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Hi - this thread is a little out of date.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

Who originally told you that PCOS could be an issue, was that a GP at your practice?.

TBH you should be referred to a gynae at a subfertility unit now as a matter of course.
I would insist that you are referred. Would chase them up re std results. Something is preventing conception currently and it is in your interests for you both to be seen by a specialist subfertility unit. I actually feel that what has been done to date has just delayed you ultimately being referred. After two years you ought to be seen anyway by a specialist.

I would tell your DH that being tested is not actually casting any aspertions on his masculinity, potency and or virility (some men do erroneously make this connection so this may actually be why he is reluctant to be tested). He certainly needs to talk about why he is so reluctant to be tested.

What are your periods like (presumably they are very irregular and have light bleeding) have you noticed anything else at all?. PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and does affect each woman with it very differently.
Its often diagnosed through blood tests and internal ultrasound scans. Polycystic ovaries can appear larger than normal (walnut) size and have multiple cystic follicles on them. These can disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Some of these follicles are dormant, others release hormones, some many contain an egg.

Atkins is no good at all for PCOSers; its not sustainable for a start. You're better off trying a low GI or GL (glycaemic load) eating plan as these are better for PCOSers.

Collette Harris has written several books on PCOS and she has also written some cookbooks with PCOS in mind (she was diagnosed with PCOS several years ago now). Would think Amazon would have these along with low GI/GL books too.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk is a website you may want to look at as well.

HTH and good luck. You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

thanks for that attilla, dh's resistance is mainly due to working full time as a teacher. it's a 40 min drive to work which is the same town as the hospital this test has to go to. so he needs to get up at 6.30 do his bit then get ready for work and get it to the hosp within an hour and then go to work. he just got too wound up about getting it all done, so we're planning it now in half term when he's off!

will def look at some books. it was another gp at our practice who suggested pcos who looked at my results but she wouldn't say anymore as she wanted me to see my own doc. my own doc said that she wanted to see what dh's results came back like and our std results, but she is def stalling! will chase calls and then after half term will go and see her again and demand to be sent for further treaments.

but for the mo i'm on a tww so watch this space! thanks again

Morning girls,

Hi Eleanorsmum I agree with Attila Atkins is no good [shaking waggy finger]. I conceived DS while on GI and it made me feel so healthy too. I've been on it again for about 5 days and I am already really the benefits health wise. I've lost a lot of bloating and water retention which I thought was a bit of fat. Sorry to hear you've been left on the shelf a bit with the hospital/GP/ results. I think you need to be really pushy.

Well here I am banging on about healthy eating and I really cheated at the weekend It was an 80th surprise b'day party and the only thing on offer was the carvery and very delicious puddings Ah well, it was worth it . Back to the GI drawing board today.
I've got my 1st GP appointment this morning since being diagnosed. I'm preparing for my oscar winning performance! I'm still not sure what to be begging for, Metformin? Clomid? Both? I'd quite like Clomid but I opened my big mouth to DP about possible cause of ovarian cancer if taken long term and he's gone against it . Tried to convince him they don't let you take it longer than 6 months and your monitored all the way.
Anyway, GP might be nasty and tell me to go away and come back in a year - not sure I can handle that. Been TTC for 6 months as it is.
How is everyone today? I've not been around all weekend really. Anyone testing anytime soon?

Hello everyone

I found this thread last week and tried to read it but I ran out of time so I'm going to post now and read it later.

I was diagnosed with PCOS last summer. I have a fantastic gp who recognised my symptoms (ttc#2 for 6 months, acne, overweight, mild hisutism, 3 years ttc dd) and he sent me for bloods and an ultra sound then referred me to a specialist. I was put onto Clomid straight away. I've had an ultra sound scan each cycle since then. I did not ovulate on 50mg (2 cycles) or 100mg so I'm now on Metformin and 150mg of Clomid. I've also been taking progesterone to bring on my periods because neither the Clomid or Metformin are doing it! I had my most recent scan last Thursday which was CD12 and my specialist was hopeful that I should ovulate either yesterday or today.

After reading the beginning of this thread I have arranged with another MNer to buy a couple of PCOS/GI books. My specialist weighed me when I started seeing her and she seemed to be happy but I've put on about half a stone since then The diet isn't starting until Wednesday anyway - it's the anniversary of our first date tomorrow and there's no way I'm missing the double chocolate cheese cake that's sitting in my fridge

Wow Tigerschick your very lucky to have such good service! I can only hope that my GP is as understanding. Does this mean I'll have to be referred to a specialist before I'm given Clomid? I was hoping my GP could give it to me today as I'm on CD50 so AF could arrive at any moment. I'd like to be prepared to start taking it! My next AF could be months away

Hi Fruitloop. Yes, I know that I am very lucky with the treatment I have been given. Both my gp and the specialist seem to put a lot on the fact that I already have dd so they know that I can get pg, but it's not likely without help. My gp said that some gps are happy to prescribe Clomid but he preferred to refer people to the specialists. If your next period is so unlikely to happen anytime soon then you might be offered progesterone - if not you could ask for it. I was given Provera which I took for 7 days and then about 10 days later my period started. Frustratingly my specialist made me wait until CD35 before accepting that I wasn't going to have a natural period and then she gave me more progesterone. This all added up to 52 day cycles. So, tho I started my first cycle of progesterone in July I am in the middle of only my 4th cycle.
Hope everything goes/went well at the gp this morning.

Hi guys,
Saw my GP this morning who told me to come back in 5 months if not pg by then as I'm obviously able to have a baby So I said I'd like to go on Clomid or Metformin and he said if that's the route I'd like to take (well, duh!) then he will refer me to the sub-fertility unit at St.Georges. So I've got an appointment on 5th March to see a Gynae (who I can't remember the name of but GP said is very good) So I've got to wait till then to start on some medication that's if they give it to me! So now I'm hoping I have another 80 odd day cycle this time round so I can still take Clomid at next cycle.

Well at least I've got the ball rolling!

Tigerschick he never mentioned progesterone. My AF should show up anytime soon cos the lady who did my scan said it looks as though I've ov'ed this month. I thought your supposed to get AF two weeks later Don't know if this is the same for PCOS

If you oved then you should have a period around 2 weeks later - 14 days is the average so obviously there will be some longer and some shorter. I took progesterone because I wasn't ov-ing and there was no way of knowing when I would. When I first went to my speciallist I had recently had one of my very rare periods. She proscribed me progesterone but made me wait until a couple of weeks later before I started taking it just in case I had a natural period.
Sorry your gp wasn't directly helpful but at least you've been referred and 3 weeks is pretty quick for an appointment to come through.

Hi ladies....hope you don't mind I jump in!

Fruitloop
You lucky lucky thing! TTC for only 6 months and referred already. You are doing well. My GP/surgery would only refer once you have been trying for at least 12 months!

Just like you and Tiger, I have a DS and therefore I know I can get pregnant ( and quickly - only took 2 months with DS ) but this time round something is not right.

You just have to be patient...hard to hear and I can't believe I am saying it! You will find that they will make you wait 1 cycle once you are seen at the fertility clinic for them to observe you. You will have a list of blood tests as long as your arm to have done at all times over your cycle AND you can look forward to yummy internal scans too! Eeekkk.....

I have just finished all my blood tests - all normal ARRGGHH! But I have had 2 scans now and they can definitely SEE Polycycstic ovaries.

But anyway, yeah...just be prepared to jump through hoops before you get perscribed anything! My first appointment at the clinic was 4th Feb...now I am going through all the tests...and my next appointment isn't till 19th March. Feels decades away after having to wait 12 months to get referred!

Hoping for some clomid on the 19th!

Good luck!

Hi DungunGirl, flipping 'eck! But my cycles are like 3 months long!!!! Looks like I'm gonna have to postpone my wedding then eh!
Well I've defo got PCOS. Clear as day on my scan.
GP was gonna make me wait a year. It's been 6 and a half months so far and he said come back in 5. I put my foot down and started the tears , I actually couldnt help it cos I sort of expected him to just prescribe me them there and then (wishful thinking). Didn't have hysterics I just found it very difficult to talk so he said 'if you wanna go down that route then I'll refer you' Obviously didn't want a potential crying hysterical mad woman to deal with
So they won't give it to me right away then? Ok, I'm on CD51 now so AF could arrive any minute or I could have another 88 day cycle which would be better cos then if I am given Clomid (unlikely) then I'll be able to start next cycle. If AF arrives any minute then I'll have to wait 3 months for that cycle to end then if they wont give me anything till following cycle I'll be waiting another 6 months - 9 months AAhhhhggh. I can't cope with this!! I know some people wait years for a baby (and DS took about that long) but I when I know it is possible having done it before it sort of doesnt make any sense!

I know I'm selfish and self absorbed

Oh good luck for the 19th btw I really hope they sort you out

Fruitloop You lucky thing! Dungirl you are absolutely right, in most cases you need to be TTC for at least a year before referrals etc. But I think Fruitloop is lucky in the sense that she is not overweight, so they know that's not the problem.

But I think even the Gynecologist, will try to regulate your periods first with meds. What annoys me is that why didn't the GP send you for blood tests etc first, how lazy! But thats exactly what the Gynecologist is going to do. But Fruitloop you have endometriosis as well, so perhaps that why he gave in so quickly.

Anyway, I have been trying to conceive since October 2006. I have had every blood test under the sun. Luckily in 2006 I had private medical insurance, so I saw a Gynecologist and had an internal ultrasound etc. And everything was hunky dory. Now I am taking Metformin and then lucky for me I will be prescribed Clomid. Patience really is a virtue for me .

My point is, there is a procedure Doctors have to follow. It's like being in a queue, you can't cut the line. But seriously I wish I could .

Anyway, how are we all doing on the diet side of things? I have lost 3ilbs. Hurrah!!!! .

Tigerschick Im so jealous . Im overweight by 2.5 stone, and my GP won't help me any further until I have taken Metformin for another 4 months. It's so pants! So how long have you been taking your new dosage of Clomid and metformin for?

X

Tigerschick Im so jealous . Im overweight by 2.5 stone, and my GP won't help me any further until I have taken Metformin for another 4 months. It's so pants! So how long have you been taking your new dosage of Clomid and metformin for?

X

moonlit you poor thing, How awful they make you wait like that - it's inhumane!

Well I have blood tests for my thyroid and GP also took my bloods for ovulatory function (don't know what that could mean) and testosterone but they came back normal.
Luckily I don't have Endo, I think you must be mixing me up with someone else.
I think I'm just lucky (or very pushy) to be referred so quickly. GP was quite happy to make me wait another 5 months but I put my foot down. Also it would've taken me anything up to 3 years to conceive DS had I been actively trying.

Diet side of things, well done you for the weight loss! I was doing very well until the weekend when DP's parents flew over from Spain so we've been eating proper junk. Also had a surprise 80th b'day party on Sunday - lovely puddings , weekend didn't end there either, had pizza last night and quality street
I have to be good now cos I've got a party to go to on Sat so cannot be bloated so GI here I come!

hi, am still waiting for blo**y results!

can anyone tell me what metformin actually does? i know clomind stimulates ovaries but what is the metformin for? ta

It's crazy the amount of difference in treatment from gp to gp.I was prescribed Clomid within 7 months of stating ttc#2. It hasn't worked yet tho. I've had internal scans on about CD14 each cycle since.
I've been taking Metformin since before Christmas. My specialist said that it would make me have a period within 2-3 weeks of starting it. So when I got to 6 weeks without a period I phoned her and she booked me in for another scan then, because my womb lining was only 5mm, she prescribed me progesterone. I took that for 7 days then had a period 10 days later.
I'm now on CD19. I was scanned on CD12 and she thought I might ovulate on CD16/17. I've got a blood test on CD24 - next Monday - to see if I did ovulate.
DH and I have been dtd every other day since the middle of last week, just incase - he's not complaining

Fruitloop - I can't believe that he wanted to make you wait so long! It's crazy. I got the distinct feeling that my gp was happy to 'pass-the-buck' with me (one of the benfits of having an old man for a gp ) maybe yours was the same - well done for putting your foot down!

Moonlit - I really hope that Clomid helps after you have waited so long. Don't, please don't, think it is a miracle cure. I did and was devastated the first month that it didn't work. I'm not saying that it won't work for you but please don't pin all your hopes on it, as Atilla said, there are several other options. Oh, and well done on the diet.

Dungungirl - My bloods all came back normal too but the PCO was obvious on my initial scan (and every one since ). Really hope that you get some more positive help on the 19th

Anyone else around? Hope you're all well.

Hi Eleanorsmum - Sorry - x-posts. I think Metformin is to help with insulin levels. This might explain it better.

Tigerschick

Has your cons suggested any other treatment options as yet?. How long have you been using clomid for?. Unfortunately clomid is certainly not suitable for all PCOSers to take. I was never prescribed it in my case as in the consultant's words, "it would not help me".

Hi fruitloop,

Re your comment:-
"Well I have blood tests for my thyroid and GP also took my bloods for ovulatory function (don't know what that could mean) and testosterone but they came back normal".

Bet the GP did not compare levels!!. If this was not done the test result is meaningless as hormone levels can appear within their normal wide range if looked at separately. Also in my experience many GPs are next to useless when it comes to dealing with problems of this nature.

Hi ladies

(moonlit) THat is so mean that they are making you lose weight before giving you clomid! I hope they don;t do the same to me!!!! I have been trying to shed some pounds since November , so far have managed to lose almost a stone. I have 4 pounds to go! Saying that....that still leaves me 2 stone more to lose.....BOOOOO!!!!

(Tigerschick) Same as me same as me!!!! I have had 2 scans...one external and one internal and both showed polycycstic ovaries....however blood results are normal. So there is hope for me then! They won't just send me away! SO they have put you on metformin first? Interesting.....

My periods are pretty regular....I get one every 30-35 days. However, they think I am maybe not ovulating every month even though I have a period.

So there you go!

Dungungirl - It is so difficult to predict what will happen with you as everyone seems to have completely different experiences. I hope that you get some help soon.

Atilla - I have had 2 courses of 50mg Clomid, 1 course of 100mg and 1 course of 150mg teamed with Metformin. So that's 4 cycles across 7 months. They haven't suggested anything else yet.
Unfortunately I had my last scan on CD12 which is 2 days too early really but I had 2 follicles, one on each side. One was 10.5mm and the other was 11mm. I think they need to be about 20mm before they are mature. On previous occasions I haven't had one bigger than 7mm and that was on CD14. So there is hope that it is working.
Do you know what the maximum dose of Clomid is? The pharmacist at the hospital wanted to confirm that my last prescription was right because she believed the highest dose was 100mg.

Atilla - I have had 2 courses of 50mg Clomid, 1 course of 100mg and 1 course of 150mg teamed with Metformin. So that's 4 cycles across 7 months. They haven't suggested anything else yet.
Unfortunately I had my last scan on CD12 which is 2 days too early really but I had 2 follicles, one on each side. One was 10.5mm and the other was 11mm. I think they need to be about 20mm before they are mature. On previous occasions I haven't had one bigger than 7mm and that was on CD14. So there is hope that it is working.
Do you know what the maximum dose of Clomid is? The pharmacist at the hospital wanted to confirm that my last prescription was right because she believed the highest dose was 100mg.

Hi Tigerschick

Think the max dosage for clomid is 150mg.
You are right in thinking that the follicles are still too small and you are also correct in thinking that 20mms is about the right size.

I would consider asking the cons at your next appointment what the next step is in terms of treatment options (I am wondering how much longer she will keep you on the met/clomid combination as sometimes clomid is not prescribed for more than six months. I would ask her about this too).

BTW do they do an ultrasound scan later on during the month as well as mid cycle?. I only ask as I was scanned quite regularly throughout the month (they also looked at the uterine lining too) as well as having blood tests.

Hi Atilla.
I was thinking about asking at my next appointment what the next step would be. I have resisited so far as it seemed a bit defeatist but I think the time is fast approaching when I need to think about it.
I wasn't sure if they would be happy to give me 6 months on Clomid after it started working, or whether they count from day 1.
I've only been having 1 scan on CD12-15. I haven't had any blood tests because she has been certain that I wasn't going to ovulate - the folicles were too numerous and too little.
I'm interested that they didn't even try Clomid for you. Do you know what it was that made them think it wouldn't work?

Hi Tigerschick,

My LH level was very high compared to that of my FSH (It was several years ago now but I seem to recall it was something like LH 17 to FSH 4; this stayed consistent). As clomid encourages the production of LH it was decided that clomid would not be suitable for me and told me as much.

I was offered injectible drugs as a treatment but as this took several months for the funding to come through for this, the cons decided on diathermy surgery in the meantime. I became pg two months post op. That is a very condensed version over a year in total but covers most of what happened.

In your re clomid I think they will count from the first cycle when you've been on it (so you've had 4 to date).

Wishing you the best of luck at your next appointment.

Attila