Pcos, periods (or lack of!) and a lovely bunch of ladies

[YouBoggleMyMind]

Right here's our new thread ladies:

Ella, moomin, Amy, robber, danika, trying, Eskimo and anyone I have missed or is lurking.

Sending you happy sperm and egg vibes xxx

Hi milly! Sorry, but that looks negative to me. If you have PCOS, you will likely get a lot of almost-positives like that. The line needs to be as dark, or darker than the control line for a positive.

Having said that, a test like the one in the picture could also mean that you have caught the beginning or end of the LH surge, but missed the peak. It never hurts to try :)

Hello ladies! Hope there is room for one more?

I've just been trying to catch up a bit on your posts, and sounds like a lot of you are going through the same sort of journey. A little about me (trying to cut a long story short)...

I'm 30 been ttc about 17 months. Diagnosed with PCOS about the same time as started ttc because I came off the pill and my periods vanished. My weight is OK (BMI ~21) but was suffering bad acne (duac seem to be working for me).

In September I got referred to local NHS fertility doc. I had a provera-induced period and clomid 50mg (cd 2-7). Returned to the clinic CD12 for FTS. No response to the clomid, so the doc told me to start taking Clomid again straight away, 50mg for 5 days (2 rounds of Clomid in one cycle). I had another FTS after that and still no response.

The doctor then said we'd try another round of Clomid for 10 days (100mg for 5 days then 50mg for 5 days), but that he was also going to put me on the list for ovarian drilling and would check my tubes at the same time.

To be honest I was a little surprised he suggested moving on from Clomid so quickly. He even mentioned IVF, which I really didn't expect to come up so soon. It hit home a bit then. Like, wow, is this actually happening?

That brings us up to today pretty much. I've just finished a round of provera and expect I will get my withdrawal period tomorrow. Then I have to book another FTS and start taking the 10 days of clomid. Obviously I really hope this works and I don't have to do drilling, but just taking it a stage at a time.

I have a super supportive husband, but would be lovely to talk to some ladies going through the same thing.

Are you all mostly UK based? Anyone had the ovarian drilling? It sounds a little scary. I don't know if it's a good thing he's moving on from Clomid so quick or whether I want to give it more of a chance.

Sorry - that wasn't as short a post as I hoped!

I've read that opks can be really unreliable for pcos people? Is that correct? My darkest ever opk was like yours in the picture although I don't think I am actually ovulating atm, just curious if they work for everyone or not.

Hi all!

K, I have read that opks aren't too reliable with pcos as LH is higher in pcos ladies. I've only had positive opks on clomid (as it corrects hormone imbalance)

Welcome newbies. I was also put on a waiting list for drilling and a lap and dye but made it clear I wasn't comfortable with it and continued with more clomid. I have one cycle left before next steps.
Just make sure you have all the facts about ovarian drilling. Read up about it.

Thanks Boggle, yes will do lots of reading. I've gone ahead and said they can put my name on the waiting list for ovarian drilling because I know how long these things take anyway.

When are you due to start your next round of Clomid? Is there a max number of rounds they offer you, or have you decided you will just try one more?

(sorry to be confusing but changed username from coyem)

Yes I am still on the list despite saying I'm not prepared to have it and I've have nothing through offering it to me. I was told the waiting list was 10 weeks.
I have done 7 sounds of clomid, 50, 100, 150, 150 + metformin, 150 + metformin, 150 + metformin, 150 + metformin. 6th round resulted in pregnancy but I have an early miscarriage/chemical pregnancy. I foolishly started a new round of clomid straight away and it didn't work. My body was miscarrying and I shouldn't have treated it like a period when it wasn't one. I have now got provera to start AF but I'm giving my body a break for a month and starting in December. The most rounds I've done one after the other is three. Otherwise there have been gaps for various reasons.

I think I will just leave my name on the waiting list and make the decision nearer the time as it's very unlikely to be before the new year anyway.

Sounds like a good idea to have a break Boggle, although I'm sure that's hard. Really hope December is the month for you! It's getting to that time of year when I start thinking "great, another Christmas when I'm not pregnant" after last year I thought I'd definitely be pregnant/have a baby by next christmas!

Forgot to mention, my fertility doc also said he's seen good results with Inofolic (inofolic.org.uk/), so I'm trying that. Anyone else also taking it?

Hi CatVO, welcome.

I'm on the cusp of being diagnosed with PCOS I believe, as I came off the pill in March and my periods have got longer and longer to the point where this cycle is currently on CD61 with no sign of anything!

I had bloods on Friday and waiting for the results, but I wanted to ask you if you had ANY bleeds after coming off the pill or if it was just nothing from day 1.

Both my sisters had crazy irregular cycles apparently but they both have 2 children each, so I'm not sure if irregularity is quite normal for my family or if the lengthening of the cycles is typical PCOS.

Thanks for the welcome SummerHopin

When I first came off the pill (which I'd been on about 8 years) I had my normal withdrawal bleed and then another period about 40 days later. This was beginning of July, then I had a random 3 day period in October, then a 6 day period in December, followed by pretty much nothing until May, then something in July...since then they've been provera-induced.

So yes, had a few periods since coming off the pill, but far apart and irregular. Hope that helps!

Is this ovulation test positive? Nurse said I'd probably ovulate Sunday based on my post-Clomid ultrasound scan. But much as I wanted it to be, the test yestaerday was definitely negative. Does this one seem positive to you all? I think the test line is technically a little lighter than the control. Sorry for blurry picture. Lighting was rubbish.

satsooma, if it helps, here is a photo of my positive opk on a clomid cycle where I early miscarried. Xxx

Actually hit on the photo to get both tests.

Thanks Boggle. Mine was darker than that! I just did another test when I got home. I don't have pics, but this time it was definitely positive. Test was darker and wider than control. Never seen that before.

Evening ladies! Sorry I've been a bit quiet - just been playing the old waiting game! So a quick update - currently on CD 123, had a letter through for ultrasound end of November and still waiting for women's hospital referral letter! DH has also had a SA and results weren't good - low sperm count apparently. Feeling a little deflated but doctors orders are 'keep at it' so I guess that's all we can do! Why stress about something you can't change right? Xx

Thanks CatVO, that sounds rather like me. I had what I thought were cycles as they were 28, 32, 36, 44, 47 days etc but I'm now on CD62 with no sign of anything and so am thinking I've strayed from irregular into not-right.

Hoping to get my blood test results back this week, although obvs I wasnt on a period at the time and so hope that they will be accurate. I fear I'm going to need something to bring on AF.

.......feeling completely torn - have gone from ttc and so hating AF, to being in limbo and wanting it back! Oh the joys of PCOS right? :) x

Good luck with your blood results Summer. I know what you mean, actually wanting your AF to arrive is a strange feeling! I guess your doc may give you provera if it doesn't arrive soon.

Hi ladies, and warm welcome to all the newbies!

Well we've both been full of a bad cold and fever but coming out the other end now thanfully!

Must say I'm very grateful for you lot kicking me back on to all my supplements etc. CD19 today, had a positive cheapie opk last night and got my static smiley this morning. Have already dtd a few times since fri and will keep at it and cross our fingers!

Elly have a read up - there's quite a lot you can do for your dh - overhaul diet, stop drinking, new underwear, long walks / exercise, a conception multi-vit, and herbal supplements etc. Xx

Can you believe it's November?! Yikes! Let's hope we all get some festive season magic baby dust!!
Going to a breastfeeding class tonight with my friend who I'm birth partnering. Did NCT with her all day last Sat & will again this Sat. Nice group (8 couples), just hoping I'll be one of the pregnant ladies at some point!!

Hi ladies
Has anyone got any tips for managing your weight with PCOS? I am the typical - look at carbs and gain and always craving sweet stuff - kind of PCOS woman!
I've done SW and it worked well the first time but struggling so much now! X

Hi lozza, I go to the gym 3 times a week and go to weight watchers. Managed to lose 1st 3lbs since mid August. Just getting to a bit of a plateau so need to push myself again.

Hi all.

Have just called surgery for my blood results and the thyroid and blood count etc were fine, but the hormone test (i.e. prolactin etc) has come back as "borderline - refer to GP". I therefore have to wait until the GP can call me tomorrow.

So, I googled "prolactin" and was bombarded with a list of infertility websites as my results Great.

Not that any of you are doctors, but any help please from your experiences? I was feeling low at the start of the day and now am feeling myself go down even further. :(

help please x

Lozza I quit sugar (the hardest thing I've ever done) but the 3 extra stone I'd been carrying dropped off in a few short months after that and I'd tried a lot before (exercising & eating a lot less calories than I do now & did when I was losing). Sadly I think our bodies just don't like sugar & simple carbs. Good luck with your weight loss!

Boggle how is everything? How are you feeling? Xx

Summer sorry to hear that. I might be wrong but I think high prolactin levels can mimic pcos symptoms but it's a different thing. I'm not sure how it's medicated. Hopefully one of the other ladies knows more. Have you had an ultrasound yet? Sorry I don't remember 100% where you were up to

Well I'm now officially in the 2ww for only the 2nd time in a year of trying... The first time not too long ago AF came less than a week later, so I'm taking a high dose B6 to try and lengthen my luteal phase. I'll be happy even if AF does show as long as it's 2 weeks from now and not 5 days!!

Hi dani, nothing to report from my end really. Not doing anything at the minute. Still feeling pretty burnt from the early miscarriage and then a failed cycle of clomid straight after. Waiting to start provera at the beginning of December so I can get a folly scan between xmas and new year and not have to take the time off work.
We are into birthday month though and then I'll be in the last year of my 20s... eek!

Hi Girls, sorry I've been a bit of a lurker for a bit, been really busy!! However I'm really pleased because I've just had a natural 34 day period my horrendous bleed on my holiday was also a naturally occurring AF too but it was a 86 day cycle.

Obviously gutted I didn't get pregnant but things are looking positive - I'll start 100mg round of clomid 2moro xx

Hi Dani, thanks for your message.

Erm, a bit of a false alarm it seems! Turns out the receptionist read me the result wrong and the prolactin was fine, it was just the testosterone that was on the wrong side of normal. I'm CD62 today so if I havent bled naturally after a week or two I'll have some progesterone to bring that along and then maybe start taking that more regularly to reduce my cycle lengths. I have had one ultrasound over a year ago which was clear, but they are going to re-do now just to make sure that something hasnt changed since the pill being fully out of my system.

The rest of my bloods were all fine so the GP said it literally looks as though my ovaries are still asleep from being on the pill so long. She said a little push for the lazy buggers should get them up and running fine again. :) I feel like I've finally got a result though ladies, and I'm so happy!

Wow Amy 86 days is impressive (if that is the word??). So pleased to hear you then had a 34 day natural bleed - especially a natural one!

Sorry to hear you are still a bit raw boggle. Do give yourself time to heal - this ttc lark can be so very upsetting. xx