Hi Sue
Can't help with the menopause as it hasn't happened to me yet! :lol:
But I do have PCOS and type 2 diabetes for the last 8 years which is now getting alot worse! I also take 4 x 500 Metformin and 30g of Pioglitazone as well as an assortment of BP medicines!
When I last saw a PCOS specialist a couple of years ago he couldn't decide what came first, the diabetes or the PCOS! I am a classic Apple shape and have lost just over 5 stone but it doesn't seem to be helping the diabetes!
I wish that when they diagnosed me with PCOS they had warned me about Insulin resistance and Diabetes, I was only 17 at the time and basically told come back and see us if you want kids! No dietary advice offered or told to exercise more! If someone back then had told me you need to lose weigh and take care of yourself then I might have been able to slow down the onset of diabetes but of course I was too busy living life to the full!!
Age 22 and whilst having an operation I went hypo on them in surgery! Woke up to find them asking why I hadn't said I was diabetic and having my fingers pricked all night long!! As far as I was concerned I didn't know what they were talking about! A couple of weeks later the hospital after some more tests said No you don't have diabetes!!
Age 28 and having nearly passed out from a Rosemary Conley exercise class I finally visit the GP as I hadn't been feeling well! What a surprise, your a type 2 diabetic! Now as I've got older my tablets have increased to the point I can't take no more and I've been referred to the Diabetic Clinic st the hospital.
Only in recent years have I started making the connection between the two. I feel cheated that all those years ago I could have done something about this if only someone had told me but nothing was ever said, and at the ripe age of 35 I am trying to finally listen to my body, lose weight and do more exercise!
My last couple of HBA1C were 8.4 and 8.2 although I think my cholesterol is around 4. I would love to see my HBA1C go into the 5 range, do you eat a low carb diet to get this result?
I exercise about 4-5 times a week for about 45 mins and used to hate it, biggest couch potato I was but I started going for little walks and each time I did about 10 mins and I started be aware of things whilst on my walk such as the wildlife, birds, peoples gardens, life in general and I found it a good way of having me time and as I grew to enjoy the walking and exerise I decided to step it up and join a gym and the feeling I got when coming out after a workout was great, I'm feeling really good about myself. Is there anyone you could go for a walk with to make it more interesting? Even household chores count as something towards your activity levels.
I'm sorry if I haven't been much help about what you really wanted but maybe someone else on this board can help, they've all been very helpful to me.
Fiona