TTC with PCOS (Thread lucky #4!)

[RoseBud2016]

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 our third thread >>>>>>>>>HERE

And you can find our stats >>>>>> HERE

Cwtchy, if the doctor said they were fine, then they really are - try not to worry Sorry that they made you worry by wanting to see you in person though. Thanks for the good vibes re ET.

Stealth, thanks my dear. That sounds great, having 8 follies all at that size and others coming up behind. Not long now! Just don't try to run for a train like I did after triggering- my ovaries went oof oof oof!

Nurse, thank you! Sorry to hear about your mother's day involving cooking for lots of people that you don't necessarily want to hang out with that much. Hope you made use of your +ve OPK!

Ain, don't disappear again too long, you threadfounder you!

IsIt, how did it go? Hope the fact you didn't come back to vent means it wasn't as bad as you feared. Could you just say 'we really want to' when people ask whether you'll be having children? I've been quite open with some family and friends about our ups and downs, but think that in future IVF cycles I might try to keep it just to DH and me. It's such a tough call.

Shellbell, glad you had such a good time at the contest, and that you've been able to start your new clomid (or is it letrozole?) cycle - woo hoo! When's your first scan?

Bananafish, yay for your scan results! Congratulations on the more baby-shaped bean

Honeybee, I think you've got enough from all the ladies on the thread to be able to ask your doctor about why they don't think any tests or tracking is necessary - then he can confirm for sure whether it's purely due to the previous pregnancy. There might be some NICE guidelines online somewhere too about the pathway to clomid? Yes having IVF on the NHS - the application form was submitted in early November, and we got confirmation of funding a month later. We had to wait about six weeks for the first appointment with the consultant in the relevant unit. We managed to reduce the delay by already getting a nurse consultation booked in for a week afterwards (having found out in an earlier appointment that no treatment can start until you've done the consultation with a nurse). So it's been quick, though doesn't feel like it, as we've been on the TTC journey for so long and there have been a lot of friends' and family members' pregnancy announcements and new arrivals in recent months!

I am now PUPO, though it feels surreal to say it! I was still quite uncomfortable (not helped by the fact you have to have a full bladder when you have the embryo transfer) and was worried the pre-transfer scan would reveal lots of fluid in my belly (sign of OHSS) but all was fine. The lining was ok but slightly thin. So now the TWW begins! OTD is 21 March i.e. a full two weeks from today. Not sure I'll be able to hold out that long.

Feefee that's fab!! I will keep my fingers, toes, legs everything all crossed for you!! Stay calm, no stressing and relax for the next two weeks!! I'm sure all will be good!!

Cwtchy I'm sure it is all fine... The doc would tell you if not! Don't worry 😊

Stealth that's great news 😊

Well my second cycle has started.. Day 3 of my Letrozole taking! I am on this as the consultant is trying to avoid the multiple risk! My scans start on Monday! A week today!! Trying not to over think it etc all this time... All got to much last cycle!!

feefee I would usually agree, but he started the appt by saying "this is not my area of expertise at all, so I'm going out on a limb here" plus 3% morphology sounds awful! Fingers crossed for you in this 2ww!!

bananafish - thank you so much for looking, that's really nice of you to take the time. Glad everything is coming along nicely with your little baby shaped bean!!!

ponty geez that's not a great start with consultant. I think around 50% motility is normal, and 2% morphology is the cut off. I agree with you though - I couldn't believe that 98% of sperm can be deformed and it's still fine! Flipping men don't know how easy they've got it!

Good luck this round shell

AFM, I have triggered! Had to do it in a taxi on the way to my hotel (am in Spain for a work trip). Think the taxi driver was a bit bemused! But job done.

feefee I can barely walk now, running is totally out of the question. Every step I can feel them! Can't wait to get all the little fuckers out

stealth at doing it in a taxi IN SPAIN! You're going to have some great stories to tell. I can't beeeelieve that men can get away with SA results like that! We did have a chat about it last night and I said that seeing as I'm about to start either met or clomid, and all the lovely side effects that come with it, he needs to remember his vitamins, maybe eat a little better etc etx. It's a two way street!

Cwtchy - I dont know anything about it but i hope you get some answers soon - i'm sure all is well though!!

Stealth - Fingers crossed for you on the positive sounding follicles! Yay!!

Ain - Hello and welcome back. Great to see you.

IsIt - That drives me totally insane. It's really rude to say to someone in my opinion

Shellbell - yay for new cycle, Fingers and toes crossed for you!

Bananafish - Congratulations, keep us updated!!

I have had ANOTHER positive OPK today. Not sure whats going on as i thought i was now 4/5 DPO. This one was only just positive though (only as dark as the control), whereas at the weekend it was darker than the control line. Might try and get bloods checked on thursday for progesterone

nurse blood test would be a good idea - PCOS women often have elevated levels of LH (when I was first diagnosed it was 5 times my FSH!) so you can get confusing OPKs throughout the month. Which is obv mega helpful when you're not sure if or when you're ovulating! Hope the blood test can give some clarification x

I think you're right Bananafish, Gonna book some bloods on thursday I think. Have also emailed my consultants receptionist as this has been my first cycle in a year. Yeah, my LH was 4 times my FSH around 6 months ago but havent had it checked in ages! PCOS is never straight forward is it

nurse* I second getting bloods done to check - then you'll know for sure!

Thanks everyone - spoke to my GP today who was much more informed and says DH's SA is normal and so we decided that instead of being referred - there's only so much I can be offered due to already having a child - she will prescribe me Met for a few months and see if that helps. I definitely ovulate, just reeeeally late in the game. I'm 7dpo atm so excited to start the met once AF shows!

Thanks you guys - have booked an appointment Thursday afternoon as I'm working Friday. Not sure when I ovulated (maybe last Friday?) so not sure what dpo that would be but I'm working on Friday so can check the results out for myself on our lab system

ponty good to hear re results. FYI you don't need to get AF to start taking metformin, I would get on it straight away.

stealth thanks for that - I have just taken my first dose. Hoping the side effects aren't too awful

Just make sure you take it right after a meal - reduces the side effects lots!

I've been lurking on the thread but thought I'd say hello, hope it's okay to join in?
I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of weeks ago after having a 3 month bleed and being referred to a gynaecologist. I've been put on metformin and after some rough side effects I seem to be settling on it. My bleeding had been stopped by norethisterone and I had the withdrawal bleed around the same time as starting the metformin. I fully expected to just carry on bleeding like I had been but it stopped after 5 days. I'm also having acupuncture.
We're TTC our second, I have a 2 year old DS who was conceived after clomid prescribed by my GP who said I wasn't ovulating due to high prolactin. My prolactin levels are normal now though.
So I'm just hoping the metformin helps!

Thanks nurse. On thyroxine too so need to juggle things a bit.

There are hardly any metformin success stories around! Not feeling as optimistic now!

magpie we are in a v similar boat! I have an almost 2 yo DD. Just started met!

Cwtchy hopefully we can be the success stories!

Hi guys I often read but I don't have much to add as I've not been on any mess or had ivf or anything so feel a bit useless.

Was just asking for advice really. I had been having regular 29 day cycles recently and now I'm on cd 34 with no af. I took a pregnancy test on cd 32 and got bfn. I'm having a lot of cramps but guessing it's the pcos playing up.

I was temping this month but think it's been unsuccessful as I'm a mouth breather and also work shifts. I hadn't temped for a week as Ff thought I'd o'ed cd 14 and I've been at my parents for a week so took a break, feel stupid for it now. Is it worth starting temp again? Should I be taking pregnancy tests every week or so until af? Or do I write out this cycle and wait?! Prior to having my ds I used to go 6 months with no af so hoping it doesn't go on that long :(

Thanks in advance and good luck to you ladies x

Re metformin. Need to take it with food and I recommend you don't eat too much carby or fatty food for the first week or so. Or drink much alcohol. You'll soon find out what works for you as you'll vomit if you get it wrong!

tryingtowait personally I wouldn't be testing every week if it takes up to 6 months for you to have a period! If it hasn't arrived in eg 10 days id be going to the doctor and asking for some provera to induce a bleed. No point hanging around!

EC in the am for me. Woo! Nervous but excited. Cannot WAIT to have these eggs out - I can now no longer even pee without pain.

Thanks stealth really hoping it wouldn't take 6 months as hasn't been that way for 4 years but you never know, pcos never ceases to surprise! I was told having ds 'cleared' the cysts but I'm guessing as pcos is life long they can also come back whenever? I was never told much about it as was 18 at the time and not ready for children. I've learnt what I have through the Internet, wondering if it may be time to go back anyway.

Personally I would go back sooner rather than later. If you are not ovulating, waiting 6 months is a complete waste of time - and the only way you can know if you're ovulating is to do a blood test. If you are, then you can chill and/or go mental over opks [delete as appropriate] but better to know earlier.

Nurse that's great that you are going to get bloods done!! Let us know how you get on!

Cwtchy that's fab that they have gave you metformin! Doc said they are going to put me on it shortly if this cycle doesn't work so you can keep me on the straight and narrow with it! Haha!

Stealth how you doing? You will be pleased to get that done and beable to breath and pee haha!

Tryingtowait I would maybe wait a few more days and then maybe go see doc?

Bananafish how are you doing?

Soo... Last day of AF today, day 4 of tabs!! Can't wait to get 'cuddles' with my chocolate teapot 😂😂 sorry for the tmi... Need to get practise in for my scans next week lol xx

Ah thanks ladies, I am very grateful for all your finger crossing!
Shellbell, woo hoo for your letrozole cycle being well under way. Definitely try to distract yourself from it all while you wait for next Monday to roll around.

Cwtchy, that was not a helpful way for your doc to start the conversation, but I’m very glad your GP helped you out today. Good idea to get your DH to take his supplements – they do seem to help things along. You definitely don’t need to wait for a specific point to start metformin. Hope you’re feeling fine on it. I didn’t have any side effects, but then I didn’t have any primary effects (i.e. anything that seemed visibly to help my cycle that I could attribute to the metformin) either – but there are definitely success stories out there! What dose are you on? Best to build up slowly.

Stealth, you are my IVF idol – triggering in a taxi! I was cancelling plans left, right and centre so that I could be at home to mix up my meds and inject them. I will try to emulate you if/when there is a next time. But more importantly – good luck for egg collection tomorrow! Hope you’re able to sleep ok despite the discomfort. Am sure it will go well, and I can’t wait to hear about the haul they retrieve! Hope you can take it easy the whole day and are not dashing off on another trip in the next few days.

Nurse, glad you can get bloods done easily – hopefully it will help you figure out what’s going on.

Magpie, welcome to the thread! Ouch for the 3 month bleed. I had super high prolactin levels due to a prolactinoma which I’m still on cabergoline for– was yours explained?

Tryingtowait, definitely go see your GP if your cycle starts getting longer and longer.

FeeFee my GP at the time said the high prolactin was probably caused by the medication I was on. I never had any further testing as she gave me clomid. So after a year of TTC again and nothing happening and then the bleeding, I came off the medication but still had the same problems which is when PCOS was diagnosed.

Stealth good luck with your EC!

Morning all. Could I please ask a question that's been on my mind since yesterday? I started a thread in Miscarriage, but no one has responded. Not sure how widely known it is but I thought you guys would know.

Progesterone in early pregnancy for PCOS women. Is this something I should have been offered based on PCOS being all over my medical records? I don't for one minute think that my MC could have been prevented, but I can't help feeling that if I'd known about it, I would have given it my best shot

Also, Metformin. My GP told me to stop taking it when I first found out I was pregnant. I've read that it's a good idea to continue taking it. Was that bad advice by my GP? I had been taking 1500mg (in three separate tablets) per day for ages. I'm now back on it in the hope it will help to conceive again

No worries if you don't know, but thought I'd try here. Sorry I've not cuaght up with you all yet. DP is in two minds at the moment about having another so I'm not even sure what the future holds for trying again. Hopefully it's part of the grieving and not going to last forever!