PCOS, Periods, Provera & Pals. Plus All The Bits In between.

[AmyC86]

Welcome to our third thread on PCOS. What we don't know isn't really worth knowing. We're a friendly bunch of women who have a few things in common. We all have either PCOS or unexplained infertility and we're all on a mission for a BFP!!!!

For new members, and old alike here are the links to our 1st and 2nd threads:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2481523-when-to-expect-period-provera

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2685865-pcos-periods-or-lack-of-and-a-lovely-bunch-of-ladies?pg=1&order=

Now without further ado, let's continue on our journey.......

Metformin is a diabetes drug and can help if you have insulin resistant pcos. Clomid didn't work on its own for me, I had to take metformin to break down the insulin to let the clomid work. Metformin is now a recognised pcos drug but a lot of GPS/Drs won't prescribe it.

I am 4dpo and already going insane. I am so scared this isn't going to work.

Thank you boggle. I think I might ask my doctor whether she can check my glucose levels to determine whether I am insulin resistant or not. It would be worth checking as if so I will alter my diet (anything to try and keep my hormones in check). Sorry if I'm a little negative, I always think the worst and find it so hard to be upbeat about it. I have everything crossed for you Boggle, the wait is torture. Is this your last round of Clomid?

Hi Suffolk. Ask your GP if they can prescribe provera to regulate your periods. Theybsjould be able to do that before all the other tests and it could make it easier to get the bloods done. In fact, if you are struggling to get CD21 bloods done because you don't have regular periods they should just refer you without the bloods.

I have everything crossed for you too boggle. You must be going nuts waiting.

I've got 1 round left after this. I really don't want to have to use it... this summer will mark 3 years of trying. How depressing. I should be thinking about my second, not still hoping for my first. Life is so shit sometimes.

I think I will do satsoooma if it takes a while to come. I do have a cycle (usually just a couple of months long) so I am hoping that by the time I've finished all the other tests (ultrasound, OH's tests) AF would have shown up. Even though I had all these tests done 8 months ago my doc said they need new ones for the referral which is annoying!

I feel for you boggle life can be unfair at times. But you have this round and next you just have to take it one step at a time. Who knows what could happen between now and then. Do the NHS only allow 6 rounds of Clomid?

This is my 9 round of clomid and I have one to go so apparently not! First 3 cycles didn't work at all so maybe they're not counting them...

I see, that's good to know that they are not so strict. How long did it take between getting referred to fertility clinic from GP to getting your first treatment? I am hoping to start Clomid by Spring/Summer (feeling very impatient). I know everywhere is different though. Do you have follicle tracking too?

I got tests done under the GP in June 2015, referred end of July 2015 and had our first appointment at the fertility clinic at the end of September 2015.

Yes, I have follicle tracking every cycle and I've had 1 progesterone blood test so far (that cycle ended in chemical pregnancy) and I've got another blood test on Monday for the same thing.

That's alot quicker than I expected. I think mine will take a bit longer just because I need to wait for AF before completing my bloods. I'm booked in for an ultrasound on 30th and wondering whether they'll be able to give me a heads up on whether there is a possibility of ovulation this month. I'm worried about fitting the follicle tracking and all these tests around work but hey ho. I see so your blood test will let you know whether you ovulated. Sorry for all the questions, I'm knew to all of this. It's very helpful thank you

I didn't wait for AF for any of my first lot of bloods cos it was very clear that they were never going to be right. I'd not had any sort of period in over a year at this point. I was just given provera when we got to the fertility clinic. They were quite shocked it had been that long.

I'm only CD13 atm so I will wait a bit longer and perhaps go back to Dr if it seems like AF isn't going to show. I'm frustrated they couldn't use my previous test results! Just been catching up on the thread and everyone's stories

hi all,

hope you don't mind be hopping on here, i have been reading the thread with interest as i have just been referred as having potential PCOS. AF has been absent since October & before that my cycles were 6-7 weeks long generally, i had put that down to coming off the pill initially but it seems as though the pill was just masking the symptoms.

Anyway i have had bloods done & they showed a high LH level, i have just had more bloods done today to check this again & also to check my testosterone level which they didn't check the 1st time so should get the results of those next week. I have been referred for a ultrasound scan of my ovaries, DH has to have his sperm tested & we have been referred to a specialist.

I am feeling rather overwhelmed by it all right now & I'm not really sure what to expect :(

There are two previous threads before this with lots of other stories, lots positive stories. I seem to be the only one that can't seem to leave them. I'll prolly be on the next one too 😂😓

Hi happybus28 welcome! It sounds like you are at a similar stage to me (although my PCOS has already been diagnosed previously) it is quite overwhelming isn't it...it sounds like you are well on the way. My DH is off the the Drs tomorrow re his SA and he is very nervous! That's great you have been referred to a fertility specialist already, I'm excited/nervous to get my appt...I hope it doesn't take too long. How long have you been TTC?

oh boggle I am sure you won't be, this year could be your year FX for you! I'm glad to hear there have been lots of positive stories too

Hi slady yes I'm torn between being anxious and worried to being glad at least we are on the way to getting something done about it. I though the GP might fob me off as we haven't quite been trying a year yet (10 months) but she's been great. She said regardless of TTC or not my lack of periods needs investigating so may aswell get all done together.

I haven't got my appts through yet I'm waiting for both the ultrasound & the consultant appt. Have you had to have a ultrasound too? Hope all goes well with your DHs SA results!

I feel exactly the same happybus28 it's quite nerve-wracking facing up to it all and beginning the roller coaster. That's so good you have an understanding GP makes all the difference. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17 (through an ultrasound for something else).
I went to the doctors in spring last year for post-coital bleeding and was referred for an ultrasound which picked up my PCOS, she also did a couple of blood tests on the back of that. I carried on TTC naturally thinking oh we'll keep it casual see what happens and go back in 2017 (i think it took me about 2 months to become obsessed)
I went back to the Drs this month and need to repeat my ultrasound as she said it needs to be recent and now I am having bloods on specific days (CD2-5 and CD21) I also have to have chlamydia and rubella tests, thyroid, full blood count etc! And DH needs SA too! So lots of tests! Once completed I need to return to docs for a referral FX! Do you have any other symptoms of PCOS?

Wow you've had a lot going on then! It's good news that your moving forwards though. I don't have any other symptoms really no although my periods were always irregular before I went on the pill and I did used to suffer with bad acne but that hasn't been a problem in recent years so I'm not sure if it's related. I have had periods since coming off the pill with cycles averaging about 6 weeks long but since October I haven't had one at all. Did so much peeing on sticks in Nov/Dec but if definitely isn't that! It's all so stressful but I'm try to keep positive!

Hi SLady glad you found us! Sorry I haven't replied sooner been mad with work-have just caught up and can see you're already well on the way to getting familiar with everyone. This really is a lovely bunch

Like boggle said, do go back and read the previous threads that what I did when I started out.

I had similar start to you-all very new and not sure what came first! I had no periods at all so had the main. Looks done there and then as don't need to be on a particular day. The FSH and LH need to be during a bleed so you may get a short course of progesterone to bring that on. It's fine and from then they may ask for a day 21 As well, although with the long cycles day 21 usually doesn't show anything.

Everyone is different, and I personally decided to go private and pay for the further tests to have my answers there and then. It has helped me because I am a control freak and need answers! I am now waiting on NHS referral to be given clomid - not sure if anyone has mentioned already but your GP cannot give you clomid it has to come after referral to specialist. They can give you metformin though which is why that comes first.

I'm on metformin but have never actually been told I have IR. I'm not sure you ever do need such a test you just give it a try and if it works great. It is making me lose a bit of weight but no signs of AF sadly so i am about to embark on the next step.

Emotionally I am flicking from positive to helpless. It's very hit and miss at the mo, but it's nice to have this thread to share things with.

Hope this helps you xx

Welcome happy bus too. Sorry you're feeling lost, but if it helps we are all there too.

Boggle - how are your nips??! Lol

Yes I know! The doctor showed me the referral form and it was so long! Hopefully I can get all the tests completed in the next month or so though so I can move on to the next stage. Yes similar to me, mine average about 8 weeks although there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern! I'm just pleased I have them. I still have teenage skin (which cleared up so much when being on the pill) and I'm a hairy fuzz ball but I know I could have it alot worse so I'm grateful. We really do have to keep positive although ive resigned to the fact I wont conceive naturally It's nice to talk to people going through the same thing, it can be a lonely place especially when no one you know has experienced it or has had trouble conceiving

Nips are normal again. I'm not really coping today. Convinced we've got no chance of this working

Hi summerhopin yes I am finding this page so helpful already and already feel a bit better/less alone
My doctor has never mentioned IR or Metformin and I wonder if that's because my BMI is low and because I do have periods?
Yes I know my true CD21 would not be accurate so I was going to go when I felt like my AF is due. Usually I get symptoms 5-7 days before. I hope my AF will be here within the next 6 weeks. If not I will go back to docs to try and get her to bring it on for me.
I don't blame you going private it's scary waiting for all these tests and it dragging out!
Fingers crossed you get your referral for Clomid soon, are you just waiting for the referral now or have you got more tests to do?

Yes maybe it's your BMI-although mine is 24 and I'm on it so not sure. It seems all GPS are different as we all have different advice!!

Boggle, don't dispair Hun. Remember that you're going to have darker days but you can never lose hope. If clomid doesn't work then it might need to be injectables or even ivf. If it means you get your bundle of joy though then it will be worth it. This morning I couldn't get out of bed I was feeling so hopeless. It worried me so much that I couldn't see past ttc and it was stopping me from being able to function. I am still feeling blue but just trying to take each day and sign it off as best I can. Take care of yourself, if nothing else clomid is a hormone fuck and will make you feel less yourself before you even think about symptom spotting.

All is not lost. Do not give up xx

Yes it seems we do - would be better if it was more consistent.
Sorry to hear you have been feeling sad too summerhopin, I felt the same a week or so ago, so tearful, upset and just down. It's hard not to over think and it sometimes takes over your whole mindset. Hope you are OK too boggle

I just feel like I've been here before way too often. It's never ended well.

I want to switch off. I just don't know how. I'm all ready for the spotting to start next week and I can say that I'm out and have to start a new round. Have another scan and have more bloods. The one cycle I did spend being positive ended in a chemical pregnancy. It's completely burnt me.

The only good thing is that I have loads of plans over the next 10 days so I hope it keeps me vaguely distracted.