PCOS, now being referred to a specialist.......

[npg1]

I have PCOS which was diagnosed few weeks ago. We are TTC but no period since sept although had one 2 weeks ago after being given nisthorene (SP?!)

I went back to the doc yesterday and she said I have 2 options, either be referred to gyne or to a fertility clinic but she said she doesnt think I need to be as already have 2 children from previous relationship so I am capable of becoming pregnant and carrying but just might need help to concieve. (although doc didnt know my DC were from previous relationship)

I am wondering what to expect when I get my appointment.Im a bit nervous. I was hoping doc would just prescribe clomid and off I go so feel a bit disheartened.

Thanks

Don't be disheartened, you're on the right track.

The gynae will probably prescribe clomid, and might also want to do some more tests (presume you had ultrasound and bloods to get PCOS diagnosis?). Your partner may also need to undergo sperm analysis since your DC are from a previous relationship.

Good luck, and I hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment.

Hi npg1,

I would request a referral to the fertility clinic; PCOS is a bugger of a condition and often requires careful management. Many GPs simply do not have the knowledge or expertise required re PCOS.

Re your comment:-
"I was hoping doc would just prescribe clomid and off I go so feel a bit disheartened".

Unfortunately it is not as simple as that as you have seen. Please do not feel disheartened though. Also you should be monitored whilst on clomid as it is quite powerful stuff. No monitoring whilst on clomid is unacceptable. It is not always suitable for all PCOS patients to take and it should always be given with a degree of caution.

Northisterone brought on a bleed, you probably did not ovulate. It is quite possible to have periods without ovulating.

Both of you should attend this appointment; do not go on your own as such appts can cause considerable nerves. The initial appt at such a place is more likely to be a conversation about your medical histories, tests will be arranged for a later date. Make full use of your time in there; you do not want to leave there thinking, "oh I should have asked about x,y,z etc".

Make a written list of questions beforehand and ask them all. Take notes also. Ensure you are fully aware why tests are actually being done. No question is daft!.

Thank you so much for your comments. I forgot to mention have been doing clear blue ovlation sticks everyday, am on day 19 and havent had a smiley face and I have been temping but its very confusing and they said I could have ovuated on day 15 but the ovulation sticks said no ovulation.

OPKs are of no benefit at all if PCOS is present. These kits read LH; as many PCOSers have an excess of LH to start with the kit reads that. Temping is also not without problems if PCOS is present as you can have a rise in temp in the second half of the cycle when an egg has not been shed. Also you can end up with a very difficult to interpret chart.

Would have regular blood tests done instead; these are far more reliable indicators. A day 2 should be done to check and compare your LH level against that of FSH.

Thanks for your reply.

I knew I wouldnt really get very far with the ovulation testing but I guess in a way I was hoping for a smiley face but havent had one.

Anyway still waiting for my referral appoinment, so want to be pregnant and for it to happen naturally.

Just so you arent to disheartened when i went for advice re PCOS and conceiving my GP explained they are allowed to give prescriptions for Clomid anymore, a consultant has to do this.

I had a child too and after two half years of trying finally conceived and am now 19 weeks.

I was put on metformin by a doc with no explanation a long time ago and felt stragne so stopped taking it.

I went to consultant a few years later and he said - try again and have a slow releasing one and start on small dose then work up.

I also started to take agnus castus and wild yam, lost ten pounds and a few months later conceived.

My consultant said as already had child wouldnt try clomid yet, metformin first, it regulatesblood sugar which is key to PCOS and insulin, also it stimulates something to do with ovaries.

you have to take agnus castus for a while though for it to work. brocli i heard is another amazing hormone regulator.

Hi ladies,

So nice to logon here and find others in the same situation as myself as when all other friends are falling pregnant around me it seems pretty lonely and isolating at times, so will be logging in here regularly to share thoughts and experience in the hope that I to can help others like reading your posts has helped me

So I've had really irregular periods since coming off the pill, and did so before I went on the pill. After several unsuccessful trips to my pretty useless Gp I've paid privately and finally seem to be getting some proper answers rather the the gps response of we will wait and see what happens

Had my first appointment a few weeks ago and since then have had a scan and blood tests now just waiting for my next period so I can have last set of bloods done in the first few days. From specialists first very quick look over my scan she thinks that I have mild PCOS as both as my ovaries aren't enlarged.

So now have to wait for period to finally come so we can get this last lot of bloods done so we can move on and hopefully get some firm answers.

Will post again when I have more news, keep positive ladies think I'm learning that patience is certainly the key xx

Hi all, so glad for this thread.

I feel completely at a loss & need advice from others with the condition please.

My story so far... Been ttc for 6 months now. Been having irregular periods, these last from 1 bleed to 27 days of bleeding (bit of a nightmare). Went to see Gp who was brilliant did smear, blood tests then referred me for scan, they did a intra uterine scan & found multiple peripheral cysts on my ovaries (PCOS). Then referred me to gynae appointments in 10 weeks!! They've given me no more info & I'm bursting with questions!!! I'm stunned as the only symptoms I have are irregular periods & I'm struggling to conceive as well as pelvic pain.

Sorry to rabbit on, any info/ advice on what happens next would be so appreciated! Can't believe I've gota wait 10 weeks to get my questions answered! My Gp said the consultant would put me on clomid is this probably right?

Thanx guys xx

Hi Picklestar,

PCOS is a common cause of irregular periods.

If possible, do not go to the initial appt in 10 weeks time on your own. Your man should also attend. Such appts can and do cause considerable nerves and you can both give each other moral support. Write down any question you want to ask well ahead of time and ask them. No question is too trivial to ask. You also do not want to leave there thinking along the lines of , "oh I should have asked about xyz etc". Make notes during the appt as well.

I would try and establish as well how often you will be seen and by whom; continuity of care is vitally important.

You should be fully aware of what tests will be done and importantly why such tests are being done (i.e for what purpose).

Both of you will and should be tested further. The initial appt is usually a chat about your medical histories along with your menstrual history and general state of health.

In the meantime keep a pain and symptom diary; this can also give them clues as to what is happening here. The pelvic pain is likely not to be related to PCOS, something else is causing that to arise. Is the pelvic pain cyclical by the way?. Do tell them about that in detail along with the episodes of spotting; the more info they have the better.

It is vitally important that the three of you can act as a team.

Clomid is often a first line of treatment for PCOSers but its not going to address either the spotting (sometimes low progesterone levels cause that to arise) or the pelvic pain. Its also quite powerful stuff so should be given with care to PCOS patients anyway as clomid resistance is not unknown. You should anyway be monitored whilst on it preferably through both blood tests and ultrasounds. No monitoring is completely unacceptable. Clomid is usually given for a max time of six months after which other treatments are tried.

Verity's website on PCOS may be worth a read www.verity-pcos.org.uk

HTH a bit, any other questions just ask.

Morning all,

finding get comfort in regularly reading this forum is good to know that others are there to support and provide advice. So as an update i'm on day 74 without a period :( they have been so irregular going from 50 days up to 86 days.

I've been feeling so comfortable over the past few weeks feel really bloated and oddly have one very sore nipple . I'm due to hit the town on saturday night and considering taking a test just incase. I know the chance are super duper slim but if nothing else it will put my mind at ease, what do you guys reckon?

Picklestar is was also told that it would be at least a 10 week wait so i paid to go privately cost £170 and the best money i have ever spent got outstanding treatment and finally felt like i was being taken seriously, once my bloods have been done the specialist has then suggested that she can transfer back onto her NHS list, if you can afford to do it go for it.

:)