I've lurked here for a long time and I'm at the end of my rope and hoping someone maybe has had success with similar circumstances as I find myself in.

I'm (almost) 34F/5'5"/239, diagnosed at 21. Hormonal BC feels like it was a trigger for me as I put on over 60 pounds in less than 6 months shortly after starting. I have a history of disordered eating (WW at 14, anybody?) and so I try not to track cals too often, because I get overly restrictive and obsessive about it, but I have a good idea of what I'm eating since I still measure and eat the same foods often.

Here's what I've done or am doing:

- strict keto for 18 months (ob/gyn recommended, I lost 50 pounds, messed up my gut when I'd never had issues before, and was an absolute bitch because it was miserable. Gained it all back and then some.)

- metformin 500mg at night, I see my endo in a month and we'll decide if we want to up my dose

- wearing a CGM to see what spikes my blood sugar

- worked with a nutritionist for the last year and a half

- take berberine, Ovasitol plus, vit d + k, methyl b12, magnesium glycinate

- strength train 2-3 times a week, we have a Peloton and I ride 3-4 times a week as well (sedentary job, unfortunately)

- watch my carbs, pair carbs with fat and protein always, tons of water, only 1 cup of coffee, limit added sugar, higher protein, always eat breakfast, etc etc

My ovaries are clear of follicles currently, and I'm still having insanely irregular cycles (currently cd 65 and counting 🙃) and I have worked so incredibly hard to go from 243.2 to 238.9 since mid-January. No recent labs because my ob and endo agree that they're not necessary at the moment since obviously my hormones are fucked up. Does anyone have any similar experience?? A ton of my coworkers are ordering glp1s online and asking chatgpt for their doses and have lost a bunch of weight. I am so close to throwing in the towel and trying it, or microdosing or SOMETHING, but I'm terrified of potential side effects and losing muscle and bone mass because that's the one thing I actually have going for me. I feel like I've wasted my 20s and so far my 30s with hating how I look, because I have. I'm treated for anxiety and depression already but I literally don't know what else to do short of starving myself and depriving myself of good food, which I love. Sorry for how long this is, I just don't know what else to do, and I hate that my daughter is seeing me work so hard and still struggle so much. Thanks in advance, cysters!

Hello. I was told I had PCOS since a few years ago. I am 24 y.o and also have insulin resistance. I have high testosterone and irregular menstruation. I have been to a lot of doctor's, gynecologists, endrocrynologists and with no results. They always prescribed me contraceptives but they're not the solution of the problem. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't drinks sugary drinks and sugar, don't eat fast-food, eat complex carbs, veggies daily and no result.

Hi! I've finally decided to start taking control of my health, and as someone who was "anti medication, I can do this naturally" for the longest time, I finally decided to go on Metformin for my insulin resistance and pcos/pmos after being stuck in the same loop for years. I know it's not a weight loss drug, but I am hoping it will help regulate my sugars and help with my food noise. A small weight loss to kickstart would be a nice bonus. I have 100+ to lose, and will also be calorie tracking/food weighing, limiting processed sugars, increasing protein, and slowly introducing strength training.

I'm a tad nervous to begin, as I've read some GI horror stories. 😅 I've been prescribed 500mg twice a day. Any tips on it would be great! Also, regarding B12, do any of you take a supplement alongside it? Thanks!