BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

I have some of the same things this woman does. And because I have been diagnosed as physically disabled 18 years (NOT MY "CHOICE"!!! either) some people comment on how well I "adapted" and "cope" because I'm giving them the impression "it's no big deal"... Well IT IS A BIG DEAL... it cut my living a decent productive life off at the knees... in my 30s !!! From the great site: BUT YOU DON'T LOOK SICK! __________________ Lately I’ve been getting the impression from some of my friends that maybe my growing list of chronic illnesses is no big deal. No one is actually coming out and saying these words, but that is definitely the feeling I’m getting. This point could be debatable. Maybe they think that. Maybe I’m projecting. But this is how they are making me feel, so right now this is my reality. And it’s fine really. I know that no matter how much education I do or how much awareness I try to bring, I am neve...

I have suffered with this disease for 49 years. If you have questions, write me.

by Barbara It’s not a lot of fun to be big or overweight and female in our society. Especially when it isn’t your fault. I suffer from an endocrine problem called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I have had this scourge since I was 9 years old but it’s only in the past 11 years I have developed a problem with my weight. And I hate it and it’s not fun. In fact, I can’t stand looking in the mirror – clothes on or off. Doctors need to coax the gown off to examine me. Nowhere but the shower does anyone see much more of me. My friends tell me I am too hard on myself. My friend John made a great observation to me the other day, and I had to admit he was right. We met online in a health related chat about 14 years ago and have since met in person and become good friends. He told me, “You are one of the most compassionate and deepest people I have ever met. But when it comes to your own appearance – you are so shallow!” He went on to tell me that weight or not, I am still very at...

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO HELP THOUSANDS OF WOMEN LIKE ME: PCOS AWARENESS & TREATMENT - Please Sign!! I was diagnosed in 1966 and didn't receive proper treatment until 1999!!! That's right -- 33 years of hearing that it must be me !! Despite PCOS being a KNOWN DISEASE since the 1930s! Let's include being bullied at school by students AND teachers who were clueless about this illness. PCOS robbed me of some of my womanhood, destroyed relationships I cared about, given me heart disease and added to my clinical depression and PTSD issues. And I am not the only one. More Awareness is needed now!! Please help. Thank you. PCOS and Weight Loss by Louise Parker One of the major obstacles facing women with PCOS is the weight gain that has become synonymous with it. Approximately 50 to 60% of all women with PCOS are classified as obese. One of the major reasons why obesity is common in PCOS sufferers is the body’s inability to process insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regul...

I was diagnosed with Stein-Leventhal Syndrome in 1966. My own mother called me a freak. Eventually a lot of other people did too. Until 9 years ago even doctors didn't fully "get it" and blamed the patient. Some still do that . I thought I was alone with it. Now called PCOS I realize how this scourge has ruled my life as a woman, and still does today. I could have written this article below, almost word for word. Thank you for taking the time to read this and pass this on to a woman you think will benefit from reading it. If you need to know more about PCOS visit the PCOS Association . Or you can write to me (link on right) by Pam The purpose of this is not a public pity party. After dealing with the emotions involved with PCOS firsthand, I think it's important for people to know what can go on in a woman's head. If you have PCOS, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you know someone or are the partner to someone who has it, this may explain a few...

"Simply assuming overweight women are 'out of control' is inhumane and uneducated. Women with PCOS struggle valiantly against weight gain; often an uphill, losing battle. Malicious comments and ignorant physician assumptions that they just need to 'go on a diet' are monstrous and need to be eliminated." - PCOS Advocate Obesity or persistent weight gain is a common feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Many women find it almost impossible to lose weight, even when on a strict diet. It seems that every calorie that is eaten is stored as fat. There are many possible reasons why women with PCOS are overweight. A few of them are: A genetic predisposition toward "thrifty genes". A disordered biochemical signaling system affecting fat metabolism/storage, and appetite. Glandular disorders or diseases such as hypothyroidism. Chronic stress. Hidden food allergies. Medications. Sodium retention. Most women have some combination of the above factors that are...

I was alway trim until 11 years ago. Not thin. I had a figure. But when I finally conceived my kids I put on 120lbs over the pregnancy. I have lost some of that. Others tend to look at fat people and assume their eating is out of control. Mine wasn't however, my OB had to put me on a nutritional supplement and called me weekly to remind me to eat more. I had pregnancy cravings - broccoli and cottage cheese. Go figure. I grew up in a home with a Polish grandmother where food was love & comfort. Bread was often spread with schmaltze. But I still never ate that much. However, after I gave birth, all the years of fertility drugs were withdrawn and my body went into a state of shock. I bled out for 4 months after the birth... not a few weeks - months. I practically stopped eating altogether for a while but was yelled at because I was breastfeeding. But the weight was piling on. Something was very very wrong. My OB sent me to one specialist who handed me a Weight Watche...

As difficult as it may be for many of us to talk about PCOS, I ask you to join other women with PCOS and their friends & families and become involved to make a difference. You could potentially help someone who is unaware that they have the syndrome. Just think how wide PCOS awareness could spread if we all took action. We ask you to share your knowledge of PCOS with others. The goal is to foster knowledge and sensitivity to those with the condition. Have you ever told someone about PCOS who has never heard of the syndrome before? Was their reaction shock, disbelief or confusion as to why they had never heard of this before, since it is so common? More information: www.pcosupport.org www.projectpcos.org/ projectpcos.org/getting_word_out/pcospetition.php pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php/living-with-pcos/september-i... SEND YOUR POSTS FOR INCLUSION TO: http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/pcos-awareness-month

1. The illness I live with is: Atypical M.S., Fibromyalgia, Neurally Mediated Hypotension, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, PTSD, Adrenal Fatigue, PCOS, Neuropathy 2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1995 (PCOS I was diagnosed in 1966) 3. But I had symptoms since: 1994 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Not working and not being around people every day 5. Most people assume: I'm just fat and lazy 6. The hardest part about mornings are: severe migraines and chronic pain. Just walking can be excruciating 7. My favorite medical TV show is: You Are What You Eat 8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: Cellphone 9. The hardest part about nights are: Falling Asleep and Staying Asleep 10. Each day I take 11 pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) 11. Regarding alternative treatments I: t ried them all - some worked some didn't 12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: invisible 13. Regarding working and career: mi...

The Real Face of PCOS a personal story by Barbara of Barbara's Tchatzkahs Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS for short. The PCO Support Association (PCOSA) and other sufferers have done a wonderful job getting the word out. Articles and news items are being published. Women are finally being diagnosed. Thanks to people like Katherine DesMaisons, PhD and others, people are finding out more about Insulin Sensitizers and what food really does their bodies and their minds. Some doctors are finally recognizing the psychological component. Women are looking at their balding dads and brothers and realizing that the male pattern baldness and Syndrome X are linked to PCOS. Families are talking. Weight problems aren’t just about what you eat. Women are admitting they actually shave their faces and that their bodies are sometimes covered with male patterned hair. The genetic composition of Diabetes is understood. It’s out of the closet. Almost. We still have a long way to go. (A...