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Conception

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Original poster

TTC with PCOS

999 replies

Ainat266 · 15/03/2015 14:25

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.

OP posts:
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17
PinkParsnips · 28/03/2015 08:24

I started ttc June 2011, fell pregnant the first month off the pill but had a mc at 6 weeks then it took 18 months to fall pg again - we had our first appt at a fertility clinic but in the end i fell pg naturally and had DD Nov 2013.

My cycles were between 25 and 70 days but after starting agnus castus tablets they reduced straightaway to around 33 days and I fell pg a few months after starting it. We are going to ttc again at the end of the year so I'm going to start agnus castus now!

I also read that taking selenium helps and I fell pg the same month I started that, possibly a coincidence I don't know!

Where I live (Yorkshire) the consultant point blank refused to even consider Metformin for PCOS which was disappointing.

I've actually found Slimming World works for me personally better than low gi.

Good luck!! Smile

Original poster
Ainat266 · 28/03/2015 22:45

Sorry I've missed loads of posts this week - been crazy busy! Hello to anyone I've not spoken to yet!

Gin I think I need to be a bit more pushy too. I still haven't had a period after coming off birth control, and I came off in August...

I ordered some cinnamon. They came today. I can't find any negative effects of taking it when researching, shall I just go for it and start taking them?

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Original poster
Ainat266 · 28/03/2015 22:47

Oh, I have some Agnus Castus too. Debating taking it...

Can I do myself any harm if I take too many natural remedies?

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Ginfizz90 · 28/03/2015 22:56

As far as I can see i don't think it can cause you harm.

Chances are we aren't ovulating yet anyway, the sooner that starts happening the better! I'm praying something works soon x

PopcornPip · 29/03/2015 17:04

I have my doctor's appointment tomorrow. Bit anxious and not quite sure how to say 'test me!' in a non hysterical way. Any tips?

AbFab86 · 29/03/2015 17:12

Good luck popcorn! Just get it clear in your head what you want and why you think you need it, then present your case and be quite firm. Fx for you.

I saw my new endocrinologist today for my diabetes. Hands down he was the best medical professional I have ever come across (and I've come across a lot having had diabetes 22yrs!). He told me my long term blood sugars were perfect (doc last week said I still had to lower them despite a constant battle) and that I could up my metformin to 3000mg a day to see if that helped with ovulation. He insisted he expects he see me pregnant in 3-4 months Grin Maybe a bit optimistic, but we like optimism!

My gynae last week put me on progesterone to bring on a period. I've been on it 4 days now and no sign of AF but I do have one (yes, just the one) very swollen and sore boob! It's oh so glamorous Grin

PopcornPip · 29/03/2015 17:27

Thanks ab, that's such positive news Smile, congrats!

Ginfizz90 · 29/03/2015 19:57

Gd luck popcorn, If you figure out how to the non hysterical thing let me know because I still don't know!!

Abfab hopefully you will see some action soon, sore boobs are always my first symptom.

Original poster
Ainat266 · 30/03/2015 01:07

ab we definitely like optimism. Grin

Popcorn if you're feeling a bit nervous write down what you want to ask? I think I'm going to have to do that. When I'm put on the spot remembering my name is a challenge, let alone what I want to ask.

Just been reading about provera and clomid - wondering if I can get the doctor to agree that they may help or whether I need to lose more weight to help with the insulin resistance before they'll prescribe anything. What do you think the likelihood of getting them to let me try them whilst still so overweight? (Damn being so short. My BMI wouldn't be as bad if I were a normal height!)

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AbFab86 · 30/03/2015 06:54

I think it very much depends on the doctor. My BMI is fine but my long term blood sugars are 7.1 (old guidelines are 4-7). One doctor categorically said she wouldn't prescribe clomid with it above 6.4, whereas another said it would be no problem as it is. I imagine it will be similar with weight. Am I right in thinking you have to be a certain BMI to qualify for IVF? I wonder if it's the same for any sort of fertility treatment? Doesn't hurt to ask I suppose. At least then you'll know what you're dealing with.

Ginfizz90 · 30/03/2015 07:20

As if dealing with pcos isn't enough stress and upset to be constantly told to lose weight must be hard. Especially as one of the side effects makes it difficult to do so. Just to put a different point across, my BMI is normal and I was told I could have Metformin because I wasn't over weight! ConfusedShock we can't win can an we???

Ginfizz90 · 30/03/2015 07:27

Couldnt*

PopcornPip · 30/03/2015 11:52

Morning ladies.
ab from the limited research I have done it's a bmi of 30 for nhs and 35 for private. Both of which I currently exceed, being a short arse and a foodie Sad
OH was going to come with me to appt later but I've let him off the hook as I don't trust myself not to cry if he's there. If I'm on my own I need to be a big brave girl!
gin that really is crappy!

DrewOB · 30/03/2015 14:36

Stress makes PCOS worse. Mine got at its worse when I was bullied at work and immediately started improving once I moved.
Still waiting for results of HCG blood test to come back (since Wednesday!). What else could make nipples bigger and darker I wonder?

Original poster
Ainat266 · 30/03/2015 14:59

Popcorn have you had your appointment? How did it go?
If you don't mind me asking - how short are you? I'm 4'10" which pushes my BMI up.

I read that IVF is a BMI of 30 or less too.

I have had a new found lease of positivity today. I have been to the gym for the first time in months. All I did was half hour on the treadmill on an incline walking at a pace that was enough for me to feel a bit breathless but not like I was going to pass out. I feel so much better for it. I need to remember that exercise helps my mood too! The past few months have been really hard for me emotionally and I feel like I've been slipping back into depression (I have a history with depression, and have recently started counselling). I'm not saying doing exercise is a cure for it, but I had forgotten how much it can help! When the depression really kicks in it takes all my efforts just to get out of bed in the morning and get to work, and then I'm so exhausted from pretending I'm okay all day that when I get home I want to go to bed pretty much straight away. As opposed to right now, and I'm feeling great!

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AbFab86 · 30/03/2015 17:36

Sorry if I'm being really thick here but isn't BMI linked to height? Or have I made that up?

Completely agree that exercise is a great mood lifter! I've always found that regular exercise improves my PCOS symptoms. I've done all sorts of low calorie/low carb etc diets and the only thing that keeps my weight down long term is exercise. And I'm a bit addicted to the endorphins Grin

PopcornPip · 30/03/2015 18:40

ab yes bmi is the height to weight ratio thingy (body mass index).
ainat I'm 5 ft 2 but weigh 14 st 11 Sad. My appointment went really well actually, thanks for asking. My gp was happy to arrange for me to have the 21 day ovulation test, which weirdly is tomorrow so I'm booked in for tomorrow morning. She did say it would be good for me to look at losing weight, obviously. OH needs to be tested but we could be referred as early as June which is a year ttc (well not quite but almost). Hopefully won't need it Smile
Drew dark nips? Good news or something else, is that the issue?

PopcornPip · 30/03/2015 18:42

I had started back at the gym a few weeks ago and been going 2-3 times a week but haven't been since I hurt my knee last Sunday. Hope to be back soon, even if I do hate exercising!

AbFab86 · 30/03/2015 18:50

That's great news that your doctor is testing you popcorn! Hopefully that means that if you're still TTC in June (and hopefully you won't be!) then you shouldn't have to go on a long waiting list for more treatment Smile

PopcornPip · 30/03/2015 19:02

I was all set to plead and she just said yep let's do it. Funny the different experiences you can get with different gps!

Original poster
Ainat266 · 30/03/2015 20:18

Glad the appointment went well popcorn Grin Can I ask, do you get regular (semi-regular?) periods at the min? Yay for getting the tests done tomorrow! Sounds like you really did get a good GP this time.

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PopcornPip · 30/03/2015 21:16

Hey ainat I have had regular monthly periods since coming off the pill over a year ago. I was prescribed the pill for pcos originally and then used it for contraception. It's funny how much you worry about getting pregnant until you start trying! Before I was on the pill it was every 3 months or so. How is it with you?

AbFab86 · 31/03/2015 09:50

I don't seem to get periods at all Hmm I came off the pill almost 6 months ago. Had the usual withdrawal bleed but nothing since. I've just been put on a 10 day course of progesterone to try and induce a period. Not seen anything as of yet.

DrewOB · 31/03/2015 10:58

Apparently getting blood test results on weds! So if it's not a pregnancy, what has all the symptoms of pregnancy (inc. nips) and isn't?
and I will not let the GP rebuke me as "it's hormonal".

AbFab86 · 31/03/2015 14:08

How many days late are you drew? Or are you in the situation where you don't know because of a wonky cycle? I hope you can get some answers tomorrow (and I hope the answer is BFP!).

Random moan but I'm so sick of facebook at the moment. I use it a lot to keep in touch with people because I live in the Middle East but nowadays whenever I go on its just pictures of pregnant people or new pregnancy announcements or other things that bring out the green eyed monster. I'd take just a normal cycle at the moment! Or just any cycle at all!