newbie..

[gwenabee85]

Hi, I'm not sure of all the lingo yet so this may take a while..

I'm 27 and we got married last June, and decided that we'd start ttc after our first anniversary. I've been on the pill for almost 10 years, so decided to stop taking it in December 2012 so my cycle could get regular again etc..

So I had my usual withdrawal bleed last week of December, then nothing until the second week of February, which wasn't really a real period, it only lasted three days and it was never (sorry for tmi!) 'real' blood, it was just brown like the end of a period.. So then nothing... I'd read about it taking a while to get back into a regular cycle so I tried to ignore it, but I'm really impatient so I ended up making a doctors' appointment.

(I should mention at this point that about five years ago I was diagnosed as having mild IBS - I'm slim but my stomach is constantly bloated - I look as though I'm a few months pregnant if I don't hold it in. I have regular abdominal pain, but peppermint oil keeps it under reasonable control. I've also had on-off bleeding after sex which has been getting worse since I've stopped the pill, and absolutely AWFUL pain after sex, but have been examined and had an ultrasound approx 2 years ago which came back clear, and was then put down to another IBS sympton...)

So, I went to my usual GP who knows all my background info, and told him everything - he said I needed to go for a 21-day blood test to see if I was ovulating and I should call to make the appointment on the first day of my next period. If it didn't arrive I should call him. So I waited six weeks (the longest six weeks ever) and it still didn't arrive, which was earlier this week. So I've now got an appointment for another ultrasound on Monday, and various blood tests on 29th May - FSH, LH, Prolactin, Testosterone, Oestrogen, Progesterone and Coeliac. After which he'll speak to me and if necessary refer me to a 'specialist'.

I'm feeling a little (a lot) overwhelmed - I did make the point to him that we weren't actually ttc YET, and although I'm glad it's moving quickly, I'm worried that as he's the doctor who told me my problems were IBS, he's now thinking otherwise and trying to make up for wasted time? I've been doing internet research (maybe not a good idea..) and am convinced I've got endometriosis and PCOS! I doubt I have both (?) but I seem to have some symptons of each, and it's all I can think about, it's driving me mad! I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has a similar case, and if so did your doctor move you this quickly?

First, don't worry! It's great you're having tests done.

It's normal to have bloods done quickly, and no harm having it all looked into before you ttc. I had my initial tests for endometriosis before I was ttc.

Just because you have these problems doesn't mean you'll struggle to conceive. It sounds as though the symptoms are disruptive to you, so it's good that the gp is taking it seriously.

thanks for the reply :) I've just come back from the scan and was told by the operator that everything's fine, no cysts or anything, so that's a relief. I suppose it must be down to hormones then..

I am glad my GPs taking it seriously, it's just a bit scary! How about you? What tests did they do for endo?

so I've just had my scan and blood test results, if anyone could shed any light on what's gonna happen next that'd be great, my GP is very vague! :|

LH - 20
FSH - 7
Prolactin - 177
Estrogen - 269
Progesterone - less than 1

My GP told me (over the phone) that they were all normal except progesterone which was low, which would explain why I'm not having periods (or ovulating). He's referring me to a gynacologist who apparently will prescribe medication to increase my prog. levels. Does anyone know what this could be or how it'll work?

Thanks in advance!

Um interesting. I thought fsh and lh were meant to be roughly the same but that's for day 3 tests. If out of sync pcos is one diagnosis. All I know I'm afraid. Your fsh s good not too high.

I'm a great believer in getting tests before ttc it saved me loads of time as my low ovarian reserve was diagnosed v early and probably saved me being childless.

Hi andcake, that's what i'd read too, but as i haven't had a period in so long and i guess i don't really have a cycle at the minute, it was just blood tests. My gp had mentioned the 21 day one but as nothing arrived there was no way to know! :/ he said there were no indications of pcos and my.scan was normal so i have no idea! and now i've got another 6 week wait to hear from gynacologist.. It's so frustrating!

Ok, i just came home from a weekend away to a letter from my doctor saying they'd received late blood test results which indicate i DO have pcos. That was a bit gutting.. I also had an appointment letter from the hospital for a consultant though, for 11 July. what does anyone think will happen at this appointment? Should i bring my DH?

anybody?? if there's likely to be a physical exam I don't want to bring him, but I've no idea what to expect, doctor didn't tell me anything! :/

If they do a physical exam, it'll be an internal scan which will take five minutes - its just taking a look at your ovaries and womb. Then they'll probably talk you through what the next steps are: clomid usually being the first. Take your husband for support and don't worry too much. Just know you're on your way to getting it sorted. x

thanks for the reply :) I just can't stop thinking about it, it's driving me mad. I go on holiday next Thursday then my appointment's a week after we get back, and I already know I'm gonna think about it constantly! :/

gwenabee

Have just noticed your thread.

I have both endo and PCOS and your abdominal pain could be linked to endo; it cannot be ruled out here. Also some women are misdiagnosed with IBS when endometriosis is the cause. Ultrasounds and blood tests do not pick up endo if it is there; it is usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

I would keep a detailed pain and symptom diary as this can give the gynae clues.

Your test results as shown in your post of 5th June would to me indicate PCOS. There is a classic LH/FSH imbalance, unfortunately many GPs do not compare LH against FSH when they should do and many are ignorant of PCOS anyway. Also your progesterone is well down on what it should be.

Would certainly take your DH along to the initial apt with the gynae; infact it is important that you both attend. Initial appts like this can and do cause considerable nerves; also he can ask questions and provide moral support. This initial apt is usually a chat with both of you about your medical histories and your menstrual history to date.

Clomid is often the first line of treatment used in PCOS but its not suitable for all PCOSers to take. You should in any event be monitored whilst on it; no monitoring is bad practice and also means you have no idea whether its working or not. Clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder.

Also blood tests can be done according to calendar days i.e the 3rd and 21st of each month if there is no real cycle to speak of.

Hi attila, thanks for the reply. I noticed after a bit of digging around on the net that the LH/FSH imbalance was odd but I can't get out of the mindset of "doctor knows best" yet :/ after my second letter saying indications of pcos I'm trying to work my way around that one! he did say the Progesterone level was a lot lower than it should have been though. But as you point out, as I haven't had a period since February the cycle days are non existent atm!
The only thing I've not had a satisfactory answer to yet is the bleeding after sex but I will be bringing that up at my appointment.
how about you? How long have you been diagnosed for? And how long did it take for you to get to being treated?

I also have both pcos and endometriosis. In my experience, any examinations were done with my DH sat outside the room waiting.

after reading the advice on here, I've asked him to come. Even if he ends up sitting outside the whole time at least I know he's there!

and when/how were you diagnosed lollipop?

Hello! I am having my first referral to hospital on 16th so this thread is great no idea what to expect, we have been trying for about two years I am 33 cycle bang on time but two sets of day 21 tests surprised me by showing no ovulation, although I thought something must be wrong as lots of friends have conceived much quicker and we were doing it at what seemed like the right time, not sure why blood tests don't show anything, have been to Chinese doctor got lots of tea and having accupuncture type thing at weekend. Hopefully we will both get sorted soon, I waited a year and a half before I had any tests and is not great as you can get quite desperate for a baby in that time, good luck!

hi country, only just seen your reply, sorry! so what have they suggested might be the cause of not ov then, if you're having reg AF?

I went for my first gyn appt on Thursday this week, waited for 2 hours after my appointment time to be seen, only to be told they didn't have my blood test or scan results on my (new) file. I was so angry!
Luckily I had the blood test results myself, but have been given Provera to hopefully kickstart AF then got to have the tests done again. And another scan. What a waste of three months, if the GP could have just given me Provera to start with!!