*****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?

---------------------

Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

Thanks DGG but AF arrived this morning Ah well, at least I can say I finally ovulated, every cloud eh? So I wonder if I'll ovulate again this year not likely if this is the 1st time in 6 months (that I'm aware of)

I'm at the stage of getting LH bloods and an HSG. The gynae has given me a course of progesterone to enforce an AF which I finnished on Sunday. The problem is I still haven't had an AF. Does anyone know how long I should wait before an AF should come on? When I was on the pill it only took 2 days before I had an AF. Once I finally have an AF I then need to book the HSG and bloods.
Thanks

Hi scooby I had the exact same process, I got AF three days after taking the last progesterone tablet. AF was very very very light, only lasted a day really unless you count the brown spotting before and after. Barely any red blood at all.

It get's worse for me not only has AF arrived which has royally pssed me off. But I have just received a lovely (not) letter from the hospital telling me that it has been necessary to change my appointment for the baseline scan from 7th July to the 29th* September!!!! . I can't effing believe it. This means my follow-up gynae appointment will be useless because she's hardly going to give me anything if I haven't had all the scans is she! So, I'll have to wait another bloody 6 months to get another gynae appointment. I'm so p*ssed off and upset it's untrue. How can they treat us like this?

Fruity

No wonder you're hacked off with them - why has it been moved back to such a late date?.

Would complain to both your GP and PCT (Primary care trust). With regards to your GP I would ask him to refer you to a subfertility unit at another hospital. I don't think you'll get very far with this current lot anyway.

I would also try and contact the dept where your gynae works at as they need to be aware of this too (I reckon they are not aware of any change).

Hi Scooby

Were you aware that blood tests can be done according to calendar days?. This is why the unit that I attended did as my cycles were pretty much non existant due to PCOS.

You should not also have to wait for AF to have either the HSG or blood tests. You could be waiting a long time.

I'd have words with them to ask whether the blood tests can be done according to calendar days (e.g the 3rd and 21st of each month). With regards to the blood tests they should also be looking closely at your FSH level too and comparing that against that of LH.

HTH

attila

no idea attila I'm waiting for my house phone to charge up again so I can phone them. Trouble is St.George's is the the only hospital near to me - it's within walking distance. It's handy for my blood tests and scans especially with the children I look after. I wouldn't want to have to load them all into the car to drive to a much further hospital.

The letter was from the sub-fertility unit which is where I'm supposed to see the Gynae, who BTW I haven't even seen yet Only one of her nurses. I dont know what the GP would do about it if I complained to him. I haven't seen him since I was referred. To be honest I cant even remember which GP I saw as they seem to be different all the time.

I think I better start phoning every week for cancellations, this might be the only way I'll get seen anytime soon.

Fruity

I was appalled by your story. More reason for me to get pi**ed off with the NHS.

I mean honestly! YOu were going to have to wait forever in the first place, and now they have just shunted it almost 2 months more! OUTRAGES!

I understand your difficulty being a childminder and all. My DS goes to a childminder and she always has to book hospital appointments/dentist for after 6pm.

HOwever I do agree with Attila - your sub-fertility unit sounds like it is totally rubbish in organising itself! If you could ask to change hospitals, it might be short term hassle for long term gains?

Having posted my message ay 11am last Thursday, AF arrived at 1400. I phoned the hospital and they booked the HSG for 4th June (only found out I didn't need an AF to have it when I phoned them!). I then phoned my gynae and booked a review for the 16th June. My med centre did all my blood tests for me that day - that was for LH and FSH levels. So I've gone from nothing to everything in one swoop! I'm looking forward to what the consultant will say in June, I'll be interested to see if he thinks a medication like Clomid will be beneficial for me or not.

Attila, thanks for all the advice. My med centre are good at getting all the blood tests done, and they said they'd be comparing FSH and LH. I'm frustrated about the HSG though, as I could have booked that a couple of weeks ago! At least it's all sorted now.

I've heard people mention baseline scan's. Can anyone update me as to what they are and for?

Thanks.

Hi scooby Wow! so you've got things moving now at last! So you dont need AF for HSG? I was also told I need to wait for AF before I booked it Why do they tell us this then?

Wow, so you'l be seen by the gynae in June?! I'm so jealous I wish my hospital was as efficient Or are you going private? I wouldn't blame you if you were!

I think the baseline scan (which I am having now in september ) is just to check for polyps and other abnormalities in the uterus.

Baseline scan is internal ultrasound; should ideally be done weekly to note any changes.

Fruity - was also not told to wait for AF before having HSG. They would have had to have waited a long time - by this stage I was only having a non ovulatory bleed every six months or so!!.

Fruity - if you happen to live near a large city I would request your GP to refer you to a unit in that city rather than the local hospital. The hospital you're currently under just sounds completely inept. Have you managed to get in touch with them to date?.

nope not yet. I must do it. I was meant to today but getting the chance to have a peaceful phone conversation in a house full of other people's kids isn't easy, ha ha.
Well, actually, I did leave a message on the answerphone on Friday but surprise surprise, they haven't called back yet. I must call them tomorrow. I must I must I must. No whinging from Fruity until it's done!

The progesterone course I was given brought on a bleed for me to have the HSG. Why was I told to do this if I needn't have?
I live in SW London. Do you think I should make a GP appointment and see what he says? I just feel like it'll be a waste of time. Apparently the gynae/consultant at St.George's is really very good, her name is Mrs Nargund. I'm yet to meet her still though. A friend of mine, who had IVF, raves about her. My GP said she is very good too.

fruity and atilla

All those tests you listed are making my head spin...

I only had...

1. Day 3 bloods - Testosterone
2. Day 21 bloods - LH, FSH, Progesterone
3. Internal scan - to confirm PCOS

That is it!!!! What is this HSG thing?

I get a bleed every month, BUT it seems I am not ovulating much at all. Any other tests I should be pushing for?

Hi Dungangirl,

re your comment:-

"1) Day 3 bloods - Testosterone
2) Day 21 bloods - LH, FSH, Progesterone
3) Internal scan - to confirm PCOS

That is it!!!! What is this HSG thing? "

Day 3 is usually done to measure LH and FSH.

Day 21 is for progesterone (not LH and FSH).

1. Internal ultrasound scan - that's fine. However, it should be done regularly to see what if any changes occur with regards to endometrical lining.

HSG is a tubal x-ray done whilst you are fully awake. Its a useful test to have done as it can give infomration not easily acceassible by other methods (e.g laparoscopy op). For instance deformities INSIDE the tube can only be seen on x-ray.

Where are you at with regards to treatment, what have they suggested?

Hi Dungun

HSG is an X-Ray scan where they inject dye through your fallopian tubes. It to check they are clear. Sometimes women are more fertile afterwards as the dye can clear the way a bit.

Funnily enough, I've had the shortest cycle since having the HSG scan. This cycle was only 48 days, it's usually around three months+. Temping even suggested I had ovulated then 13 days later AF arrived I think the HSG cleared the way a bit so the egg could get through this time. I'm not pregnant but at least it's progress!

Maybe you should suggest to your consultant/GP to be referred for an HSG.

Attila

Thanks! I probably got it the wrong way round! But I have had bloods done for all those things.

As for internal scan...I have only had 1 done.

I had one when i was having the miscarriage in March/April..but that was it.

I have been told by GP, fertility unit nurses and the consultant herself that I obviuosly am a candidate for clomid.

BUT....

They have refused to help me with anything until I got my weight under bmi 35.

I have now...so I am hoping my appointment on June 2nd with result in clomid!

I've had an internal ultrasound, which confirmed the PCOS, so I suppose I've already had a baseline scan.

Fruity, I'm with the NHS at Frimley Park, Aldershot. They've been excellent so far. I took the progersterone tablets to and then when I phoned up to book the HSG, that's when they informed me I didn't actually need an AF to book the scan - very frustrating. The reason they make you have an AF first is to make sure you're not pregnant - some chance!

I've taken a much more relaxed attitude about the whole TTC thing. I was getting way to involved before, desperate to get things going. I'm now more of the view that it will happen when it happens, with a little help from the NHS!! I'm a lot less stressed about the whole TTC concept, particularly as I'm only at the start of what appears to be a very long process.

Keep smiling, we'll all get there eventually!

I'm feeling a little less stressed about it all, especially since I managed to have an AF within 48 days all by myself! . It'd be quite nice if my hospital wasn't so busy with appointments. Oh yeah, I called them again today and again had to leave a message on the answerphone asking them (again) to call me back ASAP! Still waiting . I left two phone numbers, my hospital number, my name (twice) and my DOB. No excuses for not ringing back now!
Sent DP off to have his swimmers analysed (sp?) last Thursday. I have no idea when we'll get the results though. I'm know worried that he's also got a problem I never even thought about it before. He's a smoker, although he's been given tablets by the GP to help him quit - due to start taking them next week. (TMI) there just didn't seem to be as much as I thought iykwim? I know it's not necessarily quantity as much as quality but you know, a bit disappointing

Fruity

Don't worry about your DH ...YET! I am sure it will all be fine.

We were both a little anxious when DH had to have his sperm test, but luckily all fine. I am sure it will be the case for you both as well.

I think they get the results of the sperm tests within 1 working week. So you should be able to call them to find out the results by friday really!

Good Luck!

Hey guys, my Mum discovered this article in the Sunday Times magazine (I think)

"A variety of female hormonal problems can potentially be aided by the remedy Hormonal Balance (£22 for 2 months supply from Archturus), but a spagyric formula called Regulator (same as above), is more suitable for those who suffer from PCOS. Spagyric essences are safe and gentle plant-based essences. A key component in this combination is the hormonal regulator wild yam. It possesses both oestrogen and progesterone-like properties, and restores hormonal balance, which can be negatively affected by the xenoestrogens (man-made compounds derived from solvents, pesticides, plastics and chemicals) that we come across in modern life."

This was written by Jennifer Harper-Deacon who is a registered naturopathic physician and voted Health Journalist of the Year 2008.

I have no idea if it is safe to take while TTC but thought it was interesting anyway

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I haven't posted for ages. My MIL is seriously ill, so our lives have been turned upside down. Not that I am complaining because I love her dearly. Anyway, move abroad is off for now and my GP has given me a referral letter for a sub-fertility unit. THe only problem is I have the choice of five. How do I choose? Is there is a best and worst list? It's so much easier when the choice has been made for you.

I am so stressed the weight is falling off without a diet.

Anyway, how are you all?

xx

IME - Stay well away from St.Georges in Tooting!!! I wish I was given a choice Just trying to get through to them again now as they still haven't responded to my voicemails

I wish I'd lose weight when stressed lol, I eat when stressed

F F SAAAAAAAAAAKE

[sigh] that's a bit better

I finally got through to someone after; 1st, being told it was the wrong department then given a number for another dept. I was ringing and ringing for ages, the line went dead so I tried again, ringing and ringing for ages again. Finally someone answered, had a look at my notes then put me through to another extension. Flipping answer phone AGAIN. I left another message.

I'm calling my surgery. St.Georges' are useless. I'm so cross. To top it all, I've had major row with DP. I feel like screaming

Why is it so effing difficult?

My friend just told me a story of someone she knows who just decides when she wants her baby to be born and counts back 9 months from then and falls pregnant. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I might have a nervous breakdown anytime soon.

I've decided someone must have it in for me

Trying to call surgery now. 1st time: answerphone saying something about the extension being busy. 2nd time: ringing then line went dead. 3rd time: engaged!
I need to release some anger before I throw the phone through the window

YEAH!!!! GOT THROUGH!!!!!

I have an appointment for next Tuesday evening at 7.30pm! I had no idea they did evening appointments

talk about multiple posting!

Got a call back from the hospital!

I've been given the number for the Outpatients Manager for Gynaecology. I cant be bothered to ring now though. Doubt I'll get through anyway.
The lady I spoke to made the changes to the appointments but didn't know what the reason for cancelling was I suspect she didnt want me screaming at her . She said it could have been something like annual leave or something but to call the manager. She said I'm one of many angry patients .