Need to vent - Advice on PCOS, Clomid & poss preg welcome!

[DonnaP86]

Hi all,

So I was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 months ago after a LONG time telling Doc's somethin wasn't right and as my DH and I have been trying for a year they sent us to a NHS fertility clinic. Was told to have bloods done when my period started (I am on every other week!!) and DH had to provide sample.

Once bloods and sample are done they have agreed to put me on Clomid, the only problem is my period has vanished! They have always been regular (too regular!), add to that that my boobs are really sore, my moods are all of the place I decided to do a test last Saturday as I was due on 22nd Sept and it came back negative.

I am in a real muddle today! Thinking I should prob do another test this weekend but scared it will be a BFN :-(

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

I too have PCOS. I spent months in and out of the gyno clinic having tests and consultations etc, and got so stressed about it all that we decided to go for private IVF treatment as I ended up on antidepressants because of it all. So, we made a plan for saving and decided to have one last holiday before we knuckled down, as we wouldn't have been able to afford one for some time.
A couple or so weeks after the holiday, my boobs were really really sore, so I took a test. It came back negative. But, the sore boobs continued. My periods have always been irregular, so I didn't have a basic pattern to check on. A couple of weeks after the original test, I took another in the hope it might be positive. It was!!! Those life changing blue lines.
I believe that the relaxation was everything to do with it, having a plan so had no more stress. I truly hope the same has happened to you. My dd is the best thing that ever happened to us.
My fingers are crossed for you.x

Thanks Jen, it such a long winded frustrating process! Did another test at the weekend and it was negative again....so my periods have just stopped!
Going to ring the clinic again and let them know as I can't do the blood tests they wanted!

I try to relax about it as much as possible which is no mean feat for me as I am highly strung!

Thanks again x

I had this problem re blood tests as my periods were irregular due to PCOS. What I was told was that the tests can actually be done according to calendar days so you could have a day 2 and a day 21 during the calendar months. These tests should be repeated.

You should also be monitored closely whilst on clomid (ideally through both blood tests and ultrasounds) as it is not always suitable for all PCOS patients. Its usually only given for a max of six months after which time other treatments should be tried.

Thanks Attila, this is really helpful. I live about 45mins drive from the clinic so they told me they would post my Clomid prescription and would give me a review appointment in 6 months, no mention of any monitoring whilst I was on it!

Why is it not always suitable?

Will ask them about the blood tests and see what they suggest!

Donna not sure if I'll be of any help but I'm the other end of the scale to you. Rarely, if ever get periods. At 28 I could probably count them all on my fingers and toes. When ds was conceived, I had not seen af for a good 18 months. Currently 9 weeks into pregnancy number 2 and had been period free for about 6 months by the time we conceived. Dc2, I knew I was pregnant the very week we dtd, had a blood test (too early) that was negative. 3 weeks later, 3 bfps.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't lose heart. PCOS is a total curse and can make ttc very difficult, you aren't really able to accurately gauge when you ov. But, it is possible you tested too early twice. Really hoping this is the case for you too. Good luck!

Thanks foolserrand, my younger sister also has PCOS and doesn't get any periods at all (I am 24 and she is 21) so I try to help her as much as I can as she hasn't started trying yet. Just good to be able to tell her what to expect!

Determined that I will have a family, I won't ever give up! It good to hear from others that have successfully conceived and congrats!

Fingers crossed I tested too early, if not I will just keep plodding along! :-)

Donna

Clomid is not always suitable for all PCOS patients to take because it can affect hormone levels markedly particularly LH. Many PCOS patients have an excess of this hormone to start with so more of it is not needed. Also clomid resistance can happening.

No monitoring is not acceptable - you need to be monitored if you go on clomid. No monitoring also means that you don't know whether its doing what its supposed to (clomid's job is to make the ovaries work harder).

Your sister and you may want also to look at Verity's website which is www.verity-pcos.org.uk.

Good luck to you; don't let the clinic fob you off. Seek a second opinion too if you think it is warranted.

Thanks Alttila, I thought it was odd that they weren't going to monitor! I am already registered on Verity but haven't been on it for a while so will have another look.

Thanks again for your help!