TTC with PCOS (Thread #2)

[RoseBud2015]

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS and would like a small group of very friendly ladies in the same position as you to talk to, then this is the thread for you!

You can find our first thread >>>>>>>>> HERE

You can find the stats >>>>> HERE

Welcome ClareLily !

If it helps make you more confident in your PCOS I am the RESULT of a PCOS mummy on chlomid and am now a 32 year old! So it definitely is possible, all be it sometimes you need a nudge to ovulate like chlomid as banana suggested.

I've just been put on metformin as a lot of PCOS women are insulin resistant and this can help relieve symptoms of PCOS and level out insulin in your system. Might be worth asking about it in case it could be helpful for you too?

Hope you enjoy your time on this thread. The ladies here have been most helpful for me!

Welcome Claire, this thread is a great support - hopefully you will be up-duffed in no time!

Chandelier any news? Hope you're okay!

Also jealous of Rosebud off on her exotic holidays, come back Rosebud haha!

I've booked my hsg 3 weeks away now, for a cost of £360 - I hope it will be helpful!

Yikes battenberg that is not cheap! Fingers crossed it helps you!

So guess what I am doing today? I am cancelling my plans to have dinner with my best friend to cover a guy at work who had to go home because his wife has a tummy ache and she doesn't want to give it to their 1 year old.

Irrational I know but right now, people with kids can just stay out my way! Seems like I am forever babysitting/covering work for other people with families while I don't have one of my own

Oh FFS Dollface that is a massive bunch of arse

I am having a corker of a time on my current work project - I work in advertising and the latest video from the brand I'm working on is a compilation of YouTube clips of women showing their partners their BFPs - perfect for a woman with fertility issues to have to see in every sodding meeting!!!

Banana I am in advertising too!!! Our industry is defo not PCOS friendly haha. That sucks big time, every time I see those clearblue adds on TV I have to turn over.

One of the worst is that having just got married it is hard to explain to my boss why I need so many doc tests and follow ups without him giving me the "are you pregnant" look. *sigh I try to get out of work appointments but with the irregular hours I have to confess to having appointments a lot of the time so I can't come in early/work late.

Hi all

glad to see everyone plodding on, and to all the newbies too!

feeling a little down on myself as I'm on CD23 and even though I know I'll never have regular cycles, every time I get to this point in the month and I still haven't ovulated, it's a wee reminder that my body doesn't work properly!

ewcm came and went, so either I'll have a few patches this cycle, or it'll be anovulatory.

apart from that moment of moping, I've started vitamin d3 which will apparently make me feel fabulous and has also been cited as an aid to fertility. You know the drill - throw shit at this issue til something sticks!

Haha no way Dollface that's so funny. We're similar ish ages I think, I'm also fairly newly married (although we've been together 12 years!) and both lean PCOS-ers who work in advertising in London. Are you me?! Haha

I totally relate about the appointments thing. I'm freelance and so I work with agencies rather than for them so I can be quite firm about when I have appointments. I can be quite vague about them though as I have a fair few doctors appointments, physio, blood tests and whatnot anyway with my back injury and epilepsy. One more medical issue to chuck into the mix!

Pontygirl massive hugs lovely! I think you're totally entitled to feel fucked off with sodding PCOS. It drives me potty on other threads to see women (understandably - I'm just having a stroppy day) moaning about it's been a whole 2 months and they've not got a BFP yet and they don't like the idea of OPKs as it all sounds too stressful. FFS you ovulate ladies, you've got to be in it to win it, and you know you're in it every month! I'm feeling desperately uncharitable, it's just non PCOS women that don't understand that ovulating in itself is a bloody triumph!

I'm off to break my low GL diet with a massive kit kat chunky!

banana thank you - it's nice to have this thread and all the understanding and support that comes with it. I actually worked in advertising for a little while until I moved away from London!

I'm properly back on the weight loss train now, I've lost 4 pounds this week. Hoping it makes a difference to my cycle!

Hi all

So glad I found this thread! I've read all of it, and its predecessor, over the past few days, and realise I am so un-clued up compared to you all. I wonder if I could give you a potted history and seek your views on what my next step should be (as I’ve been TTC for a year now – but not had AF since coming off the pill then, which makes it a little impossible...).

Diagnosed with PCOS at 16 following an ultrasound (I have no record or memory of any blood tests being done as well ). Went on the pill at 19 and stayed on it until last summer (I’m now 34) - most of the time it was just to ‘control’ the PCOS as that’s what the doctors recommended… anyway by January this year after coming off the pill in July 2014 I’d had no AF so convinced the GP it was time for some blood tests. All came back normal except for having very high prolactin (which means no chance of ovulation), and after an MRI I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma which had probably been growing for well over a decade, but being on the pill masked the pretty much only symptom for me (lack of AF). I’m now on medication which is controlling it well. So that's that additional hurdle sorted out, hopefully.

The endocrinologist said she thought I would then fall pregnant without any problems, as all other hormones were ‘normal’ and while an u/s she ordered because of my previous PCOS diagnosis revealed some cysts, one ovary was 'better' than the other. Anyway, AF didn’t follow so I’ve been put on metformin, 1g/day (started at the end of April), which has now been doubled to 2g/day (which I’ve been taking four weeks now, thankfully with no gastro side effects). The endocrinologist has also booked me in for another pelvic scan in a couple of weeks time, and I’ll see the endocrinologist at the end of August.

My questions – what is your view of metformin? I don’t like taking all these pills if it’s not actually having any effect. My endocrinologist was pretty wary of natural supplements (I told her I’d seen an acupuncturist who had put me on loads of different things) so I’ll ask her about inusitol when I see her, but don’t want to start it without her blessing. Do you think the metformin would put me in a better position when taking clomid, if that’s the next step?

Do you think I should be insisting on being refered to a gynae while I wait for my next endo appointment? (I don’t want to have to wait six /eight weeks after the endo appointment in a month’s time to see someone who might then want to run more tests before e.g. prescribing clomid. (I’m getting rather impatient, can you tell?) Should I be trying for additional checks, e.g this HSG that I've seen mentioned here? DH has agreed to get an SA next week.)

And some of you have said you’re not allowed to go three months without AF and for me it’s now been a year, so that gives me an extra thing to worry about, and I wonder whether a gynae would have that more at the forefront of their mind.

Apologies for the epic post. I just thought I’d throw my story out there and see if anyone had any views. But I’m already very grateful for all the information I’ve read on here, and I hope you all get to a BFP ASAP (those who haven’t already got one – love the success stories!).

welcome feefee! I don't have any experience with metformin, but the others do so they'll be more help to you there. wrt periods every 3 months, my GP thinks it's best to force a bleed with provera because otherwise all those dead cells and whatever in there can "overcook" and may turn into something unpleasant. may meaning rarely. It is not uncommon for women not to be treated though, and a few of the women I know personally with PCOS do go 12 months without a period, and they are fine (apart from the PCOS!) It's just a precaution, but nothing really to worry about. Just ask about it at your next appt and see what they say.

I'm sorry that you're in this position with the rest of us, but this is a great thread full of info and support here's to your BFP!

Dollface it's completely understandable to feel that way. Do you have a fail-safe thing that cheers you up I watch Christmas films If you do, indulge in it.
Also, it does feel like a lot of work to get the tests / treatment underway but think big - if it works and you have a baby, will you care about million test? That's what I try and tell myself anyway.

battenberg I don't blame you for going privately. If I could afford to, I would have considered it I think.

clarelily welcome! Is nexplanon the implant? I never had that but I tried several varieties of the pill, then the depo injection and eventually the coil. When I stopped each one to try something else, I had a hormonal explosion like you described. My GP said it was my body trying to balance out hormones and not knowing what it was doing.
For me, since ttc, it calmed down after about 3-4 months and I've learned how my body works on its own.
Also, I can't believe your gp told you you'll never convince. That is not what pcos means! There are a lot of things to try before a doctor can tell you that! I'm so annoyed on your behalf

bananafish your current project sounds like a room 101 situation. How are you coping with it?

ponty have you had any tests to confirm if you've ovulated or not? I have my fingers crossed for you anyway

feefee Welcome to the thread. I hope you don't mind me asking - are you overweight? I'm asking as metformin can help shorten cycles and help lose weight, which in turn can kick start ovulation in overweight women. I have been on it for a while now, and my cycles went from 100+ days to regular 40 day cycles on it. I'm not sure if it helps if you're a lean pcoser though

I would definitely ask for a gynae referral, the sooner you're on the list the better.

HSG is decided by the consultant, depending on the issues / treatment plan. Most Drs ask for them just to rule out tube blockages etc before they prescribe clomid as no point in taking meds to make you ovulate of the egg can't get out of the ovary! I had one, it wasn't pleasant but was the last test before being given clomid.

No periods can be a problem. As Ponty said, see if you can get a provera prescription to help. I had something similar a few weeks ago when my cycles just randomly lengthened and I needed AF to be able to take Clomid.

I would also prepare your DH to have SA at least twice. My dr asked for that to check that the first result wasn't a fluke.

So me - I'm on cd6 (technically AF started 11pm on Sunday but I took day 1 as Monday). I had day 3 bloods done as per the lovely consultant I saw last time, then started the 150mg dose of clomid.
I'm back to it 100% now - metformin regularly because I went through a stage of forgetting it and seven seas trying to get pregnant, DH is on his supplements, and we're both back on slimming world. I think hitting the 2 year mark of ttc has pushed something in me.

Also, I found out a friend has been ttc for just under a year (no pcos etc) so we've been trying to support each other and its highlighted to me how much I want this and how ready I am!

Fingers crossed for more BFPs on this thread!

Hi fee fee & welcome, I honestly don't know where I would be without this page. It has taught me so much!!

I guess I'm in a similar boat to you, taking met and inositol for a few months. If I'm being completely honest I haven't seen any change. I know for me the next step is clomid but I just don't know if I'm ready.

So worried of it not working

is it no I just temp! me and DH are also on slimming world fx it helps us both!!

PontyGirl woo! 4 pounds is bloody amazing. Nice one! Hope you’re feeling justifiably proud of yourself

FeeFee welcome! Couldn’t wish for a more supportive bunch of women here, they all rock.

I’m not far off 34, and I’ve been on the pill on and off (mostly on!) since 17 - I’d suspected something might not be quite right with my plumbing, as when not on the pill I rarely had periods, could easily go 6 months without one. Came off the pill to get myself checked out a few years ago, and had one 9-month long anovulatory cycle - after which I got my diagnosis.

As Ponty explained, there is a small increase in the risk of endometrial cancer for women with PCOS who have v infrequent bleeds, but really as she says, it’s a precaution to recommend having a short course of progestogen pills to bring on a bleed just to clear the lining out every few months. It’s nothing to be panicking about, just as Ponty said, something to ask about at your next appt.

Def agree with the recs. to ask for a referral to a gynae. In the US OB/GYNs aren’t really the specialists in reproductive matters, over there reproductive endocrinologists are the specialists for PCOS. Over here though, it’s gynaes who are specialists in reproductive matters, and I’d hope that any consultant gynae would liaise with your endocrinologist about the prolactinoma management

As much as we’re all v gung ho about taking supplements, I realise that we (by which I mean I) are buggering around with things we don’t really understand. Especially given you have existing endocrine issues, I would def check in with your specialist before chucking any supplements down your throat for the PCOS

IsIt so pleased you’ve got a friend for mutual support, and keeping fingers crossed for the 150mg Clomid for you. So glad you have a lovely and supportive consultant, it makes such a difference.

Current project isn’t so bad, as we’re working on the follow up to ‘Father’s Day’, so I’m not having to actually work on that campaign. I do want to lose my shit any time I have to see it though!!

I’m seeing my consultant on Monday for results of my Day 3 bloods and a scan to see what’s going on with my hopefully not dried up ovaries. I’m actually feeling surprisingly sanguine about it tbh - what will be will be, and I think DH has a point when he says which is realistically more likely, I’ve gone crashing towards early menopause overnight (possible but less likely) or the pill gave a misleading picture of my ovarian reserve (probable). We shall see!

Hope you ladies are having lovely weekends. Have a glass of on my behalf - haven’t had a drop in bloody months, because although I might have had more than I should have had a few drinks too many since my epilepsy diagnosis and not had any ill effects (other than a hangover!), the fact is alcohol can be a seizure trigger, and if I have another fit the TTC journey is going to have to go on hold for a wee while, so I’m just not risking it. Have my share for me!!

Thank you for the warm welcome and wise words, including your recommendations (but also reassurance!) re looking into Provera. I will contact the endo's office next week to ask about the gynae referral or whether I need to get my GP to do it.
IsIt - I'm overweight, BMI of 27. I am annoyed at myself just writing it down, as I know full well that losing weight is probably the number one thing I could do to help myself, and yet my willpower is rubbish when it comes to not giving into my sweet tooth. Metformin hasn't helped so far- I wonder if maybe it's only when people are feeling nauseous etc that they end up losing weight! It seems ridiculous to be moping/ feeling sorry for myself about not ovulating etc and then cheering myself up with a biscuit. I will make myself read this post again next time I'm tempted to do so!

Can I ask how many of you do the whole 'avoid eating food/drinks packaged in plastics', 'avoid all chemicals' etc thing which I've read about as being particularly recommended for PCOSers? (In a nutshell, I don't - I tend to buy natural cosmetics but trying to avoid plastic in everyday life seems to be almost impossible).
Bananafish, Re the supplements - I am torn, but the endo basically said that a lot of the things I mentioned (e.g. a mushroom extract) are just unknowns/ might have additional effects. She said I could carry on with fish oils, multi-vitamins etc though. When I see her next, I'll ask about agnus castus at least. And if I read previous posts correctly, it seems like some Drs are happy with inositol, so I'm definitely planning to mention it.

FX for those on clomid/tests coming up next week.

feefee I didn't ask to make you feel bad. Your BMI is lower than mine
I've been following slimming world for ages (on and off) and I found that metformin seemed to boost my weight loss when following the diet. I think the benefits on weight ties in with a healthy diet.
I also went on holiday and didn't follow any diet at all and met def didn't stop me piling on half a stone!!
I've never really took much notice of the whole plastics / cosmetics thing. I personally find it hard enough to diet and lose weight, exercise, take meds, track my cycle, cope with the emotional rollercoaster that is ttc and dtd on demand without giving myself extra things to worry about. Others on the thread may know more though.

Ladies I have a question - what is a day 3 blood test looking for? I'd never had one until this cycle (because I saw a different consultant). I usually take clomid day 2-7 but he asked me to eat, have day 3 bloods done and take it day 3-8 and have my usual day 21 bloods done too. I'm a bit confused

Isit Day 3 blood tests look at your baseline hormones - at the beginning of the cycle is when the most useful picture of your FSH / LG / E2 (oestrogen) and testosterone levels can be measured, as it's before the levels start rising with the progress of your cycle

These links help to explain it better than I can!

www.shadygrovefertility.com/newsletter/what-day-3-testing

www.advancedfertility.com/day3fsh.htm

They don't tell you anything about whether you're going to ovulate or not that month, but they give a useful overall picture of what's going on with your hormones

The day 21 progesterone is specifically looking to see if you've ovulated or not, as progesterone levels rise after ovulation.

FeeFee I personally don't take much heed of the advice about oestrogens in plastics etc - I may be doing myself all sorts of harm, but tbh I can't see enough evidence to suggest it makes enough of a difference to be worried about - certainly not in comparison to the difference that eating low GL can make, for example. I'm sure there probably are some benefits, I just take a similar view to Isit, that temping, OPKs, eating low GL, bloods, scans and all the other health issues I have that require a fuckton of medical management, it's pretty low down my list of personal priorities. No disrespect to anyone who does, it's just my personal take

That's a great idea IsIt, I love Christmas Movies too! I'm going to try that on my next low day!

Hi Feefee hope you find this thread helpful! I have just been put on metformin (although I have a low BMI and am size 8) as my consultant feels I may be insulin resistant and Met will help with that. I've only been taking for a week, has decreased my appetite but I don't want to lose weight to forcing myself through it. Will keep you guys updated if it has any positive results on my cycle.

I don't avoid plastics etc because as banana said there are so many things I am already trying with PCOS that I can't really have my life taken over by it any more. (Between being lactose intolerant and following low GI diet I am already a food nightmare, my DH might lose his mind if I started having a thing about packaging too).

IsIt, thanks for the info on your metformin experience. I think I was naively hoping it would be a miracle cure both on the weight loss front and in TCC. I guess there's no such thing...
Dollface, trying to eat when you've been put off your food doesn't sound fun. Hopefully that symptom will abate and the met will do what you want it to.
Thanks all re the chemicals/plastics thing. I agree that at the moment it just seems like one too many things to try to keep on top of. Far better for me to get the basics right (low GI!).

Hi and welcome to new people! I am on metformin too and only felt sick for a week but it's much better now! Can anyone tell me does this opk look positive? I know that they're not always reliable with pcos but thought I'd give it a try! This was on cd15!

Hi everyone! Just checking in. Not much to report - am in the midst of a 2 week work trip. Finally have my follow up gynae appointment on Friday, so am looking forward to taking next steps given that I guess I'll be diagnosed w pcos regardless of what my blood tests say as the scan showed pc ovaries + I have irregular periods. DH went and had a SA in preparation for figuring out next steps; he was very quiet about it ????

I've also made an appointment at the zhai clinic for acupuncture and TCM; again, I'll talk this through w my gynae but thought it best just to get everything scheduled up, I can always cancel!

Currently on cd35 and wondering whether my period is due - exactly 12 days ago I suddenly bloated and got cramping and wondered if that was actually ovulation no bfp even if it was as dh wasn't in the mood to dtd grrr which would put my next period at Tuesday/weds. Which would be perfect as my Friday appointment we could then do day 3 bloods perfectly on schedule - which means it almost certainly won't happen like that!

Qn for those who are further along in their diagnosis: did you have a fasting blood test done to check for insulin? How do they tell if you are resistant without doing this?

Woah that was an essay - sorry!

Battenberg I'm on the app so can't see your pic but will have a look when I'm on the computer later

stealthbanana hello from one banana to another!

Keeping fx for you at the gynae on Fri.

I never had any special insulin tests - I'd had a fasting glucose test once previously although not as part of PCOS investigations which came back normal. I think in my case as there's no symptoms which would indicate insulin resistance, I've never been recommended to have any further investigations. It's less prevalent (although not unheard of) in lean PCOS patients - I was recommended to eat low GL by my gynae as even in lean women PCOS can be related to insulin sensitivity.

IR isn't a part of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS so I'm guessing that's why it's not a standard part of the day 3 suite of blood tests. Good question though!

I have been having fertility acupuncture, although not at the Zhai clinic. I'm also on the most foul tasting concoction of Chinese herbs, but whether they or any of the other supplements or eating Low GL or having put on enough weight to get my BMI into the healthy range - or none of the above - had anything to do with me ovulating last month, I'll never know.

Keeping with it - though sod's law, if I do ovulate this month, if it's any earlier than last month then unlikely we'll have any chance of trying to catch that egg as DH has to be away for nearly a week...he's away CD12-18, last month I ovulated on CD20 so am hoping if my body does decide to lay an egg it can hang on till then!!

Got my gynae appointment to get my Day 3 bloods results and relook at my antral follicle count tomorrow - scan might show if there's a dominant follicle gearing up....although I'm far more concerned about my AMH & AFC tbh...

Oh and stealthbanana I can relate as my DH has a relatively low libido (of late, lot of family and work stress) so it's not exactly a shagathon round my gaff. He absolutely stepped up to the plate, as it were, when the fertility monitor showed all systems were go, so I'm loathe to try and push for non stop bonking unless there's some sign of fertility (OPK or CM) lest I wear him out if /when I do gear up to ovulate!

One of the questions on my list for tomorrow's gynae appointment is about timing and frequency of DTD, as I'll feel less like I'm pressuring DH into being a sperm-providing-machine if we're following advice from the consultant.

Hello and welcome newbies! I have my day 21 test tomorrow - will be so nervous to get the results. I know every Hosp will be different but how long did you have to wait for the results and did they phone you with them? Would rather know in advance of doing a pg test so I don't get my hopes up falsely....