PCOS and TTC! Anyone want to join with me?

[AnnieBeansMum]

I ladies. I have DD1 (almost 3) and DH and I have begun talking about TTC #2. It took nearly 4 years to conceive DD1 and we finally had success with a course of clomid.

I am now in Canada and have just been referred to a new gynecologist who is apparently the leading expert in PCOS in Canada. So hopefully he will be able to help speed things along. I don't think I could take another 4 year wait.

Does anyone else want to join??

I'll echo what fairygodmother1 said. OPKs are useless unless you have a fairly regular cycle. When I was trying to conceive DD1, I simply did a pregnancy test at the same time every month. This meant that we weren't really sure how far along I was until I had my dating scan. Kind of a pain, but it was the only way we found to test.

Thanks for the recommendation of collette Harris and I will mention pain to GP as it can be dull but it can also be similar to braxton Hicks I felt. Fairygodmother1, I totally agree with the whole getting bored with food. I'm also fed up of people thinking I'm just weak willed when I eat far better than they do! Makes me sick TBH.

Tinky I hate that I think that people think I must be such a large eater & eat all the wrong things when I don't. I exercise way more than anyone I know yet I'm twice the size of them plus they're sitting there eating anything (and get preg a few days after deciding to TTC )

Must say I've just weighed myself (naughty to do it at night) and lost 3lb this week!!!!

Congratulations Fairy!!! That's awesome.

Well done fairy!

I don't know if this helps but according to my (v expensive) consultant there was a big random control trial in which they allocated women to 4 groups - met only, clomid only, clomid and met, then a control group who didn't have anything and the highest pregnancy rate was in the clomid only group which has changed the thinking about prescribing met for women with pcos who are ttc.

I asked the cons last time about temp charting and opks, he said temping doesn't work for women with pcos, opks can work but it's poss to get false positives. I've decided to give opks a go and am about to buy the cheapo ones from amazon so at least I'm not wasting any money.

I was diagnosed with pcos years before I had DD and was being treated on NHS when I got pg but my pxt won't fund fertility treatment of you've already got a child so we've had to go private which is expensive but the cons is good, everything happens more quickly and they were amazing when I had my mc in the summer. Sorry, this post seems to be a big waffle....

Congratulations fairy. well done.
reallygrumpy, that sounds very interesting, my only worry is that I was told that NHS would not give clomid to women with bmi higher than 30.

Must be friday night waffle cos I'm doing it too!!! lol.

Clomid worked in the way that I ovulated but nothing stuck. I think different things work for different people. [hmmm]

There's no way we could go private.

Me either - and our PCT will only fund 2attempts. So we're kinda at the place where 1 will make us really happy!!!

The NHS seem to be giving really mixed signals. I had one course of clomid to conceive my dd and my BMI was well over 30!!

It's just crazy the way the system works. I can't believe that you do not qualify for IVF if you already have one child!?

There's a lot of things I love about the NHS and prefer to the Canadian health system, but when dealing with infertility - Canada is definitely the place to be!!

sorry to butt in (esp with long story), i'd just like a second opinion from people who might understand.

I was diganosed with PCOS when i was 19 and was never offered any treatment. Went to docs when I was 30 re problems ttc and eventually became pregnant without treatment 7 years later. DS was born in April (two weeks before my 38th birthday). He's now six months and I'm keen to start trying for number two but everyone is telling me I should just enjoy DS.

Am i being selfish. I'm delighted to be a mum at all but don't want ds to be an only child. I've been told ttc will spoil these years with ds, and i can sort of see where they are coming from. Should also mention I'm on anti d's. so should really come off these before ttc but am worried about my mood dipping.

Hi LouisEwalsh - first congratulations on the birth of your DS! You have a very tricky situation and I can see where people are coming from when they say ttc will detract from your time with DS. It is a long and difficult battle to become pregnant for a lot of women with PCOS. Add to that existing issues with depression and a young child - it could be an incredibly difficult time for your and your family.

That being said, you also need to consider the age gap between your children should it take another 7 years to conceive. If you were to wait for another 2 years and then start ttc again and it was another long wait, you could be looking at a considerable age difference.

I wish I could give you more help with your problem. But I think ultimately, it needs to be a conversation you have with your DP/DH. You both need to weigh the pros and cons of ttc now and decide which option is best for you, your ds and your mental health. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Hello ladies can I join in?
I haven't been diagnosed as yet, but doc did mention I could have PCOS.
I have been ttc since Aug 2010 with #1 and I'm 39.
I have had 1 cycle and waiting for the next one to arrive. My cyles usually flux between 33 - 38, but this one has now gone on for 49 - longest ever! Tested today and got a BFN, so now I am thinking the doc is probably right!

Good to hear your stories!
I am about 4 stone overweight with a BMI of 34. I have to go see the doc if periods don't return in the next month, so am going to try and lose weight!

Tinky19 I've been getting period pains, but no period! And a slight burning sensation in left ovary area.

Sorry for life story!!!!

LouisEwalsh you are definately not being selfish. My DS1 was also born in April. I haven't ovulated since so DH and I are letting nature run it's course for now. I'm hoping to get metformin re weight issues, but am trying not to get too hung up TTC#2 whilst DS is still so young, but trying to live healthy life style to help nature along a bit.
What ever you decide don't punish yourself.

Wallydog, that sounds very familiar, will deffinately mention to my GP. yesterday i was convinced AF was on its way. Feels weird wishimg for AF when TTC but it will at least mean I'm ovulating.

Hi Fairygodmother Happy Birthday! I am 32 next month. Only started to feel old once I started TTC ;)

Hello all, marking my place on this thread just before I go to bath DS and will read it properly later.

We ttc for nearly 2 years before conceiving DS (now 3.5 years) on metformin. DH also not the greatest swimmers - I recommend Wellman as a good multivitamin, and if your DH drinks make him stop!

I've had two miscarriages since DS born (both within six months of each other in 2009) but now feel ready to start trying again. Also need to lose weight

Wow it's got busy on here! Waiting for AF at the moment, am on a very long cycle (longest since I started Metformin) of 42 days so far .

louisEWalsh I don't think you are being selfish either, but I identify with your guilt. My DS is a joy, but sometimes I feel that I am so focussed on how wonderful it would be to be pregnant / have a tiny baby again that I am missing out on some great stuff happening before my very eyes... a bit similar to that feeling that you didn't appreciate your newborn because it was experienced through the fug of worry and lack of sleep!

As to the NHS giving mixed messages, I was not asked what my weight was when I was prescibed Metformin, and Clomid has been metioned as the next step. My BMI is around 30 so you'd think they'd want to check my weight if they have a blanket policy of not prescribing to those with high BMIs.

I struggle so much to lose weight . I love food and love cooking and don't eat loads of junk, but just can't shift it. To be fair I don't exercise enough, but I just don't have time. I work and have to drive to work, don't have time for a lunchbreak, and it's 7.30pm by the time we even sit down with our dinner after getting ds to bed, cooking etc. Oh, plus I'm studying towaards a work-related course in my spare time until Christmas. As I work I like to spend weekends with my ds, so get a bit of exercise chasing him around the park, but have to use it to do housework and the shopping as well.

My God, reading back on that, how on earth do I find time for any BDing?

Right, I'll let someone else get a word in edgeways now. Happy birthday fairygodmother, hope you are having a wonderful 30th!

Hi all, in need of support from people who understand!!
TTC #1 for 2 & 1/2 years, diagnosed with PCOS, been on clomid and metformin, had periods for three months when on them but not ovulating! then told to stop taking them to loose weight, started to loose weight and got gallstones!! lost 3 and 1/2 stones and had gallbladder removed in July along with ovarian drilling! now been told to wait for six months to see what happens withour medication, still not had a period 3 months on!!!! Getting really down and depressed about all of it and wondering if it will ever happen! :(

Wow what a busy thread

Happy birthday fairy how lovely to be turning 30, my 30s have definitely been my happiest years.

lj30- how miserable! But well done on losing so much weight, that's amazing. Ovarian drilling does have quite a high success rate so fingers crossed it works for you.

Georgimama so sorry to hear about your mcs, I had a mc in the summer and it's v tough. The only reason I haven't taken more time off ttc is that I'm worried about my age (I'm 37).

Oh, and the reasons for mixed messages about what the NHS will and won't fund / prescribe is that the rules are made at a pct level so it'll vary depending on where you live.

Hope you're all having good weekends, I've eaten far too much of the wrong things so I've promised myself I'll go for a run or do my exercise DVD tomorrow.

Hi everone, busy in here!

Waves back at fairy, I'm not too bad, still sick of the neverending cycle :( congratulations on the weightloss.

Whovever was asking about ages, I'm 30 and DP is 40. When I was first diagnosed with PCOS (2 1/2 years ago I think) the gynaecoligis said I should definitely start ttc before I was 30 as I was likely to have problems, not the most helpful comment in the world!

How is everyone? Hope you're all having a good weekend. I had a lovely day yesterday (day out in Edinburgh with my mum, saw an art exhibition, nice lunch and lots of shopping :) ) but then today I'm back to feeling miserable and fed up. CD56 here and nothing happening. Grrrr

Hello folks.

Seems like there are many of us in the same boat - trying and failing to get that ellusive pregnancy! Isn't it hard work...We each have our own stories and struggles - and it is encouraging to know we're not the only ones on this journey.

I'm finding it really emotional at the moment. Still trying to come to terms with being told DH has poor swimmers. So glad to hear from Georgimam that you have a DC. Will get some Wellman for my DH. Actually, are they the brown bullet-poo-like ones?! He refused to take them before as he said they put him off his dinner!!

In terms of weight - I sympathise with folks who need to shift it. It is so much harder with PCOS. I haven't that much left to go now - about another 8 pounds. But that is probably closer to 12 pounds now - have been eating rubbish! Realised my losing weight is unlikely to get me pregnant, so have lost motivation. Sigh.

Sorry to be negative...

Hope folks have had a good weekend and are relaxing and enjoying their DH/DP/DD/DS* delete as appropriate!

They are indeed the brown bullet proof squirrel poo looking tablets. They have some particular vitamin in them (I forget which, used to be an expert on all this when TTC DS and no doubt will be one again soon) which helps sperm production. DH had his motility and function test repeated about a month before I fell pregnant with DS and his levels were normal, having been extremely poor - basically the poor quality of his sperm would have been a bar to conceiving in itself, let alone my PCOS. 3 months of wellman, no booze and a lo GI diet sorted it.

Tell him to get with the squirrel poo!

LouisEwalsh It's totally yours & DH's decision at the end of the day. We're still struggling TTC#1 & at the mo am personally thinking one will be enough but we've also said that we'll never actively TTC another but I will never use any sort of contraceptives ever again!

Wally is it just the high BMI & lack of periods that are your symptoms? Have you had blood tests or scans?

Thanks Hallie I've had a lovely couple of days & looking forward to my Big 30 Party next weekend!!!!

Welcome Georgi sorry to hear about MS. Are you thinking of using Metformin again?

Thank you 8RD. Totally sympathise with food, cooking & busy days. I only get the walk in cos thats how I get too & from work as it's quicker than 2 buses & I don't drive.

Big hugs lj30 You have really been through it!!! I hope so good luck is starting soon.

Sorry to go on - well busy on here now!!!

Hello - can I join in too?

Have had PCOS for a long time (at one time was going without periods for 6 months at a time...) Kept being told that I was too thin to have PCOS, then eventually had the dildo cam and they found both my ovaries were riddled with cysts.

Conceived on Met in December 2009 (got my BFP on CD88 of that cycle!) but sadly had an MMC. Then took Clomid and now have v lovely DS aged 7 months.

DH and I now TTC#2. DH currently refusing to countenance the idea of more Clomid, plus have been told that I won't get it on the NHS (as we already have DS) so would need to pay privately anyway. Lovely GP has prescribed me some Met so I'm going to give that a spin...

Pinky why wouldn't you get Clomid on NHS? I had to pay for it and I don't have any ch (I paid my perscription charge). A friend of mine also had it on NHS when she has a DC already. She was told she'd have to pay IVF.