ttc with possible PCOS - gyne appointment help

[angelpoppet]

My dh and I have been ttc baby No 2. I have always had irregular periods etc etc and PCOS runs in my family.

I was referred to the gynecologist after dd1 and she told me to go away and come back when we were actually trying. Well we've been trying for 7 months now with no joy so I went back to the doctors today. He has referred me straight back to the gyne but says it could take a couple of months to get an appointment.

Does anyone know what will happen and how long it will take to establish if I have got PCOS?? And also how long treatment will take if I have. The gyne was so rude to me last time - she refused to even do any blood test - I feel a bit like we have wasted valuable months.

Any help would be grateful

[ladymuck]

GP ought to be able to order some bloods for you (and check your dh) - might be worth chasing this. Usual to do a Day 21 test (ie on day 21 of your cycle).

Every gynae is slightly different in how they test. Mine would prescribe clomid for 3 months and during one of those months would monitor you, so tests and scans every few days. Usually they can tell if you have PCOS from looking at the ovaries combined with the various test results. They would also put you on the waiting list for a laporoscopy and dye test to check womb and tubes.

I vaguely remember an internal exam at my first gynae appt (but I hadn't had a baby before). Also weigh-in and lots of questions on lifestyle including sexual activity.

As for treatment: usually start of with clomid and/or metformin. If unsuccessful then move onto injections of follicle stimulating drugs followed by insemination (or perhaps just the old-fashioned way). Laser diathermy is also an option. And after that there is IVF. But if you've conceived before then you probably won't get much beyond clomid/metformin.

Good luck

[angelpoppet]

thanks lady muck - the doctor did say he could do bloods but he said the gynae could also do them so he was gonna leave it to them. don't think it's a problem with dh as i have symptoms of PCOS - little or no periods, excess hair, weight gain etc etc etc.

It seems I have possibly developed PCOS after having dd so perhaps I might be a candidate for further treatment.

Would they give me the clomid after my 1st appointment. Dd is 4 now and i feel like if it takes much longer the age gap os gonna be horrible.

[lou33]

I had a gynae appt about 8 or so years ago, because when I came of the pill to ttc dd2 I had no periods for over 6 months. The gynae (who was v handsome, so it was quite embarrassing) gave me an internal, and took a sample of the lining of my womb. He thought it was early menopause, as it was so thin, but I also had a vaginal ultrasound, and it was confirmed I had pco. Clomid didn't work, so I had ovarian diathermy, which had me pg within a month. I was told to complete my family within 3 years, because it would start to fail again, but actually ended up giving birth 3 times between 96 and 2001. They did their job too well, because I had to be sterilised! Hth. This was at chelsea and westminster hospital in london btw.

[angelpoppet]

ovarian diathermy

that sounds painfull - what is it???

[lou33]

Have a look here .

It was day surgery. I was fine the next day really.

[ladymuck]

Well if your GP did the bloods, then the gynae would have the results at your appt. Even though I had been diagnosed with PCOS before I was married we could not have any treatment (eg clomid) until dh was tested (after all it is only one test!).

Yes they may give you clomid after first appt (that's what happened to me, but my gp had already done the blood tests). Be warned - there tends to be a longish gaps between appointments - usally 4-8 months, so anything you can have available at the first appt will be in your favour. Of course that is just the gaps between the appointments - they will of course be doing some test in between, but obviously some of your blood tests have to happen at the right time.

Again my experience is a bit dated - I had my first gynae appt when ttc in Jun 97 (having been referred in Jan 97). Main change in treatment of PCOS is increased use of Metformin, but testing etc seems fairly standard.

[angelpoppet]

it all just sounds like it's gonna take ages - sods law my company gave me mediacl insurance but it was 3 months after my 1st chat with my GP so therefore I can't go private.

Well thanks for your help - I'm off home for a relaxing weekend now

[lou33]

I was only 6 months from visiting gp to getting pg for me Angel, so it may not be all grim

[sponge]

Angelpoppet, have a word with your gp about the insurance. IME they're quite willing to slightly bend the truth to get you private treatment and it could speed things up a lot for you if they would.