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

Oh yes banana My poor chandelier has certainly seem some action

Drug beginning with N - that should be Norethisterone I think? It's another progestogen like Provera I believe. Often prescribed to women who want to delay their periods as well as those who want to bring on a bleed (and in much higher doses is one of the progestogen-only mini pills)

Q about DTD frequency. As I assume the norm for me is anovulatory cycles, and this is my first month off the pill, I'm not really pressuring DH to jump my bones on any kind of schedule as until I get any signs of vaguely fertile CM or the CBFM changes from Low to High, I'm assuming that DTD is purely for recreational purposes and not for TTC purposes. In the Zita West book she does say most couples don't have enough sex for successful TTC and that it's best to assume you're fertile any time you have fertile CM, but if all your signs indicate otherwise, am I being silly for taking a more relaxed attitude to DTD except for sexyfuntimes purposes, unless / until things suggest otherwise at which point DH is going to be majorly harassed haha

shorty that's good advice re a dietician. I actually saw one privately (friend of a friend who gave me mates rates) last year when I wanted to get the weight I lost after my Mum passed away back on, so I wouldn't look quite so skeletal at my wedding. Problem is his advice did involve a fair amount of starchy carbs (as well as plenty of protein and fat, not so much sugar) and I've been trying to do the low GL my consultant recommended, since I hit my target BMI. And cutting out starchy carbs and sugars is a v effective way to try and lose weight, so even with loads of oils and full fat dairy, I'm struggling to get enough cals to eat low GL and maintain weight. Some dietary advice is prob v well advised as most of the low GL meal ideas / recipes are all geared around eating for weight loss. Yummy but not as effective for weight gain as a four finger kit kat haha! I did find getting the advice helpful so I would def recommend it as an option. I only had a couple of sessions and he gave me meal plans / suggestions to take away with me - the second session was really only to check in and see how I was getting on and discuss any issues / challenges. So wasn't massively costly and got lots of benefit, so would def consider seeing one privately if that's feasible.

dollface my consultant said we could start on clomid any time but DH had to get a semen analysis first. He and the idiot Dr I saw last week both said Metformin def wasn't helpful if not overweight, and the NICE guidelines actually don't recommend it as an effective choice for ovulation induction at all. That said it's often prescribed to women with pcos who have a fair amount of weight to lose, as if you're insulin resistant, it stands to reason it may be helpful. In the USA it seems to be the first line for women of any weight - including non IR lean women - but over here seems v much on a case by case basis.

Shell 7lb is bloody amazing! Awesome news

Banana, I have been temping, I know it's not always effective but between that and the ovulation tests, I'm hoping I see something. I've been using clearblue dual hormone and got a reading of high fertility yesterday and today; I know it may be a false positive but we tried anyway.

I've got my ultrasound scheduled for Friday and I'm just wondering - given that we have started trying with no medical help (yet, so no clomid, etc), if I miraculously did get pregnant before my ultrasound, that wouldn't cause any harm to a portrayal potential pregnancy, would it?

Bananafish my doctor wouldn't prescribe metformin either. I used it few years ago and it really helped with all my symptoms but they still wouldn't prescribe it. They said the same about guidelines

Thanks so much bananafish, I'm going to ask DH to get a SA so we have that in our pocket nice and early.

soontobemrslizzy the ultrasounds (both pelvic and trans-vag) are totally safe even if you are lucky with a sticky bean. My SIL had them at 5 weeks and asked the Dr before she went.

chandelier I definitely ov last month and this is my first month on SI so hoping I will again this month. Have started having the sort of CM I usually get mid cycle so hoping EWCM is on it's way, though both my mum and SIL said they only had wet cm and still got pg! I'm using pree-seed to help this month and drinking a lot more water. If the day 21 bloods say no ov then I'll give DH a rest haha.

Doll face I was prescribed Metformin just under two months ago. After 9 months with not so much as a spot of AF, I took met for two weeks and had my first natural period. I also seem to be ovulating on my own and seem to have slipped into regular (don't want to tempt fate) 34 days cycles.

I am normal weight, haven't suffered with any nasty side effects either.

I know it doesn't work for everybody but I can't praise it enough

Sounds like a good plan dollface did the women in your family have a little trouble conceiving? PCOS runs in my family
Oh ginfizz I hope if I ever get precribed any meds I respond as well as you have and no side effects.
soontobe I hope all goes well with your scan

Xx

Hi ladies... I need to catch up again but need an early night tonight (need to recover from my weekend - it was my birthday) but just wanted to give an update on my appointment on Friday as I don't think I have yet...

Quick summary.. consultant has said he will not let me go more than 3 months without a bleed. Has given me tablets to try and get me to have a period. He wants me to lose weight. Has given me a target of just over a stone before my next appointment (which is in 3 months, already booked in). He doesn't want to give me clomid just yet, but isn't ruling it out. He wants the weight to go down a bit more first. Depending on how the next three months go he may suggest further tests at the next appointment.

Hi pebbles, no the women in my family didn't have any trouble and to my knowledge (ie my Mum didn't, nor my Aunties and my sis is too young to know) none have pcos (not even the lean kind) which is why I am so surprised my Dr thinks I do but hey, can't argue with scans.

On a dietry note, I have always been slim (size 6 to 8) and was never a breakfast kinda girl, but since this pcos stuff came up I have been forcing myself to eat Fruit and Fibre every morning, and, well, it has made me feel a lot better. Silly I know, but maybe something to do with balancing my blood sugar throughout the day? I used to just have a coffee, then healthy lunch, snack and healthy dinner.

Will keep you all posted if this eating more regularly has any effect on my cycle length/regularity.

I really want to try metformin as I have a feeling insulin resistance might be an issue for me. I am always thirsty, always need to pee within 20 mins of a glass of water (even in the night) and get really shaky if I don't eat sugary/carby food.

If my bloods come back with PCOS symptoms and I tell the Dr the above, is that enough to get me put on met if I am a healthy weight?

Hi everyone, it's a really hot day here down where I am, might go and sunbathe during my lunch break

Dollface you sound quite similar to me in terms of weight and needing to pee as soon as I have a drink! I think the breakfast thing is a really good idea. I don't know about the doctor putting you on metformin but hopefully he will fingerscrossed

One doctor I saw was saying that clomid is risky as it increases the chance of multiple pregnancy? But then I saw another doctor and she said it's absolutely fine - so I think I will go back to her

Ain I hope the tablets work for you and belated birthday wishes!

Does anyone get a lot of back pain with the pcos? I've always got it and it's just another thing to go on my list of worries now!

Dollface Eating breakfast is so so beneficial - fx it helps your cycle but either way it is so important for blood sugar. I’ve been told and read numerous times (most recently Marilyn Glenville’s Nutrition for PCOS book) that we shouldn’t go more than 3h without eating something (during waking hours!) because going into starvation mode means that when we do eat something it spikes our blood sugar, whereas eating little and often helps to stabilise blood sugar.

Amongst us lean women, we’re less likely to be insulin resistant, but the studies have shown we do tend to be insulin sensitive - i.e. we don’t have elevated levels, but our bodies overreact to normal levels of insulin. Obv none of us are doctors so def worth discussing your symptoms and any concerns with your GP. Metformin does need to be prescribed with caution if you’re lean, as weight loss is the last thing you need! But eating low GL, and regularly, is likely to help either way - if you are insulin resistant it’s likely the Dr will recommend diet and nutrition as the primary way to tackle regardless. Breakfast is an awesome start - I used to hate eating breakfast but now I get shaky and massively cranky without it!

battenburg Clomid does increase the likelihood of multiples, to about 10%, which is why my consultant said it was crucial to be monitored (at least in the first cycle of any given dose) to see how you respond. In my case, because of all the medical issues I have, any risk of multiples would be too risky (increased risk of miscarriage) and so if I were to have too many follicles the cycle would be cancelled and I’d be told to use protection. I think in ‘normal’ women though twins are higher risk, cycles tend to be cancelled only if there’s indication of higher order multiples (i.e. triplets) which are v unlikely with Clomid. He did say that lean PCOS women tended to be ‘all or nothing’ with Clomid i.e. either Clomid resistant or v high responders. So, it’s a low risk, but higher than without stimulation - which stands to reason when it’s giving ovaries a nudge to release an egg!

Dollface and pebbles, thanks. I hope the doctor gives you the metformin, dollface. It does sound every effective.

Have any of you been using clearblue dual hormone opks? I did a few a few months ago and got all not fertile results (think I started way late) but since I started again this cycle on day 9 (as suggested), I got one negative result and now have had 3 high fertility flashing smileys in a row but no peak. I don't know if these are false positives due to pcos, or what. It also says you should get a peak after two days high fertility. Does that mean no ov this month? I don't know why these are so hard to interpret!

Ain, good luck with the weight loss. I'm sure you can lose a stone in 3 months, hope it goes well and then you get the clomid.

Rosebud how are you feeling now after your recent scan?
I have my fingers crossed for the pair of us on our 150mg dose!

popcorn I hope you (and doggy) are feeling better.

Ain Belated Happy Birthday!
I definitely think you can lose that weight in time. Do you mind me asking your weight at the moment? Only interested as your Dr is using it to help judge what treatment to give you. I'm overweight but haven't had this so far, although I know it will matter a lot if we have to have ivf.

chandelier thank you. Yes, this cycle has sort of pushed me over the edge after everything was going so well.

dollface this may have been answered already but to get Clomid, I had day 21 bloods done every cycle (this has been happening for 18months), ultrasound, internal scan, HSG (injecting dye into tubes) and DH has had 3 SA's. Then I had to do 3 months of metformin - THEN we were given clomid.

As for me, nothing has changed. My cycle is ongoing, I need to get back on it, but I've enjoyed the break and the guilt free cocktails/wine that I've been enjoying.
I'm starting back to my tablet tomorrow, Norethisterone to bring on AF, then day 3 bloods, clomid and hopefully ov and bfp!
We definitely need some more BFPs on this thread.

to everyone struggling at the moment.

Dollface that's strange that you have it. Maybe you have a mild form, if that's possible! Your doing the right thing with having breakfast, you'll notice you have more energy, once your over the lack of caffeine in the morning.
I am not sure what type I have, I am a size 8-10 so not under weight. I have a bit of a tum though, despite eating super healthy for years and gym training. I have a sweet tooth though and I think this maybe due to what ever is going on with the insulin in my body. But I've given up caffeine, used to smoke socially on nights out and have cut right back on alcohol. So I need sugar in my life ????
isiti good luck with this cycle FX! Xxx Cannot believe all the tests you have had to do before getting Clomid.

soontobe my friend swears by clear blue ovs, but she doesn't have PCOS. She gave me hers after she got pregnant, but as I don't have AF. It's been put away and prob will never be used! I know they are very sensitive so maybe they do work even for us ladies. Keep testing xxx
Ain glad you enjoyed your birthday celebrations, probably a good break from TTC. You seem really determined to get to your ideal weight, it won't be long till your there, keep doing what your doing! Xx

Well ladies lets all hope this heat wave brings some BFPs!! Get to it, like rabbits ????. Xxx

Ok... I need some help and advice.... I'm feeling very bloated and can't seem to shift anymore weight on my low carb/high protein diet.. Can anyone help? Xx

Are you drinking lots of water Shell? Also, sometimes (tmi) following low carb/high protein diets can make you ahem 'blocked'. There are products on the market such as dulcoease or senokot to help people go more regularly. Not saying that that's what it is of course! But I've experienced it on the south beach diet which is low carb/high protein. Sorry about the tmi!!!!

hi all, sorry I've been quiet, mad few days.

hope everyone is okay feeling a little rubbish about things and there's been a lot of pregnancy announcements so I'm just laying low.

for everyone

soontobe I used clear blue dual and had 12 days of high fertility but no peak on one cycle and then the next cycle I had 3 peak fertility spikes within a week. PCOS causes a lot of false positives. We have high amounts of oestrogen because of the cysts so the dual hormone part is a waste of time and money! I found the cheap OPKs easier to use because you can look at the colour difference on the stick. When you get a real LH surge instead of just a false positive the test goes so much darker then the control. I found with CBs when I ejected them to try and look at the colour difference the lines always seemed to be streaked and unable to read. I also used the CB LH tests which were cheaper and better then the dual hormone but again got false positives. The most important thing with OPKs I found was to keep testing even after you have had a surge to make sure it was a real surge and not a false one.

Hi guys! Sorry to hear a lot of you are suffering with stupidly long cycles again :( Every time I come on here I'm desperate for one of you (hell...all of you!) to get a BFP. For those of you on the path to clomid, keep pushing for it. For those of you not, there have been SO many stories about surprise pregnancies when people with PCOS thought they couldn't do it naturally that it surely has to affect some of you. I'm sending every sort of baby vibe I can to you all!

Not much to update from me. I have a scan this afternoon and I'm quite nervous. My doctor hopes to see a foetal pole and heartbeat - neither of which he could see last week but said it was probably just a bit early. I've not had too many symptoms apart from mega tiredness, ravenous hunger and really crappy skin. Will report back with the scan results!

Good luck AbFab!

Wow IsIt that is a long old road to chlomid. I'm saving up at the moment so if the NHS try and make me go through month after month of retesting despite a diagnosis then I will go private.

Sorry to hear you are bloated shell, I agree with the other advise, fibre up your diet to try and relieve the symptoms of a high protein diet. I always find switching red meat for chicken or fish helps me too.

Good luck AbFab Keep us posted! (Ps. Trying my hardest for a BFP!!! Am 3 days into a 2ww with a definite OV- miracle I know!!!)

Ponty xxx

Shell as others have said, up your water intake, esp in this heat. I highly recommend fybogel to get things moving again How long have you been static? (weight wise I mean ) DH says that a fortnightly rather than weekly weigh in is preferable, although a killer to stay away from the scales!!

Pebbles Rabbits in mating season here!!!!

Dollface we're pre seed fans here too!