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Kellybean2014
member
TTC with possible PCOS?
Kellybean2014
member
Hi all!
I'm new to the board, and I am wondering if there's anyone else out there with a situation like mine. Here goes: Back in 2007-08, I was single, not having intercourse (at all with anyone ever), and not having regular periods. (I was in my mid-20s.) I visited an OBGYN who did not do an exam, but I had had them before, and she sent me off to do some bloodwork, as it had been over a year since my last period and she suspected PCOS. All my blood work for thyroid and so on came back normal (and an ultrasound revealed all normal sized girly parts, everything in the right place, no cysts), with the exception of my androgen levels, which were "off the charts" according to her. I did not have any of the tell-tale signs (facial hair, acne, etc.) but I did feel like I was in heat all the time. So, it seemed like PCOS but not really PCOS. It was unclear, but basically just needed to be treated with birth control pills, which I did. And all was fine.
Fast forward a couple of years to 2009 and I'm now living in a different state. I woke up (on my birthday, actually) with a sharp, severe pain in my back that took my breath away. When it got to where I couldn't stand it any longer, I had a friend drive me to the ER. The nurses and doctor all bet it was my gall bladder. MRI results revealed absolutely nothing, and I was sent home with muscle relaxers and some strong Advil. I was then overwhelmingly nauseated with no hunger at all whatsoever for the next 6 weeks. I seriously thought I'd lost my mind and was somehow doing this to myself. When I finally went to a new OB practice (again, I wasn't having intercourse at this time and hadn't been, and my periods had disappeared again because I'd gone off the pill), I gave the whole background story to the midwife. She did not think I had PCOS, but somehow the conversation about my sudden back pain (that disappeared the next day) and subsequent nausea seemed to convince her that I did, indeed, have a cyst that ruptured and that's what I was experiencing. She was certain. So, even though I am not overweight, do not have facial hair issues or acne, and do not fit the "typical" profile of PCOS, I seem to have a lot of the symptoms.
Now we're in 2014. I am married and trying to start a family. I have been off birth control pills for a little over a year. I have gotten my period twice since I went off of them, and the first one was BRUTAL but I was grateful anyway. (Of course, when I was ON birth control, I was having troubles. One kind made me have my period every 2 weeks, and several of them took away ALL desire for intimacy.) We "pulled the goalie" and stopped all contraception 7-8 months ago. I read about the Fertility Awareness Method and started tracking temperature and cervical fluid, but I just don't seem to have a real cycle. I have started checking ovulation with a kit from First Response (I think) and I've only gotten the happy face once. We jumped right on it but nothing took.
I will be calling my doctor soon, and I'm sure facing another round of blood work (I don't do well with that). I did get permanent life insurance at the end of 2013 and had extensive testing done for that. All my numbers came back healthy/ideal. Of course, that doesn't check hormones, so... but at least we've ruled out diabetes and other bigger things to handle. I have started taking Maca Root as well, just to see if it'll help my hormone levels in any way. I'm not lifting weights and exercising as strenuously as I was a year ago, but I am active. I dance and walk/run.
Sorry this is so long - I am hoping there are others out there that get the PCOS talk a lot, even though they don't show symptoms, or have completely irregular cycles that seem virtually impossible to track. I'm not to the point where I'm super upset that we're having trouble (the journey is part of the fun), but I am a data/numbers person and a planner, so this is a wee bit frustrating that I can't seem to nail down what's happening in my body. (I am 33 years old. Not rushing, but definitely a little concerned.) My mother also had irregular cycles until her first pregnancy. Then BOOM - she was right on time. No other women in my family have had issues. I seem to be the only one (of ALL the women alive today) who has never been pregnant. Anyone else with a story like this? Can you share your experiences?
Thank you!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: TTC with possible PCOS?
I'm still doing research though so I'm not going to say I know everything about what I'm talking about. lol
My Ovulation Chart
That is a good point, and I actually am inclined to agree. It was recommended to help get "juices flowing" but I am asking my doctors about it. I have done extensive research on it and have asked my doctor friends (it supposedly "can't hurt"), but haven't asked my OB. Thank you.
My Ovulation Chart
Don't attempt to diagnose yourself. With your history, you should definitely see a doctor about why your cycles are long and why you have heavy painful periods. My OB was able to diagnose my PCOS through blood work and ultrasounds, but you may want to see a RE as they have more training and tend to be more diligent with testing and checking for all possible answers. Maybe it's PCOS, maybe it's something else. Seeing a dr about it is a good thing because then you'll have answers and be able to work towards a real solution.
Finally, stop taking the maca root. Don't take anything designed to mess with your hormones unless it is prescribed by a doctor who has tested your hormone levels at specific times during your cycle.
April 2013: Femara + Trigger + IUI = ???
Trying to have baby #1 since April 2013
DH SA March,May 2014 - Low motility and shape issues. On vitamins per RE to help
Me testing April 3, 2014 - FSH and LH good, HSG showed blocked right tube
April 29, 2014 - First RE appt., right tube needs to be removed and possibly left also if
it's bad too. RE suggests going straight to IVF
June 4, 2014 - LAP/HSC and unexpected endo. removed but tubes got to stay!
June 13, 2014 - Post-Op appointment. We decide where to go next since main issue
is MFI influenced. Trying naturally until decision... Repeat SA in September. Aiming for IUI #1 November 2014.
------------
* Razz *
Me 24: PCOS & elevated Prolactin --- H 28: SA great
Married
Femara 5mg + Ovidrel + TI + Progesterone = BFP!
Beta #1: 12/24 371 - Beta #2: 12/26 898
Since then I have had cysts develop and rupture but you don't absolutely have to have cysts at the time of diagnosis, or even after to have PCOS.
ETA: grammar
I was diagnosed with PCOS in November 2013, IR-PCOS. I had always had irregular periods, usually ranging from 30-50 days. It made TTC very frustrating. Shortly after we actively started TTC, I went 78 days without a period. I started with my OB and did some initial testing, but ultimately he referred me to a RE.
Typically, you need to try for at least a year before going to a RE. However if you have a known issue (diagnosed by a doctor, not self diagnosed) your ob can refer you to a RE sooner.
My RE did two cycles of monitored Clomid. I ovulated nicely on that medication. I took a month off because I could not be properly monitored and shock of all shocks that was when we got our BFP. PCOS can make getting pregnant be a challenge, but it doesn't mean you will never get your happy ending. I think the most important thing is to be open and honest with your doctor, and make sure if you do start any infertility treatments (even just taking medication to induce ovulation) go through a RE. If you are not currently temping, I highly recommend starting (sorry if you said this in your message, I forget!). It really helped me get to know my body and helps keep you sane during those long cycles since you know if you haven't ovulated you can't be pregnant.
I wish you a lot of luck and hope you can figure out the best plan for you and your husband!