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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.

*****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Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

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fruitloop79 · 05/02/2008 15:08

ooh congrats yellowflowers! Have you got everything sorted then

I've noticed there isn't a topic for people getting married! I reckon it would go down really well. Or are we mumsnetters supposed to be married already??
How do you start a new topic?

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yellowflowers · 05/02/2008 15:18

Nearly everything sorted because doing a small ceremony (30 people) followed a couple of weeks later (after honeymoon) by big party. Not worried about ttc and being fat bride because already fat (lol!).

Moonlit · 05/02/2008 15:18

Lol....I am sure a lot of Mum's get married after they have had children. The guys can be blackmailed better. Well that's what happened with me. Had DD in March 2006, got married in January 2007.

oliviaelanasmum · 05/02/2008 15:21

Im still not married

Moonlit · 05/02/2008 15:31

Hey Oliviaelanasmum,

You have three beautiful children. Your man won't be going anywhere

yellowflowers · 05/02/2008 15:32

I am only doing it because DP wants to get married before kids and I am desperate for kids hence being on here. He knows we're ttc but he thinks I have a come what may attitude. Ha! As if.

Eleveld · 05/02/2008 15:38

Thanks AttilaTheMeerkat

Was diagnosed with endo about 4 years ago although suspect I had had it quite a while before that.
Had laparoscopy 3 years ago to drain cysts.

Then had to have laparotomy (spelling?) 2 years ago to remove two cysts that were 7 and 8cm.

Had scan in November and there is another cyst on one side that is about 6cm. Consultant not doing anything at the mo but is scanning again in couple of months.

On the plus side, when he did the op two years ago he did say that he didn't see any scar tissue or damage to the tubes, just these cysts. Am hoping that's quite good?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/02/2008 17:09

Eleveld

You've had two ops already but you may need a third at some point in time because of these cysts. Am glad you are being scanned, this needs monitoring. I am glad to read that he has not seen signs of adhesions or damage to the tubes. Has a HSG (tubal x-ray) been done at all?. HSG is a useful test to have as any deformities INSIDE the tube will show up on x-ray and can give info not easily accessed by other methods.

Were you told the nature of these cysts previously, were they termed "chocolate" cysts?. I ask this as "chocolate" cysts are often related to endometriosis, their proper name is endometrioma.

fruitloop79 · 05/02/2008 17:36

I've just come found this Dunno if it's any good

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Eleveld · 05/02/2008 23:26

Attila

No not had a HSG. And yes I believe they were chocolate cysts.

Am seeing him again in March and this will be the first time I've seen him since TTC so I can discusss everything with him then.

Thanks for your help

fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 08:38

I meant I've just found this. Not I've just 'come found' this!

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fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 12:20

Hi girls,
Hows everyone feeling today? I'm more than today. I just can't get my head round it. It doesn't make any sense why people who have spent their whole life wanting kids and really motherly/maternal etc.. have so much trouble conceiving. Then there's everyone else who can decide when they want a baby and within a couple of months they're pg. I just don't get it I really dont.

I'm not doing too badly on the old GI diet. I made some delicious pancakes yesterday. Got the recipe from my GI book. Really yummy and DS and DP liked them too. I put lemon juice and Splenda on them (splenda a bit weird tasting but I'll get used to it)

I attempted to start temping this morning but it went wrong so gonna try again tomorrow. Dont tell Attila, she'll tell me off for even entertaining the idea

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fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 14:08

Hey Attila you seem to know about Agnus Castus and PCOS. I know you say not to self medicate but I really cant afford to go to a herbal remedy type person. Would it be so bad if I take it? My cycles can vary from 45 - 88days+ . Surely it can't make my cycles worse can it???

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Moonlit · 06/02/2008 14:17

Attila are you in the medical field?

Fruity, out of sheer desperation, I tried lots of herbal products on my trips to the US (because they are very cheap there). They don't work. Instead you should save your money for baby clothes . I have also wasted 100 hundreds on visiting herbalists. Speak to your Doctor about options first. If your Doctor can't help, they should refer you to someone who can as suggested by Attila.

x

fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 14:21

Well I have got some Agnus Castus in my cupboard. Got it from Holland and Barratt. Can't do any harm can it? haven't tried it yet. was gonna wait till next cycle (if it ever arrives). Just wanted to know what difference it will make if i've already got mad cycles

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Moonlit · 06/02/2008 14:57

Attila stop Fruitloop!!!!!

fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 15:53

oh pleeeease can I take it! [stamping feet and shouting]

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Sam100 · 06/02/2008 16:09

Hi ladies - I too have pcos and took nearly 2 years to conceive dd1 - suffering 1 miscarriage in the process. If it is any consolation then once you do have a successful pregnancy the pcos symptoms do get better and i had 2 more successful pregnancies after (3 dcs).

I found that agnus castus helped get my cycles more even - at one stage was having cycles 42 - 49 days long. Also when I lived out in Germany I was actually prescribed this by German GP to help with cysts in breast! So I personally think this is one remedy that can help.

I also found that an Atkins/GI type diet helped - did not do full Atkins but cut back on starchy carbs and bread and ate mostly meat/veg/fruit/cheese/rice.

There is a PCOS diet book see here. But just to warn you it is not so much a diet as an eating plan - explains the biological background that causes PCOS and how foods can affect the hormonal balance.

Hope this helps!

Sam100 · 06/02/2008 16:11

Also there is a group called verity that can tell you all you need to know about pcos see here

fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 17:25

Well I've blown GI already today. lovely porridge for brekkie, soup and 1 granary bread for lunch, loads of fruit in between. But, I was so hungry just now I had to make myself a sarnie (yes TWO slices of bread - granary though!) and marmite (no marg). Bad on the carbs but surely granary is low GI? I was starving and I've been drinking sugar free squash all day to fill the hunger hole but not working so I just had to eat something with substance! All this sugar free squash is giving me a headache I just cant have water on it's own.
I'll have a butchers at that PCOS diet book sam100

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fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 17:27

bought it! are there some recipes in the back? I can't look inside it.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 06/02/2008 18:32

Fruitloop

Please, please (x 1000) do not self medicate with AC particularly if you have PCOS as it can make any underlying hormonal problems worse!!.

If you really want to use herbs you really ought to seek out a properly qualified medical herbalist. Speak to several if needbe. Would have to agree with Moonlit's second paragraph on this subject. There are charlatans/quacks out there and many such people are vulnerable to these people.

You've been busted re the temp charting as well!. If you really want to do this then I would say only do this for one month. If you as I suspect end up with a chart akin to the Rocky Mountains, please stop forthwith.

You are better off seeing the gynae on a regular basis.

No am not in the medical field but have PCOS (and endo) and have come through fertility treatment.

llareggub · 06/02/2008 18:56

I agree about agnus castus. It did not help me at all and I suspect made things worse.

I was lucky and was being treated by a gynae for my fertility issues and by an endocrinologist for PCOS. The endo I see is very interested in PCOS and the link with diabetes and she runs a specialist clinic for PCOS women.

I was prescribed a mega does of metformin and was told that it is more effective than clomid in women with PCOS. However, at the same time I had something called ovarian drilling, which is exactly what it sounds! This kept me off work for a while due to a post op infection and I maintain it was a combination of the metformin, the drilling and work avoidance that got me pregnant (apart from the obvious!)

What does work, as hard as it is, is losing 10% of your body weight. The most effective way to do this is to take metformin and follow the low GI diet. I continued to take metformin during my pregnancy on the guidance of the endocrinologist, as it helps to reduce the risk of miscarriage and gestational diabetes.

I feel so much better when I take metformin, have a good diet etc. I have more energy, my skin looks better and I actually ovulate. It is true, you can't take your temp really but what you can do is look for cervical mucus. You need to be on the look out for the clear, stretchy egg white looking stuff, then go for it!

It is possible to get pregnant, but aside from the pregnancy issue you do need to get it under control for future health protection. I really am pot calling kettle black here because I haven't taken my metformin for a while (got out of the habit) and my diet is all over the place but I am getting better.

fruitloop79 · 06/02/2008 20:59

[sulky toddler]
What about Evening Primrose oil? sounds very innocent?

I'm really not sure I've got much weight to lose. I've got body issues (doesn't everyone!) but everyone tells me my weight is fine. I'm about 5ft 5inches and weigh about 9.5 stone. I was about 9 stone when I conceived DS but I was miserable and obsessed with the GI diet and people told me I looked gaunt!
I'm doing GI again but just to get healthy really. I'm not gonna follow it to the T.
Metformin sounds interesting, I'll be noting that down for the doc.
I've looked for CM but never really had an egg white appearance. Similar but cloudy.

I know you're right Attila I suppose I just wanna be a 'normal' temp/ov taker like everyone else. Just seems to be a great way to pin point ovulation - if you're 'normal' I think I'll have a go at temping for next cycle then, if it doesn't look good, I'll stop. I just wanna try.
God, you lot have had it so bad compared to me and I'm moaning! I don't know how you cope!

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llareggub · 06/02/2008 21:05

Fruitloop - the CM needs is the v stretchy stuff. As good a sign of ovulation you'll ever get and well worth looking for!

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