PCOS Thread

[MChap]

Hi Michelle and all the other wonderful PCOS ladies,

I received DH's S/A results yesterday and the news was excellent. She didn't give me exact numbers but she said he was above the normal range in count and they were good strong swimmers. A least something sounds good for a change.

Today is cycle day 65. My physician called in a script for Provera to jump start the process, but DH doesn't want me to start it until after vacation. He said "Do you really want to be worrying about AF while at the beach?" I know it would be a major hassle, but it is one step closer to the ultimate goal. Anyone have the Provera work before the 10 days of pills are finished?

As for my weight gain, she is ordering a fasting/insulin test for when we return. Maybe that will shed some light on it. Also, she doesn't feel the need to do much monitoring during the first 3 months of Clomid, she just said to call if I have any pain or unusual side effects. Should that be a red flag?

As for the chin hair, I like the sugaring process. It doesn't hurt as much as waxing and the hair should come in finer after several appointments. I have had two so far and I don't notice much difference, but I will remain cautiously optimistic.

I use Murad for the acne. They have a nice system and it works pretty well when followed properly. I have had to get away from it for the last week because of the sun exposure warnings; I don't want to have a bad reaction at the beach.

Hopefully I will get one more chance to check in before we leave. However, if I don't have an awesome week and tons of baby dust to all of you!

Thanks Again!
Maria

STC MC #1 8/07 New PCOS diagnosis Clomid 50 mg to follow

[Xevy]

Maria,

Glad the S/A results are good!

I will write more later! I hope you are having a blast on your vacation!

Michelle

[Xevy]

Story about a women STC w/ PCOS

http://www.babyzone.com/mom_dad/wome...h/pcos/a1275/1

[happilymarried]

That's a great story to share xevy!

[BabyHopes]

Ok. I'm posting in here to see if any of you have had similar symptoms. I have not been diagnosed with anything yet. We have been TTC for 1 year. During that time, I've had very long and irregular cycles. During all but 2 of them, I have gotten a positive OPK and then AF came around 14 days later. I have low progesterone- likely from weak ovulation. My doc mentioned a LPD once- due to low progesterone and spotting during LP. I have had 3 suspected early miscarriages. I have had bad acne since a couple of months after getting off the pill. I've gained about 10 pounds since getting of BCP (some of that may have been 1 month of Clomid), which puts me about 20 pounds over ideal weight. For the last 2 cycles I have had lower back pain that last until mid-cycle (long after AF ends). I have also had gastrointestinal problems for the past year (abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc.) So bad that docs thought it was galstones, but never showed up on u/s. Also, I was on depo for 1 year around 5 years ago and bled the entire time I was on it. I have a sneaking suspicion that this has something to do with my problems now. Lastly, infertility.

I'm thinking maybe endometriosis or PCOS. I have an appt. with my doc on June 20th, because I'd like to know what is causing these symptoms. Up until this point, my doc has been concerned with getting me pregnant and not really finding out was is wrong. I'm a little concerned about this. Oh, I should say that she did check my LH/FSH levels and they were OK. Also checked thyroid, fasting glucose and insulin and they were OK too. What other tests should be done?

Thanks Ladies!

[Xevy]

Ok. I'm posting in here to see if any of you have had similar symptoms. I have not been diagnosed with anything yet. We have been TTC for 1 year. During that time, I've had very long and irregular cycles. During all but 2 of them, I have gotten a positive OPK and then AF came around 14 days later. I have low progesterone- likely from weak ovulation. My doc mentioned a LPD once- due to low progesterone and spotting during LP. I have had 3 suspected early miscarriages. I have had bad acne since a couple of months after getting off the pill. I've gained about 10 pounds since getting of BCP (some of that may have been 1 month of Clomid), which puts me about 20 pounds over ideal weight. For the last 2 cycles I have had lower back pain that last until mid-cycle (long after AF ends). I have also had gastrointestinal problems for the past year (abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc.) So bad that docs thought it was galstones, but never showed up on u/s. Also, I was on depo for 1 year around 5 years ago and bled the entire time I was on it. I have a sneaking suspicion that this has something to do with my problems now. Lastly, infertility.

I'm thinking maybe endometriosis or PCOS. I have an appt. with my doc on June 20th, because I'd like to know what is causing these symptoms. Up until this point, my doc has been concerned with getting me pregnant and not really finding out was is wrong. I'm a little concerned about this. Oh, I should say that she did check my LH/FSH levels and they were OK. Also checked thyroid, fasting glucose and insulin and they were OK too. What other tests should be done?

Thanks Ladies!

Welcome babyhopes! Wow...sounds like you could have one or both (PCOS of endo). Have you had a pelvic u/s done, what about DHEA and testosterone levels checked? Just an FYI....I had all my labs checked my my first GYN and I was told they were all normal too...not saying this is the case for you...but sometimes it does not hurt to get a second opinion. Esp. since PCOS is the leading cause of infertility and it is often misdiagosed. Did you read the article I posted a few posts up?

They can check your ovaries and your endo lining with the u/s. If they suspect you have endo they may want to do a biopsy of your endometrium.

Oh..they can also check yout HA1C...this will tell the docs if you have insulin issues-this shows how well your sugars have been controlled over a longer period of time.

Good luck with your appt....and of course the only way to know is to get checked out and if you are told that you are okay and nothing is wrong, but you suspect that something is still wrong...get another opinion.

How long have you been TTC? Have you thought about seeing an RE?

Good luck!
Michelle

[BabyHopes]

Thanks Xevy! Those are all great suggestions! We have been TTC for 1 year. I am seeing an RE. We start IUIs with Clomid in August. I guess we will be able to see my ovaries and uterine lining on the CD14 u/s during our August Clomid/IUI cycle, but I'd hate to wait until that cycle and then find out something is wrong and we needed to do something else. KWIM?

Thanks again!

[Xevy]

Thanks Xevy! Those are all great suggestions! We have been TTC for 1 year. I am seeing an RE. We start IUIs with Clomid in August. I guess we will be able to see my ovaries and uterine lining on the CD14 u/s during our August Clomid/IUI cycle, but I'd hate to wait until that cycle and then find out something is wrong and we needed to do something else. KWIM?

Thanks again!

Yeah KWUM! So, has DH had an S/A? Cannot remember if you said he had one or not! When did you start seeing the RE? I am suprised they did not do an u/s on your first consult or that you have not had one at all. Have you mentioned your concerns with him about endo and PCOS?

[savoy_rose]

I was on femara and progesterone for 5 days to boost the whole progesterone deal and then was told to take metformin about 2 mths ago. I had an HSG done and nothing seems to be wrong so I got pissed and quit taking everything cus I was fed up. I know bad attitude , I dont have PCOS but they were treating it like I did. so i dont get it, should i keep taking metformin till I get a BFP??

[Xevy]

I was on femara and progesterone for 5 days to boost the whole progesterone deal and then was told to take metformin about 2 mths ago. I had an HSG done and nothing seems to be wrong so I got pissed and quit taking everything cus I was fed up. I know bad attitude , I dont have PCOS but they were treating it like I did. so i dont get it, should i keep taking metformin till I get a BFP??

Why did they put you on metformin and what is your diagnosis of infertility?

[BabyHopes]

DH did have a S/A. His results were: Count 171.6 mil; Motility 47%; Total Motile 80.7 million; Morphology 2%.
I think that they probably haven't done a u/s because my insurance doesn't cover anything related to infertility. My doctor's appt. tomorrow is with my OBGYN and I'm hoping that she will do one and code it as something else.

[AndreaDay]

Okay so I took Femara on CD3-7, so when am I supposed to BD or ovulate for that matter. I am so bad at timing everything. I am just BDing every two days just to be sure, but FF says that I am fertile CD14-16 and am supposed to ovulate CD17-29??? That seems out-of-whack to me...what do you think? Any ideas or responses are very much appreciated!

[happilymarried]

FF says that I am fertile CD14-16

To be safe I would start BDing CD10 thru CD19. I would recommend OPKs so that you will have a better idea of when you get a surge. When you get the + than it says you will O 12-48 hrs later. But I seem to O the say night I get the +. You want to bd before the O so that the sperm is waiting for the egg. Good luck!!

[AndreaDay]

Oh okay, that is great! It looks like I'm going to have to hit up the store for some OPKs! Thanks for the advice and for the luck!

Andrea

[Xevy]

DH did have a S/A. His results were: Count 171.6 mil; Motility 47%; Total Motile 80.7 million; Morphology 2%.
I think that they probably haven't done a u/s because my insurance doesn't cover anything related to infertility. My doctor's appt. tomorrow is with my OBGYN and I'm hoping that she will do one and code it as something else.

Hello! Since the morphology is only 2% are you going to do IUI. I have heard that vitamins can help with morphology issues. Ask around on the boards...oh..wait...here is the name of a vitamin that some of the gals DH use pycenogenol. You can get it at GNC and most vitamin stores. Did you end of having an u/s? I hope so!

[Xevy]

Oh okay, that is great! It looks like I'm going to have to hit up the store for some OPKs! Thanks for the advice and for the luck!

Andrea

How long are your cycles generally? You can start using OPK's on CD11. Did your RE give you a lil sheet when to use OPKs and BD? Good luck

[BabyHopes]

Yes. 1st IUI in August. DH is taking fertility vitamins (FertilAId)
I didn't get an ultrasound. Dr. seemed pretty sure it wasn't PCOS due to LH/FSH ratio. She's thinking more endo and wants me to have a laparoscopy by my RE. I shoud hear something back from her on Monday.

[MChap]

Hi Michelle and the other PCOS ladies,

Hello! Vacation was a blast! We returned last evening and are now trying to recuperate I can happily say AF arrived on day 71 on her own; I had planned to begin the Provera once we got back, but I am glad I didn't have to go that route. My first round with Clomid begins Tuesday, I am to take it days 5-9. On what day should I begin the OPK's? Should we BD every other day or every day? How long should this cycle be? Will it be the coveted "28" days or longer?

I am going for a fasting insulin test tomorrow. Can I still take my vitamins in the morning or should I wait until after the exam? Is there an ideal time for the test?

By the way, Michelle, thanks for posting that excellent PCOS article! I sent the article to a few people who are confused about what I am experiencing.

I look forward to your thoughts!

Also, good luck Andrea! Tons of baby dust to you!

Thanks again,
Maria

STC MC #1 8/07 New PCOS diagnosis Clomid 50 mg to follow

[BabyHopes]

Hi MCHap,
I took Clomid on CD 5-9 and was told to BD every other day from CD10-CD18. Once you get the positive OPK, you can switch to every day if there are no male fertility issues. I would start OPKs on CD10 too. Your cycle should be shorter this time. I had very long cycles and the first month I was on Clomid I ovulated on CD14 and had a 28 day cycle. Good luck to you!

[tylers_mom29]

Hello ladies,

I am new to the group. I found this after doing some research on Femara. I was recently dx with PCOS Here's a "little" about me.

I hope that you like to read books because I like to write them. My DH and I have been married for almost 10 years. We have known each other almost all of our lives. We dated after we graduated from high school. We got married and 6 months after that we started TTC. I came off of BCP and didn't have a AF for 4 months. I went to my GYN and he put me on Provera. I had an AF in April, 1 in May and POW was PG in June.

Everything seemed to be running smooth. I was 16 wks and had the AFP test done. It came back positive for DS. I had an amino and everything came back normal. At 20wks I had an u/s that showed that my son had severe Hydocephalus (extra fluid on the brain). My dr sent me to a specialist and he said that there was nothing to do but wait, or have an abortion. With that out of the question... I started doing research day and night. A friend of my mom's told me about a website that had info about fetal surgery. I went to it and emailed a doctor that preforms surgery on babies inutero in Nashville Tn. To make a very long story short. I was choosen to go to Nashville to have tests run to see if we were able to have surgery.

After a few days of tests, we were able to have surgery. Tyler was the 2nd baby to ever have this type of surgery done! They put a shunt in his brain to drain the excess fluid off of his brain. Again, long story short....

A miracle happened that day. In the days to come, the surgery had worked. The fluid levels were starting to come down. Things were looking good. Until.. I had a clot in my placenta and was in labor. Tyler was born at 27wks gest. He weighed 2lbs 0oz. He was in the NICU for 5 1/2 months. After 13 surgeries, he finally got to come home. Today Tyler is 7 1/2. He is considered medically fragile. He has lung disease, Addison's Disease (adrenal disorder), seizures, mild CP and hydrocephalus. Tyler has had 29 surgeries ( I could list them all, but we would be here all night) Tyler is truly a miracle. I wouldn't trade him for anything. I guess you could say that I am the only person that you will meet that has had 2 c-sections within a week of each other.... yes that was fun. But at least it has made me a really strong woman!

After all of that said.... My DH and I started to think about having another baby. 2 years ago both of my bestfriends were pg and the same time. It was very hard for me. I long for a baby soooo bad. So we figured we were both on the same tune. In the past either I was ready and he wasn't or just the oposite. We are finally on the same tune and we have had 0 success.

We have been trying for 1 1/2 years. I was recently dx with PCOS. I had the battery of blood work and u/s. My new GYN told me that I have the "curse of the black pearls." He is so funny....

He put me on Metformin 2000mg/day. My insulin test showed that my fasting insulin level was 24. Which isn't horrible, but at least he could put me on something to help.

My DH and I have been on the South Beach Diet since Jan and I have lost 32lbs. I have kind of hit a wall with it though. I just can't seem to loose anymore.

My dr also put me on Prometirum-200mg X10 days. I got my AF on Tuesday. I was so excited until Wednesday. I started hurting so bad I almost was in tears. I have never hurt that bad. By Thurs I was flooding so bad that from Wed to Thurs I used a WHOLE box of tampons! I went back to the doctor on Friday to make sure that my hemoglobin and bp were ok. Thank GOD they were.

I was supposed to start my first round of Femara 2.5mg days 5-9, but because of all of the blood we figured it wasn't a good idea!

Hopefully next month I will have an AF and won't have to take Prometrium and I can start Femara. I am so excited. I just have to keep knowing that this is part of GOD's plan!

I hope you haven't gotten too bored reading this! Have a great week!

TTFN

Kelly-29 PCOS Mark-30

We need some baby dust!

[BabyHopes]

Wow. What a beautiful story. Welcome and good luck!

[Xevy]

Hey girls...sorry I have been MIA for a few days...I will not be on much this week either...cept maybe tonight...we have family in town for my dad's b-day and by lil bro is getting married this week...so I am busy with that and work. I will try to catch up tonight if I have some down time! Hope all is well

Michelle

[MChap]

Hello Ladies,

Tyler's Mom, Welcome! Everyone here is truly amazing and full of information for us newbees. Lot's of luck to you!

Baby Hopes, Thanks for the information. DH is fine, so he will be more than pleased with the extra BDing

Is there a good time to take the Clomid to reduce the likeliness of symptoms? Should I take it with food?

Michelle, Wow! You are busy! Have a great week!

Thanks,
Maria

[AndreaDay]

How long are your cycles generally? You can start using OPK's on CD11. Did your RE give you a lil sheet when to use OPKs and BD? Good luck

Well to be honest Michelle they're really not reliable enough to count on. I had just started TTC again after a much needed break for DH and I. But in May my cycle was 37 Days (3 days of AF) and this month is to be continued (5 days of AF), and the last time before May was September of '07. So you see, I can never really tell...which makes it so hard for me to rely on OPK's and FF altogether.

I was even going to buy the CBEFM but I heard that with PCOS it does not record your ovulation correctly. I'm not sure exactly where I've read it but it was on more than one website. I also cannot tell with my cervical mucous because some days it will be EWCM and then sticky the next...which does not make sense, and most of the time it's an abundance (sorry for the TMI) of EWCM and it lasts throughout the entire month.

I'm just weird and so is my body, I only hope that one day I will be able to make sense of it. So here's to hoping!

***And if you (Michelle) or anyone else has any suggestions please, please, please voice them to me! I am pretty much desperate and open for trying anything!!!***

Thank you,

Andrea

[BabyHopes]

I took the Clomid before I went to bed to sleep through the symptoms. It seemed to work pretty well for me!

[Xevy]

Yes. 1st IUI in August. DH is taking fertility vitamins (FertilAId)
I didn't get an ultrasound. Dr. seemed pretty sure it wasn't PCOS due to LH/FSH ratio. She's thinking more endo and wants me to have a laparoscopy by my RE. I shoud hear something back from her on Monday.

Glad to hear that it is not PCOS. Have you scheduled your endo lap yet? Sorry if you answered this already somewhere else...I have not been on here a lot in the last couple of days!

[Xevy]

Hi Michelle and the other PCOS ladies,

Hello! Vacation was a blast! We returned last evening and are now trying to recuperate I can happily say AF arrived on day 71 on her own; I had planned to begin the Provera once we got back, but I am glad I didn't have to go that route. My first round with Clomid begins Tuesday, I am to take it days 5-9. On what day should I begin the OPK's? Should we BD every other day or every day? How long should this cycle be? Will it be the coveted "28" days or longer?

I am going for a fasting insulin test tomorrow. Can I still take my vitamins in the morning or should I wait until after the exam? Is there an ideal time for the test?

By the way, Michelle, thanks for posting that excellent PCOS article! I sent the article to a few people who are confused about what I am experiencing.

I look forward to your thoughts!

Also, good luck Andrea! Tons of baby dust to you!

Thanks again,
Maria

STC MC #1 8/07 New PCOS diagnosis Clomid 50 mg to follow

Maria,

Glad you had a nice vaca! Woo-hoo AF came on her own? Great news!

So you took your 1st dose of Clomid yesterday? Well, you can start doing OPK's around CD11 or 12. You should O 5-8 (10) days after your last dose of Clomid.

How are the results of your fasting BG?

Sorry I have been MIA...I prolly will be MIA until next week. My brother is getting married this weekend and we are super busy!

Well...better run!

[Xevy]

Hello ladies,

I am new to the group. I found this after doing some research on Femara. I was recently dx with PCOS Here's a "little" about me.

I hope that you like to read books because I like to write them. My DH and I have been married for almost 10 years. We have known each other almost all of our lives. We dated after we graduated from high school. We got married and 6 months after that we started TTC. I came off of BCP and didn't have a AF for 4 months. I went to my GYN and he put me on Provera. I had an AF in April, 1 in May and POW was PG in June.

Everything seemed to be running smooth. I was 16 wks and had the AFP test done. It came back positive for DS. I had an amino and everything came back normal. At 20wks I had an u/s that showed that my son had severe Hydocephalus (extra fluid on the brain). My dr sent me to a specialist and he said that there was nothing to do but wait, or have an abortion. With that out of the question... I started doing research day and night. A friend of my mom's told me about a website that had info about fetal surgery. I went to it and emailed a doctor that preforms surgery on babies inutero in Nashville Tn. To make a very long story short. I was choosen to go to Nashville to have tests run to see if we were able to have surgery.

After a few days of tests, we were able to have surgery. Tyler was the 2nd baby to ever have this type of surgery done! They put a shunt in his brain to drain the excess fluid off of his brain. Again, long story short....

A miracle happened that day. In the days to come, the surgery had worked. The fluid levels were starting to come down. Things were looking good. Until.. I had a clot in my placenta and was in labor. Tyler was born at 27wks gest. He weighed 2lbs 0oz. He was in the NICU for 5 1/2 months. After 13 surgeries, he finally got to come home. Today Tyler is 7 1/2. He is considered medically fragile. He has lung disease, Addison's Disease (adrenal disorder), seizures, mild CP and hydrocephalus. Tyler has had 29 surgeries ( I could list them all, but we would be here all night) Tyler is truly a miracle. I wouldn't trade him for anything. I guess you could say that I am the only person that you will meet that has had 2 c-sections within a week of each other.... yes that was fun. But at least it has made me a really strong woman!

After all of that said.... My DH and I started to think about having another baby. 2 years ago both of my bestfriends were pg and the same time. It was very hard for me. I long for a baby soooo bad. So we figured we were both on the same tune. In the past either I was ready and he wasn't or just the oposite. We are finally on the same tune and we have had 0 success.

We have been trying for 1 1/2 years. I was recently dx with PCOS. I had the battery of blood work and u/s. My new GYN told me that I have the "curse of the black pearls." He is so funny....

He put me on Metformin 2000mg/day. My insulin test showed that my fasting insulin level was 24. Which isn't horrible, but at least he could put me on something to help.

My DH and I have been on the South Beach Diet since Jan and I have lost 32lbs. I have kind of hit a wall with it though. I just can't seem to loose anymore.

My dr also put me on Prometirum-200mg X10 days. I got my AF on Tuesday. I was so excited until Wednesday. I started hurting so bad I almost was in tears. I have never hurt that bad. By Thurs I was flooding so bad that from Wed to Thurs I used a WHOLE box of tampons! I went back to the doctor on Friday to make sure that my hemoglobin and bp were ok. Thank GOD they were.

I was supposed to start my first round of Femara 2.5mg days 5-9, but because of all of the blood we figured it wasn't a good idea!

Hopefully next month I will have an AF and won't have to take Prometrium and I can start Femara. I am so excited. I just have to keep knowing that this is part of GOD's plan!

I hope you haven't gotten too bored reading this! Have a great week!

TTFN

Kelly-29 PCOS Mark-30

We need some baby dust!

Wow! Amazing story! Glad that you decided to wait to start femara until the next cycle! When are you expecting AF?

Good luck!

[Xevy]

Well to be honest Michelle they're really not reliable enough to count on. I had just started TTC again after a much needed break for DH and I. But in May my cycle was 37 Days (3 days of AF) and this month is to be continued (5 days of AF), and the last time before May was September of '07. So you see, I can never really tell...which makes it so hard for me to rely on OPK's and FF altogether.

I was even going to buy the CBEFM but I heard that with PCOS it does not record your ovulation correctly. I'm not sure exactly where I've read it but it was on more than one website. I also cannot tell with my cervical mucous because some days it will be EWCM and then sticky the next...which does not make sense, and most of the time it's an abundance (sorry for the TMI) of EWCM and it lasts throughout the entire month.

I'm just weird and so is my body, I only hope that one day I will be able to make sense of it. So here's to hoping!

***And if you (Michelle) or anyone else has any suggestions please, please, please voice them to me! I am pretty much desperate and open for trying anything!!!***

Thank you,

Andrea

Ya sometimes OPKs are not always reliable esp if your cycles are crazy! I think that it is just a matter of getting you on the right medication cocktail to get your cycles regulated.

Mine are becoming more regulated the longer I am on meds. Glucaphage has seemed to help with. I have also taken Clomid for 3 mos and the last 2 cycles I have taken femara...which has regulated them even more!

[tylers_mom29]

XEVY-

AF is supposed to be some time around July 14. (Give or take a few days) CD1 was on June 17.(I've really got to spend some time and get me a ticker!) I am 1000mg of Metformin. I am working my way up to 2000mg. Since I haven't had any problems, I am going ahead a couple of days early and increasing to 1500mg today. I have already lost 3lbs! Even though I have been on the South Beach Diet since Jan, my weight loss kind of stopped last month. It feels good to get it going again!

I just hope my AF comes naturally and I don't have to go back on Prometrium again! That stuff didn't do well with me. I would be sitting on the couch about 45 minutes after I took it and this crazy feeling would just wash over me. One night it was only 20 minutes after I took it. I was so drunk, I had to get my husband to help me off of the couch and get into bed. He was laughing so hard! But if I have to go back on it, then I just have to suck it up and do it. It will all be worth it in the end!

I am so excited to have joined the group! It is nice to be able to talk to the same folks that are going through what I am and be able to relate. It's something that not even my bestfriend can identify with!

Good luck ladies!

Kelly