*****PCOS - Anybody in the same boat?******

[fruitloop79]

I don't know if there are any threads already started but I've just officially found out I've got PCOS this morning - I've always known deep down. Please tell me it's not all bad I'm feeling very sorry for myself.
We've been TTC for 6 months - only 3 cycles. I supposedly ovulated on CD36 (now CD43) this cycle. Gynae reckons not preg cos uterus lining would've thickened. (Had a scan this morning)

Any hints/tips on treatment/TTC?
How to deal with symptoms?

How did Posh spice and Jools Oliver manage to fall preg?

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Hi - this thread is a little out of date. We've got some more information on PCOS here. MNHQ

Very new here, haven't read entire thread, but thought my PCOS story might be of interest to some. . .

My doc back in the U.S. suspected PCOS when I was 25 and put me on Dianette. It was great for the acne and body hair. I married a British guy and moved here in 2002 at 26. I stopped the pill in August 2005 and have been charting ever since on Fertility Friend. Can't really say I was TTC as hubby is virtually asexual (which in part lead to our separation).

Now at 31 1/2, I am nearly divorced (Decree Absolute on 3rd April!!), with a fabulous partner who wants to (in no particular order) marry me/ make babies /buy property/ adopt rescue dogs.

My cycles were averaging 50 days for a while, and temping allowed me to confirm that I do in fact ovulate. My first GP here did some blood test and said I didn't have PCOS. My next GP (two years later) sent me for a scan as she thought I might have a fibroid. The scan showed enlarged ovaries and the polycystic appearance. I was also fat, spotty, and hairy. So I was diagnosed. GP started me on Metformin (still taking).

Since coming off Dianette I am one hairy beast. Fortunately not so much on my face, but I frankly have the ass-crack of a man (which I didn't have before!). Also have had acne trouble (the nasty cystic kind) since my teens, which has gotten worse off the Dianette.

And my weight....my BMI is over 40. Hubby and I were referred to fertility clinic, who said to lose weight before Clomid. We separated so I quit going.

DP and I quit using contraception about 7 months ago. Since being with him (and having a hell of a lot more sex), I've ovulated more often (confirmed by temping) and my cycles have become shorter (under 40 days vs 50 to 116 at worst). However, this coincides with my reading Collette Harris's PCOS Diet book and starting myself on Saw Palmetto, Agnus Castus, Omega 3-6-9, and Chromium (I was also taking Cinnamon for a while). So not sure what's made the difference--Sex or Supplements?

I know some say you shouldn't bother to temp with PCOS, but for me it's always shown pretty clearly when I ovulate/don't ovulate. Because of temping, I've also figured out that I have a short luteal phase, so I'm researching progesterone cream for that. Anyone tried it? Where did you get it?

Whew! Is anyone still awake?

Hi dozymare and sarah
dozy ummmm, did I read that right? shave your pubes? lol is that a superstitious thing?

sarah I'm so pleased you find temping beneficial, I've been warned against it but I thought I'd give it a try for a couple of cycles. If my temps are correct then I Ov'ed on day 71 which would make sense as my last cycle was 88 days so I would've ov'ed at about the same time. I'm so pleased your seem to have found Mr Right! As for the hair, how do you cope with it psychologically? It's always really got me down, I feel like a freak. I get so incredibly jealous of my smooth, delicate, feminine skinned friends .
Also what's Saw Palmetto? I've just googled it and found a load of sites about men's hair loss and prostrate trouble. I've got Agnus Castus but it's supposedly not wise to take it if you havnt been prescibed it and I cant afford to go to a herbalist so it's still sitting in my meds box unopened. Also Cinnamon and Chronium?

dungun how's your temp this morning?
TC oh I hope AF comes on her own, It's great you can have another go at Clomid and metformin!

Hi Dozymare and Sarah
Hmmm shaving pubes....not sure I am that sold on that idea...the idea of being stubbly down there doesn't fill me with joy!

Sarah - wow...you have been through a lot babes. I know what you mean about the losing weight though, my BMI is 36 and the hospital told me i needed to get it down to under 35 before they would treat.

fruitloop
I tested again last night...couldn't help myself
I am really confused..nothing showed up after 2 minutes so I walked off and assumed it was obviously a BFN.

However, my DH went back to the stick about 15 minutes later and was shouting from the bathroom ' Did you wait the full 10 minutes foer the result????'.

Thought to myself...'crazy man'...lugged myself upstairs to find a grinning husband.

I am now unsure....

There was a very faint line in the positive window....and I still haven't got my AF yet.....but...was the test left too long? Is it a fake positive?

I am not going to get happy yet.

I will 3 more days before testing again.

OHhhhhh fingers crossed! If it is BFP then the fertility nurse can keep her 35 BMI!!! Hahahah!

My temps are still high today - a little lower than yesterday but still 36.7 c.

ANyway, catch you laters!

Dungangirl

I would retest but I have a suspicion that your DH saw an evaporation line on that test.

I sincerely hope I am wrong here. Why don't you do a clearblue digital test, that will say for definate.

Sounds good to me dungun! what colour was the line? I've heard evap is a grey colour. best of luck!!!!!!!!

hello guys, not been on for a bit. how are you all?

Had smear this morning - she did a swab at end of cervix, one slightly inside cervix and a high vaginal swab. Get blood results back next week (on monday) and was supposed to be getting bloods today taken again but nurse couldnt get it lol

xx

Attila
I know what you mean, I am assuming it was a fluke until I re-check on Saturday morning.

Fruitloop
The line was very faint pink, same pink as the negative line.
What do you think?

that sounds very much like a BFP to me still check it in a couple of days to see if the line has darkened. I dont think you can get a pink evap line but i could be very wrong

hey fruitloop....you may be right...I read up on the web and everything I found said that EVAPORATION lines appear as either colourless or grey lines, and not the colour of the test ( ie pink ,blue etc)

Now I am all nervous and can't wait for Saturday morning!

Fruitloop--the Saw Palmetto is supposed to help with excess hair or acne I think, I can't remember and my DP's brother's GF has my PCOS diet book. And would you believe, she's just had a BFP . I too was weirded out by the fact that everything about it seems to talk about men's prostates. Oooh, just googled it and I'm right, it's supposed to work as an anti-androgen. When you google it, make sure you google PCOS AND Saw Palmetto.

As for the hair, I suppose I just try to get rid of it as best I can. It helps having a partner that claims not to mind my hairy bum. That said, he's offered to pay the £40 so I can get it all waxed again. The thing about waxing is, those women have seen everything, so they aren't judging you!

I definitely have more of a 'tashe than I used to, so I tend to pluck out the thicker, darker ones on the side of my mouth as I notice them. Tried waxing once, but it just made me break out with tons of tiny whiteheads and looked awfulmuch worse than a faint 'tashe! I also tried waxing on my jawline just under my ear, as I seem to be rather fluffy there, but againlots of whiteheads and not worth it. I may try threading at some point, that's supposed to be good for stuff like this.

I supposed I've talked about the practical rather than the psychological above. . . for me, I do other things to make me feel more feminine, like wearing make-up or tops that emphasize my boobs ("don't look at my 'tashe, look at my tits!"). In essence, trying to find features that are feminine/pretty and playing them up makes me feel better. And don't compare yourself to others (though it's hard to stop). Sometimes (I'm so ashamed to admit this) I'll see a woman who's way bigger than me with a really obvious 'tashe, and I'll think, "I'm sure I don't look that bad".

ha ha sarah yeah, I do that! theres a woman who I've seen about who has a full grown beard I feel so bad for her but at the same time I feel relieved my chin isn't that bad (yet!) I used to get my thighs and bikini line (I wish it was a line!) waxed and used to get really embarrassed when someone new was doing it. I just cant afford it now so I'm having to use cream which is rubbish really. Since being of Dianette my chin has got worse and worse, I cant keep up sometimes! You would think in this day and age, someone would have found a magic cream to shift PCOS hair for good. Surely there's something out there to counteract the testosterone or whatever it is that causes it. About the bum thing, I wont and will not ever let my DP go near mine (or my chin). I'm terrified he'll think I'm some kind of freak. Even after 7 years and a marriage proposal!
I suppose I'm still yet to accept it (the hairyness not the proposal!). I always thought that if I was diagnosed with PCOS then there would be something to get rid of the hair, but I have been and there isnt

I'll look into the Saw Palmetto though!

"bikini line"? What's that? Don't everyone's pubes continue way down their inner thighs? Oh...that's just me then....and the rest of us PCOSians (I like that name).

I also enjoy my tummy hair, nice thick dark wiry ones all over belly. I'm obsessed with plucking them out, so much so that I have scars where I've been overzealous and tried to dig the little f*ckers out with the tweezers. So then I have belly hair plus some attractive scabs. Oh to be able to afford waxing every three weeks!

I got myself an epilator, convinced that if I could manage to use it twice and do my entire leg, it would have been same cost as waxing twice. Apparently, I only can take pain if someone else is doing it to me--cannot do it to myself! It sits next to my bikini line trimmer and keeps it company. (Sometimes I think they're talking about me. . .)

Evening ladies....apologies for my straight to the point comment about shaing your erm "lady bits" but someone told me that your pubic hairs are there for a reason and that reason is to stop things entering your noonie.......Pribably one of those urban myths but hell it worked for me 3x!!

I am about 7 weeks preg with 3rd child (waiting for dating scan from Dr's) and I would say you are pregnant - I did 2 tests also - the first around lunchtime and then the following the next morning....i think you should do the same tomorrow and if it is anotuher positive then go to your dr asap and get them to do a blood confirmation!!

I hope you are......Good luck!!

Sarah

I would investigate electrolysis; self treating can do more harm than good.

Hi sarah I've got an epilator too, my god, it hurts! It doesnt even remove all the hairs, it leave little bits of stubble! Even those ones that claim to be painless are excruciating!
Do you remember those round pieces of cardboard a bit like fine sandpaper? they promise to remove unwanted hair. Like hell they do! I tried it on my legs once, what a waste of time, only took the top layer of skin off. maybe a good exfoliating devise

for me the worst thing is my tash...my DS aged 4 said to me the other day - "Mummy who have you got stinging nettles on your face" I suppose I should have been upset but I really found it very funny!! (He was kissing my face and obviously felt my tash!!

aah i wish i could afford bikini waxing too...i dont know how much is normal to keep on. oh well nurse didnt recoil in horror yesterday when she saw my bits so thats something lol

Attila, I would LOVE electrolysis if I could afford it. Just not an option at the moment.

dozymare

Thanks for the encouragement. I did another test thing morning and within 2 mins I got a faint line....so I am getting excited now! Saving my expensive clearblue test for saturday morning!

fruitloop

How you doing? I have my consultant appointment on Wednesday and I don;t know whether to go if my saturday test turns out positive. I feel like I should as I know that PCOSers have higher rates of miscarriage.....what should I do?

Dungungirl!!! Amazing now listen to me, get yourself to the doctor tomorrow for a blood test to confirm confirm but I would say you are definately pregnant! You can't get 2 false positives as my Dr told me!!! Am really excited for you...........

yaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy dungun that's fabulous newsgrin] go and get that blood test!

dungun...any news??!!!

dozymare fruitloop

Been on work training the last 2 days so havent been able to get donw to the docs.

I am going to do my clearblue digital tomorrow morning!!! If I get a 'pregnant' then I am calling the fertility unit on MOnday and they advised me to tell them if I thought I was pregnant.

I think then they will give me a blood test and advise me further.

I really hope they will keep me on the books for advice and I really want to breastfeed and I couldn't with my DS as I didn't know I had PCOS....and I had no milk...

Anyway. TMI sorry!

I'll let you all know if tomorrow's test confirms!

oh dungun I'll be checking first thing!

I had no milk either, it was heartbreaking what can they do to bring the milk in?