PCOS - can anyone offer any advice??

[candmash]

Hi,

I have PCOS and have been ttc for nearly 2 years. I was put on clomid for 2 months but after scan it showed that it was not working, therefore, i was put on metformin as well as clomid. I have now been on both tablets for 6 months and have not got regular periods. My cycle is approx 60 days and have no idea when or if i ovulate. Any ideas on how to tell? I am due to have the ovarian drilling procedure in the near future, can anyone tell me anything more about this and if there is any success stories? I am feeling so low at the moment and i suppose it has a lot to do with the tablets, but would really appreciate some positive feedback.

Sorry to hear you're feeling low candmash. TTC sucks sometimes. During the last six months has no one tested if you're ovulating or not? If they are still 60 days on Clomid it seems more likely that you're not, but you never know! If you want to find out yourself if you're ovulating the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a must ( www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Reproductive/dp/0091887585 ).

As for the ovarian drilling, I've read about lots of positive outcomes from it. You may find this site useful if you don't know it already:

www.verity-pcos.org.uk - the discussion boards in particular.

thanks for the links, lucysnowe. They tested me on the 1st month to see if i was ovulating and nothing showed and the nurse said it was pointless me taking clomid as it was not going to work at all. my consultant then put me on metformin as well as clomid for another 5 months and they will not test again!!! So, i have no idea when or if i am ovulating. ihave tried the ovulation sticks but have never had a smiley face and i tested myself everyday for a whole cycle. (v.expensive) I was going to try taking temperature but not sure if i can remember to take it every morning.

things would be so much better if i knew when i was ovulating.

I will have a look at the links you gave me, thanks.

Hi Candymash. Sorry that you are feeling so down. I have PCOS and was trying for 2 years then lost the baby at 7 weeks. It took another year and a bit of tests where I was diagnosed with PCOS. I had the ovarian drilling before they started me on clomid and caught on the first cycle. I would really recommend the op. Its uncomfortable afterwards for a few days, but nothing to worry about. I also went on the low GI diet as PCOS produces insulin resistence, and used metformin. It seemed to be a combination of the op, metformin, clomid and low GI that did it. I was tested on day 11 and day 14 when I had internal scans to monitor the production of eggs and also had bloods on day 21.
A friend of mine started on a lower dose of clomid and needed it increased as it was not working and her little girl is one in a month. Keep asking questions, don't be afraid. Be pushy. If I can help further let me know. Good luck!

I have PCOS and had Ovarian Drilling twice. It's done during a laparoscopy procedure (ie keyhole surgery), so you will be under General Anaesthetic. It's a minor procedure and recovery time is 3 or 4 days. I then had a few more months of Clomid and Metformin (horrible drug, yucky side effects, so you probably are feeling low because of it) but unfortunately I was a tough case and completely Clomid resistant. I basically was (and still am) anavulatory - I don't ovulate (or very, very rarely). I finally conceived my DD after 2 cycles of IUI, when I injected myself with Menopur to stimulate the ovaries.

You absolutely need to know if you are ovulating or not on Clomid, as it is not something that you can take for prolonged periods. I'm amazed that your Consultant won't do blood tests to do this - I would challenge him / her on this. I personally would not use Ovulation Predictor kits, as they are not really suitable for the erratic cycles that PCOS sufferers have.

You can also find lots of information and support on www.fertilityfriends.co.uk They have boards for Clomid and PCOS!

Oh yes, also highly recommend the GI diet - it is absolutely ideal for PCOS sufferers and I was following it before I finally fell pregnant (2 years in total). Just to add - I also stayed on Metformin through my IUI, so it was probably also a contributory factor. Hope this helps!

GI worked for me too, BTW!

Like Tatty I find it amazing that you've not been tested since the first cycle. From what I've read on the PCOS site it's very common for women not to ovulate on the first cycle of Clomid because it sometimes takes a while to 'kick in'.

thanks for all your responses, it really helps to hear of success stories. I tried to get the hospital to test again to see if i had ovulated but they said that they only test once. I was expecting them to say that it hadnt worked this month but will test you again next month!!!!

I only get to see my consultant every 4/6 months and in between appointments I have tried calling the department for answers to certain things and there is no one there to help, so I feel so alone for the months in between. I have managed to lose a stone since christmas which owt to help but will look more into the GI to help further. I dont class myself as too overweight but it cant help to lose another stone.

georgiegirl15 - can i ask what dose of clomid was you on as you mentioned that your friend was on a lower dose. i take 50g 2x daily for the 5 days.

I will certainly be looking into the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' as a few of you have recommended it.

FWIW I would try to get a copy of your notes and see a private consultant at one of the better infertility clinics. Our first appointment (over an hour long) was well worth the £120 we spent and we came out having a much better idea of treatments available and long term prognosis. And surprisingly they were very happy, and positively advocated, working alongside the NHS so we didn't have to pay for drilling for example.

I'm pretty much anovulatory so in the end we had our 2 dcs through 4 courses of IVF.

Hi Candy, she started on the lower dose I was on 50mg. It was then increased to 100mg for her which worked! Keep us informed and good luck.
BTW is there anyone such as a ward sister that you can talk to? What about your GP? Is s/he supportive? Perhaps they can recommend someone to talk to? It is worth seeing a private consultant if you can. I was really lucky and saw our nhs consultant within a few weeks of being referred as there was a very short waiting list. Good luck

Hi Thanks for all your replies, it really helps get thro the bad days. Life is always just waiting for the next appointment. My next appointment has been changed from the 13th March to the 25th March, not mcuh differenece, I know, but when you have been waiting months for the appointment and you get your head around the date, it is like a goalpost, then someone moves it and it disrupts things slightly. I will keep you updated. thanks again

I would echo what Lucy said about Verity- it's been brilliant for information and support when ttc with PCOS.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk/board