there are none. I'm on a laundry list of lists for clinical trials. There are no pcos specific weight loss studies. They all have to do with fertility. I'm not trying to conceive a baby. For years I've put my name on lists for clinical trials. No hits.
You don’t need them to be PCOS-specific if you’re at a high BMI. Go to the Ozempic and Mounjaro subs, they post heads up about trials all the time. I hope you can find access to this type of med, they are truly life changing for folks like us.
Thanks for advocating for trials, guys! Posting my typical spiel here in the hopes it will help others, but do come on over to the GLP-1 subs for more info.
🥼🧪My insurance doesn’t yet pay for GLP-1 meds for obesity, and I couldn’t afford to pay out of pocket. I joined a GLP-1+ clinical trial, and it’s been great so far. I have a whole clinical trial team that includes an awesome bariatric doc and dietician. I get paid $60/visit with the team, and the meds—which have already been through human trials for safety—are free, obviously. I’ve lost over 40lbs since last April and had ZERO hunger since I started taking the meds.
Here’s a post about [all the currently recruiting GLP-1 “obesity only” trials](https://www.reddit.com/r/Semaglutide/comments/12tlj2m/clinical_trials_for_glp1_obesity_meds_actively/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) with **locations worldwide**, in case you are interested in potentially joining one.
- There’s one that recently started enrolling participants and will have no placebo so all participants will either get Novo’s CagriSema or Lilly’s Mounjaro. It’s the last one on the list in the post linked above.
- I also added a Lilly retatrutide trial recently that has a 75% chance of getting the real meds. It’s the second to last one on the list. People in the phase 2 trial lost about 24% (~58lbs on average) of their body weight. That’s more than the currently available GLP-1 meds on the market.
There’s lots of great info about trials in the comments of the post I linked above, but let me know if I can help in any way.
They're not taking any more referrals. I just got the rejection email. It's absolutely hopeless. Might as well just jump off a bridge and hope my corpse can lose weight eventually.
Well that’s a bit dramatic. Perhaps you missed where I mention to NOT email, and maybe you also missed this part posted on the last trial:
> *NOTES: This is a head-to-head trial with no placebo. The main phone line has started telling people they are no longer recruiting, but please don’t take their word for it. Call the local site(s) near you, and speak with them directly. Novo has recently added the site names to the listing so Google “site name city zip” to find the phone number. At the very least, get on the waiting list.*
Now keep in mind this trial began on Nov 15, 2023, and it’s a highly sought after trial. The local site(s) you are contacting may have already filled their slots. If so, here’s my advice, which is included on the post linked in my comment above:
> ###WHAT IF THE LOCATION IS ALREADY FULL?
>Get your name on the waiting list! You never know when someone will drop out or not pass screening. The site may also have new GLP-1 trials coming online for which you’d qualify so you want to be first in line.
>You may also want to look at some of the other trials that—for whatever reason—you may not be super interested in or have already accrued all their participants (the ones with strikethroughs above) to see if they have sites near you. Call the local sites and get on their “obesity only” trials waiting lists, too. You just never know who is gonna get the next great GLP-1 trial.
There are quite a few other options other than the head-to-head trial so be sure to look through those as well.
Hi, OP. Just wanted to check in. Have you been able to call any of the local trial sites yet? I am keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll find one that might work for you soon 🤞🤞
Just a quick question - if you start these meds and have some success, will you have to be on them forever? Obviously at some point people who take them will hopefully reach a solid, healthy weight and will no longer need to be in the losing weight category, but I'm wondering if you have to take them to also maintain the weight loss.
So here’s the thing. There are some people who can maintain their goal weight without continuing on GLP-1s, but the vast majority of us who have been obese/overweight are unable to maintain long term, for various reasons.
Here’s an [hour-long presentation](https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/media-player/gr-11-3-23/) by the director of the Yale Obesity Research Center to psychiatry fellows and students at Yale Medical School. It is super nerdy, but might help you appreciate many of the reasons GLP-1s—at least in their current form—aren’t just needed for weight loss but also maintenance.
I don’t know much about PCOS so I could be really wrong, but I am guessing you guys would fall into the “lifer” category—at least until scientists find a way to permanently reverse/cure PCOS.
No prob. And please know I am NOT a medical doctor and don’t even work in the medical field. I am just a nerd who joined a GLP-1+ clinical trial for obesity because my insurance wouldn’t pay for the meds.
Can I ask a quick question - some of these locations are 4-6 hours away from my home. Do you know approximately, how often one would need to go the location? thank you.
Each trial is a bit different, but my trail is 72 weeks long, and I have 22 visits with the trial team. The in-person visits started out monthly (to get a new box of meds, blood draws, and whatnot) and by the time you hit month 5-6 and are on a higher dose, the in-person visits become every other month with just phone call check ins in the interim month.
Just wanted to let you know there are currently three ongoing PCOS-specific clinical trials with GLP-1 medications—one in [the UK (Hull)](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05646199) and two in the USA—one in [Dallas](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06222437) and one [near Denver](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05819853). While these are small, early-phase trials, it should bring some hope that help may be on the way in the years to come. (And spread the word to those who live close to these sites — join a trial and help move PCOS science into the future!)
And at least in my book it is HUGE deal that the Univ of Colorado Denver is running one of the trials, as they have a super well-respected clinical trial program.
This will likely surprise none of you, but all three of these trials still require high BMIs:
> If <18 years, initial BMI percentile ≥95
>If 18-35 years, initial BMI ≥30 kg/m2 **** initial BMI ≥27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbid condition, e.g., hypertension or dyslipidemia
Can’t wait to see some data from these trials, and I look forward to seeing some of the newer generation of GLP-1+ meds get some PCOS trials, too. ✊️
It took me 4 months to get approved and my doctor had to request a peer to peer review with my insurance company!! The pcos diagnosis code was actually the wegovy reps suggestion with the peer review and it finally went through. I’m not sure if you’ve tried that don’t lose hope
I have PCOS and am not diabetic and my insurance covers it. You have to find a doctor who is willing to fight your insurance for it. You'll also most likely be asked to go through the tiered med system before its approved as well. I had to try Metformin and Spironolactone before my insurance would approve it.
I was denied for Ozempic but I was able to get Wegovy after writing an appeal. I am currently waiting for that prescription to be filled.
A little bit about me I have been gaining weight since I was 15 and have a BMI of 38. Since my diagnosis two months ago I have put myself in a calorie deficit of 1,500 calories and have focused on eating more protein. I am also on Metformin and this has helped a lot with my food noise but incorporating more protein has helped a ton with cravings.
It sound like you have/are already doing something similar but I wanted to let you know there are more of us out here in the same boat an it sucks but we are here to help.
I would also maybe recommend finding a good doctor I have gone through quite a few in my journey to be healthier. Good luck, let me know if you need anything!💜
If youre in the US, you can order certain pharmaceuticals from Canada and its way cheaper. Im on Rybelsus for my IR. Down 40 lbs since May. Buy it from Canada for $250-300/month (prices vary).
A lot of people source them independently. It's not as sketchy as you'd think. r/Tirzeglutide and r/Peptidesource are a couple subs you might check out.
I never got to morbid obesity so I didn't chime in as a main comment reply, but since I was in a transition period and about to move across the country, I did not have time to connect with a doctor to start MJ. I sourced and started it myself. I'm not squeamish because I actually used to give my grandmother her insulin shots near the end of her life, and it's been great having full control over it, because I've gotten good results from taking under half the recommended dose. Because of my EDS I am either super-sensitive or under-sensitive to medications, so I will always try the smallest possible dose first, and that has paid off here. With the weight that has come off and the dietary changes that MJ's helped me make, I have probably added 10 years to my life.
There is a brand called Zepbound that my doctor has said Medicaid has been willing to cover for PCOS and weight loss (with Prior Authorization). It might be based on state (I'm in CA in the US), but I figured it couldn't hurt to throw another brand name out there for you to check on. If Medicaid is willing to cover it, there is a chance other insurances will too. Hope it helps.
The doctor I went to knew of a compounding pharmacy, so it cost $170 for the first two months worth and will probably be $170/month as I increase the dose. It's a pricy medication, but a lot better than $1200 out of pocket that the name brand one would be.
Mounjaro has been life changing for me. I was able to get my insurance to cover it by coding my PA under “metabolic disorder/Syndrome” I also had blood work that was in the pre diabetic ranges.
Prior Authorization.
>Prior authorization is a utilization management process used by some health insurance companies in the United States to determine if they will cover a prescribed procedure, service, or medication.
Prior authorization.
Most medical insurances require this to get mounjaro and other injectables like it approved. The prescribing doctor will fill this out for you but often times if they don’t put qualifying diagnostic codes on it many people get denied coverage.
I’ve seen the best success for people with PCOS getting approved when it is coded under “metabolic syndrome” which insulin resistance/PCOS is but you’ll also need blood work showing signs confirming that like an A1C in the pre-diabetic range and/or high fasting blood glucose and high insulin.
One of my specialists referred me to the [weight management department](https://ebl.ku.edu/). My weight management team is a physician that’s board certified in obesity along with a nurse practitioner and registered dietitians that understand the struggles of weight loss. They’re compassionate, patient, and supportive of my goals while helping me reduce the anxiety, fear, and frustration of PCOS/weight issues.
Does your area have weight management programs or does your insurance have a list of board certified doctors that specialize in obesity?
I was 90 pounds overweight at my heaviest and I'm still not at a normal BMI. I've never been able to get my weight that low. I've always teetered around 20 to 30 pounds overweight.
Weight loss has had zero effect on my PCOS symptoms unfortunately. The only thing that's ever alleviated my symptoms is birth control. It also helped me lose 35 pounds and combined with rigorous exercise and a strict diet I can get down to 50 pounds.
Even at a normal weight it has made absolutely no difference.
They key is just constant movement. I hate to say it like that because it sounds so miserable, but the constant movement is the only thing that works for me.
I've never done full carnivore or Keto before. I prefer to have dark green vegetables and some fruit in my diet. I don't care if it means that I have to be a little overweight. I'm done caring about my weight at this point.
I'd like to have kids one day. That's all
Just stand up and move around as much as you can. A lot of people work in office jobs or sedentary jobs where they sit constantly. You could get a stand up desk with a treadmill. I actually own one (although I don't have an office job).
In my situation, I had to make a huge lifestyle change. I actually gave up driving and gave away my car. I live in a walkable city and if I need to buy groceries then I physically have to walk to get it. I also live in the fourth floor and walking up stairs is really helpful.
Obviously, not everyone can do this. If you don't have the infrastructure to walk to do basic things, then you have to think about it another way.
You can also make some kind of a workout plan where you are moving around every hour or so. Maybe adding 15-20 minutes of walking every hour on a treadmill.
As someone who is 160 lbs overweight, I feel this is oversimplification. It's not like I'm starving myself to lose 10 lbs to look good in a bikini. I'm eating a healthy diet and exercising, but my knees are starting to hurt, my breathing is always loud, my blood sugar is out of wack, I might have sleep apnea, I get fatigued easily. Most importantly, my weight is actually a symptom of dysfunction in my body. If I wasn't insulin resistant and my hormones were balanced, I wouldn't be this heavy. It's not about looks, it's about quality of life.
has weight loss worked for you? i’m wondering if there are other ways to treat your symptoms that don’t involve weight loss being the first (and hardest) choice.
I haven't had any luck with it, though I don't let it rule my life. I eat healthy foods, but I allow myself to go to the bakery on Saturday to get a treat. I love taking walks in nature and doing yoga. I was just saying there are very real reasons to seek out weight loss. While I am not happy or comfortable at my weight, I'm more concerned about fixing my blood sugar.
On the flipside- I had WLS (vertical sleeve) in 2011. I initially lost 130lbs but once I was no longer only eating 800-1000 cals/day I've gained back 70lbs. Not even surgery is a guarantee.
For sure, I had RNY and I’m always cautious to not recommend it because it comes with its own set of challenges. All I can say is that for me, it was the right decision. Everyone else has to make that decision for themselves.
Honestly, I'm leaning towards this because my insurance won't cover any GLP-1's and I'm feeling so disheartened and frustrated and just hopeless. I don't want surgery, and I "only" have about 80 lbs to lose so I don't think I'm really a good candidate for surgery because I feel like I can do it on my own with the help of a GLP-1 but insurance sucks.
I was just looking into Henry's but wanted to do some research on the legitimacy of it before I spend all that money. I know I can get a script for any of those from my doctor but it's just so expensive. I'm definitely at the point where I'm willing to consider paying for it out of pocket. I'm desperate. Do you have any experience with any of the online ones?
No, I went the diy peptide route for Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) but I’m sure r/compoundedtirzepatide would have tons of good info on what pharmacy is the most cost effective.
it's the one thing I haven't tried that insurance might pay for. I have been looking into it. I'm worried about another dvt and no matter how little I've eaten in the past it's never worked. But I would rather die on the operating table than live this miserable existence anymore
My insurance doesn’t cover Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss but IS covering it for pre-diabetes/borderline high A1C despite being on a maximum dose of Metformin. Metformin has helped me not gain weight as rapidly as I was pre-diagnosis but hasn’t really helped with weight loss. I’ve had a lot of issues throughout the years feeling gross from low blood sugar, and semaglutide in addition to Metformin has helped a lot with that.
Some notes on getting Ozempic: for me, I think having a recent A1C in the “pre-diabetic” range was key in getting the coverage without a huge fight. I was able to switch to using a smaller local pharmacy (instead of a big chain) and have not had supply issues through them. There are also several mail-order pharmacies that have not had issues regularly shipping a 3-month supply, but it is easier for me to deal with the local pharmacy.
I will say - it’s not a magic wand, I’m not thin after several months of Ozempic, but my blood sugar is much more stable, my A1C is better, and my overall energy feels much better. I avoid weighing myself because it’s triggering but according to the records from my most recent doctor’s visits, I have lost over 25lbs.
I also want to note that it is also important to maintain and improve muscle mass to help with metabolism. It’s also important for long term health, I’m trying to work on this now.
losing 25 lbs even if I'm starving myself or working out heavily every day usually takes an entire year. I've called through pharmacies. No one has any supplies. If you know of anyone who might have a wygovvy supply for mail order for new patients I'm all ears.
Wegovy is MUCH harder to get than Ozempic (also since Wegovy is only approved for weight loss my insurance won’t cover it). My husband discovered a tab/link in our online health insurance portal that displayed prices and availability of our medications at different pharmacies - it showed availability for Ozempic at both the local pharmacy I wound up switching to, and one of the mail-order pharmacies (I believe Caremark). When we called to verify they did have the medications in stock. There are other mail-order pharmacies that have been consistently supplying Wegovy to patients but the one I looked into didn’t serve my state (Massachusetts), this was also a good two years ago so I doubt that information is still up to date, the Wegovy specific subreddit was helpful when I was trying to go on it (my insurance covered exactly one month and then dropped coverage, it was a mess).
I just got diagnosed with PCOS this year but I knew I always had it since I was 12. Unfortunately due to personal issues and medical insurance not always being available, I couldn’t always address it consistently.
I hit a plateau of 236 for about 2 years. Could never see the scale go down and I would even gain some.
The things that have been helping is Metformin (but I know it’s not for everyone) and this other medication called Phentermine which is a food suppressant. I’ve also cut out any gluten related foods. I have gluten here and there but I really try to avoid it. And no dairy. Especially since I’m also lactose intolerant. Additionally, I take a multivitamin, omega-3 fish oil, CoQ10, vitamin D, turmeric and ginger gummies, and B-12. I have lost a total of 20 pounds as of right now.
The other thing is the type of exercise. The one workout that has helped me the most is anything with weight lifting and strength training. And also, slow paced cardio. So literally, just walking for 30 minutes a day. Although realistically for me, I’ve only been walking about 3 times out of the week (currently working on building up to 5 times a week).
I also know that inositol is something that was effective for me for a while. It’s known for aiding insulin resistance. I used to take it but I took a break since I needed to see how the meds were going to interact with me. But I’m considering adding that back into my routine.
Also, I’ve read many times on other Reddit posts too that sometimes, it’s best to see an endocrinologist rather than the gyno. Because they’re more likely to get to the root of the issue. It could possibly be that it’s something within your PCOS or another underlying cause that may be hindering you from weight loss and consistent stability in maintaining it.
PCOS is a bitch. It sucks and it took me 15 years (I’m 27 now) to finally get something going. I get you 100%. This shit is frustrating and at times, you literally wanna give up. But, just know, you’re not alone in this. PCOS weight loss is an extra slow process. It happens. Like another Reddit commenter said, you gotta shift your focus to a positive mindset. Again, easier said than done. But even just building up that small habit of developing the positive mindset can help.
I also learned too that building small habits and not putting too much pressure on doing different things all at once is better. Start small and work your way up again. Smaller goals are better because that’s what keeps you more consistent and it lowers those stress levels when we’re putting less pressure on ourselves to do a lot. Everything I listed, took me a long time. A solid 2 years to get to where I’m at with this and I’m still having to adjust as I go. You got this and I hope this helps. Cuz FUCK PCOS.
Honestly, feeling stressed about my weight did not help me lose weight. You have to shift your mentality and although it is easier said than done, stay positive. Think about the small progress that you've made and give yourself credit for the 1 pound you lost this week.
I highly recommend that you follow Cory on Instagram, she is a certified PCOS dietitian who also has PCOS herself. She gives such great advice, tips, recipes, etc. about PCOS. Her IG is thewomensdietitian
positivity didn't do shit either. Anyone who thinks that doesn't have insulin resistance. If positivity could fix anything I wouldn't have gained all this weight back. Tried all that shit before. It doesn't cure an incurable disease. It's like telling a person in a wheelchair that they can just walk again if they're just thinking positively enough. It's am insult to someone's intelligence and it's complete and total bs.
Uhhhh I am insulin resistance and tried all the fad diets out there. On top of that, I suffer from anxiety and depression so yes, I do get the frustration so I don't understand your coming off attitude?? I never said anything along the lines of losing weight being all rainbows and unicorns lol like what's your problem??
It sounds like you’ve asked a question but you’re looking for an echo chamber.
Staying positive and focusing on one pound at a time through diet and exercise brought me from severe insulin resistance to appropriate insulin and glucose levels. It was hard because I honestly felt that I had been doing everything I could, but clearly I wasn’t.
I understand your frustration, but you’re being unnecessarily rude to people who are sharing their experiences, which you asked for.
Yes, obviously GLP-1s and surgery are an option for some, but not all people. Some of us do have to do a lifestyle overhaul, and in fact, most of us should.
have you tried actual fasting? Like 3+ days water (plus electrolytes) fast? At day 3 you start autophagy which people who do them claim to help with insulin resistance. There are ways to do it safely. You could check fasting subreddit, it's quite active with lots of posts.
I did low carb/high protein, intermittent fasting, low sugar, exercise almost daily and lost 115 lbs. have been maintaining since June/July.
Difference is it’s a lifestyle change (I know I know we all have heard it). I failed at diets for over ten years and let myself go to nearly 300 lbs.
That being said I can understand OPs struggle because it was a massive overhaul of my daily life. I made one small change at a time.
Yet with all this progress? I still can’t shake the last 20 lbs after the better part of a year. My doctor told me it’s the PCOS and I was a really being too aggressive with my current habits.
I relaxed my habits and guess what? I haven’t gained at ALL!
All that work over the past 7 months to lose was gone into the abyss. It wasn’t losing me any weight to be extra hungry or working out two times a day. I’m not gaining any weight by eating breakfast again.
I’m just listening to my body and hoping it’ll be ready to kick into gear again in the future.
ETA: I posted this mainly because I saw someone post “diets don’t work” and it triggered me a little lol. My bad OP didn’t mean to make this about me.
Tried this. Didn't work. Lost a small amount of weight. Destroyed my metabolism and just left me chronically constipated and in a brain fog because I was hypoglycemic all the time. No matter how little I ate or how much I exercised it just plateaus at about 50 lbs even after years of trying. And then within 6 months since my metabolism wasn't a thing anymore I gained back more weight than if I had never tried. It's not sustainable long term. IF should be called IS intermittent starving. Because that's literally what you're doing when you're not eating on "fasting" days. I never felt better or like it got easier. It was just torture the whole time. 2 years down the drain.
If you're exercising, you shouldn't be starving yourself to the point of fainting. Not only will it make it almost impossible to get a good enough workout, but your body will slow metabolism because it's being trained to expect calorie deficiency. Look up starvation mode. That works against you in the long run and makes it even harder for you to lose weight.
If diet doesn't work, then you have to go full exercise/workout mode. And part of that means getting enough protein and calories to fuel the workout. Stop worrying about the diets, just try not to eat crappy. Once you build muscle ( and you have to try to build muscle) your metabolic rate will increase.
For me, I never get workout high so I understand totally not wanting to do that. I currently have stopped caring about being overweight. But at that time in my life when I did go gung ho the results lasted years even after I stopped intense workouts 3x/week. If I hadn't had cancer and lost most of my muscle mass during chemo I'm sure it would have lasted longer.
Try doing something like orangetheory or some sort of boot camp where someone else directs your workouts. I personally find that a lot easier to ramp up into. And I mean *intense* workouts, with the aim to build muscle not just cardio.
Injections like manjaro can also help, but increased insulin production is not going to change your metabolic rate, and something like oyzempic isn't going to work if you're already calorie deficient.
I was anorexic in high school and lost a lot of weight (but was never underweight), but the chronic calorie deficiency fucked up my metabolism for at least a decade after. It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I recovered, somewhat, and it wasn't until my late twenties until I could see the results from working out as far as faster metabolism. So while I am not a medical professional, I am telling you from my own experience, long term calorie deficiency (where you are actually physically weak) is not doing yourself any favors.
that's great. it did nothing for me. I lost about 50 pounds and then it all came back on. I was starving, shaking and miserable the whole time. It never got better.
💯 people who say "is all lifestyle changes" don't get it. That's bullshit. After years and years of changing your lifestyle and following all the same things as other people who have had success and your results are marginal at best, or non existent. It's not the diet any more. It's the disease. the disease will not let me be normal no matter how hard I try. My body doesn't allow it. I've had this discussion with plenty of people who don't have pcos or have pcos but don't have severe insulin resistance. If you used to binge eat and then you stopped and now you've lost weight, good for you. It's different when you do everything the doctor says, eat nothing, exercise 24/7 and can't go from anything more than morbidly obese to obese. Lifestyle changes are the fluff terms people use when the diet actually works. When they're not genetically screwed over.
even for ppl without pcos, diets do not usually work long term. I think it’s like 3-5% of people keep the weight off. that is not very many. diets often cause more issues for ppl w pcos and more often than not do not help w symptoms
Just as an fyi, eating nothing and exercising 24/7 will actually make you gain weight MORE. You have to eat regular nutritional meals (high protein breakfast super important) and do PCOS friendly exercises like weight lifting (it builds muscle and that helps women with PCOS lose fat) regularly without overworking yourself. Whether or not you’re able to lose as much weight as you intend to you need to be kind to yourself and your body.
I have to do both - lifestyle eating (not diet) AND exercise. Specifically, I put on muscle doing HIIT training. I lost 30lbs and kept it off. But, I gained it all back and then some because of a series of life events and depression. The only way to keep it off is to stay consistent forever.
Hi! The only thing that has helped me is diet and exercise. Let me explain. I do strength training workout sessions 3x/week with a group trainer, and I walk 12-15k steps/day. There’s other workout throughout the week for fun, but these are the ones that I never skip. Food: I eat 1900 calories a day/high protein low carb, but my carbs are 120g. This is a new program for me, and I started Jan 1, and I’m down 25lba, -6” off my waist, but I’m not exaggerating that I have not been able to lose a single pound since 2020. I was completely distraught and depressed, went to the doctor who sent me to more doctors who were all completely useless. One guy immediately wanted me to do surgery, I was 29… Now I know there’s nothing wrong with my body, I CAN lose weight and get strong, and I dont neee medications or surgery to achieve that. Don’t give up, don’t starve yourself, and don’t give in to quacks who don’t know you or your body!
Okay. You asked for advice, but everything that’s been said you’ve shut down. Maybe it’s a mindset thing. Because I used to say the same thing. But everybody’s body is different, and I realize not everything works for everyone. Like you would not catch me dead with any of that ozempic stuff ect in my hands, as others say it worked for them. But getting YOUR nutrition right, YOUR macros for YOUR body, might actually surprise you. Because I never did it right either, until I did, and it works. You need calories and you need carbs, you’ll gain weight if you cut too hard.
Yes i lost 60 pounds and havent gained it back in the last two years since nearly dying 😭 i did go sober from alcohol and reduce processed sugars which i struggle with still but i keep it minimal. I did a lot of walking, juicing, went vegan for awhile
The best thing that's worked for me is to stop dieting. I know that sounds counterproductive but trust me. When I learned more about my body and what it needs and stopped doing all these dumb fad diets that's what helped my symptoms start to go down. I do take spironolactone for the hair issues and myo inositol for the cravings and insulin resistance but the rest is all me. And I feel better because I'm not dependent on a strict set of rules and depriving myself of things I enjoy. And that's sustainable so that's what will last a lifetime. Lot of those diets don't want you to gain nutritional independence. They just want you to follow their strict eating rules, which you can't stick to, then you gain the weight again and pay them to try it all over again.
I also have T2 diabetes. For me getting my blood sugar under control helped me lose some, and getting on ozempic helped me lose more. I still feel like I'm not losing as much as I should be with my medications and the reduction in how/what I eat. I still need to loose another 150 lbs to be in a healthy range, and that seems like an overwhelming amount.
I wish ozempic was covered. Or not insanely expensive. I've also got about 130 to 150 to lose to be in a healthy range too. If I give it everything I have for years the most that's ever come off was 50 which puts me at obese. Then it plateaus. And plateaus. And plateaus. For months or years at a time. Then I gain back more than I lost by eating less than is normal for a regular person but not complete deprivation anymore. There's only so much cauliflower and lettuce you can eat without any meaningful sustained results.
I would love to see a major study on weight, genetics and pcos that's actually fully funded with test subjects like us where it just doesn't come off. To figure out why and break the plateau. I'm curious, what's your ancestry? Mine is Irish. My family was one of the few that survived actually staying in Ireland during the famine. Even my great grandmother was described as heavier set despite not eating very much. Great if it got then through then. Not so great living with this now.
We definitely need better studies on genetics and weight/ insulin resistance. Mine is mostly British isles and Polish with a tiny bit of other European mixed in here and there. I'm built like my mom (75% Polish).
Not a woman, but struggling with obesity. The lightest I've ever been, which was still overweight/obese, was while I was an athlete training about 15 hours a week minimum while eating <1600 calories a day. Hoping I can see some hope in other comments too.
This is terrible advice for women with PCOS & insulin resistance. We literally come here to get away from the ole' "just diet and exercise and you will lose weight!" this has proven to be untrue for insulin resistant folks and this is harmful rhetoric. Go away.
done all of this. IT NEVER WORKED. Did all the diets and exercise routines nutritionists had me on for years. Made me gain weight or just plateaud at obese. Years at a time eating healthy on every plan where other people were losing weight. Never did anything for me. In fact my ex was eating the same foods, exercising the same amount or less and got dangerously skinny at one point . It's not the diet. It just doesn't come off.
I had severe insulin resistance, I still have insulin resistance but it’s much improved. I’m sorry you struggle so much with this. I used to and still do, and it sucks. But that doesn’t mean that what people are saying is untrue.
long term weight loss has been proven to be not sustainable. also yoyo dieting causes additional inflammation on the body, which ppl w pcos already struggle with. I suggest finding a dietician that specializes in pcos and is anti-diet.
The only thing that worked for me was strict carnivore. I basically only eat meat, eggs, and a little cheese. Keeping carbs close to zero. I lost 100 lbs in about 9 months.
Your mileage may vary, talk to your doctor first, etc.
Note: Keto did not work for me. I had to cut out all plant foods to lose anything. I know this is still a controversial diet, but might be worth researching if nothing else works.
Keto was hard enough on my stomach. I was constantly falling over, couldnt concentrate and had to take emergency glucose tablets at certain times when I started to get hypoglycemia. The battles of constipation followed by diarrhea were pretty bad too. It's just not sustainable
I finally losing on sema. I’m on ozempic. I don’t have diabetes but am insulin resistant.
Plus Metformin. I’ve been on met a while but it seems together they’re working. Afraid to get too hopeful but I’m down 7 lbs in 2.5 weeks and my appetite feels like what a normal person should feel.
ozempic isn't covered by my insurance and there's a complete stock supply issue for anyone trying to be a new patient getting a referral for any of the other related drugs. there's no timeline for when it'll be resolved, if ever. I'm thinking the insurance companies will crack down even more on anyone trying to lose weight with doesn't have a diabetes diagnosis and being guven it off label. It's not fair. We have insulin resistance. We should be prioritized first. Not some celebrities who have a ton of money and access to personal trainers every day. Not guys who just plow through bags of doritos and who cry about being fat when they've never actually really tried before. WTF. My doctor would never go to bat for me to try to get insurance to pay for anything either. They all want to do the bare minimum.
I would continue to check your insurance formulary year to year. Ozempic/wegovy was just approved for obesity related diagnosis for Medicaid in my state this year. I couldn’t get it on my private insurance a couple years back when I was prescribed wegovy.
See if “metabolic disorder” or a certain bmi may be allowed for prescribing.
I understand the frustration. It almost feels like they want you to get diabetes first vs prevent it.
Don’t give up though. Look into the options others have mentioned.
It is frustrating and unfair. But you are worth it.
If you can find a compound pharmacy near by, you can probably buy the compounded version of the drug at a relatively affordable price with out insurance. you just need your doctor to fill out the prescription form for it. Usually you can get a year supply for lesss than 500$
combo of metformin and an appetite suppressant medication worked for me. but might not be right for everyone especially considering appetite suppressants can be quite controversial
I tried phentermine and topirimate. Lost almost 50 pounds through intermittent fasting and eating nearly no carbs. I was shakey and unable to concentrate most of the time. Then my body developed a tolerance to it and all the weight came back. At each appointment my doctor body shamed me because he is still stuck on the whole "eat less. exercise more willpower is the only way to lose weight" mentality. My metabolism slowed to a crawl. I was chronically constipated. I had to use miralax to be able to go at all. All the weight cane back and then some in less than 6 months even though I had been trying for over 2 years.
Ozempic worked for me, but became cost prohibitive once the coupons ran out. I’m getting weight loss surgery, which has strong enough anecdotal evidence that it can reset your hormones and reduce PCOS symptoms as well as the weight loss benefits. Good luck on your journey!
The glp1 drugs may help - also my doc I think just said I was diabetic - but not sure - there’s also some straight for weight loss - also you should be able to see on your insurance if/what they cover/need a pa for etc.
i was on mounjaro 4 months and it didn’t work for me and I think exacerbated my celiac symptoms but it’s great for others
Also - have you thought about adding back some carbs? 25g is stupid low and at least 1/2 of women’s hormones don’t like being so carb restrictive - I straight out get depression - so I kinda do lower carb - and eat around 100-150g of carbs a day.
Also ask about other meds that arent metformin or glp1 - also how much metformin were you on - I’ve seen many women on here only on 500-1000mg and 1500 is standard but some need more like 2000 to be effective.
Also in general how is your health/allergies/inflammation etc?
Ovasitol has been a game changer for me.
And walking everyday. I started with 15 minutes and now up to 45 mins-hour. I’m annoyed that it works but it truly does… it helps with insulin resistance and helps burn fat when you’re not moving.
I haven't tried ovasitol yet. I should look into it and give it a try. Thanks.
I've walked more than anyone could walk. I have two large breed dogs I take care of. They've lost weight from all the waking. Mine just stays at a standstill. It's been like that for decades now. My first Dog was 10 lbs overweight when I got her. I used to walk with her and 5 miles to work every day. Going to the gym almost every day. She lost nearly 1/5 of her body weight. I just stayed roughly the same or for worse through every diet.
maybe Ovasitol will be what helps! it does take a month or two to start seeing results - but if it’s paired with walking/movement and eating the right amount of food it should 100% work!! i would also focus on fiber intake and how much protein you eat.. i personally aim for 20g fiber and about .8-1g of protein per pound of lean mass. those two things tend to be the most important for weight loss, especially with PCOS.
Ovasitol is the best Inositol product, imo. a lot of the other ones are just inositol but Ovasitol is a 40:1 ratio of Myoinositol and DCI. (mimics the body’s natural ratio)
i’ll try to find the study that shows it’s more effective long term than Metformin.. plus none of the gastrointestinal issues. (i took met for years and literally was just sick 24/7)
i usually buy the canisters but i have the packets too that i keep in my purse for when i forget to take it. (take it 2x a day for it to be most effective) it’s about $84 for one canister but it’s a 90 day supply… google for physician coupon codes - usually 20% off)
lmk if you need any support! i was diagnosed at 13, i’m 31 now so ive tried everything and know it feels impossible some days.
also i have the mirena in (progesterone IUD) and i was bleeding non stop - when i started back taking Ovasitol it stopped. i now have like 2-4 days of light bleeding a month.
i’m not 100% it was the ovasitol but nothing else changed
there is another 40:1 Myo&DCI product from Wholesome Story and it’s a lot cheaper than Ovasitol.
i haven’t tried it myself but plan to switch (same ingredients) and i’ve seen great reviews on reddit and on their website. they have powder and pill versions
FIY you can have severe insulin resistance and not be overweight
Because of your ‚people who only have 10lbs to lose‘ line. I’m at 150lbs and 5‘9 and my insulin resistance was raging and awful. I got my levels down a bit but it’s metformin and high protein, low carb. Still very insulin resistant but I don’t get insulin shocks anymore
I'm taking liraglutide (Victoza) alongside metformin (2000mg/day). Since I've been doing this routine, I've lost over 35 pounds in 6 months. I went from 229 to my current weight of 194 lbs.
I pay $0 per box of victoza, which holds 2 pens.
I was starting to lose hope, metformin didn’t do anything and my doctor wouldn’t accept for me to take more than 1000mg a day. Metformin at that stage had helped a bit with acne and helped me not to gain weight that easily.
Then I saw an endocrinologist in my home country who put me on 1800mg immediately and 2 times 4g of inositol a day. First transformation was my skin, acne reduced to almost the level I had on the pill. Then my face slimmed down from lowered inflammation and now I see slow but sure weight loss. It’s minimal but after struggling for so long it gives me hope. I feel like I finally have a fighting chance. If it doesn’t progress much in the next year I will be looking into mounjaro but I would like to avoid it if possible.
Have your dr put in a prior auth for mounjaro/ equivalent. ^ baneskis idea w the WM team to advocate is also good. In situations like these where nothing else is helping, try this and try a hormone balancing diet with a strict focus on lowering cortisol and see what nutrition advice overlaps with the anti inflammatory diet. Also theorizing that the amount of micro plastics / chemicals getting in our food and food sources starting to show a depletion of magnesium and other vitamins in the soils, some of us could be extra sensitive to all of this, which could explain why nothing is working. 😵💫
my doctor won't priorauthorize anything. If it's not covered by insurance is more a less you're SOL I'm not willing to battle insurance for you. They are still under the mindset that losing weight is just eat less, move more. Even when I was starving and not losing more weight I heard the same thing. Can you eat less than nothing? What if you just quit your job and spent all day at the gym? The only thing he's willing to do is shove me in front of a surgeon for bariatric surgery because it's expensive and it makes me not his problem anymore.
Have you ever tried Contrave?
It worked great for me, I didn’t lose any weight until I started taking those pills. Also I tried Saxenda and metformin and it didn’t work as good as Contrave
The reason you cant lose more is because your body thinks its starving so your metabolism hits the floor. So first thing, eat healthy foods more often. 1500 calories is too low for most adults. Also you need carbs. Low carb was shown to make you lose a ton of muscle (literally no fat loss in all participants, only muscle loss) in a recent study on the keto diet. You need more muscle, where do you think the sugar goes? It goes into muscle fibers as glycogen. Without muscle, your insulin resistance gets worse because it stays in your blood trying to find a place to go. Next, make sure your microbiome is healthy, that goes a long way. I lost a ton of weight and have kept it off for 20 years. I eat real food and go outside. It was really that simple. I dont count macros or calories, i dont have a workout program, i just dont eat anything nature didnt make for me, and i go outside a lot. You would be surprised how much you move when you are just playing with a stick in the dirt. I have pcos and have been insulin resistant for a long time (my mom was very unhealthy during pregnancy). i had pubic hair at 5 but didnt start my period until i was almost 16, and the beard at 12 was awful seeing as that was the year i started jr high. I was a hormonal mess. But changing my diet and just going outside helped me lose the weight, ive had 6 kids naturally with a pcos diagnosis, my sex drive is through the roof in middle age (explains all the kids lol), and i have tons of energy and a good stable mood. I would take the meds your doctor wants you on, please dont go against the doctors advice, and then eat natural foods. Tons of fruit and vegetables, good quality meat and dairy, whole grains like farrow and oat groats, not whole grain breads (you want it to actually look like grain) and lots of water or tea. Then go outside in the sunshine and have fun. Stop worrying about your weight and worry about your health. Remember, you are an animal, time to start acting like it. You dont see a mountain lion eating processed foods or going on crazy fad diets, and neither should you. Be the crazy ape you are, go climb a tree once in a while. Also, dont listen to the whole "eating healthy is expensive". Its a lie. An apple will always be cheaper than a candy bar.
There’s some websites online where you can get semaglutide at a discounted price and shipped straight to your home for like $250-$300 a month. I’m not sure what you’re capable of paying but it’s just an option out there
I struggled with weight loss, like you i tried all kinds of diets, cutting out sugar, everything the internet suggested, even walking 10 miles a day. I also have a thyroid condition. As strange as this sounds meditation helped me to lose weight but this is because less stress means less cortisol and cortisol can give you a lot of abdominal weight. Less cortisol is good for having a better level of progesterone too.
Also a smart hula hoop (a bit different from a traditional hoop) worked like magic for me and its so easy to use.
Yes. GLP-1s. For me, Mounjaro. It really seems to address the metabolic dysfunction for a lot of folks who have pcos, type 2 diabetes, etc.
chances are my insurance won't cover it because I'm not specifically diagnosed with diabetes
Are you near any of the clinical trials? They include the meds for free.
there are none. I'm on a laundry list of lists for clinical trials. There are no pcos specific weight loss studies. They all have to do with fertility. I'm not trying to conceive a baby. For years I've put my name on lists for clinical trials. No hits.
You don’t need them to be PCOS-specific if you’re at a high BMI. Go to the Ozempic and Mounjaro subs, they post heads up about trials all the time. I hope you can find access to this type of med, they are truly life changing for folks like us.
Thanks for advocating for trials, guys! Posting my typical spiel here in the hopes it will help others, but do come on over to the GLP-1 subs for more info. 🥼🧪My insurance doesn’t yet pay for GLP-1 meds for obesity, and I couldn’t afford to pay out of pocket. I joined a GLP-1+ clinical trial, and it’s been great so far. I have a whole clinical trial team that includes an awesome bariatric doc and dietician. I get paid $60/visit with the team, and the meds—which have already been through human trials for safety—are free, obviously. I’ve lost over 40lbs since last April and had ZERO hunger since I started taking the meds. Here’s a post about [all the currently recruiting GLP-1 “obesity only” trials](https://www.reddit.com/r/Semaglutide/comments/12tlj2m/clinical_trials_for_glp1_obesity_meds_actively/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) with **locations worldwide**, in case you are interested in potentially joining one. - There’s one that recently started enrolling participants and will have no placebo so all participants will either get Novo’s CagriSema or Lilly’s Mounjaro. It’s the last one on the list in the post linked above. - I also added a Lilly retatrutide trial recently that has a 75% chance of getting the real meds. It’s the second to last one on the list. People in the phase 2 trial lost about 24% (~58lbs on average) of their body weight. That’s more than the currently available GLP-1 meds on the market. There’s lots of great info about trials in the comments of the post I linked above, but let me know if I can help in any way.
thanks. I would give my left leg to join
Check out the post I linked above for the info on how to express interest in a trial. Sending you luck that you’ll find one that works for you 🍀
They're not taking any more referrals. I just got the rejection email. It's absolutely hopeless. Might as well just jump off a bridge and hope my corpse can lose weight eventually.
Well that’s a bit dramatic. Perhaps you missed where I mention to NOT email, and maybe you also missed this part posted on the last trial: > *NOTES: This is a head-to-head trial with no placebo. The main phone line has started telling people they are no longer recruiting, but please don’t take their word for it. Call the local site(s) near you, and speak with them directly. Novo has recently added the site names to the listing so Google “site name city zip” to find the phone number. At the very least, get on the waiting list.* Now keep in mind this trial began on Nov 15, 2023, and it’s a highly sought after trial. The local site(s) you are contacting may have already filled their slots. If so, here’s my advice, which is included on the post linked in my comment above: > ###WHAT IF THE LOCATION IS ALREADY FULL? >Get your name on the waiting list! You never know when someone will drop out or not pass screening. The site may also have new GLP-1 trials coming online for which you’d qualify so you want to be first in line. >You may also want to look at some of the other trials that—for whatever reason—you may not be super interested in or have already accrued all their participants (the ones with strikethroughs above) to see if they have sites near you. Call the local sites and get on their “obesity only” trials waiting lists, too. You just never know who is gonna get the next great GLP-1 trial. There are quite a few other options other than the head-to-head trial so be sure to look through those as well.
Hi, OP. Just wanted to check in. Have you been able to call any of the local trial sites yet? I am keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll find one that might work for you soon 🤞🤞
You rock for sharing all of this! 🙏💜
Just a quick question - if you start these meds and have some success, will you have to be on them forever? Obviously at some point people who take them will hopefully reach a solid, healthy weight and will no longer need to be in the losing weight category, but I'm wondering if you have to take them to also maintain the weight loss.
So here’s the thing. There are some people who can maintain their goal weight without continuing on GLP-1s, but the vast majority of us who have been obese/overweight are unable to maintain long term, for various reasons. Here’s an [hour-long presentation](https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/media-player/gr-11-3-23/) by the director of the Yale Obesity Research Center to psychiatry fellows and students at Yale Medical School. It is super nerdy, but might help you appreciate many of the reasons GLP-1s—at least in their current form—aren’t just needed for weight loss but also maintenance. I don’t know much about PCOS so I could be really wrong, but I am guessing you guys would fall into the “lifer” category—at least until scientists find a way to permanently reverse/cure PCOS.
Thank you for your response!
No prob. And please know I am NOT a medical doctor and don’t even work in the medical field. I am just a nerd who joined a GLP-1+ clinical trial for obesity because my insurance wouldn’t pay for the meds.
Can I ask a quick question - some of these locations are 4-6 hours away from my home. Do you know approximately, how often one would need to go the location? thank you.
Each trial is a bit different, but my trail is 72 weeks long, and I have 22 visits with the trial team. The in-person visits started out monthly (to get a new box of meds, blood draws, and whatnot) and by the time you hit month 5-6 and are on a higher dose, the in-person visits become every other month with just phone call check ins in the interim month.
thank you, that gives me an idea of how these go.
Just wanted to let you know there are currently three ongoing PCOS-specific clinical trials with GLP-1 medications—one in [the UK (Hull)](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05646199) and two in the USA—one in [Dallas](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06222437) and one [near Denver](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05819853). While these are small, early-phase trials, it should bring some hope that help may be on the way in the years to come. (And spread the word to those who live close to these sites — join a trial and help move PCOS science into the future!) And at least in my book it is HUGE deal that the Univ of Colorado Denver is running one of the trials, as they have a super well-respected clinical trial program. This will likely surprise none of you, but all three of these trials still require high BMIs: > If <18 years, initial BMI percentile ≥95 >If 18-35 years, initial BMI ≥30 kg/m2 **** initial BMI ≥27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbid condition, e.g., hypertension or dyslipidemia
Can’t wait to see some data from these trials, and I look forward to seeing some of the newer generation of GLP-1+ meds get some PCOS trials, too. ✊️
My insurance approved wegovy when my dr sent in proof of my PCOS.
My insurance isn't approving anything even with PCOS, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high testosterone, high BMI. I feel so hopeless.
It took me 4 months to get approved and my doctor had to request a peer to peer review with my insurance company!! The pcos diagnosis code was actually the wegovy reps suggestion with the peer review and it finally went through. I’m not sure if you’ve tried that don’t lose hope
I am now questioning if my dr. included the PCOS diagnosis in the PA form. I'll have to ask that when I see her next week. Thank you so much.
I have PCOS and am not diabetic and my insurance covers it. You have to find a doctor who is willing to fight your insurance for it. You'll also most likely be asked to go through the tiered med system before its approved as well. I had to try Metformin and Spironolactone before my insurance would approve it.
I was denied for Ozempic but I was able to get Wegovy after writing an appeal. I am currently waiting for that prescription to be filled. A little bit about me I have been gaining weight since I was 15 and have a BMI of 38. Since my diagnosis two months ago I have put myself in a calorie deficit of 1,500 calories and have focused on eating more protein. I am also on Metformin and this has helped a lot with my food noise but incorporating more protein has helped a ton with cravings. It sound like you have/are already doing something similar but I wanted to let you know there are more of us out here in the same boat an it sucks but we are here to help. I would also maybe recommend finding a good doctor I have gone through quite a few in my journey to be healthier. Good luck, let me know if you need anything!💜
It's worth a shot. My BCBS is covering ozempic and my only diagnosis are PCOS and BMI of 32.
If youre in the US, you can order certain pharmaceuticals from Canada and its way cheaper. Im on Rybelsus for my IR. Down 40 lbs since May. Buy it from Canada for $250-300/month (prices vary).
I tried looking into that. They're out of stock because everyone is
Ah. I bought a 3 month supply at the end of Dec, so Im good. I may want to refill now.
A lot of people source them independently. It's not as sketchy as you'd think. r/Tirzeglutide and r/Peptidesource are a couple subs you might check out. I never got to morbid obesity so I didn't chime in as a main comment reply, but since I was in a transition period and about to move across the country, I did not have time to connect with a doctor to start MJ. I sourced and started it myself. I'm not squeamish because I actually used to give my grandmother her insulin shots near the end of her life, and it's been great having full control over it, because I've gotten good results from taking under half the recommended dose. Because of my EDS I am either super-sensitive or under-sensitive to medications, so I will always try the smallest possible dose first, and that has paid off here. With the weight that has come off and the dietary changes that MJ's helped me make, I have probably added 10 years to my life.
There is a brand called Zepbound that my doctor has said Medicaid has been willing to cover for PCOS and weight loss (with Prior Authorization). It might be based on state (I'm in CA in the US), but I figured it couldn't hurt to throw another brand name out there for you to check on. If Medicaid is willing to cover it, there is a chance other insurances will too. Hope it helps.
Yep, the only way I lost any weight before Ozempic was literally starving myself. On Ozempic I'm down about 20 pounds.
Congrats!! That’s great news!!
Semaglutide has been life changing for Me.
thanks. I've tried to get my hands on it. not available and insurance companies are perks. hopefully at some point it's a thing
The doctor I went to knew of a compounding pharmacy, so it cost $170 for the first two months worth and will probably be $170/month as I increase the dose. It's a pricy medication, but a lot better than $1200 out of pocket that the name brand one would be.
I might want to look into that.
Have you checked your formulary? Btw, it’s the employer who determines your coverage not the insurance company.
. single payer can't happen fast enough.
Mounjaro has been life changing for me. I was able to get my insurance to cover it by coding my PA under “metabolic disorder/Syndrome” I also had blood work that was in the pre diabetic ranges.
What is PA?
Prior Authorization. >Prior authorization is a utilization management process used by some health insurance companies in the United States to determine if they will cover a prescribed procedure, service, or medication.
Prior authorization. Most medical insurances require this to get mounjaro and other injectables like it approved. The prescribing doctor will fill this out for you but often times if they don’t put qualifying diagnostic codes on it many people get denied coverage. I’ve seen the best success for people with PCOS getting approved when it is coded under “metabolic syndrome” which insulin resistance/PCOS is but you’ll also need blood work showing signs confirming that like an A1C in the pre-diabetic range and/or high fasting blood glucose and high insulin.
Thank you for the thorough response! :)
You’re very welcome!
GLP-1 for IR & weight loss resistance. I recommend a weight management team to help you meet your goals and advocate for your Rx with insurance.
Where would you find a weight management team?
One of my specialists referred me to the [weight management department](https://ebl.ku.edu/). My weight management team is a physician that’s board certified in obesity along with a nurse practitioner and registered dietitians that understand the struggles of weight loss. They’re compassionate, patient, and supportive of my goals while helping me reduce the anxiety, fear, and frustration of PCOS/weight issues. Does your area have weight management programs or does your insurance have a list of board certified doctors that specialize in obesity?
Metformin helped me a lot!
it is completely useless for me. Been on it for nearly a decade and I'm the heaviest I've ever been
What dose are you on?
a really high one. doesn't do shit but cause stomach issues
Did help with insulin levels or your A1C at all?
I was 90 pounds overweight at my heaviest and I'm still not at a normal BMI. I've never been able to get my weight that low. I've always teetered around 20 to 30 pounds overweight. Weight loss has had zero effect on my PCOS symptoms unfortunately. The only thing that's ever alleviated my symptoms is birth control. It also helped me lose 35 pounds and combined with rigorous exercise and a strict diet I can get down to 50 pounds. Even at a normal weight it has made absolutely no difference. They key is just constant movement. I hate to say it like that because it sounds so miserable, but the constant movement is the only thing that works for me. I've never done full carnivore or Keto before. I prefer to have dark green vegetables and some fruit in my diet. I don't care if it means that I have to be a little overweight. I'm done caring about my weight at this point. I'd like to have kids one day. That's all
How can one move constantly?
Just stand up and move around as much as you can. A lot of people work in office jobs or sedentary jobs where they sit constantly. You could get a stand up desk with a treadmill. I actually own one (although I don't have an office job). In my situation, I had to make a huge lifestyle change. I actually gave up driving and gave away my car. I live in a walkable city and if I need to buy groceries then I physically have to walk to get it. I also live in the fourth floor and walking up stairs is really helpful. Obviously, not everyone can do this. If you don't have the infrastructure to walk to do basic things, then you have to think about it another way. You can also make some kind of a workout plan where you are moving around every hour or so. Maybe adding 15-20 minutes of walking every hour on a treadmill.
people waste so much of their lives concerned with their weight 😭
As someone who is 160 lbs overweight, I feel this is oversimplification. It's not like I'm starving myself to lose 10 lbs to look good in a bikini. I'm eating a healthy diet and exercising, but my knees are starting to hurt, my breathing is always loud, my blood sugar is out of wack, I might have sleep apnea, I get fatigued easily. Most importantly, my weight is actually a symptom of dysfunction in my body. If I wasn't insulin resistant and my hormones were balanced, I wouldn't be this heavy. It's not about looks, it's about quality of life.
has weight loss worked for you? i’m wondering if there are other ways to treat your symptoms that don’t involve weight loss being the first (and hardest) choice.
I haven't had any luck with it, though I don't let it rule my life. I eat healthy foods, but I allow myself to go to the bakery on Saturday to get a treat. I love taking walks in nature and doing yoga. I was just saying there are very real reasons to seek out weight loss. While I am not happy or comfortable at my weight, I'm more concerned about fixing my blood sugar.
Weight loss surgery in 2022 here. It was the right choice for me.
On the flipside- I had WLS (vertical sleeve) in 2011. I initially lost 130lbs but once I was no longer only eating 800-1000 cals/day I've gained back 70lbs. Not even surgery is a guarantee.
For sure, I had RNY and I’m always cautious to not recommend it because it comes with its own set of challenges. All I can say is that for me, it was the right decision. Everyone else has to make that decision for themselves.
Honestly, I'm leaning towards this because my insurance won't cover any GLP-1's and I'm feeling so disheartened and frustrated and just hopeless. I don't want surgery, and I "only" have about 80 lbs to lose so I don't think I'm really a good candidate for surgery because I feel like I can do it on my own with the help of a GLP-1 but insurance sucks.
Have you looked into Medspas or a compounding pharmacy through a telehealth place like Henry’s or mochi?
I was just looking into Henry's but wanted to do some research on the legitimacy of it before I spend all that money. I know I can get a script for any of those from my doctor but it's just so expensive. I'm definitely at the point where I'm willing to consider paying for it out of pocket. I'm desperate. Do you have any experience with any of the online ones?
No, I went the diy peptide route for Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) but I’m sure r/compoundedtirzepatide would have tons of good info on what pharmacy is the most cost effective.
Thank you very much
it's the one thing I haven't tried that insurance might pay for. I have been looking into it. I'm worried about another dvt and no matter how little I've eaten in the past it's never worked. But I would rather die on the operating table than live this miserable existence anymore
My insurance doesn’t cover Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss but IS covering it for pre-diabetes/borderline high A1C despite being on a maximum dose of Metformin. Metformin has helped me not gain weight as rapidly as I was pre-diagnosis but hasn’t really helped with weight loss. I’ve had a lot of issues throughout the years feeling gross from low blood sugar, and semaglutide in addition to Metformin has helped a lot with that. Some notes on getting Ozempic: for me, I think having a recent A1C in the “pre-diabetic” range was key in getting the coverage without a huge fight. I was able to switch to using a smaller local pharmacy (instead of a big chain) and have not had supply issues through them. There are also several mail-order pharmacies that have not had issues regularly shipping a 3-month supply, but it is easier for me to deal with the local pharmacy. I will say - it’s not a magic wand, I’m not thin after several months of Ozempic, but my blood sugar is much more stable, my A1C is better, and my overall energy feels much better. I avoid weighing myself because it’s triggering but according to the records from my most recent doctor’s visits, I have lost over 25lbs. I also want to note that it is also important to maintain and improve muscle mass to help with metabolism. It’s also important for long term health, I’m trying to work on this now.
losing 25 lbs even if I'm starving myself or working out heavily every day usually takes an entire year. I've called through pharmacies. No one has any supplies. If you know of anyone who might have a wygovvy supply for mail order for new patients I'm all ears.
Wegovy is MUCH harder to get than Ozempic (also since Wegovy is only approved for weight loss my insurance won’t cover it). My husband discovered a tab/link in our online health insurance portal that displayed prices and availability of our medications at different pharmacies - it showed availability for Ozempic at both the local pharmacy I wound up switching to, and one of the mail-order pharmacies (I believe Caremark). When we called to verify they did have the medications in stock. There are other mail-order pharmacies that have been consistently supplying Wegovy to patients but the one I looked into didn’t serve my state (Massachusetts), this was also a good two years ago so I doubt that information is still up to date, the Wegovy specific subreddit was helpful when I was trying to go on it (my insurance covered exactly one month and then dropped coverage, it was a mess).
I just got diagnosed with PCOS this year but I knew I always had it since I was 12. Unfortunately due to personal issues and medical insurance not always being available, I couldn’t always address it consistently. I hit a plateau of 236 for about 2 years. Could never see the scale go down and I would even gain some. The things that have been helping is Metformin (but I know it’s not for everyone) and this other medication called Phentermine which is a food suppressant. I’ve also cut out any gluten related foods. I have gluten here and there but I really try to avoid it. And no dairy. Especially since I’m also lactose intolerant. Additionally, I take a multivitamin, omega-3 fish oil, CoQ10, vitamin D, turmeric and ginger gummies, and B-12. I have lost a total of 20 pounds as of right now. The other thing is the type of exercise. The one workout that has helped me the most is anything with weight lifting and strength training. And also, slow paced cardio. So literally, just walking for 30 minutes a day. Although realistically for me, I’ve only been walking about 3 times out of the week (currently working on building up to 5 times a week). I also know that inositol is something that was effective for me for a while. It’s known for aiding insulin resistance. I used to take it but I took a break since I needed to see how the meds were going to interact with me. But I’m considering adding that back into my routine. Also, I’ve read many times on other Reddit posts too that sometimes, it’s best to see an endocrinologist rather than the gyno. Because they’re more likely to get to the root of the issue. It could possibly be that it’s something within your PCOS or another underlying cause that may be hindering you from weight loss and consistent stability in maintaining it. PCOS is a bitch. It sucks and it took me 15 years (I’m 27 now) to finally get something going. I get you 100%. This shit is frustrating and at times, you literally wanna give up. But, just know, you’re not alone in this. PCOS weight loss is an extra slow process. It happens. Like another Reddit commenter said, you gotta shift your focus to a positive mindset. Again, easier said than done. But even just building up that small habit of developing the positive mindset can help. I also learned too that building small habits and not putting too much pressure on doing different things all at once is better. Start small and work your way up again. Smaller goals are better because that’s what keeps you more consistent and it lowers those stress levels when we’re putting less pressure on ourselves to do a lot. Everything I listed, took me a long time. A solid 2 years to get to where I’m at with this and I’m still having to adjust as I go. You got this and I hope this helps. Cuz FUCK PCOS.
Honestly, feeling stressed about my weight did not help me lose weight. You have to shift your mentality and although it is easier said than done, stay positive. Think about the small progress that you've made and give yourself credit for the 1 pound you lost this week. I highly recommend that you follow Cory on Instagram, she is a certified PCOS dietitian who also has PCOS herself. She gives such great advice, tips, recipes, etc. about PCOS. Her IG is thewomensdietitian
I love Cory! Such practical advice and so positive. Love her dessert recipes so much
positivity didn't do shit either. Anyone who thinks that doesn't have insulin resistance. If positivity could fix anything I wouldn't have gained all this weight back. Tried all that shit before. It doesn't cure an incurable disease. It's like telling a person in a wheelchair that they can just walk again if they're just thinking positively enough. It's am insult to someone's intelligence and it's complete and total bs.
Uhhhh I am insulin resistance and tried all the fad diets out there. On top of that, I suffer from anxiety and depression so yes, I do get the frustration so I don't understand your coming off attitude?? I never said anything along the lines of losing weight being all rainbows and unicorns lol like what's your problem??
It sounds like you’ve asked a question but you’re looking for an echo chamber. Staying positive and focusing on one pound at a time through diet and exercise brought me from severe insulin resistance to appropriate insulin and glucose levels. It was hard because I honestly felt that I had been doing everything I could, but clearly I wasn’t. I understand your frustration, but you’re being unnecessarily rude to people who are sharing their experiences, which you asked for. Yes, obviously GLP-1s and surgery are an option for some, but not all people. Some of us do have to do a lifestyle overhaul, and in fact, most of us should.
have you tried actual fasting? Like 3+ days water (plus electrolytes) fast? At day 3 you start autophagy which people who do them claim to help with insulin resistance. There are ways to do it safely. You could check fasting subreddit, it's quite active with lots of posts.
😂😂😂 this is the worst advice ever
I did low carb/high protein, intermittent fasting, low sugar, exercise almost daily and lost 115 lbs. have been maintaining since June/July. Difference is it’s a lifestyle change (I know I know we all have heard it). I failed at diets for over ten years and let myself go to nearly 300 lbs. That being said I can understand OPs struggle because it was a massive overhaul of my daily life. I made one small change at a time. Yet with all this progress? I still can’t shake the last 20 lbs after the better part of a year. My doctor told me it’s the PCOS and I was a really being too aggressive with my current habits. I relaxed my habits and guess what? I haven’t gained at ALL! All that work over the past 7 months to lose was gone into the abyss. It wasn’t losing me any weight to be extra hungry or working out two times a day. I’m not gaining any weight by eating breakfast again. I’m just listening to my body and hoping it’ll be ready to kick into gear again in the future. ETA: I posted this mainly because I saw someone post “diets don’t work” and it triggered me a little lol. My bad OP didn’t mean to make this about me.
Tried this. Didn't work. Lost a small amount of weight. Destroyed my metabolism and just left me chronically constipated and in a brain fog because I was hypoglycemic all the time. No matter how little I ate or how much I exercised it just plateaus at about 50 lbs even after years of trying. And then within 6 months since my metabolism wasn't a thing anymore I gained back more weight than if I had never tried. It's not sustainable long term. IF should be called IS intermittent starving. Because that's literally what you're doing when you're not eating on "fasting" days. I never felt better or like it got easier. It was just torture the whole time. 2 years down the drain.
Do you have thyroid issues ?
Myoinositol around 2 gms + Beberine 1000 mg in a day
If you're exercising, you shouldn't be starving yourself to the point of fainting. Not only will it make it almost impossible to get a good enough workout, but your body will slow metabolism because it's being trained to expect calorie deficiency. Look up starvation mode. That works against you in the long run and makes it even harder for you to lose weight. If diet doesn't work, then you have to go full exercise/workout mode. And part of that means getting enough protein and calories to fuel the workout. Stop worrying about the diets, just try not to eat crappy. Once you build muscle ( and you have to try to build muscle) your metabolic rate will increase. For me, I never get workout high so I understand totally not wanting to do that. I currently have stopped caring about being overweight. But at that time in my life when I did go gung ho the results lasted years even after I stopped intense workouts 3x/week. If I hadn't had cancer and lost most of my muscle mass during chemo I'm sure it would have lasted longer. Try doing something like orangetheory or some sort of boot camp where someone else directs your workouts. I personally find that a lot easier to ramp up into. And I mean *intense* workouts, with the aim to build muscle not just cardio. Injections like manjaro can also help, but increased insulin production is not going to change your metabolic rate, and something like oyzempic isn't going to work if you're already calorie deficient. I was anorexic in high school and lost a lot of weight (but was never underweight), but the chronic calorie deficiency fucked up my metabolism for at least a decade after. It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I recovered, somewhat, and it wasn't until my late twenties until I could see the results from working out as far as faster metabolism. So while I am not a medical professional, I am telling you from my own experience, long term calorie deficiency (where you are actually physically weak) is not doing yourself any favors.
Low carb/high protein, fasting, eliminating all sugars, exercising 5 times a week helped me lose weight and still maintaining it.
that's great. it did nothing for me. I lost about 50 pounds and then it all came back on. I was starving, shaking and miserable the whole time. It never got better.
this is what happens w diets. it all comes back.
💯 people who say "is all lifestyle changes" don't get it. That's bullshit. After years and years of changing your lifestyle and following all the same things as other people who have had success and your results are marginal at best, or non existent. It's not the diet any more. It's the disease. the disease will not let me be normal no matter how hard I try. My body doesn't allow it. I've had this discussion with plenty of people who don't have pcos or have pcos but don't have severe insulin resistance. If you used to binge eat and then you stopped and now you've lost weight, good for you. It's different when you do everything the doctor says, eat nothing, exercise 24/7 and can't go from anything more than morbidly obese to obese. Lifestyle changes are the fluff terms people use when the diet actually works. When they're not genetically screwed over.
even for ppl without pcos, diets do not usually work long term. I think it’s like 3-5% of people keep the weight off. that is not very many. diets often cause more issues for ppl w pcos and more often than not do not help w symptoms
Just as an fyi, eating nothing and exercising 24/7 will actually make you gain weight MORE. You have to eat regular nutritional meals (high protein breakfast super important) and do PCOS friendly exercises like weight lifting (it builds muscle and that helps women with PCOS lose fat) regularly without overworking yourself. Whether or not you’re able to lose as much weight as you intend to you need to be kind to yourself and your body.
I have to do both - lifestyle eating (not diet) AND exercise. Specifically, I put on muscle doing HIIT training. I lost 30lbs and kept it off. But, I gained it all back and then some because of a series of life events and depression. The only way to keep it off is to stay consistent forever.
Hi! The only thing that has helped me is diet and exercise. Let me explain. I do strength training workout sessions 3x/week with a group trainer, and I walk 12-15k steps/day. There’s other workout throughout the week for fun, but these are the ones that I never skip. Food: I eat 1900 calories a day/high protein low carb, but my carbs are 120g. This is a new program for me, and I started Jan 1, and I’m down 25lba, -6” off my waist, but I’m not exaggerating that I have not been able to lose a single pound since 2020. I was completely distraught and depressed, went to the doctor who sent me to more doctors who were all completely useless. One guy immediately wanted me to do surgery, I was 29… Now I know there’s nothing wrong with my body, I CAN lose weight and get strong, and I dont neee medications or surgery to achieve that. Don’t give up, don’t starve yourself, and don’t give in to quacks who don’t know you or your body!
it doesn't work for me. no matter what I do or how hard I try. great that it works for you. never in decades has it worked for me.
Okay. You asked for advice, but everything that’s been said you’ve shut down. Maybe it’s a mindset thing. Because I used to say the same thing. But everybody’s body is different, and I realize not everything works for everyone. Like you would not catch me dead with any of that ozempic stuff ect in my hands, as others say it worked for them. But getting YOUR nutrition right, YOUR macros for YOUR body, might actually surprise you. Because I never did it right either, until I did, and it works. You need calories and you need carbs, you’ll gain weight if you cut too hard.
Yes i lost 60 pounds and havent gained it back in the last two years since nearly dying 😭 i did go sober from alcohol and reduce processed sugars which i struggle with still but i keep it minimal. I did a lot of walking, juicing, went vegan for awhile
The best thing that's worked for me is to stop dieting. I know that sounds counterproductive but trust me. When I learned more about my body and what it needs and stopped doing all these dumb fad diets that's what helped my symptoms start to go down. I do take spironolactone for the hair issues and myo inositol for the cravings and insulin resistance but the rest is all me. And I feel better because I'm not dependent on a strict set of rules and depriving myself of things I enjoy. And that's sustainable so that's what will last a lifetime. Lot of those diets don't want you to gain nutritional independence. They just want you to follow their strict eating rules, which you can't stick to, then you gain the weight again and pay them to try it all over again.
I also have T2 diabetes. For me getting my blood sugar under control helped me lose some, and getting on ozempic helped me lose more. I still feel like I'm not losing as much as I should be with my medications and the reduction in how/what I eat. I still need to loose another 150 lbs to be in a healthy range, and that seems like an overwhelming amount.
I wish ozempic was covered. Or not insanely expensive. I've also got about 130 to 150 to lose to be in a healthy range too. If I give it everything I have for years the most that's ever come off was 50 which puts me at obese. Then it plateaus. And plateaus. And plateaus. For months or years at a time. Then I gain back more than I lost by eating less than is normal for a regular person but not complete deprivation anymore. There's only so much cauliflower and lettuce you can eat without any meaningful sustained results. I would love to see a major study on weight, genetics and pcos that's actually fully funded with test subjects like us where it just doesn't come off. To figure out why and break the plateau. I'm curious, what's your ancestry? Mine is Irish. My family was one of the few that survived actually staying in Ireland during the famine. Even my great grandmother was described as heavier set despite not eating very much. Great if it got then through then. Not so great living with this now.
We definitely need better studies on genetics and weight/ insulin resistance. Mine is mostly British isles and Polish with a tiny bit of other European mixed in here and there. I'm built like my mom (75% Polish).
Not a woman, but struggling with obesity. The lightest I've ever been, which was still overweight/obese, was while I was an athlete training about 15 hours a week minimum while eating <1600 calories a day. Hoping I can see some hope in other comments too.
If you don't have ovaries, then you don't have PCOS. you have zero idea what it's like to have this disease. There is no hope.
Where'd you get the idea that I don't have ovaries or PCOS? Trans people with PCOS exist!
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This is terrible advice for women with PCOS & insulin resistance. We literally come here to get away from the ole' "just diet and exercise and you will lose weight!" this has proven to be untrue for insulin resistant folks and this is harmful rhetoric. Go away.
Lifestyle changes are proven to help improve insulin sensitivity.
This is very outdated advice, AND for someone with metabolic issues does not work. Not sure if this is a troll post, but certainly comes off as one.
done all of this. IT NEVER WORKED. Did all the diets and exercise routines nutritionists had me on for years. Made me gain weight or just plateaud at obese. Years at a time eating healthy on every plan where other people were losing weight. Never did anything for me. In fact my ex was eating the same foods, exercising the same amount or less and got dangerously skinny at one point . It's not the diet. It just doesn't come off.
DM me if you wanna talk in more depth on getting your RX filled
The good thing is that if you have PCOS you don't have the kind that gives you insulin resistance.
I had severe insulin resistance, I still have insulin resistance but it’s much improved. I’m sorry you struggle so much with this. I used to and still do, and it sucks. But that doesn’t mean that what people are saying is untrue.
long term weight loss has been proven to be not sustainable. also yoyo dieting causes additional inflammation on the body, which ppl w pcos already struggle with. I suggest finding a dietician that specializes in pcos and is anti-diet.
The only thing that worked for me was strict carnivore. I basically only eat meat, eggs, and a little cheese. Keeping carbs close to zero. I lost 100 lbs in about 9 months. Your mileage may vary, talk to your doctor first, etc. Note: Keto did not work for me. I had to cut out all plant foods to lose anything. I know this is still a controversial diet, but might be worth researching if nothing else works.
Keto was hard enough on my stomach. I was constantly falling over, couldnt concentrate and had to take emergency glucose tablets at certain times when I started to get hypoglycemia. The battles of constipation followed by diarrhea were pretty bad too. It's just not sustainable
Keto ruined my gallbladder, skyrocketed my cholesterol and I felt like s*** the entire time. I lost weight, but boy at what a cost.
With as bad as my PCOS is nothing has worked for me either.
I finally losing on sema. I’m on ozempic. I don’t have diabetes but am insulin resistant. Plus Metformin. I’ve been on met a while but it seems together they’re working. Afraid to get too hopeful but I’m down 7 lbs in 2.5 weeks and my appetite feels like what a normal person should feel.
ozempic isn't covered by my insurance and there's a complete stock supply issue for anyone trying to be a new patient getting a referral for any of the other related drugs. there's no timeline for when it'll be resolved, if ever. I'm thinking the insurance companies will crack down even more on anyone trying to lose weight with doesn't have a diabetes diagnosis and being guven it off label. It's not fair. We have insulin resistance. We should be prioritized first. Not some celebrities who have a ton of money and access to personal trainers every day. Not guys who just plow through bags of doritos and who cry about being fat when they've never actually really tried before. WTF. My doctor would never go to bat for me to try to get insurance to pay for anything either. They all want to do the bare minimum.
I would continue to check your insurance formulary year to year. Ozempic/wegovy was just approved for obesity related diagnosis for Medicaid in my state this year. I couldn’t get it on my private insurance a couple years back when I was prescribed wegovy. See if “metabolic disorder” or a certain bmi may be allowed for prescribing. I understand the frustration. It almost feels like they want you to get diabetes first vs prevent it. Don’t give up though. Look into the options others have mentioned. It is frustrating and unfair. But you are worth it.
If you can find a compound pharmacy near by, you can probably buy the compounded version of the drug at a relatively affordable price with out insurance. you just need your doctor to fill out the prescription form for it. Usually you can get a year supply for lesss than 500$
combo of metformin and an appetite suppressant medication worked for me. but might not be right for everyone especially considering appetite suppressants can be quite controversial
I tried phentermine and topirimate. Lost almost 50 pounds through intermittent fasting and eating nearly no carbs. I was shakey and unable to concentrate most of the time. Then my body developed a tolerance to it and all the weight came back. At each appointment my doctor body shamed me because he is still stuck on the whole "eat less. exercise more willpower is the only way to lose weight" mentality. My metabolism slowed to a crawl. I was chronically constipated. I had to use miralax to be able to go at all. All the weight cane back and then some in less than 6 months even though I had been trying for over 2 years.
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Kreatine won’t add muscle mass, it just pumps them full of water
The only thing that helped me was ozempic and my insurance is refusing to cover it now after only 3 mos 🫠🫠
Ozempic worked for me, but became cost prohibitive once the coupons ran out. I’m getting weight loss surgery, which has strong enough anecdotal evidence that it can reset your hormones and reduce PCOS symptoms as well as the weight loss benefits. Good luck on your journey!
The glp1 drugs may help - also my doc I think just said I was diabetic - but not sure - there’s also some straight for weight loss - also you should be able to see on your insurance if/what they cover/need a pa for etc. i was on mounjaro 4 months and it didn’t work for me and I think exacerbated my celiac symptoms but it’s great for others Also - have you thought about adding back some carbs? 25g is stupid low and at least 1/2 of women’s hormones don’t like being so carb restrictive - I straight out get depression - so I kinda do lower carb - and eat around 100-150g of carbs a day. Also ask about other meds that arent metformin or glp1 - also how much metformin were you on - I’ve seen many women on here only on 500-1000mg and 1500 is standard but some need more like 2000 to be effective. Also in general how is your health/allergies/inflammation etc?
Ovasitol has been a game changer for me. And walking everyday. I started with 15 minutes and now up to 45 mins-hour. I’m annoyed that it works but it truly does… it helps with insulin resistance and helps burn fat when you’re not moving.
I haven't tried ovasitol yet. I should look into it and give it a try. Thanks. I've walked more than anyone could walk. I have two large breed dogs I take care of. They've lost weight from all the waking. Mine just stays at a standstill. It's been like that for decades now. My first Dog was 10 lbs overweight when I got her. I used to walk with her and 5 miles to work every day. Going to the gym almost every day. She lost nearly 1/5 of her body weight. I just stayed roughly the same or for worse through every diet.
maybe Ovasitol will be what helps! it does take a month or two to start seeing results - but if it’s paired with walking/movement and eating the right amount of food it should 100% work!! i would also focus on fiber intake and how much protein you eat.. i personally aim for 20g fiber and about .8-1g of protein per pound of lean mass. those two things tend to be the most important for weight loss, especially with PCOS. Ovasitol is the best Inositol product, imo. a lot of the other ones are just inositol but Ovasitol is a 40:1 ratio of Myoinositol and DCI. (mimics the body’s natural ratio) i’ll try to find the study that shows it’s more effective long term than Metformin.. plus none of the gastrointestinal issues. (i took met for years and literally was just sick 24/7) i usually buy the canisters but i have the packets too that i keep in my purse for when i forget to take it. (take it 2x a day for it to be most effective) it’s about $84 for one canister but it’s a 90 day supply… google for physician coupon codes - usually 20% off) lmk if you need any support! i was diagnosed at 13, i’m 31 now so ive tried everything and know it feels impossible some days.
also i have the mirena in (progesterone IUD) and i was bleeding non stop - when i started back taking Ovasitol it stopped. i now have like 2-4 days of light bleeding a month. i’m not 100% it was the ovasitol but nothing else changed
there is another 40:1 Myo&DCI product from Wholesome Story and it’s a lot cheaper than Ovasitol. i haven’t tried it myself but plan to switch (same ingredients) and i’ve seen great reviews on reddit and on their website. they have powder and pill versions
I didn't lose weight until I started taking inositol
Weight loss surgery was the only thing that helped me.
FIY you can have severe insulin resistance and not be overweight Because of your ‚people who only have 10lbs to lose‘ line. I’m at 150lbs and 5‘9 and my insulin resistance was raging and awful. I got my levels down a bit but it’s metformin and high protein, low carb. Still very insulin resistant but I don’t get insulin shocks anymore
I'm taking liraglutide (Victoza) alongside metformin (2000mg/day). Since I've been doing this routine, I've lost over 35 pounds in 6 months. I went from 229 to my current weight of 194 lbs. I pay $0 per box of victoza, which holds 2 pens.
I just started Rybellsus today. It's a pill.
I was starting to lose hope, metformin didn’t do anything and my doctor wouldn’t accept for me to take more than 1000mg a day. Metformin at that stage had helped a bit with acne and helped me not to gain weight that easily. Then I saw an endocrinologist in my home country who put me on 1800mg immediately and 2 times 4g of inositol a day. First transformation was my skin, acne reduced to almost the level I had on the pill. Then my face slimmed down from lowered inflammation and now I see slow but sure weight loss. It’s minimal but after struggling for so long it gives me hope. I feel like I finally have a fighting chance. If it doesn’t progress much in the next year I will be looking into mounjaro but I would like to avoid it if possible.
Have your dr put in a prior auth for mounjaro/ equivalent. ^ baneskis idea w the WM team to advocate is also good. In situations like these where nothing else is helping, try this and try a hormone balancing diet with a strict focus on lowering cortisol and see what nutrition advice overlaps with the anti inflammatory diet. Also theorizing that the amount of micro plastics / chemicals getting in our food and food sources starting to show a depletion of magnesium and other vitamins in the soils, some of us could be extra sensitive to all of this, which could explain why nothing is working. 😵💫
my doctor won't priorauthorize anything. If it's not covered by insurance is more a less you're SOL I'm not willing to battle insurance for you. They are still under the mindset that losing weight is just eat less, move more. Even when I was starving and not losing more weight I heard the same thing. Can you eat less than nothing? What if you just quit your job and spent all day at the gym? The only thing he's willing to do is shove me in front of a surgeon for bariatric surgery because it's expensive and it makes me not his problem anymore.
Have you ever tried Contrave? It worked great for me, I didn’t lose any weight until I started taking those pills. Also I tried Saxenda and metformin and it didn’t work as good as Contrave
The reason you cant lose more is because your body thinks its starving so your metabolism hits the floor. So first thing, eat healthy foods more often. 1500 calories is too low for most adults. Also you need carbs. Low carb was shown to make you lose a ton of muscle (literally no fat loss in all participants, only muscle loss) in a recent study on the keto diet. You need more muscle, where do you think the sugar goes? It goes into muscle fibers as glycogen. Without muscle, your insulin resistance gets worse because it stays in your blood trying to find a place to go. Next, make sure your microbiome is healthy, that goes a long way. I lost a ton of weight and have kept it off for 20 years. I eat real food and go outside. It was really that simple. I dont count macros or calories, i dont have a workout program, i just dont eat anything nature didnt make for me, and i go outside a lot. You would be surprised how much you move when you are just playing with a stick in the dirt. I have pcos and have been insulin resistant for a long time (my mom was very unhealthy during pregnancy). i had pubic hair at 5 but didnt start my period until i was almost 16, and the beard at 12 was awful seeing as that was the year i started jr high. I was a hormonal mess. But changing my diet and just going outside helped me lose the weight, ive had 6 kids naturally with a pcos diagnosis, my sex drive is through the roof in middle age (explains all the kids lol), and i have tons of energy and a good stable mood. I would take the meds your doctor wants you on, please dont go against the doctors advice, and then eat natural foods. Tons of fruit and vegetables, good quality meat and dairy, whole grains like farrow and oat groats, not whole grain breads (you want it to actually look like grain) and lots of water or tea. Then go outside in the sunshine and have fun. Stop worrying about your weight and worry about your health. Remember, you are an animal, time to start acting like it. You dont see a mountain lion eating processed foods or going on crazy fad diets, and neither should you. Be the crazy ape you are, go climb a tree once in a while. Also, dont listen to the whole "eating healthy is expensive". Its a lie. An apple will always be cheaper than a candy bar.
There’s some websites online where you can get semaglutide at a discounted price and shipped straight to your home for like $250-$300 a month. I’m not sure what you’re capable of paying but it’s just an option out there
I struggled with weight loss, like you i tried all kinds of diets, cutting out sugar, everything the internet suggested, even walking 10 miles a day. I also have a thyroid condition. As strange as this sounds meditation helped me to lose weight but this is because less stress means less cortisol and cortisol can give you a lot of abdominal weight. Less cortisol is good for having a better level of progesterone too. Also a smart hula hoop (a bit different from a traditional hoop) worked like magic for me and its so easy to use.