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!

@looking4hope thank you 💕 not long now!

Yeah I've had a Fitbit for years and I only started religiously using it last year and it's the best thing I've ever invested in!!!
It really motivates you to move!

Ok so I thought maybe I was in with a chance this month as felt different, extremely tender boobs, bloaty - three days late (cycle would've been 36 days)

Well obviously my body loves to mess with me - mother of god AF has arrived and bought some of her friends

So embarrassing today as I stood up I flooded (had maxi tampon in)
Luckily I'd got home and just ran straight up to the bathroom
Trousers soaked

Been very heavy all day - feel sick, bad cramps, cold, don't want to eat and achy

This is just a massive period isn't it?

Holly, I am really sorry about that. How are you feeling now? Do you normally have really heavy periods like that?

Several of my friends have now announced pregnancies within the last few days. I'm so pleased for all of them, and I do hope it won't be too long before I can make the same
Announcement. But sometimes it just feels so far away, and such a worrying journey with PCOS

HollyWollyDooDah, so sorry you had such an awful AF. If you've never had such a heavy period, you should definitely mention it to your consultant. I've always had very heavy, painful periods but I've only soaked my jeans once.

TheOneWithTheBaby I know how you feel. It seems every single lady on the train / tube / street etc. is pregnant, I see bumps everywhere and they're such a painful reminder of my inability to do one of the most basic things a woman is supposed to. You can tell I'm in a shitty mood, right? Here's a big hug and to cheer you up.

I've gone awol because my first Clomid cycle was unsuccessful despite having two big, juicy follicles and having a trigger shot. I know it's only the first cycle, but it was a bit of a blow as my period was late, so I was almost certain I was pregnant. Onwards and upwards I guess...

My fertility clinic doesn't want to check my tubes yet because I got pregnant once (had a MC). They might look into it if the first three Clomid cycles are unsuccessful. I wonder if this is standard practice or just a way to save money. I'm just worried that they are fully or partially blocked and I'm pumping all these hormones into me for nothing.

Looking4hope - Sorry your first cycle didn't go to plan, fingers cross for the next. Have you started the next cycle yet? I've have also been awol as my first two cycles didn't work, I was under the gynae and CD14 scan on cycle 2 showed larger follicles then annoyingly my period started on CD15.

HollyWollyDooDah - sorry to hear things AF has arrived like a biatch, hopefully the cramps and bleeding have calmed down a little now! Why do our bodies give us hope then let us down massively!

The gynae has said for me to switch to a fertility consultant so starting again - have my AMH test Monday then Saturday my ultrasound & DH semen test before seeing the consultant the same day. Feel petrified but excited.

I'm the same as you all, I keep seeing pregnant people everywhere and lots of family have announced in the last month! It's sooo hard isn't it like you said looking4hope, I just always feel so inadequate

Fingers crossed for some good news amongst us soon xxx

Thanks guys, I'm used to heavy bleeding but that was something else - soaked through a second maxi tampon and jeans a couple of hours after I changed the first time
It's all over and gone now

HollyWollyDooDah - glad it's all over with now.

It's looks like AF wants to make another appearance - CD21!!! What's going on, so confusing! X

@looking4hope sorry your first round of Clomid didn't work 😣
I'm surprised they're putting off testing your tubes until after the Clomid, seems strange to me! I've got my LAP in 4 days and my consultant is amazing (not rubbing it in) and has just got on with things! Also having HSG and dye test at the same time! Keep questioning and try get some answers, surely they can explain why they're doing it this way. As you say, the Clomid will be useless if they are blocked
Sending love 💕

Hope you're having a great weekend lovelies. I'm still in bed, with DH snoring happily next to me

intrigued2018 sorry you're having a rough time with that wonky period, but sounds like you're making progress. Fingers crossed your fertility consultant is nice and you'll get some answers. I'm a weirdo - I'm always looking forward to my appointments as it feels like I'm actually doing something.

xLauraa Your consultant sounds lovely, so happy things are progressing nicely. It's great you're having everything done in one go, it makes sense. I'll keep everything crossed on Tuesday (did I get it right?) for you.

I did try to push, but I was just told that it's the hospital's policy. I was expecting such a large, renowned hospital (UCH) to be different, but guess I was wrong. I actually looked into having a HSG privately, but I still need a refferal from a consultant

I'll try to push again if the second cycle is a fail as well.

I've started my second Clomid cycle (taking the last tablet, or as I call it, 'the pill of doom', this evening). I feel absolutely shattered, bloated and a bit sick, fun times. But trying to smile through it all and just get on with things.

This thread definitely needs some good news. Big hugs to all of you 🤗

@looking4hope. Did you get positive opks during your cycle? I'm getting myself all worked up because it's cd12 and my clearblue still have a blank O. I keep thinking it's not going to work because I'm a bit chunky lol.

Thanks Looking4hope - since Friday AF didn't end up showing up just had some spotting. I'm really trying to not get my hopes up that it was implantation bleeding as it was late CD21 and CD22 as I know how PCOS can do funny things. My boobs really ache as well though which I don't normally get. I'm sure AF will end up arriving just before the fertility appt next Saturday where I am having an ultrasound!

I'm hoping the consultant is lovely, my sister ended up having IVF last year due to problems with her DH and she said how lovely they were so fingers crossed. I am excited for next week but also nervous, as is DH for his test x

@looking4hope - wishing you luck with your final tablet and 2nd clomid cycle. Are you under a gynae or fertility consultant? Do you have blood tests and scans throughout x

Hi, I hope you don't mind me joining your thread? I'm needing a bit of support and advice.

A little bit about me. 31, Ttc #1 for nearly 7 years. Pcos. Had chemical/early miscarriage Jan 2017. I suspect I have an issue with low progesterone/a luteal phase defect as luteal phase only 10 days. Mentioned to nhs consultant several times, they don't seem to be worried it's only 10 days.

Tried 3 rounds of Clomid, ovulated once.

Started ovulation induction with injectibles in Feb, first cycle cancelled as grew massive cyst and had to wait two months for it to disappear.
Started again on a lower dose of menopur in April and had big juicy follicle on day 15. Had trigger shot. Temps shot up nicely.
Progesterone at 7dpo 27.2. Started spotting 8dpo and temperature dropped massively. Period started today at 10dpo.

I'm so gutted. Naively I thought this would work.

I have to phone the clinic tomorrow. Should I be asking about progesterone supplements for after Ovulation? How on earth can a fertilised egg implant if my lining is already starting to break down by 8dpo?

@looking4hope aw💕 yeah it is Tuesday! Thank you so much!
I know I've been super lucky. Which is why I feel bad when I am down etc....

I really hope you get somewhere. You seem to be keeping positive which is amazing!!

LookingAtTheStars89 I don't use OPKs as I always get a trigger shot when my follicles reach a certain size. I used them before, when I was TTC naturally, but gave up after a while as they're well-known for not working properly when you have PCOS. I was pregnant once and they failed to detect ovulation that time, so I no longer trust them CD12 can still be early, don't lose hope.

intrigued2018 Fingers crossed that you won't need that fertility appointment after all A few promising signs - I had implantation bleeding (a bit of pink spotting for a couple of days) when I got pregnant naturally and my boobs were killing me. But if somehow AF arrives, just think about the fact that you'll be in good hands. It's great your sis also used them, at least you know you made a good choice. Tell DH not to worry, mine was dreading it and it was all for nothing. You're a team no matter what

I'm under a fertility consultant. During the first cycle I got about 4 scans as they didn't know how I'd respond to Clomid and a progesterone test after ovulation. Now they're not as worried, so I only have a scan on Friday to check if there are any juicy follicles.

xLauraa Counting the hours until all these Clomid side effects disappear keeps me sane, ha ha. I have an amazing DH who always makes me laugh, so that helps.

Pugmummy87 Welcome to the thread but also sorry you're here... You're in good company though, we all understand what you're going through. So sorry about your chemical / MC

From my experience, UK doctors always dismiss luteal phase and progesterone issues. Definitely push for progesterone post-ovulation, maybe they'll listen. I just find it unbelievable how doctors elsewhere recommend progesterone supplements yet folk in the UK are really against them. Maybe print a few studies and bring them to your next appointment?

Hope you're treating yourself today and doing things you enjoy. You deserve it 🤗

@LookingAtTheStars89 how you getting on 💕

@xLauraa. The line on my digi looked a bit darker this morning but apparently they aren't readable. I saw one on a FB PCOS site last night and hers was an obvious positive on the inside.

I'm cd13 now. I still feel really warm, I don't know if that's a drug side effect or if I'm coming down with something.

How are you getting on?

@LookingAtTheStars89 yeah I have read that a lot of people judge by the inside!
I got a peak 2 days ago on the CB advanced OPK and the inside lines were dark!

Unfortunately DPs SA came back as "no sperm" so I'm feeling really low at the moment, what with the LAP tomorrow and what not 😭 it's just really hard isn't it!

@xLauraa Did you do your test using fmu? I feel like a massive failure that I can even get a bloody positive on an ovulation stick!

Sorry of I'm being thick but is that low sperm count or 0% morphology? I NEVER realised there were so many aspects of sperm! It's a shock, when you know you have female fertility issues you just imagine that you are the barrier to getting pregnant but when you find out your DH has an issue too it's like someone kicking you in the head. Will you have to have IVF? I have this niggly feeling I cant ignore that we are going to have to have IVF. I know we have a DD together but I just have this feeling that it was like a one off fluke kind of occurrence.

@LookingAtTheStars89 yeah I did! People do tend to test more during the day but CB doesn't work like that and it just buggers the test. You'll find that if you test during the day one day, for example, you'll probably only get flashing smiley for the rest of the month until AF! as it won't see a change in hormones!

I don't know yet 😣 our appt is 4th June , the letter literally just read "no sperm". Nothing further on it! So I have absolutely no idea!
I'm not sure if it would be possible to have IVF if there's no sperm?

xLauraa sending lots of love to you and your DP. Please don't lose hope, that SA test might just be a fluke. Based on what I know about SA tests (and I don't know an awful lot), results can vary a lot. They should, at a minimum, do a second SA. Stress and illness for example can have a huge negative impact on sperm production. You definitely need a second SA to confirm. Depending on the results of the second SA, he might need his hormones tested as it may be caused by an underlying hormonal condition (which more often than not, is easily fixed). Isn't there anyone you could talk to before the 4th June appointment?

In the meantime, please don't worry too much and try to focus on being as healthy as possible (both you and your DP). I assume you're already aware of the little things that can negatively impact sperm production (tight underwear, regular hot baths, alcohol, smoking etc.). Maybe get DP some fertility supplements as well?

As far as IVF in 'no sperm' cases is concerned, I think sperm can also be retrieved through surgery.

Someone once told me: instead of wasting energy on fretting about the unknown, focus on what you can do right now. Please take good care of you and always remember that you can do anything as long as you support each other 💕 I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

LookingAtTheStars89 fingers crossed you get a positive OPK soon. I might do some as well just to see how quickly after the trigger I end up ovulating. As far as I know Clearblue should always be done with FMU.

I know what you mean by 'massive failure', I feel the same most days. This infertility journey is bloody hard but we should be proud of ourselves no matter what

Hi Ladies,

Can I join back in, I am feeling utterly deflated! I haven't taken my last months clomid as i just can't face the disappointment again. I have had 8 clomid cycles in total and 6 i ovulated from but still nothing so show for them! :-( I have fell pregnant naturally twice before so I want to go it alone, they have said the next step is IVF but I don't feel ready for that yet. I have a 5 year old boy and one MMC. My DS asked me last night 'can i have a baby brother' and It killed me. I know he would make the best big brother!

Sorry for the negative post but I'm in a shit of a mood!

Are any of you ladies temping as well as using OPK's? I have read conflicting info with OPK's and PCOS saying they don't work so i was thinking if i could pin point ovulation via temping. Previous cycles i have had positive OPKS but still no BFP!

Hi Amy,

Welcome back!! Sorry to hear things haven't gone as expected and you feel so deflated. Fingers crossed things work out soon. How long have you been ttc? It is really hard when you get constant BFNs, PCOS just likes us all to have to try second guess our bodies which is near on impossible.

I used OPKs once but gave up after the first month as it was inaccurate and said I was ovulating day 2 into my cycle so gave up. My gynae dr also said how it's rarely works with PCOS so decided it wasn't worth it as didn't want anything else to get my hopes up unnecessarily.

I hope you are okay x

Thanks @intrigued2018 . Yes its just a shit one isn't it. We have been 'trying' for 3 years but it was my MMC back in Jan 17 which started the investigations which lead on to a PCOS diagnosis. So I've been on clomid since Aug last year on and off and i really thought i would be pregnant again by now. I agree with the OPKS, i don't feel like i can trust them. How are you getting on?