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

*messing!

Clomid failures lol

Aren't some people unmonitored on 150 though?

I read that ohss can develop in those sensitive to fertility drugs. 100mg didn't give me 1 follicle so I don't think I'm very sensitive!

stealth have an absolutely amazing time! can't wait to hear about it when you're back.

also welcome to any newbies I've missed! I hate this app, I can't read the thread back while I type and I have a terrible memory!

mrsC 100% keep on with the weight loss - I appear to have ovulated twice in the last two cycles which is unheard of for me, all thanks to weight loss. There's still a way to go (I think my BMI is 27 off the top of my head, which sounds okay but it takes me FOREVER to lose weight. really.) and I am going to the doctors next week to get a backup plan in place BUT I'm getting somewhere, for sure. You've done really well so far Google the stories of all the women who have conceived after losing weight if you're having a bad day - it's my guilty pleasure!

Thanks Ponty, I certainly will do and am hoping it has the same positive effects on ovulation for me too. I saw your post from Tuesday and noticed you're doing SW- me too! My BMI is at the top end of 36 so it doesn't sound like loads to get to 30 but I've done all the calculations and it's 3 stone, which is after the near stone I've already lost. So I still have a way to go but I'm determined to do it for November as the consultant told us last time that they will put me on Clomid if I haven't started ovulating on my own through the weight loss. I have been Googling so much these last few years TTC, sometimes I feel I know what I'm talking about! lol I have seen many posts about losing weight being the catalyst so that is such a strong motivation to keep going :)

mrsC SW has been amazing for me. Granted i've not stuck to it rigidly but it certainly works, no question. the HiFi bars get me through the day! here's to more weight loss for both of us though this is a imaginary glass as I've had all my syns for today!

I've stuck to it, which I'm a little surprised by, and I'm so glad as it's going so well. They didn't laugh when I said I wanted to lose 4 stone in 4-5 months either! It's more the Alpen Light bars for me, they've brought out a Jaffa Cake one that actually tastes like the real thing! :D As I'm looking to lose a lot in a short space of time, I'm keeping the syns low but I'm pleased it's working for you too. I'll raise a virtual glass to that!

I'm in awe of you! You sound so focussed! I am an absolute devil for making sure I use up all my syns I think I might follow your lead there and cut down somewhat. DH does it to out of solidarity and he has lost looooads - this week he's lost 9lbs! He decided to be really strict. And he's doesn't even really need to lose it! I need to up my game!!

*too

I am but it's cos I need to be. My brother in law and wife have just announced they're having twins so it's given me some extra motivation to keep going to get what I want! In group, the leader said it's fine to use all your syns but I did that the first few weeks and lost 1.5lbs a week. I'm trying to get an avg of 3lbs a week so tried eating only SP foods, healthy extras and less syns last week and it worked as I lost 4lbs! I'm doing the same this week so hopefully it'll be the same or more. I think it's different for different people as with anything, I've just tried and tested so I know it's worked for me. He sounds like he's a massive support and has done so well! My husband eats some of the same meals but not everything. It couldn't hurt him to lose weight but the focus is me dye to the ovulation issues.

*due

bananafish how are you going with your hot flashes? Please don't leave the thread - pcos or not we'd like to know how you're doing.

stealth your holiday sounds amazing! Have a great time!

chandelier I'm wishing you the very best of luck

ponty well done on your weight loss! So great that you can see the benefits of it. Mine seems to have ground to a halt

newby32 and mrsc welcome! I hope you're finding the thread helpful

rosebud & freddiesmother how great that we're all doing the same thing (although I am a little ahead of you cycle-wise). How are you both coping with side effects?

So I'm on cd 26, first cycle of 150mg clomid. I get my day 21 blood results on Monday and I'm cautiously optimistic about ovulation. My hormones have been crazy this cycle. Cd12-18 I was on an emotional roller coaster mainly angry and withdrawn but since then I just feel fragile and weepy.
My boobs have been so tender since about cd12 that I cannot take my bra off and TMI if I get cold they physically hurt.

I think I'm very sensitive to the effects.
I think the increased clomid dose has completely wiped me out, I've been so exhausted by 9pm I can barely keep my eyes open.

I feel as though I'm coming out of it now, and I'm hoping the over-emotional time was a sign of ovulation.
So now I'm focusing on my new job and an eating plan to get myself back to following slimming world properly. The clomid effects made me feel a bit hopeless to be honest, but I'm back to positive thinking now.

is it sounds like you've been through the mill a bit this cycle already. I'm glad you're feeling better now, really hope you get good results next week

mrsC I bet that was a little difficult, hearing that they add expecting twins. Are you okay? I'm totally following your lead now re: syns.

Thanks Is It, I'm certainly finding the thread helpful. I'd started to feel like I was the only one going through this so it helps sharing experiences.

Ponty- Thanks for asking, it was. We knew they were pregnant (first time trying!) but somehow it seems worse now we know it's twins, especially as I always thought I'd have them as they're in my family ( I know it doesn't always work that way) I try my best to be happy for anyone who has a baby but it's tough when it's the one thing my husband and I want and are struggling with. Guess it's not just me?

mrsC ohhh the "first time try-ers" you just have to at the situation because otherwise you'd just cry every time it happens! and it has happened to me a fair bit lately. I had one friend who said it wasn't happening fast enough... and got pregnant the second month I guess we just gotta keep on keeping on.

IsIt how are you doing now my lovely? I'm keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for you! Good luck with your bloods on Monday My few days of hot flashes are done now - no idea if that's to do with the Clomid or what, but I've given up expecting anything sensible from my body!! 8 dpo and just want AF to hurry up so I can get my bloods redone.

I just want to get the first cycle over and done with so we can see how I respond and have a better idea of my realistic chances of conceiving with my own eggs...

They don't know what trying is lol I've managed not to cry this time, but when my other brother in law told us they were pregnant with the family's first grandchild on Christmas Day 2 years ago, I cried loads! It's worse as neither set of parents know about our issues or that we're properly ttc, and hub doesn't want to tell them until we've done everything we can to get pregnant first. I get why, but it doesn't make it easier when we're now the only couple on hub's side without kids and have been together the longest. I know what I need to do to give myself the best chance of being in the same boat, so I'm just focusing on that to get me through.

It's great to have someone who knows what it's like for once, not that I'd wish this on anyone

Hi all

Been a while since I posted so no chance/danger of throwing in my tuppence on every post but suffice it to say I send lots of to almost everyone (and especially Chandelier and Bananafish), and say hi to the newbies - sorry you’re in this rubbish boat with the rest of us.
Those of you giving me very reassuring messages about large ovarian cysts were right – I had a worrying few days waiting for test results, as the gynaecologist I saw after the ultrasound ordered an MRI and blood tests, but they’ve come back pretty much fine (sorry for the silence in the meantime – was too nervous to update!). But it still needs to come out, so before I can get back to TTC, I need to have an operation (taking place in September). Bit nervous about it and want to get it out as soon as possible, but we are where we are. And hopefully they will be able to salvage the ovary. Especially as the cyst is on the ovary which seemed to be my less polycystic one back in January. Typical (or maybe it’s all connected – who knows!).
My endocrinologist was pretty encouraging about the ultrasound showing a thicker (or rather, less thin) lining than before, and prescribed norethisterone (sp?) to get things going. The gynae I saw afterwards advised not to take it though as he didn’t think it would kickstart anything (and to update those who were discussing the issue of inducing a bleed to minimise endometrial cancer risk – he said that as my lining was so thin anyway, there was no need to shed it for this reason.) So, based on my chats with both of them, I am starting the referral process to a fertility clinic (and kicking myself for not realising I could/should do this earlier, of course). First step is finally getting DH’s SA done. I didn’t realise that was a prereq before being able to start the referral (I thought it was before they start intervening eg with clomid). Anyway, I’m not sure how much time will be needed after the operation to get back to TTC and be able to use e.g. clomid, but we want to start the referral process now to avoid (more!) delays later on. How have you typically found the waiting times for your first appointment at such a clinic (and then for clomid)?
Oh and for those who know anything about AMH –the gynae tested it (as a potential cancer marker, but obviously can be used for other reasons) and said it was ‘ok but not great’ (fertility-wise) at 107, when the normal range is 10-300. I didn't ask for the units it was in and it doesn’t accord with any ranges I’ve read online. Anyway, I just wondered if anyone has any insight to add on this.
I’m carrying on with 2g of metformin, not that it seems to have done anything in terms of kickstarting a cycle. But equally I don’t have the side effects that others eg Stealth seem to have – have let myself have a bit more alcohol this week given no chance of TCC and it didn’t cause a reaction. I guess I should be grateful but I would put up with some side effects if it achieved the primary goal!
A question for those on clomid – how soon into the TTC journey did you start taking it? (for me I imagine it will be close to 18 months, with a couple of hiccups on the way with the pituitary issue and now the cyst). I’m a pretty fervent advocate now for anyone looking to TTC in the future that they should come off the pill ages before so they can work out what’s going on with their cycle (if they are having one!) in plenty of time. (If only I’d started browsing Mumsnet at the time, I might have been able to follow that advice!)
Sorry for yet another epic post. Have a good day, all.

banana really hoping you respond to it! got fx and basically everything crossed.

mrsC ooooh announcing on xmas day! not their fault of course, their just happy and want to share but I can imagine that really stung. you're totally allowed to feel shit. it can be the loneliest road. I have DD now, but I remember it was a long 4 years between my diagnosis and her conception (not ttc for all that time though) but it was with me everyday and every time someone announced they were pregnant, I just immediately felt inadequate! It sounds selfish but those are the feelings I had. and still have really. Just don't give up - honestly even though hope is quite a romantic concept, it's what gets you through the shit days.

Thanks for your words Ponty. It did really sting at the time, expecially as it was an accident due to forgetting to take her pill! I struggle with feeling inadequate too as everything is ok with my husband, so I feel like it's my 'fault' I haven't got pregnant yet. He loves me no matter what but I know he wants to be a dad more than anything. Hope keeps me going as I'm still positive that it will happen one day :)

rosebud I have been injecting now for 10 long days.. Scan on Friday said all follicles still under 10mm and need to get to at least 14!

Well done and good luck to all of your trying to lose/gain weight. I had to put on 1.5 stone otherwise I wouldn't have been funded for the IVF. I just tried to embrace it but either way it's a change of lifestyle and it's very hard, but so so worth it for so many reasons.

I had no side effects to clomid at all. I was given provera to start my cycle and that didn't even work! So I had to take the pill for two months just to start clomid. I think that was about a year after being referred. It's all a long process, just waiting for the next step.

banana when do u start short protocol?

Big waves and hello's to everyone

Hello all, I had my first acupuncture session last night. I really don't know whether it will help or not but I am sure it won't do any harm. I was very relaxing and actually really lovely to talk to someone about everything. I am going to go back next week (providing there is a follicle when I have my scan on Friday).

Vixx You might be right. Just keep an eye out for OHSS symptoms just in case though!

Isit Yay- your here! Sorry to hear you have had such a mare with 150mg! Sounds pretty positive for you for ov! When will you know for sure if you did or not?

Fee That's good news about your bloods and the fact that the op is possible and could safe the ovary. I waiting over 2 months for my referral letter to the fertility clinic, only to phone and be told they had lost my referral- Que lots and lots of tears!!! If you haven't heard in 2 weeks, give them a call and check it is in the pile- DO NOT do what I did and wait ages, it wasted so much time!

Newby How are you finding the infections? Are you administering them yourself? Have you had any side effects from the hormones and drugs? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and your follicles!!

Freddie Good luck with your scan on Friday!

I'm on cd5 and can honestly say that I've never felt like this before on clomid- I feel SOOO weird and spaced out, like everything is in slow motion! I hate the sensation- makes me feel anxious because I feel out of control- Freddie have you had this before? Or you Isit?

Rose is that on the 150? What was the symptoms on 100 mg?