PCOS... losing hope

[starrynight123]

Hello,

I'm new to this site but finally signed up because my partner and I have been trying for a baby since last year and are starting to lose hope because nothing has happened for us. I have PCOS and only have around 5 periods per year (if I'm lucky) and have a whole bunch of tests lined up, including an ovary/womb scan (a couple of years back when I had my first scan, some growths were found) and I'm terrified.

I know in the scheme of things that 1 year is virtually nothing, but I'm now 33 and am scared that it will all be too late for me.

To top it all, some of our good friends have just announced that they are pregnant and although I'm so happy for them, it just made me feel even more sad and so low.

Reading this through, I appreciate it sounds really silly but I am feeling more and more depressed about it :-( I didn't expect conception immediately, but as more and more time is going by, I'm just feeling more and more desperate and scared :-(

Has anyone else experienced PCOS and does anyone have any advice?

I'd appreciate any comments.

Starry

[starrynight123]

It is so heartening to read your stories, so thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. This might sound miserable of me, but part of me still thinks it happens for other people but not me - I guess it's a pretty normal thing to think until it happens for you! Oh well.

I actually had a period last month and got some test sticks for identifying when I was ovulating. I was surprised that I did actually release LH but whether I actually ovulated, ice no idea.

Anyway, I'm going to make an appointment with my GP to take the next steps towards ttc. Do you have any advice what I should ask about?

The last time I saw her, she mentioned a scan. But is there anything else I need to get booked? Should I ask about clomid or bloodtests or something else?

I feel as though I'm going into battle, and although I know what outcome I want, I don't quite know how to get there(!)

In terms of diet and exercise, I have been making changes like 20mins cardio every other day (got to start somewhere!) and reducing sugar and carbohydrate intake while upping veg. I've also got a good multivitamin (well woman) but should change that to their trying to conceive one.

So, it's something.

[Sam0412wakefield]

Hi All, I am new to this site but here goes.

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 years old, I am now 30 but at 22 I was told i did not have it. I was trying for many years to find out why I could not conceive then on Thursday I was told I definitely have it. I have tried many times to lose weight and nothing has worked I go to the gym I eat healthy so I don't know what else to do. I have a loving and caring husband that is always reassuring me everything will be ok. I am scared I am not going to be able to give him a child even though he says there are other options. It is not just the PCOS and not conceiving I am worried about but I have a cancer gene also which means I need to have a hysterectomy and mastectomy sooner rather than later. Can anyone give me any advice on how to lose weight or if there is anything I can do to try and conceive.

Please no negative remarks.

Thanks
Sam

[RoseBud2015]

Hi Sam

I can't help you with the weight loss thing, but what I would suggest for the PCOS is making an appointment with your doc asap and not putting it off.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 15 years old and went straight on the pill to regulate my cycles. Fast forward 15 years and I am now 30 years old and off the pill since September ttc. Only 1 AF in 5 months. A Mumsnetter convinced me to go to the doc and demand help (I was scared but I did it today!)

And I'm shocked and happy to report that I've been referred to a fertility clinic, booked in for an ultrasound, DH has been booked in for sperm analysis and I've been booked in for 21 day bloods!

It seems that being a bit pushy and being totally clued up on what you are entitled to, does work!

Feel so much happier knowing I'm now going to get some answers and help!

Good luck!

[BlueKarou]

Hi Sam, welcome to MN. It's usually better to start a new thread than to continue a rather old one.

That said, I've been gradually managing to lose weight despite my PCOS, so thought I'd let you know what worked for me. I was given a target BMI by the fertility clinic (am due to start IVF in spring, hopefully) which meant I needed to lose two stone.

I joined My Fitness Pal and logged everything I ate each day, with the aim of keeping my calories to around 1200 per day. I'm big on food and not so big on exercise, so looking at my intake like that seemed to be my best fit. It took a long time but weekly weigh ins showed my weight was going down. I hit my ideal BMI at the end of last year, but Christmas and a house move pushed it back up again so I'm still watching my intake, not sure I'll trust myself with food until after my treatment, but at least I know that I can lose/maintain the weight, I just have to have a goal and put my mind to it.

I'm on Metformin for the PCOS and have been for about 2 years. Not sure if it's helping; am still as hairy as anything, still predisposed to putting on weight, and last week's ultrasound showed that my ovaries are still covered in cysts. My cycles are a bit more regular now (if you count 25-45 day cycles 'regular'!)

Hope that helped.