains some of the pain. I have a specialist appointment in a few weeks time to get clarification.
In the meantime, I am pleased to say it is now my favourite time of year - Spring!!! The days are warming up and the nights are cool enough to sleep well. We are starting to see lots of baby animals which always makes the morning walk more fun. Spring also means I start to recover a little from the fatigue and will hopefully get on top of sharing a little more with you.

18/07/2022

Doesn't it look beautiful!!! I took this photo on our driveway at about 6am one winter morning!
We get some of the prettiest sunrises round here (the coast is just on that horizon!) and I really do enjoy watching them when I can. However, I have not always enjoyed the early mornings. Not because I am not a morning person as that is actually what I am. But because I would dread waking up this early knowing I would feel awful.
I would often wake up feeling dizzy, nauseous, disorientated, thirsty and very tired. It took me a long time to find out these feelings were related to the PCOS and the insulin resistances.
It's known as Dawn Phenomenon and it can affect anyone though most will not know they experience it as their body reacts quickly to it.
It's not entirely clear what really happens, but sometime between 2 and 8am when our bodies are getting ready to wake up, there is a release of hormones that can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. For most people, as soon as they wake up, the body kicks in producing insulin to even things out. For those with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, this either doesn't happen or is slow to happen resulting in the sensations I described above.
It took me years to discover this! Years of doing early morning shift work feeling like I would pass out while serving someone their breakfast or checking them out of the hotel. When a nurse told me what it was, they also gave me a few tips on how to reduce the chances of it happening. This included eating dinner early and avoiding carb foods before bed.
Even with all the precautions, sometimes there are family dinners and other factors that have caused me to experience the phenomenon but I have noticed that since starting this new medication, that experience has not been to visit for a number of months.
That means I can get up early and take my dog for a walk, enjoy the dawn and not worry if I am going to pass out or be sick along the way.

12/07/2022

Up until just over 2-years ago, I hated massages. They always resulted in severe pain for days as people tried to work out all the knots in my muscles which was really inflammation caused by the PCOS.
Back in early 2020, I wanted to treat my mum to a day of pampering and discovered the at Mount Tamborine. I decided to be brave and booked a hot stone massage as I find heat is the key to reducing my pain.
What actually drew me to this spa is the private spa room that has this amazing Magnesium pool plus a steam room, infra-red sauna, whirlpool bath and recently added ice pool (which I avoid 😆).
The first visit to the spa changed my opinion on massages and now I make regular visits. I alternate taking either my mum or hubby and today I went with hubby!
After 90 mins in the spa, the magnesium pool had helped to relax all the muscles and the steam room cleared my chest after my cold from two weeks ago. The hot stone massage was amazing and part way through, we heard the sound of rain begin to fall and it was so relaxing.
We drive about an hour to get to this spa but boy is it worth it.

27/06/2022

The biggest challenge I have faced since being diagnosed with PCOS is getting medication. Many of the medications prescribed for PCOS, especially those born with the condition & not medically induced, are used for people with type 2 diabetes.
When I first got diagnosed at 21, it was found I had developed type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance – a symptom of PCOS. As I was in the early stages, I was able to eliminate it through lifestyle changes & taking metformin. I was told by the doctors in the UK, I would need to stay on metformin to reduce the risk of developing diabetes again. When I returned to Australia, my doctor sent me to a specialist as she didn’t know how PCOS should be treated. I remember the specialist saying “I do not believe in the syndrome & won’t issue diabetic medication to someone without it”. I was devasted & had to come off metformin - gradually all my symptoms returned.
By chance, I found an English doctor when I was in Uluru who gave me a 12-month script for metformin & reported the specialist for misconduct. As I neared the end of my script, I had to find a new doctor as I was now living in Port Douglas. Again, the doctor wanted me to see a specialist which had a wait time of 3 months, so I was off medication again for the interim. I was put through all the tests again so see if I “really did have PCOS” & once they were satisfied, I was given a new script. However, doctors retire or move on & when I went to get a new script, the new one refused to based on the fact I wasn’t diabetic. I was off medication for a few years before things got so bad, I had to find someone to help. I found another doctor who once again sent me to a specialist (another 3 month wait) but I was able to get a script. However, this time, with thanks to being on & off metformin so much, it no longer had the effect it should which was controlling how insulin was produced & used in my body. After 10 months of no success, I gave up.
When hubby & I moved to the Redlands Coast, I decided to give it one more go as there are so many more specialists in the big city & hopefully over the years, new treatment was available. I found a GP who once again wanted to send me to a specialist however this one had a 6-month waitlist & was going to cost me close to AU$600 to see which I just didn’t have the money. I literally gave up at that point & decided just to live with it.
At the start of this year, I was given some hope when I got sent to see a endocrinologist about my hirsutism & she was also able to help with my PCOS as its all hormone related. She suggested a “new” medication that would help get my metabolism responding again as all my past metabolic blood results showed it was shot to pieces because of my insulin resistance. I have responded so well to it & finally have energy! This is because my body is now producing insulin as it should, and my body is converting foods I eat to energy or glucose. My last lot of blood tests showed improvements in all areas including hormone production & for the first time, I did not read a high blood pressure on the first test. I usually have to do the tests twice as the first always comes up high – again because of insulin resistance.
However, I have once again hit a brick wall. Not because of doctors not prescribing the medication but because it is near impossible to get. The heart-breaking thing for me is there is serious talks of limiting this medication to only those with type 2 diabetes & no other considerations are being looked at – this is in the TGA report I read. My biggest fear is being yo-yo’d on this medication & it also then stopping working. For the first time in a long time, my markers are low for prediabetes and its with thanks to this medication. I have energy again, I am not constantly tired, the aches are going away, the sugars highs & lows have gone and I feel amazing.
I am speaking with the specialist next week to see if there is anything else I can go on that will help keep my insulin in check as this seems to be the key in helping relieve my symptoms.
I just have to keep telling myself it will be okay!

22/06/2022

Has anyone else heard of Olina's Bakehouse?

I discovered them recently on a shopping trip to Woolworths and got some small snack biscuits which both hubby and I loved! The beetroot ones were my favourite.

Then Woolworths introduced these Crispbreads and there are a few interesting flavours. This Fruit and Chia has to be my favourite and has become my favourite lunch time bite when I don't want a lot but need something to keep me going until dinner.
Today I have a little Goats cheese and some local honey on it.

15/06/2022

I've been a bit quiet the past month. A lot has been happening at work and to be honest the last 5 weeks have been a struggle health-wise!
I had to change medication in May due to shortages of the original one I was on. After spending 3-weeks trying to fill a script, I called my specialist in near tears as I had only one dose left. For the first time in 25 years, my body was producing insulin correctly, my hormones were balancing out, my metabolism was working and I was feeling great. I was terrified that if I came off the medication I was going to end up in the same situation of it not working when I got it again.
My specialist had a backup plan. It was the alternative we discussed but hadn't gone with as not only is it 3 times the cost, it is solely used for weight loss and not to fix the other issues I have. We decided to use it as a maintenance plan until the other came back in stock.
Other than it costing so much more, this injection had to be daily rather than weekly and uses a much bigger needle. We discussed using half a dosage which would be the same amount as the previous pen, and give me two months worth but after 1.5 weeks, it was obvious it was not working as well. The cravings started for fast energy food and I felt the tiredness again. So we increased to the full dose and it has maintained me but not improved anything,
It has been difficult taking this pen. It has bigger needle and as I was injecting twice the dose of the previous pen each day, I have really felt it! Some weeks I was so bruised on my tummy I made sure to wear cloths that don't pull up and I'm tender. I'd like to say it was worth the bruises and extra money but I am struggling to say that. At best I can say it maintained the weight so I didn't put any one but I felt hungry at times and had to give in to some cravings as I am guessing insulin wasn't producing quick enough. The weight loss has been an added bonus but its having my body feel "normal" that has been the best and I missed it.
Well today, I took the final dose of this alternative and happy to say I have my original pen ready for tomorrow! Then it's back to weekly and hopefully feeling more energetic again!

10/05/2022

I first got diagnosed with PCOS 20 years ago - though I should have been diagnosed much sooner than that!
Even though PCOS was first recognised in 1935, not much was really known or understood about it for a long time. At the time of being diagnosed, we were all thrown under one PCOS umbrella and I didn't know anyone else with it. Fast forward 5 years and it seemed every 2nd women I met told me they had PCOS but we were still all classified under that one umbrella.
It was this classification that made it extremely difficult to be heard and get help and why over the years I have been told I can "cure" my PCOS buy others with simple diet. In recent times, they have now discovered there are at least 4 types of PCOS!!!
Those that tell you that it is possible to cure or reverse PCOS generally have Pill induced PCOS which is a result of coming off the contraception pill and your body is trying to adjust and produce its own hormones.
The other 3 are inflammatory, adrenal and insulin resistance PCOS. These are consider Chronic and there is no cure! Your are often born with it. You can do things to ease the symptoms but sadly you will never wake one day and find them gone. Each of these types also have their own symptoms meaning each women will experience PCOS differently.
Which do I have? Definitely not Pill related as all my symptoms began showing before I even knew what the pill was! It is also not adrenal. I actually don't know which one it is as I was diagnosed before the classifications but I do exhibit symptoms of two categories. When I first got diagnosed, it was discovered I had insulin resistance and was in the early stages of type 2 diabetes. I managed to reverse the diabetes through diet and exercise but the insulin resistance is a permanent symptom of PCOS and puts me at risk of developing diabetes at any time. I show all the other symptoms of this type including difficulty maintaining weight, hirsutism, sugar craving, tiredness and more. I also show signs of inflammatory PCOS so I am keen to find out which one I have or if you can have both.
These categories are so important to remember when talking to others with PCOS and offering advise.

01/05/2022

As it's labor day today, I am taking the day off for myself. Well that was until Lucy told me she wanted to go for a walk.
The best thing about this time of year is you can have a sleep in and still go walking in the morning as it's still cool enough.
Being a public holiday, it was so peaceful with only a handful of cars around. We got to see lots of bush kangaroos and even saw a few water dragons at the park. The only issue with public holidays is no one else had been walking though the wooded area which meant I got to break all the cobwebs which happy to always be built at face level 😬 They have all that beautiful bush to build in and they chose the footpath!!
Still it was a beautiful walk and Lucy made some friends at the park. Now to decide what I should do for the day. Read my book or play with some crafty things I got last week

28/04/2022

Cool winter mornings means it's porridge time but really who had time to cook them!!!
Mum used to cook porridge all the time on the stove when I was a kid but I've never cooked mine that way. Mainly because when I first moved out of home, my rented room didn't have a kitchen only a microwave. So I learned to cook oats this way.
I start with 1/3 cup rolled oats in a large cup (has to be large or it gets messy). I then cover with some cold water before putting in the microwave for 1.5-2minutes. I make sure to stop the microwave just before the oats boil over. I then add a little milk and some brown sugar before adding in some toppings. You can add anything you like including vanilla extract, salt, berries, nuts etc.
It's so quick and simple and sets me up for the day.

23/04/2022

It's okay to fall off the wagon occasionally! Just remember to get back on when you can!
Last month I was sick for almost two weeks and completely lost my appetite. Then a lot of things cropped up that needed my attention and I just didn't have time or energy to cook for myself. I say for myself because my husband does a lot late work so I often eat dinner by myself and it's not fun to cook for one.
For the last couple of days I've been feeling really tired and I know it's because toast or a wrap is not enough for dinner. While at work, I decided when I got home I was going to raid the veg draw and cook whatever I found plus finish the chicken we had for dinner the other night. I made sure to make enough for tonight and tomorrow.

20/04/2022

One of the most exciting things for me when I manage to loose weight is I can get my wedding and engagement rings off!
Everytime I have been able to get them off, I take them down to the to get them cleaned. The last time I managed to get them cleaned was in 2019.
I was sitting on the couch the other day and realised I could just get them off. So hubby and I went to get both our rings cleaned. Claudia does such a great job at get them sparkling and this time was no different. We were also getting a few pieces rhodium plated to keep the shine on them longer and Claudia also did the white gold on my engagement ring.
My rings were soldered together not long after we got married. I can't remember which is which, but the golds are different carats so to stop the harder gold damaging the softer one, they were joined together. I love that the rings don't move round the finger independent of each other because that would annoy me 😆 but it does make it harder to get the rings on and off as I'm sliding two rings off at the same time.
I'm hoping I'll be able to get our rings cleaned more often now.

13/04/2022

Doctors Orders!!
I went and had my 3-month check-up today to see if all is okay and whether I can stay on the medication.
I have been so worried for days that the blood tests would show something wrong and this little bit of hope I had been given would be taken away.
I was so excited to be told it is one of the best results I have ever had which means I am responding really well and there is no reason not to continue.
All prior concerns such a cholesterol levels, insulin levels and potential for diabetes has reduced greatly. My hormones seem to have levelled out to more acceptable levels too given the PCOS. There were two things to watch.
The first concern is I am only just above the minimum for Vitamin D which didn't surprise me as my Mum struggles with this too and spends so much more time outside than I do. We have an action plan for this so hopefully I can increase it.
The second is my good cholesterol is lower than the acceptable level but on a positive side, there is very little bad cholesterol. Again another easy fix which made me very happy. Just need to eat a little more good fat like avocado, salmon and nuts. All things I do love but usually avoid.
I couldn't find a ripe avocado today so I cheated and got an avocado dip that didn't have a lot additives and treated myself to some smoke salmon for lunch. I have an avocado at home so will be eating that for lunch tomorrow.
It's been such a great day and I get to hold on to that hope I have been given. I will have another check up in 6 months to make sure everything is still ticking along nicely.

10/04/2022

Change! How well do you handle it?
I'm a little OCD about things which has lead me to be organised and particular about things. I don't handle change for the sake of change well. However, I can still adapt to change if it is needed.
Like this morning. We were heading up to the Sunshine Coast to spend the day with my MIL. However, we hit standing traffic on the highway. After listening to the truck radio, we discovered it was a very bad accident with a helicopter on the way. I pulled up Google maps and it showed it was going to take over an hour to travel under 20km. Then another hour after that and we'd already been on the road for almost an hour.
We made the decision to turn around but to avoid the morning traffic that goes toward the city, we took a detour to the coast road and stopped at Donnybrook. Hubby showed me his Nana's old house and all the landmarks he remembered. I fell in love with the view. So peaceful!
We're going to continue our adventure and see where we end up next.

05/04/2022

Just one more week before I see the endocrinologist for my check-up so that means blood test day!

I hate going for blood tests - not because I don't like needles but because my veins are so naughty! It has always been a struggle to get my veins to behave and they trick all the nurses. After poking and prodding, they always find "a nice big one" but the moment they go for it, it says "see-ya".
Up until about 12 years ago, I just accepted that my veins were difficult and would try to drink 2L of water as soon as I got up in the mornings. That was until a nurse told me the issue was the suction or vacuum from the needle made my veins collapse. Often a nurse would get that vein and then it would just stop. I would come out with bruises in my arms - yes both arms as apparently they can only attempt 3 times in one arm. She told me, I needed to always ask for a kids butterfly needle as they don't have the same suction. Going for blood tests have become so much easier since being told this.
I asked for the butterfly needle this time and explained about the suction because some nurses still want to try an adult needle thinking they can conquer my naughty veins. I was surprised when this nurse said she had a better way and that was to use a syringe and manually draw and control the suction better. The only issue is it only works if only two vials are needed but I was so thankful she shared another way to get the blood easily.
Now I just have to wait! Next week I get to see the endocrinologist and find out whether I get to continue on my journey and keep taking my current medication. I have suffered a few of the side effects (which seem to have gone) and I do have some concern from previous ongoing side effects from past medications but overall, it is making me feel amazing and I have lost almost 9kg now.

Address

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hope with PCOS posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Cool winter mornings means it's porridge time but really who had time to cook them!!! Mum used to cook porridge all the time on the stove when I was a kid but I've never cooked mine that way. Mainly because when I first moved out of home, my rented room didn't have a kitchen only a microwave. So I learned to cook oats this way. I start with 1/3 cup rolled oats in a large cup (has to be large or it gets messy). I then cover with some cold water before putting in the microwave for 1.5-2minutes. I make sure to stop the microwave just before the oats boil over. I then add a little milk and some brown sugar before adding in some toppings. You can add anything you like including vanilla extract, salt, berries, nuts etc. It's so quick and simple and sets me up for the day.

One of the most exciting things for me when I manage to loose weight is I can get my wedding and engagement rings off! Everytime I have been able to get them off, I take them down to the @jewellersvault to get them cleaned. The last time I managed to get them cleaned was in 2019. I was sitting on the couch the other day and realised I could just get them off. So hubby and I went to get both our rings cleaned. Claudia does such a great job at get them sparkling and this time was no different. We were also getting a few pieces rhodium plated to keep the shine on them longer and Claudia also did the white gold on my engagement ring. My rings were soldered together not long after we got married. I can't remember which is which, but the golds are different carats so to stop the harder gold damaging the softer one, they were joined together. I love that the rings don't move round the finger independent of each other because that would annoy me 😆 but it does make it harder to get the rings on and off as I'm sliding two rings off at the same time. I'm hoping I'll be able to get our rings cleaned more often now.

Chia Seed Pudding! It's so easy to make and can be transformed into so many yummy breakfasts. I usually make enough to last me a week. Into a container I add 1/2 cup of Chia Seeds 1 1/2 cup of milk (animal or plant based) A pinch of salt A cap of Vanilla extract (you could use another flavour or omit) Optional 1-3 teaspoons of sweetener like honey or agave I prefer not to sweeten my chia pudding so I can add other yummy things. Leave for at least 2-3 hours for the seeds to fully absorb. I find it best to make just before bed and then it's ready in the morning. I will add a couple of spoons in a bowl with some yoghurt. Depending what's in season, I add berries or other fruits. You can also add nuts and cereal too. Possibilities are endless - you can create a new breakfast each day or have it for dessert. Chia seeds are a slow release carbohydrate so they keep me going all morning and allows my body to actually metabolism them which OT struggles with greatly.

THANK YOU! I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for coming and supporting me on the next phase of this long journey. So many of you have shared your stories with me and it's sad to know that many have faced or are facing the same issues with the same and different illnesses. Although many believe this to be solely about women's health, there are also many men out there facing these same issues but it is not voiced as much. I initially decided to start this page as a personal reminder not to give up on myself again and to document the changes I know are coming. Think of it as a personal blog. I have come to realise that many have joined me so they too can find that little bit of hope I have found or to have someone that understands them. On the weekend, I sat and thought a little more about what I wanted to do here. I have decided to be very open and honest (within social media rules) and show not only the good but also the ugly side of this journey. I already took that first step and publicly revealed my weight! I will share how many of the symptoms of PCOS affect my life but I will also share how I live my life without letting PCOS be the dominant part of it. I will take you into my personal life and share ways I keep myself moving forward including tips to make exercising a little easier and more enjoyable. Although I am not a nutritionist, dietician, or chef, I will share some quick and easy food ideas that I have relied on to make sure I make healthier choices. If there is anything else you would like me to share (other than the name of medication), please let me know.

According to my Mum, I was a skinny child. All that changed when I went to school. Much of this was attributed to school lunches. It wasn't that I was sent with a box full of junk food. In fact quite the opposite. I had sandwiches, salads & fruit. I envied the kids that had chips, chocolates & money for tuck-shop. I knew I was overweight - the other kids told me so! No matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of it. I even saw the school nutritionist who washed her hands clean of me with some rather harsh words after I put weight on. I have asked so many times for help with my weight. I wasn't looking for a magical cure. I knew it wasn't that simple. I was always sent to see nutritionists who said I should be eating better & exercising more! How much better than salad & fruit is there! I was already going to the gum 5 times a week. There have only been a few times I can recall having success at losing weight & keeping it off. The first was when I was finally diagnosed with PCOS & was put on Metformin. I hadn't been told weight loss could happen. I put it down to the fact I started using my workplaces gym & pool plus I was trying to eat healthy. When I got back from UK & couldn't get my medication, the weight piled on. The other time, I successfully lost weight was the second time I was put on the metformin. But again the weight came on when I moved & the GP wouldn't write a script. I have been on and off it several times since without the weight loss. I had given up asking for help with my weight, I did try this year but again was told there was nothing. You can only imagine my relief when my new specialist said she wanted to help without me asking. The specialist reviewed some of my past metabolic tests & advised no matter what I do, nothing was going to work without a little help because my metabolism wasn't working. At the beginning, the Metformin was helping to control the Insulin Resistance, a symptom of PCOS. By controlling that, my body could functi

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Country:

City: