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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

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

930 replies

fruitloop79 · 04/02/2008 14:58

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Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

OP posts:
Moonlit · 15/07/2008 14:38

That's great DungunGirl

Well done to you Mrs. I had a shopping spree at the monsoon website from here in the US . I too bought a fab dress. I wonder if we got the same one . You are doing really well. Keep going. You are an inspiration to us all!!!!

Moonlit x

cupcakeandtea · 15/07/2008 15:04

oh congrats Fruity and GYO. That is such brilliant news and such a boost for all us PCOS sufferers.

DP and I are trying in earnest this month so fingers crossed I'll have some similar news soon.

DungunGirl · 15/07/2008 15:34

moonlit

How funny is that!

My dress is white/cotton with blue embroidery around the neckline and around the hem.

FruitynNutty · 15/07/2008 19:10

Awww well done Dungun Go get that dress, why not buy it in the 14 as an incentive! Monsoon dresses are usually very generous (I squeezed into an 8 when I'm more like a 10-12 and nearer the 12 too!) so you'll find you'll get into the 14 just perfectly

GYo · 15/07/2008 20:07

Hi DungunGirl
Good for you, you must be so pleased to get the dress you like, at half price and in a smaller size well done

Thanks for the wishes Cupcake - thinking of you this month, fingers crossed - keep us posted!

Just reading the old posts here re metformin and pregnancy. I was told by my doctor (who had previously told me to take met to 12wks- but denied it!) to stop metformin immediately. She even rang my gynae and allegedly he said the same.

Im now off metformin which is a huge worry given potential miscarriage rates but nothing I can do. I will eat healthily and try not to worry....

DungunGirl · 15/07/2008 21:56

GYO

Fingers crossed for you that all will go well. I guess you have to think positive but at the same time just be prepared.

I didn't want to even consider MC's until it happened to me....

Just take care of yourself, eat well, don;t strain yourself and keep cool !!!!

Moonlit · 17/07/2008 04:01

Hi DungunGirl,

I know which dress you mean. Good choice!

I bought two dresses, one from the heritage range the other a yellow and white one (plus a few other things don't tell my hubby).

Moonlit x

worrybum · 17/07/2008 09:44

hi ladies can I join please? Have 9yo dd but since then have had four successive miscarriages. Went to recurrent miscarriage clinic on Monday and was told that I have PCOS and will be prescribed metformin. Don't quite know what to expect. Also have elevated levels of homocysteine and have to take higher dose of folic acid if I can a PFP. We have decided to wait 3 months before TTC to get a good folic acid intake. I'm quite angry with the gynaecologist that I saw after my 3rd miscarriage because I asked if PCOS could be a contributing factor (I have many classic symptoms -hair on face ,breasts and abdomen, skin tags, overweight with most of my weight being around my waist plus my dad was bald before the age of 30) but she ruled it out, I think because I have regular periods and therefore ovulate properly but surely this can happen with some women with PCOS. My understanding is that the eggs are likely to be of poor quality if you ovulate without medical assistance.

cupcakeandtea · 17/07/2008 10:46

Hi Worrybum

I was told by a PCOS specialist that women with PCOS have a much higher risk of miscarriage and that I should take Met for at least 12 weeks when if I manage to conceive. However, my GP told me to come off it straight away so there's alot of misinformation about it out there.

I've been taking Met for over a year now and my periods have regulated. I've only been TTC for the last month and in June I didn't ovulate for some reason.

I'm no expert but if you're on Metformin it might help and I'd definitely ask your gynae about staying on it when pregnant.

Moonlit · 17/07/2008 14:16

Hi Worrybum,

Welcome to the PCOS thread! I take Metformin, I constantly have diarrhea (one of the side effects). But I am not complaining since the weight is just dropping off. But I have combined them with exercise and a low carb diet. Metformin alone can work for some, but to give yourself a head start you really must do more than just take the tablets.

x

worrybum · 17/07/2008 14:38

Thanks for the warm welcomes CCAT and ML. I've joined weightwatchers and shifted 17lbs bringing my weight down to 12 st 10lb. I'm 5ft 9in so I'm hoping that if I lose another couple of stone that might help improve things a lot.

The thing is I feel really confused because I have never had a problem conceiving and know that I ovulate monthly I guess that my problem is that I don't have properly matured eggs.

I think I need to research the condition over the coming weeks. I go on holiday next week for three weeks and then I've got an appointment booked for accupuncture. I'll try anything. Can anyone recommend a good book or two on pcos for my travels?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/07/2008 16:11

Hi worrybum,

There is also evidence to suggest that raised LH levels which is commonly seen in PCOS can be a factor in miscarriage. I was told by my cons that I was twice as likely to miscarry due to PCOS. I had an ovarian diathermy operation and went on to conceive following that op.

Collette Harris has written some good publications on PCOS and her books are widely available. You may also want to look at Verity's website which is www.verity-pcos.org.uk.

sars87 · 20/07/2008 10:47

fruitloop79 - was was told at 17 i had PCOS and wouldn't conceive on my own. I was on the pill and condoms and got pregnant. Things took 13 months for the next one but both well. My GP has just gave me clomid to help thing this time. I could have cried so much when i heard i had it. My scan i had done after my youngest showed one Overie wasn't as bad as it was before pregnancy.

Good luck, but am sure all will be fine. x

FruitynNutty · 20/07/2008 10:58

Hey Sars I'm actually pregnant now but thank you for your reassurance . It took me 11 months but worth all the agony, luckily I didnt need to have Clomid, was due to see the consultant in August.

sars87 · 20/07/2008 11:01

you will be so happy then?? hope the pregnancy goes well. Mine were both really difficult had a lot of pain.

FruitynNutty · 20/07/2008 11:13

well I've been wired to the moon since I found out last Friday
My last pregnancy went really really well. I'm hoping this one is just as good
Sorry to hear your's weren't much fun

FruitynNutty · 20/07/2008 11:13

yours not your's

sars87 · 20/07/2008 14:39

they were both terrible, hope this one (if i get pregnany) is easier. i lost loads of weight after this one but can never seem to loose my belly.

I am really worried of having another miscarriage, if i do then i'll give up trying, they get harder every time. x

DungunGirl · 22/07/2008 09:32

Hello everyone!

Well...the saga continues for me....

Now have been TTC for 20 months! Had one miscarriage after TTC for 14 months....and I am still in limbo.

My fertility unit discharged me... and my GP's all REFUSE to refer to the PCOS clinic at the hospital.

I have not been given ANY help - no appointment with dietician, no metformin, no clomid , no nothing.

Just been told to go away and lose weight!

worrybum
I have regular periods too !!! EVERY month so I don;t buy the theory that just because you have a period means you ovulate! Both my ovaries are half covered in cycsts.

I am overweight and have a few of the minor symptoms of PCOS.

cupcakeandtea · 22/07/2008 12:39

Hi

I hope you don?t mind me joining in. I did start a thread on this subject but as I suffer from PCOS I thought one of you ladies might be able to shed some light on what?s going on!

On Thurs night, I got a very, very faint line on First Response that disappeared and the same happened on Fri night. Thought it might possibly be a sign of pregnancy but wasn?t convinced. On Sun started spotting and now it?s a bit heavier. Doctor at my local women?s clinic thinks I may have had a very early miscarriage as I am now bleeding in the middle of my cycle and all tests are now negative although to be honest the ones I did last week were hardly conclusive.

The weird thing is that my CB fert monitor had been showing low readings for ages and then in the past few days it?s been high so presumed the bleeding was postovulatory.

Now, I?ve got no idea what?s going on. I?ve never bled mid cycle.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/07/2008 14:50

Hi cupcake,

I am very sorry to read about what has happened to you. You may well have had an early miscarriage as these people have suggested.

It's actually not of any benefit to use fertility monitors when PCOS is a diagnosis. What happens is that these kits measure the levels of LH. Many women with PCOS have an excess of this hormone with the result that the kit reads that excess and therefore gives a false reading.

LH levels can rise and fall throughout the month; another problem that these kits have is that they assume only one rise in LH every month.

If you are not already under the care of a gynae at a subfertility unit you should be. PCOS is a condition that can require both careful and expert management with regards to conceiving.

Attila x

FruitynNutty · 22/07/2008 14:56

Dungun I'm shocked at the (crap) care you've been receiving I thought I had it bad with my hospital. Have you considered getting a 2nd opinion?
Cupcake welcome to our very helpful thread We've recently had 2 positive pregnancy tests on the same day! So a possible very lucky thread Also, I completely 2nd what Attila says.

cupcakeandtea · 22/07/2008 14:56

Attila, I think you're right. The doctor I saw this morning said they were a waste of money. I've upped my metformin dose to 1000mg too.

Oh well there's always next month! And if it was a chemical pregnancy at least i managed to get pregnant, albeit briefly.

I'm still not 100% convinced that's what it was but thanks for the response.

Actually the doc joked it was a miracle anyone managed to get pregnant as there are so many hurdles to get over. She's not far wrong!

sars87 · 23/07/2008 10:07

Dungun, I would be going for a second opinion. My GP just handed me my clomid, which I was shocked at but i was pleased. Can you change GP practice?? Different GP surgeries operate differently.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/07/2008 12:38

Dungan

What you've been told is completely unhelpful at best not just to say unacceptable.

I would seek a second opinion along with speaking to your Primary Care Trust. Why will the GP not refer you to the PCOS clinic?. On what grounds is this request denied?.