Ashley’s Inspiring PCOS Story
After years of suspecting I had PCOS, and being unofficially diagnosed at age 12 and 18, I was finally diagnosed this year at the age of 25. Like many women, the diagnosis was actually a relief for me. Finally, there was an explanation for why my hours of exercise and perfect diet weren’t working.
However, the relief quickly gave way to frustration when I was given little help. I was told to eat less and take metformin and spironolactone – both which made me very sick. I was told maybe I should exercise more, even though I was already doing an hour or more a day. It left me feeling alone and frustrated.
I felt terrible. I was exhausted. I was gaining, gaining, gaining more weight and I couldn’t figure out how to stop it. I had headaches about every other day, my face was breaking out, and my hair was falling out in clumps.
But the thing that bothered me most was the fatigue and bloating. Only two years ago I was an elite powerlifter and now I was coming home from work and barely having enough energy to cook dinner.
That’s when I realised that I needed help. I had tried to fix myself on my own, and nothing was working, and in fact I was getting worse. That’s when I decided to reach out to Clare and get help.
Clare was able to identify that I was ‘adrenal’ type PCOS, and also had some insulin resistance, which really surprised me. After my first consult, the changes happened remarkably quickly. Within days, my acne breakouts stopped and within 2 weeks my energy levels took a massive turn around. I actually started waking up refreshed which shocked me.
Then within the month I also got my period back! In just 2 months, I have now had 2 periods (this coming from the person who hadn’t had a consistent one in 2 years and averaged 3-4 months in between cycles). I’ve also found much more energy and actually enjoy working out again! It’s like my life is slowing coming back one piece at a time.
But it wasn’t all roses, Clare suggested that I remove caffeine for a while as my adrenals weren’t coping and caffeine was just stimulating them to produce more stress hormones. This was tough for me as I was a self confessed Starbucks junkie!
I am very good at following rules but this was a challenge! I tried to go cold turkey and failed, so I tried cutting in half and failed again. I actually had to slowly lower the caffeine over an entire month to avoid the headache but when I was off it was such a sense of freedom (and my sleep was back!).
But I realised that slow and steady wins the race, and I’m really proud of myself that I stuck with it. I’m also really proud that I didn’t give up on creating a better life for myself. PCOS doesn’t have to be a life sentence, you just need the right help treat your root cause.
It feels incredible to have energy, I can dance around again and be happy. The last year I’ve had such a cloud over me and I feel such relief that I’m on a path to health. I didn’t realise how bad the fatigue had gotten and how it was actually changing my outlook on life. I was looking at things negatively instead of being inspired to try. Now, that is certainly not the case.
So if you’re like me and are trying to fix yourself but not getting anywhere, don’t wait to get help. I wish I would have found Clare months ago. She is an expert of experts.
I did a lot of independent research and nothing comes close to what Clare has put together, her tests, protocols, everything. And it didn’t matter that I was the US and she was in New Zealand. She even helped me order some blood tests online that was cheaper than going through my insurance.
I never expected to have results this quick or even results at all. I’ve been struggling with my weight and insulin resistance for YEARS alone, and now I wonder why I waited to get help.
Take the leap of faith, you won’t be disappointed.
*Ashley has chosen to blur her image for her privacy.