Wolf in sheep's clothing

[kacey]

Coming to the end of AF, thinking about another month (or 36-42 days) of ttc...

I would like to hear from people who have been pg (unlike myself) who have horrid pms/af symptoms. I'll explain...

Two cycles ago, unsure of when to expect AF (I have PCOS) I had *every* pg symptom. I mean everything! I even had nausea to the point where I was having trouble eating. I was convinced I was pg becoz I never had that before, and my breasts seemed sorer, more swollen than before, I was so convinced. 5 tests later, by me and doc, I am told it is old stomach problems affected by my high-fat diet (I'm on Atkins diet). *Sigh*

So I'm thinking what do pg symptoms look like for the woman who has every possible symptom every month anyway? My pms is mood swings, swollen breasts so sore it hurts to put a t-shirt on, gassy, burpy, hot flushes, swings from nausea to incessant hunger, tired... Gosh, I must have been pg since I was 16!

I'm feeling frustrated, wondering what to look for that I don't already get each month. It's like AF is a wolf in sheep's clothing and I'm sick of being sucked in to its hopeful allure.

Maybe I should get hopeful if I don't get AF symptoms? Any ideas?

[madvoice]

I know you're not really going to want to hear this but it would not surprise me in the least that the Atkins diet is playing around with your body. The first thing I'd do if I were trying to conceive is get myself off such a diet. It isn't healthy, no matter what Dr Atkins has to say for himself. A high fat diet is not what you want to be on.

Have you considered something a little less dramatic for weight loss than Atkins? My GP recommended I try the CSIRO Wellbeing Diet. It is higher in protein but still has your fruit and vegetables (which are great sources of folate and easier absorbed than tablet form) and this died has been scientifically researched for the last 2 years or more by various accredited personnel. So far I have lost approximately 7kgs in a month. I know its slow going but I'd rather the slow and steady than quickly and be feeling sick. A lot of your symptoms that you've mentioned are inherent with the Atkins diet as well.

Have you also considered that you might have a form of irritable bowel syndrome? I find that if I have a high fat meal (on the odd occasion that I relent) I suffer the consequences of having very bad stomach cramps and nausea from irritable bowel.

I hope it eases soon and I wish you lots of luck in TTC. I wish I could help more because its not fun when you want something really badly and things don't go right. ((((HUGS))))

[kacey]

Thanks for your reply Madvoice.

I know what you mean about Atkins. I am not an advocate of this diet, but my doc put me on it and it sure seems to be doing what it is supposed to. My cycles are becoming regular, I am slowly but surely losing weight (14kg this year). So while I think the diet is wierd I am under my doc's supervision and encouragement, and haven't felt this well in a long time.

I don't think 7kgs in a month is slow. That's fantastic, well done!

As to the other issues, the "wolf" I was speaking of, I have had most of them for as long as I have had AF. It is only the nausea which seems to have turned up with this diet. So, point taken, that is probably diet-related.

But what do you make of the other symptoms? For instance, if a person's breasts are excruciatingly tender for AF what are they like when pg?

[madvoice]

Well, if you're under Dr's advice then that makes it a bit different. At least you have help and support of your GP :).

I used to get terribly sore breasts before AF. Hubby would almost just have to 'think' of touching them and I'd flinch. When I thought I might be pregnant, my breasts became really really hot. Unusually hot. They were also tender but the heat is what gave it away for me. I was also tired at unusual times. I remember vividly last year when I was riding my horse at the Royal Darwin Show and came home around 3pm. At 5pm in the afternoon when I'm usually full of energy I lay down and went to bed. I slept for 16 hours (well minus the potty breaks :) ) I also had a rather nasty temperature (around 38C) and was feeling like I was coming down with a cold. It wasn't until I was about 6 weeks pregnant that I had the intense urge to run to the loo every 5 minutes (boy that was annoying).

I never had any nausea. Morning sickness never EVER came my way but I did have the occasional vomit due to not being able to stand the taste of certain things.

It could be a hormone imbalance. I'd see if your doctor could do a hormone test to see if everything is working as it should. I wish I could be of more help.

[JenNT]

I'll just add that in my experience with PCO's, it was the weightloss that regulated my cycle , not the type of diet i was on. I agree with Madvoice about Atkins, I think its just the fact that you have lost 14kg that things are improving. It's not a diet you can keep up whilst pregnant so i'd be tending to get myself on a maintence diet now so as you don't shock the system should you fall pregnant soon :)

Ok symptoms I had for pregnancy each time...midnight cravings for icy cold milk,peeing every 30 mins :mad: ,and tender breasts to the touch. Hard to distinguish from symptoms of AF & Clomid but sometimes I think 'you just know' :)
All the Best, Jen

[Mischief]

I'm going to be devils advocate and tell you I did Atkins too, and loved it. My cycles regulated, my periods were less painful, and I lost 12 kilos!

HOWEVER I do NOT advocate a high fat diet....you dont need to eat alot of fat to eat low carb, make sure you have lots of lean protein, nuts, and green vegies. I also ate quite a few berries as my fruit. I did eat a medium amount of fat, but not a heap.

Warning note though, if you are trying to conceive...make sure you arent in Ketosis. This process can harm the development of the baby.... :)

[kacey]

Hey, thanks for your replies. Sorry I haven't responded earlier - stressful time on teaching rounds and hubby's injured himself at work - barely had time to eat, let alone hop on the net.

Madvoice, yeah it is a hormone imbalance which is causing the pcos which is why I'm on Atkins. CSIRO diet sounds interesting, what's the main differences between the two diets?

Jen, thanks, you're probably right. Hope I "just know" like you.

Kat, I guess the "high fat" label I give my diet is because most people would find any amount of butter, cheese, cream and sour cream to be completely off limits on a diet.

I really like my diet and the way it makes me feel (ie, energetic, alert - oh, and slim) but I think I'll chat to my doc this week - if he decides to come back from holidays.

Thanks so much for all your replies! Any more thoughts are welcome.