PCOS - Trying to conceive

[ElizabethCatherine]

Welcome to our 5th thread :)

A lovely bunch of ladies all here to help each other along the way with any questions or concerns we all have when TTC with PCOS

@BethanyCollings you could be pregnant? I got a positive OPK when i was pregnant it was darker than the control line x

Bethany

Would not waste any more time or effort on OPK's; these are uneasy bedfellows when it comes to PCOS. These kits measure LH; as the level of LH is often elevated when PCOS is an issue the kit simply reads that increased level. That is why you have had multiple positive results. Blood tests and ultrasounds are far more reliable indicators.

What blood tests have you got lined up?

Hi all, I joined the PCOS thread a few months ago, after my 10+2 natural miscarriage and have been quiet (but lurking...) while my scan saga at UCLH continued and TTC was put on hold.

A couple of consultants really scared me back in March, saying there's an 'unidentified mass' in my uterus. After waiting for more than 2 months (don't get my started on this...), I finally had my 3D SIS today, which basically means injecting saline solution into the womb so everything can be seen clearly. Turns out everything is normal (with the exception of two fibroids of 2 cm each, but apparently they don't pose a problem in case of a pregnancy). So I'm officially back in the TTC business! Can't even put into words how relieved I am.

(PS: If anyone will ever need a 3D SIS, I can provide some detailed info about the procedure, I thought it would be very painful (bloody Google) but it wasn't too bad).

There's even a nice big follicle on my right ovary, so it seems I'll ovulate on my own in a few days (which, as you all know by now, is really big news for someone with PCOS). My DP is obviously very excited to get back to regular DTD

I've been reading every single post on these PCOS threads, so I'm up to date :) SummerHopin and YouBoggleMyMind, huge congrats for your BFPs, hope you're feeling okay. Not long now, you'll soon be in the second trimester and glowing, really excited for you!

SLady, Barsons, holzyb, ElizabethCatherine and everyone else, fingers crossed you all get your BFPs soon. Grow follicles, grow!

I'm taking Inositol, temping, eating healthy and trying to be as positive as possible. We can do this!

@looking4hope that must have been scary news hearing that at first but I'm so glad it's not going to cause implications for you and getting pregnant. That so nice to hear too that you can ovulate naturally! That's such good news!

ElizabethCatherine, really hope that this cheerful me will last, but I know that TTC-related anxiety will kick off soon... Keeping my fingers crossed for your upcoming appointments, is the first one the private one? It's great you made some progress privately, before starting with the NHS. I've just looked back and seen you're based in London too waves to fellow Londoner.

Hey ladies, am 2 days late but am getting a negative test. AF always arrives 15 DPO but now I'm 17 DPO. I definitely ovulated as had private scans comfirming.Nipples are slightly sore but no other symptoms

Nipples being sore was my only symptom Barsons when I got my bfp so could be a good sign!

Barsons83 When I was pregnant with my first I had sore boobs and period cramps! Definitely could be a sign. But I got my morning sickness, sore boobs and cramps the day after I had a positive test x

I posted in here a couple of months ago after my sonographer told me I had PCOS. I've just had the follow up appointment with the consultant who says she was talking nonsense and he thinks I just have polycystic ovaries not PCOS. So I guess I'm not supposed to be here after all.

Still no AF this year beyond the post norethisterone bleed (have had 3 since coming off cerazette in Sept 2015) and no signs of ovulation from temping etc. Consultant suggested I start taking Norethisterone regularly but I had such awful side effects (random bursting into tears, days of not being able to get out of bed, agonising leg pains and headaches, 5kg weight gain in a week) I said I didn't think I can face it. So being referred to an endocrinologist. More months of waiting I guess.

Sorry for thread abuse given I apparently don't have PCOS. I know I should probably be happy about this. Just feel a bit directionless now.

ronniemipperton, you're more than welcome to stick around, all the ladies here are so nice and helpful. It's definitely not "thread abuse", we're here to listen and help where we can.

Sorry you're receiving conflicting information from medical professionals. I'm not an expert, but as far as I know PCO means you have polycystic ovaries, but no symptoms whatsoever (such as irregular / lack of periods). If you haven't had any periods this year and only 3 since Sep 2015, I would say you have PCOS. Have you done blood tests as well? A scan on its own is never enough to give a diagnosis, so if you haven't done any other tests I would advise you to ask for a full hormonal profile. Maybe ask your GP to do the blood tests so you can speed things up and have everything done before the endocrinologist appointment.

ronniemipperton, forgot to mention: I don't have any experience with Norethisterone, but I think that Provera can also be used to induce a period (the ladies here can clarify). Maybe ask your GP about it? It's worth giving it a try if the Norethisterone side effects are so bad.

Barsons83, sore nipples were pretty much my only symptom during the first couple of weeks of pregnancy, so might be a good sign. Maybe wait a couple of days and test again if AF doesn't arrive?

Thanks @looking4hope, much appreciated. I have had blood tests done and apparently everything looks normal. The consultant I saw today thinks it's just post pill amenorrhea because I was on contraception for so long. I do put on weight really easily and have to tweeze hairs out of my chin most days (sorry tmi) though when I mentioned that to the consultant he just said "when you read about it you think you've got all the symptoms".

I'll look into Provera, thanks - I was hoping for Metformin because that apparently can induce ovulation without hideous side effects but he won't prescribe me that because he doesn't think I have PCOS. Which makes sense. I just wish I could see an alternative route that doesn't involve hideous side effects or months of waiting for frustrating appointments.

Sorry whinge over! It's been really good reading the thread and catching up on all the BFPs fingers crossed for @barsons83 x

Sorry you're in limbo regarding what to do next. Fingers crossed it's just amenorrhea and everything will return back to normal soon. It's great you have that upcoming endocrinologist appointment and you'll hopefully get some answers.

For what it's worth, my blood test results are always 'normal', but I definitely have PCOS because I have nearly all the symptoms (easily accumulating fat in the belly area, pesky hair everywhere and growing like crazy, thinning hair on my scalp etc.). Sometimes the results are classed as normal, but the number is extremely close to the upper or lower range, so they must be taken with a pinch of salt. My mum, a former nurse, says that they can't be 100% reliable as hormobe levels vary so much throughout the day. Just to give you a funny example: if you (or your DP ) touch(es) your boobs a lot, prolactin would be high that day. Another thing to look out for is the LH/FSH ratio, a 2:1 (or even 3:1) ratio is a sign of PCOS.

Thanks ladies. Will post when i know more.

Ronniemipperton from what I know that sounds more like pcos.

Yes, provera will also induce a bleed. I had no side effects with it personally. Your other symptoms do scream of pcos. Polycystic ovaries, no periods, easy weight gain and increased hairiness are all very obvious symptoms. If your gp is not sympathetic I'd push for someone else. How long have you been TTC?

@looking4hope ah cool you are in London too :)
Yeah I've paid for a private consult, had some new bloods and scans privately too so am waiting until June 20th to see what my options are (and costs ouch) then my first NHS consult is June 28th so I'll take that information to them and hopefully not be turned away.

@ronniemipperton of course you are welcome on this thread! We are all here to help each other PCO, PCOS and everything in between with infertility, TTC, depression with this and anxiety. We have all got many things in common and can help each other

Thanks @ElizabethCatherine :)

@looking4hope - I didn't know thinning hair on scalp was a symptom but I have that as well! The consultant was so dismissive when I pointed out the symptoms I did know about - just said "well you think you've got everything when you start reading about it". So glad people are more understanding here :)

@Boggle - we've been half-arsedly ttc for about a year but it's been a bit lacklustre as I don't see much point when I'm showing no signs whatsoever of ovulating. I've seen about 8 different GPs about it, today's was NHS gynae and the least sympathetic of the lot. Hopefully the endocrinologist will be a bit less dismissive though I suspect the appointment won't be for months. I might go back to my GP in the meantime and see if they'll put me on Provera.

Ronnie I agree with everyone else. When I saw my consultant in April he said the same thing PCOS is just PCO but with the nasty symptoms on top (i.e. overweight, excess hair, irregular periods) you can have different degrees of the syndrome. If you aren't having regular periods, it's pretty likely you aren't ovulating. It's no good just sticking you on norethisterone or provera as it won't solve the underlying issue or help you conceive. Hopefully the endocrinologist will point you in the right direction but if not I'd push to get a fertility clinic referral.

FX for you barsons

So glad things are looking up and you are feeling so positive looking4hope and that's amazing news about your natural ovulation this month!! Sending positive vibes for you!!

CD8 for me, DH is working unsociable hours this week and we have a funeral in a few days. Not the best timing for my DTD days

Hi guys sorry been a bit Mia - sisters wedding on sat so gearing up for that
I think I had a positive opk today, what do you think?

ronniemipperton I agree with SLady, you should push for a fertility clinic referral based on all your symptoms (especially as you've only had a few periods) and the fact that you've been trying for a year. Unfortunately thinning hair is one of the things we need to struggle with... Sorry all the GPs you've seen weren't helpful, try to find one who listens and make your case. Where are you based?

SLady, thank you so much for the positive vibes. I was excited at first, now the pressure is on. I conceived really quickly last time (sadly ended in a MC), so my DP is so confident that it will happen quickly again, but I know that was a little miracle, so not too hopeful. Keeping an eye on EWCM like a crazy detective :)

Sorry to hear your DH is working crazy hours and you need to go to a funeral. Try to find some quiet time just for the two of you, maybe build up the excitement with texts throughout the day? Sending positive vibes and some baby dust your way!

HollyWollyDooDah, unfortunately that looks like a negative to me. The test line needs to be at least as dark as the control line. I hate OPKs, they can be so misleading, especially when you have PCOS. Hope you have an amazing time at your sister's wedding, so exciting!

Ok that's not good,
I haven't been opk'ing bevause they didn't ever show anything - just the control line.
This is the first one I've had two lines on.
I've had a few crampy moments which I've not had for years, which is why I tested.
I've got bloods due on Tuesday so will know then.
Fingers crossed gp will finally agree to refer xx

HollyWollyDooDah, maybe you indeed ovulated but just missed the LH surge? I've only done a few OPKs and I always get a faint line, so I don't really trust them. As long as you DTD a few times before and after you had cramps you should be fine. Fingers crossed the blood test shows you ovulated. Just don't focus on those pesky OPKs too much, enjoy DTD and be positive . When I got pregnant the OPKs were negative but I obviously ovulated...

To be honest I've not bothered with them
I did three months of them and never got even a sniff of a second line,
I'm hoping with everything crossed, although part of me wonders why I bother :( xx

Hi ladies - my first ever mumsnet post!

I am 30, newly TTC, and have had lots of inconclusive tests for PCOS over the years, with a general 'come back when you're TTC'. I had facial hair which seems to have settled down but have gained a bit of weight and my periods have slowed right down. They can be anything from 5.5 weeks to 4 months apart. I've had a LOT of stress in the past few months. Some blood tests suggest I've not ovulated despite being on day 60 ish of the current cycle. I am trying like mad to eat well, exercise, and to chart temperature etc, but I feel quite despondent.

The fact that a doc is involved even though I'm newly TTC is because I'm married to a woman, which makes me more apprehensive about it all since we can't just have a lot of sex and hope for the best!

So - what should I be asking? My family has a history of multiple births which makes me nervous about medication that could hyperstimulate my ovaries. Will losing weight really make a difference if I'm at the top of the 'healthy' BMI range? My GP is great but other posters advised not letting the GP treat? Anyway, argh generally, and looking forward to getting to know you all.