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Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

Hi fruitloop

EPO is fine!.

If you get tired of GI, GL (glycaemic load) may be worth looking into.

Metformin can be helpful as well if there is insulin resistance (some but not all PCOSers are insulin resistant). Have also heard of good things re clomid/metformin combined but have never used either (I was not able to take clomid anyway due to my very high LH levels).

BTW I also became pg post ovarian diathermy. Something else worth considering as an option.

hi all!

just thought i'd drop in and tell you about me!

never had a period till i was 23... dr's said not much chance of babies without help! it took a while to get ds1 - 18 months and a miscarriage.... we had to indulge every 2 days of cycles that lasted forever.... ironically though ds2 was conceived the one and only night we forgot the condom!!

i was a healthier weight with ds2 (as in i wasn't underweight... which i previously had been after dieting and losing 6 stone to help... i just went a bit ott!)

so good luck ttc and lose weight!

Attila: I can't believe you aren't in the medical field. I am seriously impressed!!! It's great having you on this thread. I hope you can help me to.

Fruitloop: Hun, relax! I think it's you stressing yourself out about herbal meds and your friends around you who are getting pregnant, that is totally stressing you out! At the end of the day, you and I and several other mums with PCOS on this thread have been blessed with at least one child. Their people like my best friend who are without child after trying for 11 years!. We will get pregnant! Only if we stay positive. Lets help each other and we will get there.

Ok lecture over I hope you don't mind. I am not telling you off, I am just trying to shake you a little and make you think about the wonderful things you have in your life .

xxx

Thanks Attila I'll look up GL. What's ovarian diathermy? Is that an operation?

llareggub I don't think I've ever found EWCM that's not cloudy. Everyone else seems to go on about it being clear. I've been checking for a couple of months and also getting it confused with DP's little boys the following day iyswim (that is clear and stretchy and egg whitey)

Moonlit no of course I don't mind a little reality check now and again . I know how lucky I am to have a wonderful DS and loving DP. I tell myself everyday how fortunate I am to have 1 DS when a lot of people have none and don't ever have the opportunity to have any . I feel for these people I really do.
I'm hoping as I only found out on Monday, I will just get used to it. Even though I always knew I had it, finding out officially was still quite a shock - I was hoping I was being a hypercondriac with symptoms and to find nothing wrong!
It's getting easier though. I'm just quite adamant to find out when I ovulate! so at least I can give it a go at the right time!

Ovarian diathermie is what I had, but I called it ovarian drilling. It is an op, done under a general. I think it stimulates ovulation in 60% of women and it most definitely worked for me!

I don't ovulate every cycle but when I do it corresponds with me following a healthy low GI diet, not being too stressed, that sort of thing. Don't panic, PCOS isn't the end of the world and it can be treated. Try and get yourself some metformin, that really helps as well.

Hi fruitloop

Ovarian diathermy (or laparoscopic ovarian diathermy to give it its proper name) is an operation done under general anaesthesia. Its keyhole surgery so there's no scarring. What the surgeon does is basically punctures the cystic follicles on the ovaries using an electrical needle or laser. I had this operation and it was successful in my case in that I became pg two months post op (I even had one 28 day cycle for the first time ever post op - oooh!) but equally I do know of cases where this op has not worked. It is not a cure for PCOS (there is not one and the causes are not fully understood) but it is certainly another treatment option.

Re your comment:-
"I'm just quite adamant to find out when I ovulate! so at least I can give it a go at the right time!"

The best way is to have regular blood tests done to determine your hormone levels. Your gynae should be seeing you on a regular basis to monitor your test results. Predicting ovulation with other methods with PCOS is extremely difficult (actually I would say damn nigh impossible). Please do not time intercourse vigourously either, doing so can actually do more harm than good. Make love instead when you both feel like it!!!.

With best wishes

Attila x

Maybe I'll suggest this drilling thing to my GP then. I'm sure he wont go to that extreme until I've had all sorts of blood tests and treatments. llareggub and Attila How long after your diagnosis did you have the surgery?

I've got an appointment to see a GP on Monday morning. My GP is away all month so gotta see someone else.
Do I ask him to refer me to a specialist/gynae?

"Make love instead when you both feel like it!!!."
It's funny you should say that Attila cos DS was conceived when I least expected!

I feel much more relaxed about it all today. I started temping this morning. I'm not expecting anything exciting to happen but was just curious about it so gonna do it for a month like you said Attila. I'm sure you're right about the "rocky mountains"!

I sound so self-absorbed! how is everyone today? Are your diets going well?

Hi Fruitloop

In my case this was suggested after several months of continual visits to the subfertility treatment for both blood tests and ultrasounds (I was there nearly every week during those months).

The gynae was going to start me on injectible drugs first off but as the funding for that took an age to come through he instead suggested this surgery.

You can ask the other GP to refer you. Would not actually think the GP would know much if anything about diathermy surgery.

I was diagnosed years ago, long before I ever thought of children. I had some unexplained tummy pains, together with various other issues. A very (I now think) enlightened GP diagnosed me following sight of my scan and gave me metformin. This would be approximately 10 or so years ago.

I started TTC in 2004 and had the op in 2006. I was referred for treatment in 2005 and went through things such as the blood tests, HyCoSy, weight loss etc. I conceived the following month after the diathermie.

Hi Attila,

I was wondering if you know the link between weight and PCOS. I have regular periods but have PCOS. I asked my GP the other day, and she didn't tell me anything that was helpful. When I got pregnant with my DD I was 60 kg, I now weigh 80kg. I am taking Metformin. I know my weight has worsened my acne and other symptoms, but how is it affecting my cycles, if I am having regular periods?

I am having a rubbish day today. So some helpful advice would be appreciated.

x

There is a connection between weight increase and PCOS. Following the low GI diet, metformin and exercise will shift it. My consultant tells me it is possible to lose weight, but it does take a combination of the three things I referred to.

Many PCOS women have most of their weight around their waists/tummies. Is this true of you? From the back I don't look big really.

I have never been on meds but diet and exercise generalyy do it for me.
my weight is indeed in the middle which puts me at risk for diabetes and herat disease - lovely

am thinking all the changes now must be permanent and important even after kids and as I near 40

but first I want another baby - pretty please and no more miscarriages please

I carry weight on my thighs, and love handles when overweight. I wish my chest would gain weight!

sfxmum - see my earlier post re metformin reducing miscarriage if continued through pregnancy.

thanks llureggub was discussing this with dh last night and am leaning towards making an appointment to see the GP. am cincerned about the side effects and would have to be convinced of the benefits outweighting them.
must do some research

.

Hi Moonlit,

Am sorry to read you've had a rubbish day today.

PCOS may not be affecting your menstrual cycle but you have no way of knowing whether you're actually ovulating or not, it is quite possible to have periods without ovulating. As you are no doubt aware PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it in different ways.

Some women with PCOS also have insulin resistance and this problem exacerbates the underlying problem with weight gain. Collett e Harris's publications give more information. It takes a long time to shift excess pounds, I am overweight for my height and PCOS is a factor in this. I think I read somewhere that many PCOSers are apple shaped and carry weight around their waist and stomach areas.

Yep all my weight is around my waist.

The other day someone asked me when was I due? I was mortified. People have such big mouthes.

I need to loose 20kg. It's going to take me ages isn't it? I have never done the low GI diet.

sfxmum - my GP knows very little about metformin and it still isn't licensed for PCOS. My consultant prescribed it to me during my pregnancy and monitored me throughout. I saw her every 3 weeks or so and had blood tests. The GP wanted a letter from my consultant before giving me a repeat prescription.

I did however read the research. My consultant gave me a balanced set of papers to read and left the decision to me.

Thanks llareggub that is very helpful, I did read about it in Colette Harris book and thought it would be a viable route along with Clomid.
we shall see

I think I've just ordered Colette Harris' book . I got a bit excited on Amazon 1 click and bought so many books about PCOS I don't know what's coming! It'll be a lovely surprise when my packages arrive (I love getting parcels in the post )

How's everyone today? I'm trying to down lots of water to fill my empty stomach before lunch. Weird cos I'm now bloated but still hungry. Got my soup again today. Think I'll cheat just a little at the weekend cos I've got to go to a surprise b'day party on Sunday. It's good to cheat now and again though, gives me something to look forward to

I've been talking to someone this morning (in RL) who has diabetes and PCOS. She knows someone who's training to be a reflexologist and looking for guinea pigs so I'm definitely signing up for that! I just love my feet being massaged and have always wanted reflexology It's supposed to be very good for PCOS. Anyone had experience?

Is she in London and does she need another guinea pig? Me me me me me me!

Hi folks just reading the thread and wanted to interupt if i can i have pcos and have been TTC for 4 years and have started taking clomid today and i weigh 12.8 so think ur doc is a bit unfair moonlit!! think all docs are different.. and fruitloop iv heard so many sucess stories on here about clomid so be hopefull...

baby dust to you all xx

Yes, yellowflowers I believe she is, SW19 I'm hoping! I'll find out more on Monday hopefully
zoepoey four years!! Good luck with the clomid! I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll get some but I'm now wondering about metformin

Hi Zoepoey44, are you TTC your first child?

I know Clomid will help. I am not very good at begging. I think I had better practice. Anyway, I have ordered the Davina exercise DVDS from Amazon, stocked up on my repeat prescription of Metformin and am going to try and help myself. To tell you the truth zoepoey44 I am kind of glad I didn't get the Clomid. because I really do need to sort my weight out. With PCOS I am a higher risk of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (when i get pregnant), preeclampsia etc.

I am willing to take her advice and at least try. I am trying to be positive! Eventhough it's so hard!!!!

Hi all
been reading your comments with interest. it has been said by one dr that i may have pcos but they are finishing other tests first (including dh's turn - if he'd get on with it! another story!) have been ttc no.2 for 2 years getting very upset etc. had hormone check done and that dr said it could be pcos - see your own dr who said we both needed std checks and dh needed to be tested. still waiting for std results.

but the more i read about pcos i feel it's me. i am overweight, was before dd too. had been on the atkins for 6months before conceiving dd (lost 2 stone for wedding, honeymoon baby!) but weigh only 1 stone heavier than when i got married. i actually lost weight while preg for the first 5mths then put on a little.

so i guess i'm really asking if this sounds pcos to you and what should i do next. i went on the atkins for 2 weeks in sept last year but then got a trip of the guilts re my health. have tried low gi before but didn't really have enough info on it! i feel a trip to the library coming on - can you recommend any pcos or diet books?

sorry this is long but it's good to talk, i am so wanting a sibling for dd