Nervous about GP app

[owlalwaysloveyou]

Hi, I've been TTC unsuccessfully with likely early miscarriage late last year. I'm one of those people who is easily made to feel ridiculous/hypochondriac/time wasting as although I'm young I have had various health issues. I'm pretty unassertive in my entire life if I'm honest.
I have an upcoming GP appointment due to struggling to conceive. I have irregular cycles since coming off birth control and not much luck with opks (clearblue advanced two peak in 10 months using them). I think it's possible I have PCOS (irregularity of cycle, unexplained weight gain in late teens, excess facial hair) and would like the doctor to take me seriously and try to help me! I've been having pelvic pain both sides most days for months with no rhyme nor reason to why (no change in pain or predictability around cycle, sex, toilet, exercise, foods).
How do I word these issues without rambling on as much or being dismissed as a time waster? I feel so guilty as my husband was ready to start our family after my last contraceptive implant was removed, however we agreed on a further three years now we are struggling and I'm afraid it won't happen.

I would write down what you want to discuss and all your cycle information. How long have you been ttc for? When I went for my first appointment after 14 months of no success I took the following information:
Cycle length average days
Average length of bleed and how heavy and consistency
Any period pain cramps or mod cycle pain
Any vitamins or supplements
How often we were having sex and when in the cycle
Diet information
How much exercise I did
How much I alcohol I drank
Family history.

I think this helped the doctor take me seriously. I’m afraid to say you might need to be assertive to make sure they don’t fob you off. Money is so tight in the nhs is easy to say ‘oh keep trying’. I’m lucky my doctors are pretty good but I definitely think going armed with information helps. It also helps to have it written down any questions you want to ask.

Even if you were not ttc your GP should still be investigating if you’re having irregular cycles and pain - those are both things that should be checked out. I agree with PP that making a list is probably a good idea - I have done that too if I’m a bit anxious about an appointment. Make sure you mention the pain and irregular cycles and not just the ttc, and that should avoid any chance of being told to go away and try for longer.

You said you’re young, so it doesn’t sound like there’s any reason to worry that you’ve left it too late. And if you do have PCOS there are treatments available that can really help, so try not to worry too much. Going to the GP is a positive step - hope it goes really well for you 😊

Thanks so much for the ideas, I'll make lists of these things to just take with me and tick off as I mention them if need be! Ttc on it's own taking a while(although a year admittedly isn't long in grand scheme of things) but the lack of ovulation and pain is my main stresses I suppose. I've been using two tracker apps (ovia and glow) religiously so hopefully these help show cycles and frequency of BDing simply enough. Thanks again I think I'll be less nervous going in armed with my paperwork ha.

@owlalwaysloveyou armed with info sounds good.

You should be investigated if pains nd not sure if ovulating.

The other thing I did before I went in was to look at my CCG guidelines on what criteria someone needs to fulfil to be referred from the GP. Helps you know where you stand.

Good luck

Hope you don't mind me jumping on OP? I have my 1st GP appointment next week after 14 months ttc #1. Feeling mixed, nervous because it's like admitting there might be something wrong but also feeling better that we're actually doing something.

I'll have look online about guidelines etc before I go. Appointment not til 14th but I prefer to be prepared. Thanks, I definetely wouldn't have thought of that and just trusted whatever they said at time then possibly went away researched and been annoyed!

Of course not, it's always good (I can't think of more appropriate word?)when you see you're not alone, makes me feel more validated in my worry I suppose. And I know what you mean, it only makes sense to be proactive about it but emotions try get in the way of logic!

Only other thing I just thought of @owlalwaysloveyou is I took my husband to my appointment.

It meant we got his sperm text organised too, useful to have a second set of ears and shows your super serious.

That's interesting hoping because my DH was going to make an appointment too it I wonder if we should just go together

Husband is at different gp practice to me but I think the main issue is with me at least presently. If I'm not ovulating his sperm health is kind of a moot point just now hopefully it won't come to having to have him tested. I've just started on My Ova tablets as I've read about it helping regulate cycles for a lot of people but I'm not sure I'll mention this as they may then say oh continue that for x amount of time to get rid of me. I've been taking folic acid at average dose since 3 months before starting ttc then prescription 5mg dose since stopping contraception as I have minor spina biffida so it's recommended I have increased dose to reduce chance of passing it on. Is there anything else I should/could be taking or doing in meantime? Thanks again for the advice it's been really helpful.

I would really recommend getting your husband tested too. I thought I was the problem - I have ridiculously light periods, thyroid problems and then was found to have high prolactin and high fsh. Turns out though DH was the sticking point and none of my issues.

If it turns out your DH has no sperm then what your cycles doing is a complete moot point as you'd need ivf and you've wasted months trying to sort your cycles.

GP listened to my concerns and I've to go back for a cycle day 21 hormone check and they'll take it from there. Hope all went well for you merrz