*****PCOS - Anybody in the same boat?******

Hello everyone

I found this thread last week and tried to read it but I ran out of time so I'm going to post now and read it later.

I was diagnosed with PCOS last summer. I have a fantastic gp who recognised my symptoms (ttc#2 for 6 months, acne, overweight, mild hisutism, 3 years ttc dd) and he sent me for bloods and an ultra sound then referred me to a specialist. I was put onto Clomid straight away. I've had an ultra sound scan each cycle since then. I did not ovulate on 50mg (2 cycles) or 100mg so I'm now on Metformin and 150mg of Clomid. I've also been taking progesterone to bring on my periods because neither the Clomid or Metformin are doing it! I had my most recent scan last Thursday which was CD12 and my specialist was hopeful that I should ovulate either yesterday or today.

After reading the beginning of this thread I have arranged with another MNer to buy a couple of PCOS/GI books. My specialist weighed me when I started seeing her and she seemed to be happy but I've put on about half a stone since then The diet isn't starting until Wednesday anyway - it's the anniversary of our first date tomorrow and there's no way I'm missing the double chocolate cheese cake that's sitting in my fridge

thanks for that attilla, dh's resistance is mainly due to working full time as a teacher. it's a 40 min drive to work which is the same town as the hospital this test has to go to. so he needs to get up at 6.30 do his bit then get ready for work and get it to the hosp within an hour and then go to work. he just got too wound up about getting it all done, so we're planning it now in half term when he's off!

will def look at some books. it was another gp at our practice who suggested pcos who looked at my results but she wouldn't say anymore as she wanted me to see my own doc. my own doc said that she wanted to see what dh's results came back like and our std results, but she is def stalling! will chase calls and then after half term will go and see her again and demand to be sent for further treaments.

but for the mo i'm on a tww so watch this space! thanks again

Hi all

Who originally told you that PCOS could be an issue, was that a GP at your practice?.

TBH you should be referred to a gynae at a subfertility unit now as a matter of course.
I would insist that you are referred. Would chase them up re std results. Something is preventing conception currently and it is in your interests for you both to be seen by a specialist subfertility unit. I actually feel that what has been done to date has just delayed you ultimately being referred. After two years you ought to be seen anyway by a specialist.

I would tell your DH that being tested is not actually casting any aspertions on his masculinity, potency and or virility (some men do erroneously make this connection so this may actually be why he is reluctant to be tested). He certainly needs to talk about why he is so reluctant to be tested.

What are your periods like (presumably they are very irregular and have light bleeding) have you noticed anything else at all?. PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and does affect each woman with it very differently.
Its often diagnosed through blood tests and internal ultrasound scans. Polycystic ovaries can appear larger than normal (walnut) size and have multiple cystic follicles on them. These can disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Some of these follicles are dormant, others release hormones, some many contain an egg.

Atkins is no good at all for PCOSers; its not sustainable for a start. You're better off trying a low GI or GL (glycaemic load) eating plan as these are better for PCOSers.

Collette Harris has written several books on PCOS and she has also written some cookbooks with PCOS in mind (she was diagnosed with PCOS several years ago now). Would think Amazon would have these along with low GI/GL books too.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk is a website you may want to look at as well.

HTH and good luck. You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Hi all
been reading your comments with interest. it has been said by one dr that i may have pcos but they are finishing other tests first (including dh's turn - if he'd get on with it! another story!) have been ttc no.2 for 2 years getting very upset etc. had hormone check done and that dr said it could be pcos - see your own dr who said we both needed std checks and dh needed to be tested. still waiting for std results.

but the more i read about pcos i feel it's me. i am overweight, was before dd too. had been on the atkins for 6months before conceiving dd (lost 2 stone for wedding, honeymoon baby!) but weigh only 1 stone heavier than when i got married. i actually lost weight while preg for the first 5mths then put on a little.

so i guess i'm really asking if this sounds pcos to you and what should i do next. i went on the atkins for 2 weeks in sept last year but then got a trip of the guilts re my health. have tried low gi before but didn't really have enough info on it! i feel a trip to the library coming on - can you recommend any pcos or diet books?

sorry this is long but it's good to talk, i am so wanting a sibling for dd

Hi Zoepoey44, are you TTC your first child?

I know Clomid will help. I am not very good at begging. I think I had better practice. Anyway, I have ordered the Davina exercise DVDS from Amazon, stocked up on my repeat prescription of Metformin and am going to try and help myself. To tell you the truth zoepoey44 I am kind of glad I didn't get the Clomid. because I really do need to sort my weight out. With PCOS I am a higher risk of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (when i get pregnant), preeclampsia etc.

I am willing to take her advice and at least try. I am trying to be positive! Eventhough it's so hard!!!!

Hi folks just reading the thread and wanted to interupt if i can i have pcos and have been TTC for 4 years and have started taking clomid today and i weigh 12.8 so think ur doc is a bit unfair moonlit!! think all docs are different.. and fruitloop iv heard so many sucess stories on here about clomid so be hopefull...

baby dust to you all xx

Is she in London and does she need another guinea pig? Me me me me me me!

Thanks llareggub that is very helpful, I did read about it in Colette Harris book and thought it would be a viable route along with Clomid.
we shall see

sfxmum - my GP knows very little about metformin and it still isn't licensed for PCOS. My consultant prescribed it to me during my pregnancy and monitored me throughout. I saw her every 3 weeks or so and had blood tests. The GP wanted a letter from my consultant before giving me a repeat prescription.

I did however read the research. My consultant gave me a balanced set of papers to read and left the decision to me.

Yep all my weight is around my waist.

The other day someone asked me when was I due? I was mortified. People have such big mouthes.

I need to loose 20kg. It's going to take me ages isn't it? I have never done the low GI diet.

Hi Moonlit,

Am sorry to read you've had a rubbish day today.

PCOS may not be affecting your menstrual cycle but you have no way of knowing whether you're actually ovulating or not, it is quite possible to have periods without ovulating. As you are no doubt aware PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it in different ways.

Some women with PCOS also have insulin resistance and this problem exacerbates the underlying problem with weight gain. Collett e Harris's publications give more information. It takes a long time to shift excess pounds, I am overweight for my height and PCOS is a factor in this. I think I read somewhere that many PCOSers are apple shaped and carry weight around their waist and stomach areas.

thanks llureggub was discussing this with dh last night and am leaning towards making an appointment to see the GP. am cincerned about the side effects and would have to be convinced of the benefits outweighting them.
must do some research

.

sfxmum - see my earlier post re metformin reducing miscarriage if continued through pregnancy.

I have never been on meds but diet and exercise generalyy do it for me.
my weight is indeed in the middle which puts me at risk for diabetes and herat disease - lovely

am thinking all the changes now must be permanent and important even after kids and as I near 40

but first I want another baby - pretty please and no more miscarriages please

There is a connection between weight increase and PCOS. Following the low GI diet, metformin and exercise will shift it. My consultant tells me it is possible to lose weight, but it does take a combination of the three things I referred to.

Many PCOS women have most of their weight around their waists/tummies. Is this true of you? From the back I don't look big really.

Hi Attila,

I was wondering if you know the link between weight and PCOS. I have regular periods but have PCOS. I asked my GP the other day, and she didn't tell me anything that was helpful. When I got pregnant with my DD I was 60 kg, I now weigh 80kg. I am taking Metformin. I know my weight has worsened my acne and other symptoms, but how is it affecting my cycles, if I am having regular periods?

I am having a rubbish day today. So some helpful advice would be appreciated.

x

I was diagnosed years ago, long before I ever thought of children. I had some unexplained tummy pains, together with various other issues. A very (I now think) enlightened GP diagnosed me following sight of my scan and gave me metformin. This would be approximately 10 or so years ago.

I started TTC in 2004 and had the op in 2006. I was referred for treatment in 2005 and went through things such as the blood tests, HyCoSy, weight loss etc. I conceived the following month after the diathermie.

Hi Fruitloop

In my case this was suggested after several months of continual visits to the subfertility treatment for both blood tests and ultrasounds (I was there nearly every week during those months).

The gynae was going to start me on injectible drugs first off but as the funding for that took an age to come through he instead suggested this surgery.

You can ask the other GP to refer you. Would not actually think the GP would know much if anything about diathermy surgery.

Hi fruitloop

Ovarian diathermy (or laparoscopic ovarian diathermy to give it its proper name) is an operation done under general anaesthesia. Its keyhole surgery so there's no scarring. What the surgeon does is basically punctures the cystic follicles on the ovaries using an electrical needle or laser. I had this operation and it was successful in my case in that I became pg two months post op (I even had one 28 day cycle for the first time ever post op - oooh!) but equally I do know of cases where this op has not worked. It is not a cure for PCOS (there is not one and the causes are not fully understood) but it is certainly another treatment option.

Re your comment:-
"I'm just quite adamant to find out when I ovulate! so at least I can give it a go at the right time!"

The best way is to have regular blood tests done to determine your hormone levels. Your gynae should be seeing you on a regular basis to monitor your test results. Predicting ovulation with other methods with PCOS is extremely difficult (actually I would say damn nigh impossible). Please do not time intercourse vigourously either, doing so can actually do more harm than good. Make love instead when you both feel like it!!!.

With best wishes

Attila x