Thread 6 PCOS support

[Sunny1984]

Hey girls if I’ve done this right really hope to see you all here!

Wish I was more creative for a title this morning but my brain is mush!

@LookingAtTheStars89 I'm the exact same😂 absolutely terrible! I'm calming down now AF is here though (thank goodness)!
No I haven't but I will take a look at that today!

@looking4hope Well now that I've got permission from you.... 🤣😉 absolutely haha, although I'm feeling much better today. AF is a b*$%

They weren't too sure about waiting times as before Xmas there was hardly a wait, but Jan-Mar they stopped a lot of Ops due to infection in the hospitals or something so there's a back log! Hoping it's soon after Pre Op. The pain is bareable at the moment I'm over the worst, I have meds now for it so it's been better. It's awful isn't it, they say that period pain can be bad but shouldn't stop you from living your life on a daily basis!

That's such a shame, but it won't be forever! And you'll have earned yourself a nice long holiday somewhere HOT!☀️✈️

Yeah I guess it's about the majority, we still have to live our lives just the same as the next person. I'm currently getting into CrossFit, moving over from Powerlifting so I can get more Conditioning in. I've started running more and I walk a lot anyway - my weight just won't budge but I'm stopping weighing because I know I'm healthy. Ive just got more muscle mass which is why my BMI is on the higher side (still under 30) but they don't seem to care about that!

Hah don't worry because my posts are longer I'm sure 😂 #chatterbox

No worries, I'm a rubbish cook too but I'm ok following recipes. It's nice to try new things as I don't know about you but I sometimes get a bit repetitive with my food!!

Thanks @looking4hope I'm trying to get my head around what treatment is on offer so that's super helpful! I'm going to see my gp next month and see if they can offer me something to make my periods more regular. As at the moment I just feel like I have no idea what my cycles are up to.

Hope you're all having a great weekend. Have been a bit quiet because work was so hectic this week and we're on a weekend spa break that was booked months ago. Timing was perfect as this 2WW is making us both a bit crazy We keep switching from very hopeful to completely pessimistic and the wait is killing us.

HollyWollyDooDah, I don't think there's anything you can do as progesterone increases after ovulation, and there's nothing you can do that naturally triggers ovulation. This is the reality of PCOS, sorry I had to wait for over a year after my MC, so I know how it feels. Take it one day at a time. I used weight loss as something to focus on and put all my energy into changing my diet and doing lots of exercise because having a healthy baby is something I've wanted for years, so I feel it's worth it. We're here for you any time you need a rant

xLauraa CrossFit, wow. Well done! Now I'm imagining you're a bit like Popeye after all that Powerlifting, ha ha. I agree that any counting (calories, pounds etc.) is not a good idea, so you're doing all the right things. And don't get me started on this BMI thing, it's such a useless benchmark. All it matters is to be fit and healthy. Hope you're treating yourself this weekend

cake1987 Your GP might suggest Metformin if you haven't tried it yet, it works for some people by kickstarting their periods. I decided to go down the more natural route by taking inositol (tried both the cheap version that you can buy in bulk from online health shops and the expesive Inofolic, got it cheaper on eBay). My periods did become much more regular, but I was still not ovulating as they tested my progesterone a few times. Each person is different though, so maybe look into it?

@looking4hope 😂😂 not quite Popeye haha! That made me giggle! But yeah the BMI thing is ridiculous, especially as it's hard enough to drop weight (ie on the scale) as it is with the PCOS. my weight is just up and down it's ridiculous.
I sure did treat myself! Ate lots of carbs last night (Thai food) but I feel fine this morning which I'm thankful for!
Fingers crossed in this 2WW for you.

No TTC this cycle for me as my LAP is in 2 weeks EEK!!

@HollyWollyDooDah Sorry you are feeling rubbish. Are you on medication ? Metformin or Clomid? My progesterone was low and then raised to 62 on clomid....still no BFP though!!

I am having a really shitty time, currently on CD34 , Had a positive OPK on CD14 after plenty of EWCM so was excited this was my month. Previous cycles AF has started exactly 14 days after + OPK but now i am 20 dpo and 2 BFN tests!!! next month is my last cycle on clomid and then that's it! The consultant has advised next step would be IVF but i don't feel ready for that. I have a 5 year old son who was conceived completely naturally so we wouldn't be eligible for funding. I hate how much TTC has effected me. My BMI is 29 so i know that could have a big impact but the more down i feel the more i eat so its a vicious cycle!

I am turning 30 tomorrow and I was adamant I would be pregnant by now :-(

@AmyL88 no I'm not allowed it until my bmi is below 30,
It's currently 37 so I have something like 3 stone to lose

I'm on the verge of just giving it all up - will be nearly four years of ttc soon
I'm 30 this year too and adamant I didn't want to start kids after 30

sigh

Ok so my story is this so far. I do have a high bmi 28.7. At my AFC scan the consultant said it was consistent with pcos, I had all my hormone tests and they came back normal. I do not have any of the symptoms and I ovulate and my AF is regular albeit 32 days. The consultant who did the scan is adamant I have pcos. Anyone else been there?

@HollyWollyDooDah Can you push for Metformin? It helps with the weight loss. I have lost 1 stone this year on slimming world and really need to get another stone off to feel a little more comfortable. Its so hard isn't it when weight is a factor!

@AniSL I am similar to you, BMI is 29. I get regular periods although they vary between 32 - 40 days. Deffo can ovulate as i have one child already and fell pregnant last year which ended in a MMC. It was only then I found out i had PCOS after a scan. Your cycle at 32 days is in the 'normal' range. Is he basing the PCOS on your scans or what? How long have you been TTC?

Hi AmyL88, yes the consultant who did the scan said because I have multiple small follicles, the pattern is consistent with pcos. My gynae instructed all the normal hormone tests to get confirmation but everything came back normal. No other symptoms either.
Ours is a MF issue. Quite confused

@AmyL88 no they don't use it anymore apparently there's been studies done and nice no longer recommend as it doesn't do what they thought it did

Talk about uphill struggle

@HollyWollyDooDah Oh bloody hell i didnt know that. I was only prescribed it in Feb! Have you looked into acupuncture?

@AniSL Yes i was advised the same off the back of having lots of small follicules. What are your options with the MF?

@AmyL88 no I haven't - is there a site that can recommend places or how do you find out about these things? I live in a rural village that has a post office and that's it!
I can go to the local town which does have an alternative therapy place but I'm always a bit cautious as there are so many dodgey people out there

I've really appreciated the diet advice here. Thanks again everyone!

I have cut out carbs completely in the evening. Not during breakfast and lunch yet but I'm really trying. And I'm trying to keep my snacking at bay. I have packed nuts as advised and sometimes eat a couple of those.
Lost 2 pounds in 2 weeks. I know that's not much but better down than up I guess.

This feels like such a lovely journey somehow. All my friends are announcing pregnancies or have babies and I feel a bit disheartened that my ovaries don't want to work. I think I'm annoying DH sometimes when talking about it, but I find it hard not to get obsessed.

AmyL88 we are about to start ICSI IVF with SSR in Greece in the next few weeks. The clinic didn't think much of the small follicles given all the other tests came back normal.

I have lost 12kg in the last year concentrating on a high vegetable protein diet. Looking to lose more before we head off for egg collection

@TheOneWithTheBaby down is deffo better than up! Every little helps and the slower you lose it the more likely you are to keep it off! Keep going 🎉

@TheOneWithTheBaby I think it's all relative
I lost two stone in 7 months on slimming world but I have it to lose
My mum struggles with dieting because she doesn't have much to lose therefore it comes off more gradually

Thanks Laura and Holly.

Thing is I could do with losing quite a few stone and know I need to get my act together. But I do feel it's a good start and will take it from here. Now need to start exercise as well.

@TheOneWithTheBaby make walking your best friend 😊

xLauraa, it's great you only have to wait two more weeks. I'll keep everything crossed that you'll get good news and you'll recover quickly.

TheOneWithTheBaby well done, very good progress! Slowly and steady, with gradual changes, is definitely better as you're more likely to keep the weight off. Very good start, you should feel proud. 🎉

AniSL I definitely have PCOS and all my hormone tests have always been normal. As far as I know you need to meet at least two out of three criteria: multiple small follicles on ovaries / enlarged ovaries, an excess of androgens (excess facial or body hair, scalp hair loss, acne etc.) and a menstrual dysfunction (lack of or irregular periods, lack of ovulation etc.). Sounds like you're in good hands, so don't worry about it. Best of luck with the ICSI!

AmyL88 sorry you're having such a shitty time. We've all been there. So is this your 5th Clomid cycle? Would taking a break before the 6th cycle work? Just to try to enjoy life for a while, relax and not have to constantly think about TTC. Maybe book a nice family holiday? A holiday always does wonders for me.

xLauraa TheOneWithTheBaby I second that, walking is the best way to start moving. I do long walks during my lunch breaks and try to do more than 10k steps every day. When I started my weight loss journey, I got a cheap fitness tracker (£20) from China, a good way to keep track of progress.

Thanks looking4hope

I do wonder if they just assume because you are overweight and have multiple follicles that you must have pcos.

My sis in law showed me her scan report, way more small follies than me but pcos was never mentioned to her.

AniSL I guess it depends on the medical professional, some mistakenly associate PCOS with weight issues but you can be slim and still have PCOS, so there's no hard and fast rule. Throughout my infertility journey, I was surprised to see that very few doctors (let alone GPs) know an awful lot about this condition.

Does anyone else get hair on their neck?! I have really obvious black hairs on mine that I have to get rid of every day!!

LookingAtTheStars89 not on my neck, but I struggle with excess hair anywhere else - chin and upper lip in particular. In addition to my obnoxious thick black hairs on my legs that seem to grow with the speed of light. I've resigned that I'll never have silky smooth legs. My nickname is 'Grizzly Bear'