OVUSENSE (ovucore) thread 2

[Peonies94]

Ready for when our current one fills up, only 100 messages away!

@RMS0209 so I have to caveat I am no doctor and have confirmed PCOS and a thyroid issue, but I take the below (brace yourself lol)

• metaformin 1000g (used to take 1500g) but I've been off it for 6 months as was recommended to do so when pregnant which my private gynae disagreed with and told me to go back on. It a diabetic drug that helps in some cases manage the insulin sensitivity with PCOS. I find you usually need to ask GPs for it as they won't necessarily know about its link with PCOS because hey, it's a woman's problem, why should we research and learn about it (not all Doc's obviously, i'm just a bit salty ha)
• myova myoplus - Myo insitol, folate (take this instead of folic acid) and chronium. Myo insitol is as (if not more) effective for PCOS than metaformin, the first month I took both was when I got pregnant last year... Anedotal maybe but you never know 👀)
• standard omega3, vitamin d, e and c from Tesco, I'm on and off with vitamin b as I want my luteal phase longer but worry it makes my cycle longer overall, so usually on try and take it post ovulation
• I get ubiquinol (which is the pure form of coq10) from Amazon, it's spenny, and then also NAC, alpha lipoic acid and got melatonin from some recommended website - look up it starts with the egg website and they have links there.

Phew, essay! Obviously do get diagnosed with PCOS first!
You said you were worried about the results re your ovaries, did they say anything specific? What else did they test?

itstartswiththeegg.com/supplements/ here you go

Morning all, can someone remind me how long it takes to confirm ovulation? I can't remember from last cycle and wondering if maybe I havent ovulated when I thought I did as OPKs never got high...

I think it's four days?? @MO22

@MO22 Morning!
Sorry I was feeling a bit deflated with it all yesterday so took some time out - but i'm back today.
I just want to thank you so much for sending all that info through, I really do appreciate it, it's so nice to have people that can help because I just feel very lost right now. x

@MO22 it can take up to 5 days. I think you'll get your confirmation tomorrow, as your rolling average line hasn't caught up yet and it will follow that big jump that you got.

Your chart looks really good! I would definitely say that you have ovulated, unless you were unwell or had a fair bit of alcohol to cause that spike.

@Moosh18 @theblueflowers thank you, I seem to think it was like 4/5 DPO last month but couldnt quite remember. I'm just a bit confused as the highest OPK I got was 0.7 and classed as low, and then it went back again to like 0.3. not sure why I insist on using them when every doctor I speak to says not to bother with PCOS ha... I had some alcohol on sat but hopefully that just enhanced the spike!

How are you both doing?

@RMS0209 you are more than welcome, I am just in the same boat as you and trying to muddle through with conflicting information and doc appts. I think i'm officially in the system with the NHS now on "being checked out", had bloods Friday and been referred to NHS gynae to have a hysteroscopy I think because womb lining was a bit thick. Not sure what's next after that tho as if I am ovulating they won't do ovulating inducing drugs will they?

Hope you are feeling a bit better today, what CD are you now? x

Hi @MO22
Chart looks good I forgot to say that, hopefully tomorrow you get conformation of ovulation
I'm so glad that is you finally in the system now.
I am going to push once I get my results on the 4th and have my proper chat with the consultant and see what they say/think

WOW, that was my exact same wonder/multiple google searches aswell.. I have heard great things about Clomid etc but if we are ovulating (which we've had confirmed) (well I did for last month atleast) then would they give us it? who knows.. part of me thinks do I just bite the bullet and try IVF (which I know will have a long wait line) or do I try push for medicated IUI i'm just really not sure.
What are you thinking? x

@MO22 through my many Google searches, I have read of people getting BFPs on as low as 0.5, so it can be possible! You can't deny that good rise that you have, so it looks like ovulation has occurred.

I got a 1.5 on my OPK this morning, so I am really hoping that this means I'll be ovulating soon. I'm on day 9 of high readings! It's never got above 1 though so I'm taking this as a good thing. Yesterday's temp was the lowest I've ever had, so hopefully this is my dip before ovulation, but I have no signs of fertile CM, which I normally get, so I have no idea!

Ugh, I just want to chill out about it!

@RMS0209 I am on pretty much the same supplements as mentioned by @MO22 in her really helpful post. I can't even remember what a lot of them are for now! I totally get the feeling of being overwhelmed by it all. There is so much conflicting information out there as well, it's hard to know what's actually going to help.

Hi @theblueflowers we must have just crossed paths and wrote at the same time.
what cycle day are you? that's a great score for OPK! everything crossed for you

If you find the secret of how to chill out... please do?

I'm glad to hear you are on the same thing's, I have ordered the Zita West Inositol & Folate so that along with my other supplements should hopefully help!

How does this sound..

Zita West Inositol & Folate
Folic Acid (boots own brand)
Coq10 (costco own brand)
and my vitamin B,D & iron supplements? x

@RMS0209 that sounds like a great list!

The only addition I have is alpha lipoic acid which is something that I read about in 'It Starts With the Egg' as it supposedly helps with egg quality and after two miscarriages I'm giving them all the help!

Saying all of this, I mentioned my list of supplements to my consultant and he basically dismissed them all, as well as any dietary changes which was a bit disheartening. It helps me believe that I'm doing everything I can, so I'm going to plod on.

@RMS0209 oh and I'm on CD24 so it has been a slog! Metaformin has not really helped at all this cycle as my previous cycle I ovulated CD29. It just makes me feel nauseous 24/7 so that's fun.

Really hoping I do ovulate very soon, as we are due to reach temps of 30 degrees here, and I am dreading the thought of BDing in that heat 😂

@theblueflowers
Boo, I ovulated cycle day 25 last month and I'm debating if it was 25 or 26 this month.

Nothing better than constantly feeling nauseous huh!

So can I be silly? What does the metaformin do? I feel ridiculous asking and I'm sorry but I just think I need to know what I'm saying to the dr at gp when I call back, I don't know how I deal with it all.

What's the difference between... Metaformin/Clomid & that Letrzole I think it's called? X

@RMS0209
So from my understanding, metaformin isn't actually a fertility drug, it's given to people with type 2 diabetes as it controls levels of insulin in the body. As women with PCOS also have insulin issues, it was found that it could also help to improve ovulation, as high insulin means high testosterone which impedes ovulation. I don't think it is directly related to ovulation, just more frequent ovulation is a bonus through being on it.

It seems to only work for women who are insulin resistant which I'm guessing you can get tested for. I'm pretty sure not everyone with PCOS is insulin resistant. I was never tested for this so I'm not even sure it's actually going to help. I also have a normal BMI which means it will probably be less effective.

I have no idea about clomid I'm afraid! I have always seen clomid as the 'next level up' in terms of treatment.

Hey gals...

@theblueflowers stick at it with the metaformin, it takes a little while but I went from CD of 45-70 to a solid 31/32 after long term use. I started it again last month too so I feel your pain, but if ovusense is right I ovulated CD 21 which is okkkkaaaay. Hoping with the myo-insotol it will only reduce! When I took the both together I got pregnant so hoping it will happen again!
Metaformin isn't a magic drug but if you eat well and exercise then it's pretty good. I'm VERY insulin resistant, I don't need tests to tell me that ha, I look at a white carb and put on a stone. I'm not overweight but my BMI hovers towards 24/25 which is getting there and I was at my slimmest on metaformin - but it also does plateau. I'm really only back on it for fertility as it helps me ovulate consistently.

@RMS0209 totally agree with all that blue mountains said above. Not sure what is next if we are ovulating. My sister is a doc (not fertility sadly!) and lives and works in Scotland and said Clomid is the first line of defence there... But I would probably imagine we should skip to IUI if we are ovulating rather than straight to IVF? I think that's my longer term plan first... although DH says "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be' and isn't overly into IVF etc which I find quite difficult.

I think what we both need to recognise is that whilst it's been 6 months since MC, we ovulated and got pregnant, and are ovulating still. It feels awful and like ages, but medically speaking, most docs have said to me that that is overall a good sign. I know it feels so hopeless and all consuming, but I'm trying to remind myself of that.
How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Lol blue flowers not blue mountains... Obviously thinking about Australia ha

Hey team!

After my hopeful dip it hadn't materialised into anything yet. So fed up on peeing on sticks hahaha!

@RMS0209 sorry to hear about your updates, although sometimes I find it helpful to have an answer to the problem. I have PCOS and most of the time I'm okay with it but sometimes I just really resent my body for making it so difficult to conceive. And I find the longer it's taking the more down days I have. I try to stay positive as much as I can but I guess I'm saying it's okay to feel sad.
I'm on letrozole, it acts by lowering your oestrogen which should then cause your LH and FSH hormones to rise. And this is what stimulates ovulation. Although my first cycle hasn't worked so they don't think the dose was high enough.
I still ovulate but they said because my cycles are so irregular they use letrozole to try and regulate it, meaning you ovulate more frequently and have more chances of getting pregnant.

That turned into an essay 🤣

@Loz365

Hey!
Oh no... grrr what cycle day are you?

I think having my consultation at the end of the month will put my mind at ease.
What supplements and things do you take? Sorry for asking all the same questions I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

It appears I do ovulate (confirmed by blood test this week) my cycles are about 40 days MAX (cycle day 39 today but I am spotting so she's coming!) lol so yeah it's jumped from cycle day 14,17,19,25 etc I don't want it getting longer and longer

Can I ask how you got the letrozole?
My DR (gp) just seems to have 0 idea about any of it so I just feel like I need to go to him with an action plan rather than the other way round.
I think speaking to the consultant before I phone GP will help though.
I am beginning to feel sad more than I am happy, it is just so draining and sad and yuck

Thank you for explaining what the Letrozole does I have 0 idea about any of it, I have ordered a book though so it should come in the next few days 🙂
So next cycle you will get again but a higher dose? How many doses do you get?

Honesty can't thank you enough for taking the time to explain that all to me...
😵‍💫🤯 this has been me since Thursday night x

@RMS0209 CD24 today, still trying to DTD every other day until I get confirmation of ovulation but it's getting tiring 🤣🤣

Don't apologise, ask away! It's nice to share experiences and help other people out!

So I went to my GP after 9 months of trying and I'd only had 2 periods at that point. My GP arranged blood tests and ultrasound. Bloods were all normal but scan showed polycystic ovaries and with irregular periods and awful acne on my back she said I met the criteria for PCOS and referred me to NHS fertility clinic.
The fertility clinic started me on letrozole. Next cycle they want me to increase the dose and they'll scan me again to check if it works. I get 6 cycles in total and I think it's 6 cycles once it's working - at least i'm hoping it is!

Supplements - I'm taking myo-inositol. Started that in November and it improved my cycles to 27-37 days. The fertility consultant told me to keep taking them!
I'm also taking vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamin C, folic acid and omega 3. Other than the folic acid, the rest I only started last month so no idea what difference they're making! X

@Loz365 thank you so much for explaining re letrozole, totally makes sense that it lowers oestrogen! After my private ultrasound they said I needed a hysteroscopy because of potential degredation of my womb lining or something due to too much oestrogen because of PCOS... So that's v helpful to know.

God it's such a minefield isn't it!

@Loz365
How is chart looking today? 🙂

Sorry my Mumsnet app wasn't loading last night.

I can't thank you enough for explaining this all to me, I've been down rabbit holes not understanding.
So once you went to see your GP how long did the referral to fertility clinic take? Then for you to get some meds?

Thanks so much for explaining what Letrozole is and how it works.
I think I need to have a plan for my DR to get a referral so if I can say to him I need him to do xyz it should be easier!

I'm still spotting today but AF needs to arrive soon..

Ok we are similar
I have the Zita West Inositol and Folate (I mix a spoon and a half in my water bottle in the AM)
I have my: folic acid, COQ10 vitamin b12, vitamin D & iron tablets (I'm vegetarian) so I think we match supplements wise so I feel like I'm doing something right

I am really hoping this rise is the start of something! OKP down to 0.75 this morning as well. My chart is all over the place though so not too hopeful.

DH has just found out he has covid this morning, so no idea of that is going to have an impact at all.

@RMS0209 you're welcome!

It took 3 months from my GP referring me to my first appt in the fertility clinic. In the initial appt the consultant wanted to repeat my day 21 progesterone because my periods were more regular and they requested a hycosy to check my tubes. I then had to wait for my next period to get those done so that took another month. Then I had another appt about 2 weeks after the hycosy to discuss the results and they prescribed the medication then.
It felt like ages at the time but looking back it was all very efficient!

How long have you been trying? And has your partner had a semen analysis done? That was another thing the GP arranged before referring me! X

Oh and here's my chart! Nothing yet 🙃🙃

@Loz365 your chart 🫠🙃

Ok that's great, I just phoned my GP pushing for the referral to clinic to get the ball rolling, I only got as far as the receptionist so we will see what she says when she calls back.. hopefully with good news!
Ok so I have had my AMH blood test and Dr tests and an ultrasound scan so far.
It seems like you've been lucky with it all and it's went quite quick even though I'm sure it felt long at the time!
My partner is getting his semen analysis done on Thursday at the private place I've had my things done, it's just not too handy as it's 3.5hrs away so if I could referred to our local fertility clinic would help a lot.
This is cycle 7 x

I can confirm AF has entered the building, wowie the cramps. 39 day cycle.. getting longer and longer 🥲