Naturopath

I am just reeling in excitement right now.

I just came from my first visit with a naturopathic doctor. If any indication of how it went, is my getting into my car afterwards and just bawling, from sheer joy and happiness, then it went pretty well. I couldn't believe it. Finally, what I have been looking for! FINALLY!

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 years old. It has been a long battle. For those who know PCOS, you'd probably be able to tell that I have it. But for those who aren't familiar with it, you'd never know.

I could sit here and tell you all about it, but to save time, here's a link to the wikipedia article:

PCOS on Wikipedia

Since my time of trying to get a diagnosis and up until now, I have been to an endodrinologist, 3 ob/gyns, 3 family doctors and now finally a naturopath. I have done quite a bit of research into this, and when you're looking for answers, you know in your heart, you can't stop looking and you want to know more.

When I was diagnosed, I was put on the pill and told to lose weight. That losing the weight, would help control the pcos. Well hello! Easier said than done. Along with the pcos, I am insulin resistant. This is what makes it that much more difficult to lose the weight, along with all the mental issues.

Insulin Resistance on Wikipedia

So since we've decided that we wanted to start a family, I knew that I was really going to have to get things into motion. I'm still not 100% sure if I will be able to get pregnant, but I'm not even thinking that at all. As long as I keep my thoughts positive, and put that out there, that's what I'm focusing on. I have to have faith and believe in the power of attraction. What's meant for me, will be.

So I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that my naturopath knew so much about PCOS. Usually, when you talk to a doctor about, you end up with a blank stare and some silly blurb, which has been heard over and over again. She has treated women before with PCOS. So yes, I was thrilled, when I did NOT get a blank stare.

I just want to take a moment to say why I'm talking about this. A lot of women want to keep this private. It can be embarrasing, a lot of the symptoms that come along with PCOS. The excess facial and body hair, the thinning hair, the obesity and the list can go on. I used to be one of those women. But why I'm talking about this now, is for awareness. This syndrome, is not very well known. It's not out there in the mainstream. But there is a lot of women affected by this. Sure, the number may only be 5%, but still, that's 1 in 20 women. I'm a very open person, I never used to be, but I think now, the more we can talk about it, the more people who can know about this, maybe I'll reach that one woman who's been looking for answers, trying to figure out what's going on. Maybe I can help her.

So one thing that I have grown very tired of, is the medication. Since I've been 16, I have been on some sort of medication, every day, to help my body work. I want my body to function on its own, naturally. We came into this world, drug free. That's how I want to be. My main concern was fertility. But what I have realized, is that I'm #1 here. It's not just my reproductive system that I have to be concerned about. It's my whole system. Everything is connected. I've finally found someone who will listen to my concerns and help me. So yes, by the time I was done, I was so overcome by emotion, I just sat and cried. This is a new beginning.

I love to learn and I'm always excited when I find out something new. Especially about the body and its relation to food and nutrients. I'm very excited at the plan we have started to put in place. I'm very excited at the possibilities. I will probably post more about this later. I just had to share my experience. And of course, the first person I called, while I was bawling my eyes out in the car, was my mom, who's been there from the very beginning of it all....Thanks Ma!