Hi everyone,
So, here’s an update. After being diagnosed with MS in September, I saw my MS nurse for the first time about 4 weeks ago. We are making plans for me to start plegridy as soon as possible.
I also saw a fertility expert on the NHS. I am 43, I have never had children, my husband has no children either, and we are really desperate to become parents. The main cause of infertility is high prolactin (MRI to follow end of this month and then I will start treatment). The high prolactin (together with PCOS) is hindering weight loss too.
Anyway, long story short, I was asked to lose weight to qualify for treatment (most likely IVF), which is my last hope; otherwise we will try to adopt. I need to lose 2.7 stone for a BMI under 35 (although the more I lose, the better). I discussed a low carb (mostly Mediterranean style) diet with my MS nurse and she said, go ahead, but it’s not for everyone as some people with MS feel tired as they don’t eat carbs. I have been on this diet in the past 10 days. So far so good. Just mild fatigue. My only exercise is walking but I need another type of exercise too. I am thinking of using the local outdoor gym as to be honest, who wants to pay for gym membership if the gym is not my natural environment? 
We also know we can’t be trying to conceive for ever. So, if I have not conceived by age 45 (my last chance to use my own eggs), then we will stop trying, for me to take a better DMT.
I just wondered if any of you have had similar experiences, have MS and tried to lose weight for a successful pregnancy, know of someone with MS who did, what diet you/they followed, etc. For sure, what may work for me, may not work for everyone, and vice versa.
Thank you, and have a lovely day/evening.
Maria
I have no experiences of fertility problems I was lucky enough to conceive my youngest at 37. I am undiagnosed but I have lost a lot of weight. It sounds like you are doing everything you can right now and I really hope it works out for you. I go to slimming world I know some do not agree with the methods but the accountability of weighing in each week keeps me motivated. I find the gym hard work on my bones but love to garden and I also found swimming really helpful. You have totally got this!
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I think there are a lot of win-wins in Prof G’s diet advice. By which I mean the food that is good for general health, for managing MS, for metabolic health (probably an issue for you with your PCOS) and for healthy weight management are all the same things, and the things to avoid are all the same things too.
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To the nurse’s point about low-carb and energy: I think this is definitely true when one’s system is used to running mainly on energy from carbs. But over time with low carb, as metabolic health improves, the body finds it easier and easier to tap into its own fat stores to burn for energy - which is exactly what you want it to do, of course. So you no longer get the energy crash that comes from running out of sugar and desperately wanting (needing!)a snack. You have plenty of stored energy: the trick is to give your body access to that, and that is what low carb is so good for. It can take a little bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it.
Thank you ever so much for the encouragement. It means a lot to me. Your reflection has made me consider another couple of options I may have.
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Thanking you so much. I will carefully read this website. I do feel supported. Apparently, they are also offering me counselling for infertility now. That is going to help me get motivated, and managing my stress will help me lose weight.
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