TTC with PCOS

[Ainat266]

Are there any other ladies out there trying to conceive with PCOS? Or any success stories of conceiving with PCOS?

We've been ttc and off of bc since August. Since then I've been diagnosed with PCOS and put on Metformin. I am overweight, especially for my height as I'm only short - but am trying to lose the weight. I'm almost at a 10% weight loss since getting the PCOS diagnosis in November 14. I haven't had any periods since coming off of bc in August 14, apart from what I'm guessing was a withdrawal bleed (that happened pretty much straight away - end of August) and a couple of very light bleeds that lasted no longer than a day.

I'm just feeling all a bit fed up now and think I need to hear from others that are either in a similar boat or have been able to have healthy normal pregnancies despite the PCOS.

Ab my stats are...

Ain
27
TTC #1
On Metformin

I'm trying the GI diet. When I'm being super strict it is working (I let it slip this week with all the family stuff that's going on). That's how I lost the 20lbs I've already lost. Need to keep going at it though. Wondering if there is anything else I can do in terms of medication as I'm not entirely convinced that the current dose of Metformin is helping. I currently take 1500mg a day.

Even if my body isn't ready for pregnancy yet (insert bitchiness - loads of fat girls get pregnant, it's not fair!) I at least want a period to know that my body still knows how to do that...

This may of course be the mental side of me talking. Hormones have been crazy lately... Maybe that's a good sign?

bless you thank you ab!

didn't chart today as had mega disturbed sleep and when I took my temp it was 36.2 which is waaay below my cover line so I'm hoping it was just down to the broken sleep.

my weight is currently worse than ever! I downloaded a low GI index onto my phone so I've been trying to follow that. the weight part of it is SO frustrating

(it being pcos!)

Ponty I agree with you there! At least I know there is a reason for it... That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyway.

I went to the docs this morning, saw a very nice doctor who has referred me to the gynae. Fingers crossed something will happen because of it. Just got to wait for the referral to come through now. In the mean time, back on the low GI diet after falling off the wagon this week.

Gin pleased to glad you got a referral from your GP. Hopefully things will start moving forward for you now! How are you feeling about it?

Ain Snap with the crazy hormones! I have been sooooo overly emotional recently- I cry at everything and usually I am not a crier at all Are you the same? I definitely put it down to my long cycles!! CD 74 for me and still nothing Oh and that's great you've been referred too! I hope your referral time is quicker than mine- 11 weeks waiting for a letter and still waiting.

The GP chased it up for me and the clinic has said I should receive my clinic appointment in the next week

In the meantime I decided to contact a local Chinese medicine specialist and acupuncturist who specialists in fertility problems including PCOS. He has been in our local press a lot for helping women to get pregnant who have been trying for years using western medicine. I'm not sure how much of an impact it actually has in reality but I cant see any harm in giving it a go. So I went for my first appointment yesterday and he was so understanding and knowledgeable. He did acupuncture to try and simulate my ovaries, and ever since I have had really bad cramping! It may be a coincidence but something is definitely going on down there!

He also said that he wants me to start drinking/eating soya as this acts as a natural clomid. I had heard of Soy tablets but he said soya in your diet is better than tablets- so off I went to the supermarket and bought loads of soya milk and tofu! I'm willing to give anything a try at this point! Anyone else tried soya/soy tablets before??

Thanks Ain I'll put you on the table Easter is absolutely the worst time to follow a low GI diet! Easter eggs, hot cross buns, cakes....nightmare! But oh so nice Well done on losing 20lbs already though! That's fantastic! The weight gain is definitely the worst part. It's a vicious circle - PCOS gives you insulin resistance, which makes you gain weight, which increases the insulin resistance, which makes you gain more weight...blahhhhh.

Rosebud I like the sound of the acupuncture. I've never tried it myself but my mum has for neck pain and it really helped. Anything is worth a go I think!

Well AF has disappeared for me now. 3 days. I've only really got the ones I had between pill cycles to compare it to, but 3 days seems a bit short considering I haven't had one since early December? Anyway I've told DH we need to DTD every other day now and I will start temping properly again. Perhaps if nothing happens over the next couple of weeks I'll be offered clomid. We'll see. Makes me angry that I wasn't offered it to start with because the gynaecologist didn't agree that my hba1c was low enough, even though my endocrinologist (who has a much better idea of these things!) thinks it's just fine. Hmph.

Forgot to mention soy. I've never tried it myself but I've heard soy in your diet is very different to soy isoflavones that people take to mimic clomid. I haven't done much research into that though so not sure whether soy that you eat/drink can help with fertility too.

Thanks for the lovely advice ab
ain sounds like you're doing really well with the weight loss. Keep it up! If you don't mind me asking, what's a typical diet day like for you?
Gin FX for your referral, it's so good when things start happening, it's just a shame it takes so bloody long.
rosebud let us know how you get on with the acupuncture. Sounds good!

Lots more dtd and occasional or for everyone!

CD32 today so officially late as of tomorrow. Though that doesn't really mean anything to us does it?

Thanks popcorn

Erm, my days vary all over the place really... but something a little like this...

Breakfast: I struggle with breakfast the most, (don't really feel like eating in the mornings but trying to force myself to have something), but normally a high in fibre cereal when I manage to have something. I weigh it out to check how much I am actually putting in my bowl. A bowl of special K yoghurty and the 1% fat milk comes in around 40g carbs. (I need better breakfasts - any ideas? I don't really like to eat in the mornings, nor do I have much time).

Lunch: This week I've been having boiled or poached eggs with brown toast a lot as I've been at home (The eggs are fine, bread about 17g a slice so I only have one - two if I didn't have breakfast). When I'm at work I try to make and take a salad or leftovers from the night before. Sometimes at work I'll have soups (normally tinned - high in carbs coming in around 30-35g) but with no bread, mostly as it is so quick and easy if I haven't had chance to make anything the night before.

Dinner: Dinner is where I've really tried to make a change regarding carbs, something like a portion of fish or chicken with vegetables is a common dinner for me, pretty low carb. Depending on what else I've had in the day I may do something like a chilli with rice (basmati rice) or something with pasta (wholewheat pasta) and limit the amount of pasta or rice I put on my own plate (again I weigh stuff out).

Drinks: Trying to increase water. I've swapped to 'zero' drinks for the odd occasions where I have something fizzy. I love a nice hot cup of tea (no sugar, but a splash of milk).

I'm terrible at snacking. I'm either all or nothing. On my bad days I could snack for England - especially if I have access to chocolate, biscuits or crisps. If I'm having a 'good' day I don't snack at all really as once I start I can't really stop. If I'm having a good day I don't want to ruin my hard work with snacking.

On the other hand, if I'm having a bad day I do let it get to me and just sorta say fuck it. Those days will be full of chocolate, and possibly pizza or fish and chips for dinner!

I actually find it far easier to stick to when I'm at work, though I find it far easier to get to the gym/take the dog on extra long walks/etc. when I'm at home.

popcorn forgive me if I've missed something, but have you tested?!

ab get on it! let me know how temping goes addict

rosebud that is so interesting about the acupuncture - sounds really encouraging. I think that is my next step! really hope it does something for you

Hey ponty I haven't tested yet. I am hanging on, I still think AF is coming!
Ain that's awesome, thanks. I struggle with breakfast too so I just end up getting something from Starbucks most days with my morning coffee (also bad!)

well I've got everything crossed for you popcorn! you have much more restraint than me!

Has anybody tried soy isoflavones?? I had a look today but couldn't find them anywhere but Holland & barratt and were £25 pounds for small bottle. Yes glad I have the referral, just extra anxious now my gp said in the letter my case was confusing. Also when I go to see consultant I don't necessarily want to be given strong drugs, I really want to do everything I can naturally. I'd rather figure out something to get my periods back and as reg as poss rather and treat the actual problem than force ovulation. Does this make sense? Am I crazy? Can I say this to the consultant? I don't know what is ok and what isn't!!!

gin I think it is important to tell your consultant exactly how you feel! it's quite an intimate journey to be on, they'll have heard it all. write points down for when you have your appointment if it helps and use them as prompts when you are there so that you get all the answers you need etc.

I bought soy from natures best. They were 50mg. I took one dose before I went to bed on my last cycle. I got up next morning and my eyelids were so swollen I could barely open my eyes! So didn't take any more. Never had a problem eating soy or edamame before!

GIN - taking Soy definitely if not being natural! It majorly messes with your hormones and cycle, it mimics clomid, so if you don't want to take clomid then don't take Soy. People on mumsnet use Soy because they can't get clomid! Some have also claimed because clomid is too expensive but my 10 tablets I just bought were £9 in total!

Thanks for the heads up, I don't have any cycle at the moment so wouldn't be much use to me anyway.

I'm having a real wobble, why isn't Angus or inositol bloody working ??

how long have you been taking them gin?

Two weeks! God has it only been two weeks I know, it's too soon to really expect a change. Just feeling so depressed and down

Age 36 I have PCOS along with hair acne obesity etc but I have been ovulating apparently sometimes .Tubes ok. I have tried on and off over the last 18 yrs to get pregnant after my 1st child 18yrs ago. Tried metformin a few years back but side effects too severe .TTC the last 3.5 yrs naturally ( sex literally everyday)

No luck until today. Felt very unwell last week and took time off work due to severe headache and tiredness. Thought I had flu. 1 week late on my period so I popped in Tescos on way home from work today to pick up a test. Positive test - I am pregnant! I cannot believe it I have been up all night due to shock.

It can happen.

happywifey massive congratulations to you!!!

gin 2 weeks is early, but I completely understand your frustration. keep at them, there are so many women out there who swear by them and studies that have really encouraging results. it's shit but soon enough you'll be telling a story similar to the one below

Congratulations Happy! It is stories like yours that keep me believing! I had no idea just how emotionally draining this journey would be.

Gin I'm sure when doing my research on inositol through pubmed website that most results require at least 6 weeks of taking it, and at a high dose (4000mg). One more month for you, my lovely! But I completely get "the wobble". I get that same feeling most days at the mo.

My inositol arrived this morn so I'm going to join you in that daily ritual now.... I'm Excited!

Now where is Popcorn with her bfp test result??!

I started Inositol at the beginning of December and didn't see a difference until mid February! Took about 10 weeks but suddenly huge change in my metabolism!

Thanks girls, just want I needed to hear! How much inositol do you take? I do a quarter of a teaspoon dissolved in water as my scales aren't that accurate! I was so suprised how big my tub of it was i thought it was only going to be small hahaha

Congratulations happy that's lovely news
No need for a test, AF arrived as expected. I did my best not to think about the possibilities of a bfp but it is difficult. Needless to say, a little upset yesterday but feeling a lot better this morning. No bfp = caffeine intravenously and a cheeky vino or two.
As well as another month to save money and lose weight.
How is everyone doing today?
Thanks ain for your diet info, really helpful!
gin have you had any symptoms on the inositol? Sorry if you've answered this before.