TTC with PCOS (Thread #3)

[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 our second thread >>>>>>>>> HERE

You can find the stats >>>>>HERE

Sunday might be worth checking with the doc if they've given you the wrong amount of Clomid? In my area they will only give you 6 cycles of Clomid in your lifetime because of the increased ovarian cancer risk. I know from other threads that many ppl have similar to what I have ie 2 at 50mg, if that doesn't work 2 at 100mg, if that doesn't work 2 at 150mg. In some cases people get 6 cycles of whatever strength worked for them, whereas I'll only get 6 cycles in total. But it seems pointless to give you 4 at 50mg. Also, will you get day 28 bloods too? It isn't unheard of for women to ovulate later on clomid - I've seen up to day 23 or 24 on threads. How long will your clomid cycle be? Mine is 42 days - blood test on day 21 and 28, then POAS on day 42 if AF hasn't got me first, then on day 42 start taking the next round of clomid, counting that as CD2.

Thanks for all the advice Rose and Oranges, and for the wishes Banana. I was already in the appointment at 4.15pm so didn't get to read it til just now, but had decided it was best not to mention anything like ov, OPK's or AC unless she brought it up, which she didn't.

She was really pleased at how well I'm doing with weight loss, but was very strict on my BMI being 30 before treatment, as she wants to give it the best possible chance to work. There is a plan in place though, BMI is the very top of 32/ bordering on 33 today, so she wants me to lose a stone to get to 30 and go back in 6 weeks, when she will give me Clomid, no more questions or tests! At first when she said I'd have to wait even longer, I had to fight back tears, but I actually left the appointment feeling positive, as I know I will lose the stone and will finally get to try Clomid. Just hope it works for me, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Am still going to monitor this cycle (CD9 today) with OPK's, BBT and DTD at the right times just in case the miracle happens naturally

Oranges- I thought about taking B vitamins a while ago, but have read conflicting info, with some ladies saying that it shorten their cycles! I decided not to take the risk and just see how I get on first. I won't need Provera and have already looked at the potential date I should be starting AF and then Clomid based on my last cycle (always thinking ahead!!) Am already into this cycle, and will have had AF the week before my next appointment, so will have to wait til January to start Clomid. I was a bit disappointed with this as I had wanted to start before Xmas/ NY bday but at least I know some progress is being made. Plus whats a few more weeks waiting after 3.5 years! Will continue with AC until next AF, then stop I think to give my body a few weeks or so off it before taking Clomid.

Welcome Peardrop Sorry to hear there's someone else in the same boat as the rest of us. I only found out about PCOS after bloods and an internal ultrasound after ttc 1 for 2+ years.

Sunday thanks for that, I have read up on it before but am not sure whether it's right for me. I should be starting Clomid in a few weeks, so am I right in thinking that Clomid naturally lengthens LP anyway as progesterone should be higher due to ov?

Well done on weight loss mrsc! So close to clomid

Yy I have an insane amount of CM. it is literally, erm, noticeable to me every couple of hours. I thought clomid was meant to dry you out?! I'm going through 2 pairs of pants a day here (TMI KLAXON).

Mrs C - there's nothing quite like the desperation of wanting a baby to help you loose weight is there! Woop woop to your weight loss and positive attitude to loosing even more! My BMI is 21.7 but I still feel like I need to loose more so I've lost 2lbs in the last two weeks which I know is nothing but it's made me feel better health wise! I can only imagine how desperate you must be feeling to get to January. I can't even say that Autumn is a beautiful time to give birth because you probably don't give a monkeys what week you give birth now after all this time.

I do feel seriously blessed that I got lucky the first time and can only think it must have been because I lost so much weight before my wedding that it happened for me naturally and DH was slimmer so his swimmers were probably in much better form. I've got him eating healthy now and brought him the vitamins. I'm willing to try anything to get his swimmers in top shape!

I'm still waiting to hear when I will have my scan. I really hope I get a letter this week but something tells me I won't!

Stealth - your ewcm sounds really positive

Hi, is it alright to join? I went for a scan this morning and found out I have PCOS. I dont really know what to do or who to talk to. DH is at work (and he probably wouldnt have a clue anyway) and I dont have a doctors apointment untill next week. Sorry to moan im just a bit down.

Hi Grace, I'm new on here too. Sorry you had the news today I think this is definitely a good source of information. The ladies are v supportive. Did you think you had PCOS or is a complete surprise? Is this your first time TTC? Coming from someone who is 95% certain that I have PCOS...I've been dwelling over it for weeks but now after everything I read I see that it's not the end at all. Try and think of the diagnosis as a positive step because now you can work on fixing the problem. I've read that so many people fall pregnant after diagnosis just by changing their lifestyle and then others need help with medication. My very good friend took 1 round of Clomid and then became pregnant very quickly with her DS1. Soon after (10 months) after he was born she fell pregnant naturally with her Daughter. This close to home story gives me lots of hope. Hang in there. Once you have your appointment and talk through your options you'll feel so much better about it all!

Hipeardrop thank you for your kind words, they give me hope. Yes I am TTC #1 and I thought that something wasnt quite right and suspected it might be PCOS. I think iv got a really good GP though as I made a apointment and told her that I have light periods, and that sometimes my temps are vey low and a few months I have not ovd at all ( I temp) and she sent me for bloods and a scan strait away 1-2 weeks.

Would it be worth for you to go to the doctor if you suspect you might have PCOS?

I have Grace and I'm just waiting for a letter from my doctors to tell me when my scan will be. No idea why they can't just book me in over the phone. In the meantime I'm looking at what I eat and I might OV this weekend. I started temping again this week. I find temping so annoying as I always forget. I've now got a sign on my wall to try to help me remember!!

Good luck for your scan stealth, hoping it's ok.

MrsC im not sure what effect clomid has on LP, but im sure on of these ladies will have the answer. Very well done with the weight loss so far, I don't envy you trying to lose a stone in 6 weeks at this time of year but what better incentive can there be! Am sure you will succeed x

Ive got a 40 day clomid cycle Oranges but only bloods on day 21. I'm wondering if after 2 cycles at 50mg she may tell me to double up and do 2 at 100mg, hence why I've got 6 lots of 50mg. Or possibly something to do with me having been pg before. She seemed hopeful that I would respond to 50mg tho.

Hi grace your gp sounds good. It's reassuring that you have periods tho even if they are light. Can i ask how long have you been ttc?

You're right about a baby being the best motivation for losing weight Peardrop I've lost weight before and put it back on, but am determined to get there. I don't find Christmas too tough as I can still have a full roast dinner and treats on the plan I'm following

I had thought the same about giving birth in Autumn, I'm terrible for thinking ahead and over thinking everything! I don't mind when though really, as you say, I just want to be able to! Well done on your weight loss too, even a bit makes you feel better doesn't it. FX your letter for the scan comes through soon!

Welcome Grace I remember the day I was diagnosed, I started crying as soon as I left the clinic! It felt like such a blow, and still does sometimes, but there is hope. As Peardrop said, people often either get pg naturally or with help such as medication. Just try to stay positive that it will happen for you, but may take a little or a lot longer than for others. We're all in the same situation so will offer as much support and advice as we can x

Thanks for the well wishes Sunday I am determined to do it! Hope the Clomid works for you. When will your next test/ results be?

Well I'm just back from my scan, and...nothing. No dominant follicles, no follie above 5mm. So basically no response to Clomid. I'm coming back for another scan on Thursday but the scanner said to expect no Clomid effect this time round.

On the upside my uterus was "lovely" and the lining was good and had a stripe (?? dont know what that is but apparently good). Just can't get an egg out! Am now freaking out about being Clomid resistant. Think I really need to mentally prepare myself for ivf.

Off to cry quietly in the corner now

stealth sending unmumsnetty hugs to you. Don't give up

Stealth I know its so disappointing but I get the impression most PCOSrs don't respond to 50ml. Are you going to try 100 for the next cycle?

Aw Stealth I'm sorry! As Freddie said, will they be upping the dosage to see if you respond to that?

Hi Peardrop Welcome! My DH has low sperm count too (8 million on first analysis and 14 million on second analysis) which combined with PCOS is a bit of a nightmare! I was diagnosed at 15 years old and told that I was unlikely to ever have children naturally because it was so severe. At the time I wasn't remotely bothered by it but when I hit 30, it suddenly dawned on me that a family was something that I wanted. Fast forward 15 months, and our consultant has told us that IVF really is the only way for us.... we are in the process of arranging to have IVF in Czech Republic but in the meantime are trying anything and everything to try and conceive naturally. I have ov'ed naturally for the last 3 cycles so we do have a chance..... although very very small!

Banana I really hope that the oestrogen pills thicken up your lining beautifully and you can get that embie in there before Christmas- that would be the best present ever! And so sorry to hear you have been baby bombed- do you know if they had be trying long?

Freddie My step-children do the same. They ask when we are going to have a baby (because their Mother has had another child 'accidently' seemingly just by looking at her partner (now ex-partner) It can be completely soul-destroying! x

Sunday Woop for the clomid prescription! When do you start taking those crazy little pills? When I was first given clomid I was given 6 rounds of 50mg. But when the first cycle didn't work and they upped my to 100mg they just told me to take the tablets I already had. Then when I was upped again to 150mg they gave me another prescription! I have another 6 months worth of the drug in my bedside table now that I cant use! May sell them on the black market

MrsC Glad your consultant has agreed clomid at your next appointment! Must be such a relief! And as you say its going to be a great motivator to keep going with the weight loss as much as you can.

Welcome Grace Sorry to hear about your news- be safe in the knowledge that we are a lovely bunch of ladies who all help each other through the ball ache that is PCOS! How old are you? How long have you been TTC#1?

Sorry to hear about your news Stealth I remember the feeling all too well! Are they going to upp you to 100mg next cycle?

AFM: I'm 11DPO today and my temp is nearly at the coverline so I'm going to predict AF will be here by Monday and will avoid the heartbreak of POAS! I had a little cry to DH yesterday about it, and we've decided I'm definitely going to take Femara next cycle and see what happens!

Here's my chart: www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5790c0 My temps have been lower this cycle compared to last which is concerning me! I will get follicle tracking scans on Femara in the same way as I did on Clomid so it will also benefit us with being able to time DTD really well.
In the meantime Reprofit have asked DH to do another sperm analysis before they will give us our IVF protocol so he is doing that on Monday. Getting there- just veeeeerrrrrrryyyyyyyy slowly! x

Stealth - I'm so sorry to read your news. I really hope they shed some light at your next appointment and offer you another solution to cling onto. I can't imagine what it feels like to be in your shoes xx The frustration side of it all must be unbearable at times. How do you feel today?

Rosebud - thank you so much for the kind welcome and description of what you've been through. Another very tough story. I take it getting treatment abroad is a lot cheaper then the UK? And probably quicker then the NHS? FX AF stays away but I understand how gutting it feels waiting/expecting for AF when you wish she wouldn't turn up. It sounds like your DH is very supportive. So so tough

You're all so brave. I really want you all to know that I don't take your support lightly and I think it's really kind that you even allow me here considering I haven't had a proper diagnosis yet. Only myself (after weeks of googling and reading up) and two doctors agreeing that yes it is probably is PCOS that is holding me back TTC no2). However, I totally get that some of you with a crazy burning desire for DC1 must be thinking maybe I don't belong here. After all I have had conceived once naturally somehow without knowing I had PCOS (although I did sense that something was wrong when I was TTC DS). I don't take your stories lightly at all.

Update from me. It looks like loosing 3lbs (now) weight this month has brought on ovulation possibly 4 days earlier this month. Caught me by surprise and I got a very strong IC and smiley face the same day DH had his second sperm test so that's unfortunate timing. It is highly unlikely with his low sperm count that the egg will get caught but we've tried anyway. It really does feel like I've ovulated this month so that's really positive and I'm trying not to get upset about potentially wasting another egg. I feel stupid for thinking that the scan letter from my GP would have turned up this week. Hopefully next week. I have a diabetes test on Wednesday.

Rosebud - I forgot to ask you if your DH did anything to help improve that count the second time? My DH is now taking supplements, lowing his sugar intake, eating lean beef and I need to buy him baked beans as I've read that is good too! He's been good for less then a week but he's expecting it to show in his second test results...I really don't think it would work that quickly!!

Hi Peardrop Don't be silly- of course you're welcome! If you click on the stats on the first page of this thread you will c that loads of ladies on here are ttc2, some after having an easyish time ttc1 And regardless of that, being told you probably have PCOS without a proper diagnosis is probably worse than knowing. The not knowing is the hardest part of this journey.. .whether it be not knowing if you've ov'ed, not knowing if you doc will take you seriously, not knowing when your fertility appointment will arrive or not knowing what the hell is wrong with you! x

Thanks all. I have perked up a bit - am away this weekend in a great hotel with friends so that's helped. Also realised that I just have to accept that I'm in this for the long haul and not even think about next month being the answer - I think a realistic milestone for me is next June. Anyway, thank you for being so lovely

I haven't talked about what to do next cycle as I've only seen the scanner but I think I will be strongly pushing for them to up the dosage to 100mg - clearly I'm not in danger of over stimulating! It's all going to be a bit confused as I am transferring care - have made an appointment with another gynae as well as ARGC and I'm not sure if I'll have to see my original gynae again to debrief this cycle. So I guess I'll just have to play it by ear. (Or maybe all of them will give me 50mg so I'll just take 2 sets!!)

I'm having another scan on Thursday which will hopefully tell me at least whether this is another anovulatory cycle - if is is at least potentially I could ask for provera (do they do that?) and bring on a bleed, my next round of appointments are cd34/5 so that would be a good time to do it I think. If they could do that at least I wouldn't have to wait 50 days plus!

Woah that was an essay - sorry!

DH has been on a number of things for the last 5/6 months. ..... he's been taking 1000mg vit c, 100mg zinc, 100mg, vit B complex, 100mg co-enzyme q10 uquinol per day. He's also significantly reduced his caffeine intake, his alcohol consumption and improved his diet (less carbs, more veg, smaller portions) and he's running 3 miles twice a wk.! We are literally trying EVERYTHING to try and improve his count! Time will tell if it's had an impact! X