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.......

Hi Amy nice to hear you're having a successful cycle so far. All sounds really positive FX for you!

Slady you sound just like I was, just wanting to feel as though you are doing something! I dont think the hycosy is something you HAVE to have, my consultant gave us the choice of clomid or doing the test first just to check. Everyone is different but I wanted to rule out anything big first.

We have our NHS appointment on 28th March so still a couple of weeks away. This morning I had the most awful stomach cramps I was doubled over for ages it brought tears to my eyes. I had similar pains last month and a couple of weeks later had a natural AF. Could it be ovulation or are those pains not that severe?

Could be ovulation summer. Is the pain localised to one side (or both sides) and around the level of your belly button? Does the area hurt more if you poke it?

I ended up going to the doctor with suspected OHSS or appendicitis on an early Clomid round. Turned out my ovaries were just working for the first time ever.

I think that Clomid does not reduce the number of underdeveloped follicles in your ovary, just encourages one or two to grow to a proper size. Makes them kind of swollen and sore.

To be fair it was so intense I cant really remember if it was localised. I too thought about appendicitis or a dreadful tummy bug - but havent had any sickness or diarrhea so dont think so.

Only thing is, I'm not on clomid, just metformin. Metformin has made me lose weight and given me an natural AF, but I didnt know if it would be enough to bring on ovulation too?

Thinking about it I should have done an OPK this morning, but I've kind of given up on those really. I dunno - maybe I'm just wishful thinking!! hehe

Ooh , well OPKs are best done in the afternoon, they don't really work in the morning. So not too late to give it a go. 2pm is best, but any time before 8pm should do.

Nice to hear from you amy, fingers crossed for a successful cycle 🚲
When I test day?

Hey ladies,
So went for my follow up scan today and I haven't ovulated - it's turned into a cyst so no more clomid for me for the moment as the nurse says I will need the trigger shot. Am trying to contact the hospital to speak to the consultant but we may have to wait until our apt in May xx

Hi barsons, sorry to hear that.
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but how do they know that it turned into a cyst? had you had tracking scans previously so they knew where the growing follicle was? Also, did you feel anything that would have led you to know that it became a cyst?
Good luck in getting some answers as to what your next step is x

Hey Summer, yes I had a scan on Sunday and that was already at 24.4mm on day 12. You normally ovulate before it reaches 24. Went today and she said it's now a cyst and mentioned that my right ovary is very Polycystic.

Does anyone know if losing weight can make your ovaries less Polycystic?

Hi Barsons. Sorry to hear about your follicle. Losing weight can really help with PCOS and ovulation. I think losing even 10% of the extra weight can make a big difference.

I am currently trying to get back down to a healthy weight. I managed it for when I started clomid, but with all the stress and hormones, I let my weight get out of hand again.

Although the trigger shot may sort things out by itself.

I have heard that weight loss can massively help yes, but also there is what they call 'lean' PCOS which is when people have all the same symptoms and issues but they are not overweight in the slightest.

My consultant also told me once that anything under BMI30 was ok - although I dont know the limits for when you have IVF. My BMI is about 24.7 so I'm clinging to the normal range for dear life! haha!

Sorry to hear that barsons. Must be so frustrating to be so close and it not happen. Hopefully the trigger shot will put it into action! I think I come into that category summer as my BMI is 19 and I was told if I lost any weight I'd be rejected as the cut off is 18.5 which is crazy as I've always been this way. I'm still trying to eat healthily though as I don't think insulin resistance is linked to weight. It's something I'm going to ask at my consultant appt as I'd like my glucose levels to be checked. If I don't have insulin resistant pcos then no point cutting out chocolate if I don't need to haha. I'm in no way being smug by the way, I have every other symptom and they are not fun :(

I'm also in that category, SLady and summer. My BMI is currently 20.2. Following my MC in January, I lost 3kg by eating healthily and doing the 30 Day Shred (really recommend it!). I've pretty much given up coffee, alcohol (only having a glass of wine once in a blue moon) and sweets / chocolate. No positive result for me so far, only had a very light, weird period after my MC and now I'm on CD43 with no sign of AF other than a bit of spotting. Maybe losing weight doesn't help everybody

I know I'm skeptical too hope I've read so many books which says diet can control pcos and reverse symptoms but I'm not sure I believe it will make that much of a difference. I've promised myself I will give it a go just so I can say that I've tried. Anyway when you're just waiting it's something to focus on

Test day shold be 21st March. Sick as a dog today, think I've caught a bug. Which is super poo on my holidays too

Nice to hear from you lot too xx trying to catch up a bit with the thread....

I very nearly bought a PCOS diet book this week but the reviews said that it was aimed at highly obese people and was just the basics of cut portion size and give up eating crap. I don't think I eat badly, and will make
More of an effort but I'm a sucker for a comfort treat......and let's face it every day requires one of those when you suffer with this shitty crappy condition!!

Sorry-feeling a bit angry tonight about it all. It's being left in the dark about your own future! It bloody sucks!

SummerHopin, I read three books about PCOS after my MC - all included food-related advice and recipes and all were completely useless (eat less, avoid junk food etc.). It seems that PCOS is still very much associated with obesity and all these books were written for severely obese people. Definitely not for those already having a healthy lifestyle.

I think moderation is key - if you generally eat okay and do some exercise, have some comfort food when you feel like you need it. And definitely don't feel guilty about it!

Big hugs, hope you feel a bit more positive today. I also had a shitty day yesterday. I just started crying when I got home, saying "I just wish something good happened in my life, for a change". A lot of nasty changes at work, waiting to hear back from a company after my first interview this week, AF not arriving... feeling overwhelmed by it all. Repeating to myself: better days will come...

Hot sweats be getting me like 😑

Period started but meant to start ivf on Monday not sure if that will affect start date.

I'd guess you'd need to call and speak to the clinic to find that out. Have you got clomid to take in the meantime if they'll allow it?

lookin4hope - thank you so much for your message, the hugs were greatly appreciated. I was having a low point, but am feeling brighter now (hope you are too).

'overwhelmed' and 'shitty' are two great words to use in these circumstances. 90% of the time I'm all about looking on the bright side, but sometimes you need to just be in the moment, snuggle up, have a cry and then eat something naughty :)

Better days will come, when do you find out about the job?

lol, oh boggle poor you. Hope lastnight was better.

And fluffy, I dont know anything about IVF (yet) but surely the start of a cycle is a good thing isnt it? I always assumed that you had to prepare the egg first before harvesting them so starting at the start of a cycle would be the right thing to do?

Let us know how you get on at your appointment. :)

Ughh, I got an almost/maybe positive OPK today. Not the sort of obvious positive I am used to on Clomid.

I have all the right signs (sore ovaries, EWCM, put on a lot of water weight, LH surge etc.) so I am pretty sure I will ovulate today or tomorrow. Just could have done with some certainty.

I hate all this guesswork. Also am a bit tired of DTD on a schedule so want to get the ovulation bit over with and relax.

Here's a pic: CD12-16 top to bottom. Does it look like I am ovulating? I have had one anovulatory cycle on clomid and will be so upset if I waste another cycle not ovulating.

I guess it looks pretty good, it is just that last month's positive was so much darker (pic 2). I know I just need to chill out. How do I do that?

Satsooma, that's exactly what my opk looked like this cycle & I double checked with a digital to confirm thoughts with a big smiley face.

What dosage of clomid are you using?

I'm desperate to test! I don't 'feel' any different, boobs are sore & I've been getting a strange 'pulling' sensation behind my belly button last night. But up to now, no cramps

I'm on 500mg Amy. Thanks for the reassurance, it really does make me feel better .

Am really excited for your cycle though, it sounds like everything is on track. When are you testing?