Monday, April 22, 2013

A Personal Log of how I got rid of my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)symptoms within 7 months using Natural Remedies: A Personal Success Story

Here are some updates of the things I’m doing to kick PCOS in the butt!
 I had a BodyTalk session with Kristen Petersen Jan 2013. She said my body was giving messages of something irregular in my left ovary.  I went to my family doctor who sent me to get some tests done.
I went to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark in March 2013.
  • The symptoms I gave the homeopath were me being irritable, having irregular periods, several months of continual pain on the right side of my leg, an imbalance in the way my armpits smelled, and bloated and belching frequently.  He suggested I had a metabolic imbalance and possibly a cyst on my ovary. He gave me a list of 3 homeopathics; streptococcinum CM, lachesis CM, and lycopodium CM to take. They were 9$ each.  
  •  I had experienced greater stomach pains about a week or so after taking the homeopathics. I called Dr. Hoe (free of charge) and he said to increase the amount I’m taking at a time. After researching more about homeopathy, if your symptoms get better, they are working. If they get worse they are also working, but you need to increase the dosage.  If nothing happens, then there are other symptoms to take into consideration and a different remedy to match those symptoms.
  • Within 2 days of increasing my dose my leg pain was completely GONE, the smells in my armpits had begun to balance, and I became much less irritable and not quite my regular cheerful morning self, but much more pleasant.
Diagnosed with PCOS, ultrasound confirmed it April 2013
I went to Dr. Fleury, a naturopath 
  • She listened to all the changes I’ve experienced and all the things I’ve done about them.  She weighed me and then suggested I changed my diet to include more proteins and fats, especially first thing in the morning.
  • I have been drinking her coconut late recipe first thing in the morning for about a month.
    Coconut Late Recipe
      • Add in a small blender (I use a magic bullet) 2 tbsps. coconut oil, 1 tbsps. of honey, and enough boiling water to cover wait until melts
      • Add 2 eggs (I use the free run ones) and some cinnamon
      • Add more boiling water (should be about 1 large cup in total) and blend
      • Poor in a cup and sprinkle on more cinnamon  (cinnamon also curbs your sweet tooth)
  • A couple of hours after I drink the late I eat a snack that contains whole foods.  I’ve been eating an orange and almonds.  I am also taking a probiotic and a tsp of Essential Fatty Acids (high potency, good quality fish oils) at this time.  For lunch I try to make sure I have proteins included. I’ve decreased the pastas and foods containing white flour (and try to avoid products that contain enriched flour) and have increased my proteins substantially. I have still been eating pasta, but just at a decreased amount and add more gluten free varieties when I do.
  • I am still drinking lots of water with lemon to aid in alkalizing my diet, remembering to drink a cup of water before I eat and 1 after to increase in digestion.
  • Within a couple weeks of changing my diet I was no longer bloated and belching as much in the evening. I also feel a lot stronger and more energy.
Went to my family doctor to check results or tests/ May 2013
  • Thyroid normal, blood normal, everything else normal. He suggested I could go on the pill to regulate my cycle.  I definitely DECLINED! He is very open to other natural therapies and is aware of the benefits I receive. He suggested I stick with the homeopathic's and naturopath's plan given my current changes.  He said I should focus on staying on the new diet and losing weight and continuing to go to the gym would greatly help.
I went back to my homeopath, Dr. Hoe Mark (he told me to check back with my results in month)/May 2013
  • I told him the diagnosis and he said it is becoming much more common. He gave me 2 more homeopathics to take that will increase the speed of the healing, zincum metallicum 4C and thyroidinum 30C.  He said that I will be taking these together for quite a while (maybe a year) but it should go away all together. I ordered a 250ml bottle (the largest size they carry) from Herbs and Health. They will combine all 5 in one bottle. (Apx $50)
Future goals:
  • I’m planning on doing some cleanses from Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body, Mind, and Spirit, by Marentette, Madeline.
  • After my cleanse I plan on shocking my body and going 10 days without grains or dairy.
  • I’m continuing to go to the gym at least 3 times/week and focus on weight lifting at a SLOW speed, with higher repetitions. I only do 20 mins of cardio when I’m there.  I do intervals with my cardio so my body doesn’t get used to what I’m doing.  Whenever I’m at the gym I try to be in the moment, focusing on my body healing as I smile with my whole body.
  • On the days I don’t go to the gym I try to go for a 30 min+walk.  On average I do exercise about 3-4 days/week.
UPDATE NOV 20/2013
  • I am still taking the 5 homeopathic mixture.  I definitely notice a difference in my moods, my B.O. smell and energy level when I don’t take them.  Dr. Hoe said I won’t need to take them forever, but for longer than regular homeopathics.  I’m also taking homeopathic magnesium in the morning and evening to make sure I get a good sleep ($9 for a large bottle of dissolvable tablets).
  • I am drinking the coconut lattes every morning, with the exception of a couple weeks during and after a family holiday.  
  • I was taking a probiotic and EFA fish oils in the morning, but have ran out.  I have noticed a decrease in my energy level since I have stopped taking them and I’ve been more bloated.
  • I usually eat an orange and almonds pretty much every day about 2 hours after my latte.  On days I don’t drink it I eat 2 eggs and toast , sometimes oatmeal, or flax cereal with yogurt, blueberries and chia seeds, but only on weekends
  • I haven’t done any cleanses as per the naturopath's suggestion. I haven’t been back, but plan on going again sometime in January.  
  • I have been going to the gym at least twice a week and did a 6 week body/mind movement (Anat Baniel Method) class 1/week with Dan Ouellette. At the gym I do 25 mins cardio (on leg exercise days I go on the treadmill, arm focused days I go on the bike) still at intervals of pace and intensity.  When I lift weights I do very slow, mindful lifts to build endurance based on a book I read and some advice I was given.  I try to do more reps at a lower weight than less reps at a higher weight. I also do exercises on the mat that strengthen my core. I’m typically at the gym for an hour-hour ½, taking my time and making sure I’m enjoying myself without rushing. I also listen to The Power which is awesome motivational stuff! I definitely noticed my strength coming back, toning in my body and I lost 5-7 pounds.  I stopped going to the gym since mid Oct, but plan on going again right away. My husband and I have been doing a yoga video I used to do almost every night for the past week or so. I’ve already noticed significant changes in my flexibility.
  • On a side note, I don't have leg pain, but I still have chronic pain in my knee and neck and lay on tennis balls from when I was in a car accident a year ago. I also do stretches and exercises to strengthen and help keep my pelvis aligned. I’m still seeing a chiropractor and myofascial massage therapist and also plan on booking a physio appointment, Bodytalk and possibly doing some spine decompression from a Groupon I got.
UPDATE /April 2014
  • I’m now 22 weeks pregnant! Wow that was fast!
  • I had lost close to 10 pounds before I became pregnant, but that won’t last for long! I’m still going to the gym when I can, which seems to be twice a week these days.
  • I continue to have a coconut latte first thing in the morning. About an hour later I have the EFAs and the HMF intensive probiotic from the Naturopath with an orange and some almonds and now my prenatal vitamins. This no longer lasts me until lunch however and I have a little snack before then. I’m no longer taking the homeopathics. All is going well! 
UPDATE /Aug 2015
  • My son is now a year old, wow time flies! I am at the same weight I was before I have him.  I do not have any of the symptoms I had before (odor, irritability etc.)  
  • I haven’t been going to the gym as regularly, about 1-2 times/month. I do plan on getting back to the 3 times/week in the fall. However, we go for family bike rides, walks, and I meditate 2-3 times/month, and do yoga.
  • I continue to have the late for breakfast during the week and 2 eggs and toast on the weekends.  When I want an afternoon snack I include protein like a turkey bite sausage. I continue to keep my pastas/bread consumption low, and include the gluten and non-gmo varieties.
  • I no longer take any homeopathics. I do take continue to take the HMF intensive probiotics (especially after researching about how the immune system is related to our gut health and how that also helps my son through breastfeeding)and the EFA fish oils.
  • For the last four months I have also been taking Asea. It has helped me with getting a great night’s sleep, giving me even more energy, and repairing my body in general.
  • I haven’t felt this great since before I became pregnant with my daughter 5 years ago!! I also feel much more balanced than I have felt in years. I can’t wait to go back to the gym in the fall!!