TTC #2 with PCOS - what help will I get?

[digitalgirl]

I think I have PCOS. I have had very irregular cycles since ttc # 1. However, I was lucky enough to concieve ds before any diagnosis had been made. Since ttc#2 I have had 2 miscarriages. At my last scan the nurse said my ovaries looked polycystic, but didn't necessarily mean I had the Syndrome. She said that I should keep on having sex every 2-3 days throughout my cycle as it's obvious I'm ovulating if I've conceived twice in 5 months. But it's been 2 months since the last miscarriage and I'm still waiting for my period, despite having all the signs of ovulating over two weeks ago. I'm either 16dpo and about to get my period or my body's still waiting to ovulate.

I have an appointment with the fertility clinic next week as a result of my gp referring me after the second miscarriage (and me querying whether my long irregular cycles may be related to them). If I finally get my pcos diagnosis will I be entitled to any Nhs treatment, such as clomid, if I already have one dc?

Hi digital
Afraid I don't know about what you are entitled to the the NHS but I am in the same boat so far as hoping to TTC#2 with PCOS. I was formally diagnosed with PCOS (blood tests + ovary scan + highly irregular and long cycle, acne, depression etc)on the day I went to the doctor when I just discovered I was preg with #1! However now that I want to get pregnant again (DD is almost 15 months) I am worried that first time was a very lucky fluke and it will be difficult. My cycle is anything from 30-54 days, both pre and post preg, so basically I am not always ovulating...
Are you monitoring for OV signs? Was your cycle irregular pre-preg?
Sorry I am not more help but wanted to share...

Hi scodansk thanks for replying. It turns out I didn't have an appointment this week, but I insisted on getting a clear diagnosis for pcos so I'm going to get the blood tests done next cycle. My cycles have always been irregular but usually between 5-6 weeks long.

I don't chart temps (impossible with a randomly waking toddler), but I do check cm and cervical position to work out when I'm ovulating. I've just had a 60 day cycle following a miscarriage and I'm pretty sure I ovulated as I had a lh surge followed by closed cervix and then got a full on af 17 days later (16 lp).

I know if my cycle has been anovulatury as my period is lighter and mainly brown. I don't get those that often.

I think we just have to believe that we can get pregnant again rather than thinking the first time was a fluke. I'm trying to follow a low gi diet and exercise regularly in order to keep my hormones in balance. Even if I don't have pcos eating healthy and keeping fit can't do me any harm. I wasn't really bothered about all of this until I had 2 miscarriages, as I didn't want ttc-ing to dictate what I ate and drank etc - but now I'm wondering if I'm particularly sensitive to what goes into my body so maybe I should take more care.

How long have you been trying? It'll be a year for us this August. But have conceived twice in that time so probably wouldn't qualify for any further checks into my fertility beyond pcos.

Hi I'm in the same boat - I have a ds and desperately want another baby now, we started ttc after Christmas but then af did not arrive for 64 days and was an anovulatury one like yours digitalgirl. I started taking Metformin then, which is meant to help regulate your hormones and help you lose weight if you have PCOS. Apparently it helps reduce mcs in women with PCOS too.

I have been offered all the same help by my GP now I'm ttc#2 that was offered to me when first diagnosed and childless. I turned down the offers of Metformin followed by Clomid to kickstart things then as I was not ttc, then I met my partner and fell pg by accident really quickly!I'd be really surprised if you were treated any differently just because you already have a child.

Hi ya,

I have PCOS but still struggling to conceive #1 (2 1/2 years)! But as far as I know you should get clomid or other drugs on NHS but I'm sure that you have to pay for further things such as IVF, should you need it. Hope this helps.

Good luck x

we already have one dd who took 2 1/2 yrs to conceive and now been trying over 3 years for a second child. I've been given clomid on nhs this time but conceived naturally the first time (i.ve taken it for 5 cycles and having a month's break before my last cycle and not sure what happens next). I hope all goes really well for you

Oh. My. God. Digi, you know me in a previous incarnation (I am you, just 2 days in the future - remember me?)

I just read your OP and unbelieveably I'm in the same boat as you again. I really don't want you to think I'm a stalker!

I went to the GP last week & have been referred for investigations; possible PCOS although unlikely as I don't fit any of the 'typical' criteria but my cycles are ridiculous. I too am hoping clomid is the answer as I would very desperately like baby number 2.

My appointment's not till august so I'm just charting and hoping until then.

Hope you are otherwise well my internet friend xx

8rubberduckies how is the Metformin working? Has it regulated your cycles?
I'm wondering whether I have the insulin-thing - this low GI Diet is supposed to help balance that, but it doesn't seem to have made the blindest bit of difference to my cycles. I've lost a little weight from cutting back the biccies, but was never really that overweight (top end of the 'normal' BMI range).

fairygodmother1 Sorry to hear you've been trying for so long. It's exhausting. I'm hoping if it comes to it I'll at least be offered some drugs.

looseleaf sorry to hear it's been a long time for you too. Did your partner get a SA done as well? Or do they just prescribe clomid purely on your PCOS diagnosis?

Big waves to my personal stalker theteasonme You've just made it easier for me to stalk you now you've alerted me to your namechange! (seriously, you have to tell me when your temps rise, I'm already opk-ing and it's only CD11, every cycle I convince myself that I might ovulate early even though I know it's so unlikely). Like you I'm not sure I fit the criteria. I have long irregular cycles but I do think I ovulate. I don't have acne, I'm not overweight. I've always been a litte bit 'fluffier' (ok I've had my 'tache lasered) but thought that was my Italian heritage. Anyway, that's two PCOS symptoms out of I don't know how many you're supposed to have. Oh actually, three: my ovaries 'looked polycystic' when last scanned.
Anyway - good luck with your appointment in August. Hopefully you'll be preggars by then and you'll have to go through that whole 'should I bother getting a diagnosis' debate again when ttc#3.

digitalgirl the Metformin's going ok; it makes me feel really ill so I haven't been able to take a very high dose, but I've lost some weight .

I am on my 2nd cycle since starting it and I definitely OVd on the first one, although my cycle was 41 days, it was a distinct improvement on the last one, which was 64 days and not sure if I ovulated. I'm on CD23 now of this cycle and no sign of OV, so doesn't look like it's going to be any shorter this cycle

My GP said to go back if not pg after six months and they will refer me to a consultant. I hate to be negative, but looks like that's what I'll be doing. I got my hopes up so high last cycle and felt completely gutted when af arrived... don't know how long I can cope with it, I have such respect for women who try and try for years.

Your last point about not having the more, erm, visible symptoms, such as being overweight, hairy, having acne, you are lucky! I have been on some of the PCOS forums like Verity and there's a few of you out there, and what I wouldn't pay to not have them! I have escaped the acne, but am BMI 29-30 (I can carry it off luckily as I am tall) and have some facial hair, which is the bane of my life. It seems to be getting better now I'm taking Metformin, hurray!!!

Number 3?!! Jeez... I'll need a lie down in a dark room before mustering up the strength to go through this again! Pleased you don't mind me stalking you digi Will let you know when I ov (I'm also poas already!) so you can be ready!

x