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Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

iv had a lap and dye tubes and stuff are fine... the only treatment iv had is clomid for 7mnths. well my periods are regular now so i guess i am ovulating???

correction! i hvnt had a lap iv had HSG.
im at a NHS subfertility clinic. i did ask as to why they want me to go for IUI was told that as im only 26 i have more chance of IUI being successful. i did ask for other options but the consultant was not very helpful...
dont know whats right/ wrong for me IM CONFUSED. help!

Tyra,

It is pretty common to move onto IUI - I'm assuming it is with OI (Ovulation induction) this is seen as a much less invasive procedure than IVF and much cheaper which is why at 26 they will suggest this.

Basically they give you lower doses of the same drugs they use for IVF to produce 1 or 2 follies then use IUI to give fertilisation the best chance.

We did 5 cycles of this before moving onto IVF - our 4th did work but I misscarried.

good luck with it

It is vitally important that the three of you (you, your man and the cons) can work as a team - if this is not happening then I would look in to seeking a second opinion.

Having regular periods does not mean you are ovulating (particularly if you've been previously diagnosed with PCOS) - are they doing blood tests now to see if ovulation has occured or not?.

I would still challenge them on the IUI issue - how is this going to help with regards to PCOS?. Several attempts may well be needed too; it is unlikely to work in the first month. It is often used in cases where male factor problems are an issue.

they did do blood tests in the first 2 months i was taking clomid to check for ovulation and was told that i hav ovulated and theyr not goin to do more blood tests as i am ovulating.

my partner has had a sperm check etc and everything was fine so male factors are not involved in my case just me & Pcos

actually im a little excited that IUI might work for me have i got my hopes up too high?

how successful is IUI anyway, anyone on here had any luck with that or had to move on to IVF??

tyra1 - I don't know if you have gone back and read our old posts on this thread?

I totally understand your position. A little summary about me.

1)Took dianette from 2003-2005(March)
2)From April 2005 to June 2005 I did the Atkins, took folic acid, and exercised. I lost 1 stone and got pregnant straight away.
3)Had daughter in 2006
4)Started TTC DC#2 in October. Went to see GP in January 2007 as nothing was happening. GP did blood test, and I was ovulating. So she said to keep trying! So we did!
5)Six months later went back to see GP, she did another blood test (again ovulating fine) and said to loose weight. So I joined the gym.
6)Went to see GP again in October 2007 and was prescribed Metformin.
7)Lost 1 stone, still not pregnant though.
8) Went to see GP in May 2008. Was referred to a Consultant (Appointment came through for the following month, VERY LUCKY!). But I had to cancel the appointment because I had to go abroad for three months.
9)Whilst I was abroad, I decided to try my weight loss method, from when I got pregnant with me DD. So I did the Atkins, took folic acid everyday, and ran 4 miles everyday. I lost 1.5 stone in three months!
10) When I came home my husband couldn't believe my transformation. And guess what I got pregnant straightaway. I found out 4 days before my fertility referral appointment .

Bit of a nosy question, but is your weight ok? I know many of us on this thread have lost a little or a lot of weight and got pregnant. Obviously it's not the answer for everyone, but it definitely seems to be a factor.

HTH

Good luck!

xxx

hi moonlit!

i am a bit overweight
but am in the process of losing wieght.
current weight is 12.5lb

tyra

I agree with Moonlit. We both were told to lose weight. You aren't terribly overweight, but if they seem to think everything is working fine apart from you having PCOS, then you might want to consider it!

I lost 2.5 stone in total and before I was put on any medication for my subfertility (had one baby no probs - tried 18 months this time! ) I fell pregnant naturally and am now almost 18 weeks pregnant.

In fact, for you, you will probably find that even just a little weight might help - people have different thresholds. I was told that I probably would need to get my BMI down to 'normal' range before I might fall pregnant but I got it down to about 32 and hey presto!

I fell pregnant once but miscarried but within 2 months I was pregnant again.

I had a VERY SIMILAR story to you - they didn;t find much wrong with me. The blood tests did show irregular ovulation but I was ovulating occassionally or every other month at least. My DH's sperm was super fine and it all landed on me and PCOS and weight.

They refused me clomid as my NHS trust has adopted the BMI rule for treatment so I needed to get BMI down to under 30 before they would consider helping me. Saying that though my consultant was convinced I was fine and it was my weight.

I hated her so much....but I have to admit now...
She was right.

Good Luck! Try losing some weight - you may be pleasantly surprised - like I was!

And if that doesn't fix things...you will be in a better position for future treatments like IVF with your weight a little lower.

There is also a new treatment done at The Oxford Fertility clinic specially for PCOS ladies - IVM. They mature your eggs outside the body and then plant them back in when time comes to be fertilised by the sperm. They have had great results!

Anyway, I have rambled on and on...

I also switched to a low GI diet which is recommended for PCOS ladies - helps with regulating insulin levels etc.

Hi tyra1!

I don't know if this will inspire you but I was about 12 stone 7 lbs in June and was just under 11 stone when I became pregnant after trying for 2 years for DC2!

It can be done and YOU can do it!

DungunGirl and I lost weight and are both expecting our bundles of joy.

I am sure both of us will keep popping back on this thread if you want us to, to see how you are getting on, if you would like that?

Also Attila is sup fab! She is wise and wonderful. Also ask her for advice she knows the questions we should be asking GP's/Consultants etc.

Good luck hun! xxx

thanx ladies for all the support and advice. i really appreciate it.
its good to have a support network like this...
thanx again!

may sound weird but im actually looking forward to IUI as i desperately want a baby and really hope it works for me....

does anyone have any idea as to how successfull this is, what are the success rates and how many times to go through this if not successfull??

Sorry tyra1

No experience of IUI but I am sure someone will come along who can tell you more!

BUMP

cam75, fruity, moonlit and other thread veterans

Where are you all?

I'm here! sorry, just seen you call on my "threads I'm watching" list

You ok? How's bubba? When's your big scan? I had mine last Thursday. I'm having another boy! I put the pics on my profile Better give away those cute little tights and pink vests I couldn't resist

Fruity!!!!!!

There you are! Oh my goodness...didn't realise how close in dates we must be.

I have my 20 week scan on Monday.

I know what you mean about the little pink vests etc....I am quietly...( well not really that quietly ) hoping for a girl...I have a DS too...he must be about the same age as your little man! Mine is in year one foundation....turns 4 in January.

Anyway, yeah....hoping I'll be buying pink items.....otherwise I'll be joining the all boys club too!

Will shout out next week!

Hey Fruity and DungunGirl - How are you lovely ladies.

Gosh you guys are on your 20 week scans already!!!

My 20 week scan is in January. I am hoping for another girl, but I wont be too upset if it's a boy either. Just means I will have go shopping again .

Congrats Fruity - Are you still childminding? Or are you taking it easy?

DungunGirl - I will look forward to hearing your news next week!

hi dungungirl

how are you hunni i cant believe your 20 weeks already i have my first midwife appointment tomorrow really nervous there taking bloods for downs all i want to hear is that heartbeat i bought a baby monitor from mothercare as it said u would be able to hear babys heartbeat and kicks and stuff but couldnt hear nothing so thats made me even more nervous

i have my 20 week scan on the 22nd december i want a girl also but dh wants a son as they all do

i hope you and baby are well

havent heard from cam in a while is she ok ?

see you soon take care love lauralou xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Awww you're all after girls
It's funny isn't it, when you ttc you don't care as long as you get pregnant then you think well actually, if I could choose I'd have.......
It's completely natural I think. I felt quite guilty wanting a girl when I (and so many others)tried so hard but you can't help it can you.
I'm getting used to another boy coming along. A bit boring in the clothes department though. I've had a look in all sorts of shops and find myself drawn to the gorgeous little girls things. The boys stuff is all the same.
All I can think is thank god he's healthy
Dungun Best of luck for the scan on Monday Yes my DS is the same age, he will be 4 in June so is in Nursery at primary school. Can't wait to find out what you're having!
Moonlit How are you feeling? Don't worry, January is around the corner! Yes I'm still Childminding Keeping very busy. It makes the weeks fly by, I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going

Hi ladies

lauralou
Good luck with the midwife appointment today! Tell us all about it...

As for cam...haven't seen her about...maybe she's just taking some time out from all this baby business.

Funny...DH too was fixed on the idea of another boy ( he is one of 3 boys) but now he has started saying how he actually would quite like a girl after all...so who knows!

fruity
Yeah..like you said - at the end of the day as long as baby is well that is what matters but to be able to have one of each I think would be just so perfect.

I dare not even hope though as I am worried I will jinx it. Silly I know! Not like the sex can change just by me thinking too much about it!

Well only 3 days more!

Moonlit
January! Excellent not long now then!

It is funny...is it because we are girls...but every mum I speak to who has had 2 girls is very happy and is not at all bothered about having a boy. However many mums I meet with 2 boys openly admit that they may still give it one more go for a girl!

I must say if this one ends up being a boy I don't know whether I could just close the door on it all and just be happy with 2 boys or whether I would feel deep down that I would want to try just one more time...

hmmmmm we will see....more sleepless nights and extra childcare costs may convince me that 2 of whatever is fine!

hi dungungirl
i went midwife it was so good to hear the heartbeat she said the heartbeat sounds like a girl i dont how she can tell but thats what she said

i told her i had bought one of them baby monitors to hear the heartbeat and she told me to stop using and take it back the shop and to advise any one getting one not to as they have had to many still births because of that machine people think they can hear the babys heartbeat but its not its thee own
so am going to take it back today

i hope you are well

hi lauralou

Oh wow...that is excellent. It is so reassuring to listen to the heartbeat isn't it!

Goodness...your midwife thought she could tell it was a girl JUST from the heartbeat? How many beats per min/sec was the heartbeat? Bubs was 150 beats.

ohhh that was scary what she said about the monitors.
I had heard rumours that they aren't that good an idea, but the main critic of them is my DH ! He is an engineer and was going on about sending wavelengths to the baby and all that malarky...

Anyway, glad to hear all is well!

Hello Ladies, all a bit new to this but would really apprecaite any advice - been ttc for nearly 2 yrs - just been to drs and got PCOS - going for first consultation in 2 weeks and really scared. Had bloods etc done so will be getting results at the appointment - anybody got any advice? x

Hi emz

I would say educate yourself re PCOS as this will help you. Collette Harris has written some good books on PCOS.

Do not go on your own to this appointment if at all possible as first appts in particular can be nerve wracking. The initial appt is more often a chat than anything else. Ideally your man should attend with you as both of you will need to be tested further. He can also ask questions and provide moral support. Would also suggest you write down anything you want to ask well ahead of time.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk is a helpful website which has lots of info on it.

Any other questions just ask, I have PCOS too and have had most tests done during the course of my fertility treatment.

Attila

Hi ladies

fruity
looks like you and me are in the same boat!!!
Had my 20 week scan and voila...I am having another little boy.

It is funny...I was not sure this time whereas I was so sure DS1 was a boy.

I expected to feel a little disappointed but I wasn't at all! I am glad I wasn't!
The only thing that did come to mind was that suddenly I felt VERY strongly about giving up the possibility of a 3rd child.

DH wants to stop at 2, and I always wanted 3...I convinced myself that if no,2 was a girl I would give in and accept 2 was it. But as soon as I knew it is a boy...I don't want to let that last chance go.

I am over the moon though that baby is healthy - all looks good and can't wait to meet my new little man in April!!!