Hi! I'm new and would love to get to know everyone! (BFP mentioned/Not mine)

DSculley1824

Hello everyone! I'm 26 years old. My DH is 25. We have been married for 2 years and a few weeks! Have two amazing furbabies!

My journey begins in February 2014. From February to May I did not have a period. I went to the OB/GYN and she did an ultrasound first and then we talked about everything going on and all of my symptoms. My ovaries were FILLED with cysts. After a few other tests and discussions she told me I had PCOS. She gave me options: go on BC if we weren't TTC or start trying seriously if we were because she said it could be a lengthy process. I was confused and saddened. I went home and did research and realized how scary PCOS could be when TTC. After hardly any discussion with my DH we just knew we wanted kids and needed to try. We both have great jobs, own our house, and were financially/emotionally ready.

So back to the OB/GYN I went. She prescribed Provera to start a period. We talked about Clomid since my cycles have always been extremely long and irregular with sometimes not getting a period for months. Decided I wanted to wait on clomid and try it the natural way first. So started with Provera. Bam...got AF a few days later. First cycle came and went (44 day cycle)...no BFP. Second cycle came and went...again no BFP. All extremely long cycles and irregular. That's ok...so went to the next level for the following cycle.

Bought a OPK and started tracking and charting BBT and CM. Got the smiley on OPK on day 21. Did BD several days before and after. On CD 29 I got slight bleeding (very dark very light). I thought "OMG implantation bleeding!) well it went on until CD 32. I continued to wait until CD 42 to test and got a BFN. That same night we went out to dinner with my SIL and BIL...they announced they were 8 weeks pregnant. I felt like I got a dagger to my chest. I tried to be so happy (which I am to be an aunt) but I'm also so incredibly sad at the same time.

Anyway, decided I couldn't focus on that and needed to focus on myself. Called OB/GYN next day as I was on CD 43. They had be come in for discussion. Had the WORST experience with the PA (as my OB/GYN was on vacation). The day of my appt I was on CD 48. I told the PA I didn't have my period and gave her the info on when I thought I O. Her exact words to me were "Well then you're pregnant" I calmly stated my cycles are irregular, I have PCOS, this many days in my cycle aren't really late for me bc I typically go into the 50s before AF. She replied with "You're in denial you're pregnant". I was appalled. I wasn't in denial but I know my body and I didn't feel pregnant (plus I took 6 HPT leading up to the appt all BFN), She ordered bloodwork to "prove me wrong". I agreed. While getting bloodwork I also did a liver function test to get my levels to see if clomid would work for me. Well BOOM. Got the results...NEGATIVE! Like I knew.

So in CD 50 my OB/GYN called. Liver function test came back great. I have an appt to discuss clomid in great detail on Sept 4 (which will be CD 62). I just started Provera to induce AF. Should be getting it around my Sept 4 appt ... Just in time to start Clomid. In the meantime, my DH goes for a SA tomorrow. He's such a great sport and has been supportive.

Now it's just a waiting game to see what our next step is. I'm so glad my OB/GYN has been so proactive. I can't wait until my Sept 4 appt. I'm not gonna lie though...I feel really crampy like my periods gonna start. But it's been going on for a week and a half). Is that normal to others with irregular long cycles?! I just want some answers. I'm super scared too.

Sorry this post was so long for my first one. I can't wait to get to know you all and share our journey. I feel like no one else understands. I'm constantly getting the "it will happen" "don't worry" "you'll be fine" from family and friends. I want to scream! If I'm not ovulating I won't be fine! Hugs to you all!!

AnnaClaire256

Welcome to 3T. Sorry you find yourself here, but you've come to a great place for advice and support. I'm a PCOS girl too and there are lots of us with that diagnosis here.

Have you spoken to your OBGYN about the monitoring he/she offers with clomid? Most OBs (but not all) offer clomid with little to no monitoring which can be extremely dangerous. Sounds like you've found one that is doing a little more than most. While on clomid, you should be having a CD 3 u/s to check for cysts, mid-cycle u/s monitoring to check follicle size and bw done at 7dpo. Glad to hear your DH is having a SA done. Have they mentioned you having an HSG to make sure your tubes are all clear?

If your OB isn't willing to do all of this testing I would strongly recommend switching to an Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) They specialize in getting people pregnant while an OB specializes in keeping you pregnant and getting you a baby.

So sorry you had to deal with that annoying PA! How rude!! Some people have no common sense.

Good luck with everything! Hope you get some answers soon.

DSculley1824

Hi AnnaClaire256 sorry to meet you in this way on this board. But happy that you are so welcoming! I'm not really sure what my OB/GYN wants to do with the clomid process. She only briefly mentioned it before. September 4 will be our sit down discussion. I know she mentioned the bloodwork mid cycle. Not sure about u/s. The last day for my Provera will be Sept 1. So she timed it just right. Any other questions I need to ask her? I have not had a HSG. I will ask her about that too! My husband actually goes tomorrow for a SA. How long does it take to get that back? Just wondering if I will have to wait until my Sept 4 appt to find out. Everything is so new and so stressful.

shirleymaeby

Hey there, welcome to boards.  Sorry you find yourself here but you've come to the right place for advice and support.

Speaking of advice, I will echo what AnnaClaire said (and what many, many others will tell you)...do not take Clomid from your OB unless they will be monitoring you regularly.  If you check out the newbie blog there are links to multiple unmonitored Clomid horror stories.  Contrary to what your OB will have you believe (my OB had me on the stuff too) it is not a miracle pill.  Like PP said, if you don't have an HSG there's no way to know if your tubes are clear.  And if they're not, taking Clomid won't do any good.

I highly recommend you make an appointment with an RE.  I wasted almost 2 years of my TTC journey with my OB while she tinkered around and tried this and tried that.  I didn't even know REs existed until she finally exhausted her knowledge and referred me to one.  Now that I have seen one I feel so much better about my diagnosis and treatment plan.

Good luck to you!

DSculley1824

Hi kmdecoux! Thank you for your input! I will be sure to ask about this. I believe my OBGYN is affliliated with a RE. My friend goes to the same OBGYN as me and had some issues. She had to get a HSG test. She said it was painful. Has anyone else had it done?! I'm gonna have so many questions for my appt on Sept 4.

Also, has anyone ovulated while not getting a period?! Is that possible? I'm confused as to why I got a smiley face on my OPK but still haven't gotten AF yet (on CD 53) with multiple HPT coming out BFN and a Negative BT.

LindseyM2012

Welcome to the board, and I'm sorry you have to be here.  I also have PCOS, as do a bunch of other ladies on here, so you've come to the right place.  I'm sure you have so many questions!!  I'm going to echo PPs here and say to be careful about taking Clomid if your ob/gyn doesn't monitor you with ultrasounds. They need to make sure you are actually responding to the dosage (by viewing and measuring size of follicles). If you over respond, you're at risk of multiples - which has its own risks to you and babies. If you don't respond, there is no way of knowing without that ultrasound.  Just something to keep in mind. We want to help you make an informed decision about your treatment. Some ob/gyns think since they can prescribe Clomid that they should prescribe it even though they are not able to provide the appropriate monitoring (it is just beyond the scope of their practice).

As far as OPKs go, it gets tricky with PCOS. OPKs will come back positive when a woman's LH (Luteinizing Hormone) surges and hits a certain level. This surge level indicates that ovulation is about to take place. The typical PCOS woman has an elevated level of LH at her baseline. Therefore, a slight increase in LH may be enough to trigger the positive OPK but is not enough of a surge to trigger actual ovulation. So you get a lot of false positives when you have PCOS. My RE (and other PCOS-ers) have informed me that this is just a waste of time and can give false hope.

I'm glad you're getting testing done, but make sure you get all the necessary bloodwork, your HSG, husband's SA (results take about a week to get back to you).  Its a long process, but you have a head start because some ladies wait over a year to start the testing process. Some docs won't even start this process until you've been trying for over a year. 

ETA: Throat punch to that PA. How ignorant and RUDE!!!

AnnaClaire256

@DSculley1824‌ my RE is 4 hrs away. They work with my OB as a satellite clinic so that's not unheard of. My HSG experience wasn't bad but like @Rumbera28‌ said, each woman is different. She's also right about the OPKs...they can detect a surge but cannot confirm ovulation. If you ovulated and didn't get pregnant, AF should typically show up within 12-16 days.

DSculley1824

Thanks ladies! I'm so overwhelmed and I'm so glad I've decided to come on here and talk with you all. I had a feeling I didn't ovulate bc my BBT didn't look like it should for a "normal cycle". Those OPKs are so expensive to keep buying! And now if they may not even work for me I'm wondering if it's a waste to even keep doing. My list has already gotten so long for my OBGYN appt. I wish Sept 4 would just get here. And yes...I'm so very thankful my OBGYN wants to move quickly with the next step. I would have hated to wait for a year with this. I'm guessing it's bc of the PCOS and all of my irregularity. I'm for sure gonna ask about doing the u/s during clomid and getting seen by a RE. I want to be smart about this...not dumb and ignore the risks.

PS - why is it when you want something SO bad it feels like everyone else gets it! The past week Facebook has exploded with people announcing pregnancy. Ugh so jealous

shirleymaeby

@DSculley1824 - My HSG was basically a walk in the park with some mild AF like cramps afterward.  I know it isn't so easy for everyone, but just try not to psyche yourself out about it too much.

N3TR - You an X-Files fan??

DSculley1824

You're all so wonderful! Thank you! Did I also mention I'm deathly afraid of getting blood drawn?! Ugh go figure! Maybe after all of this I will be a pro at it and not even think twice haha. Hey..trying to find some humor in an unpleasant situation

LindseyM2012

You'll definitely be a pro at the blood draws after this.  Sorry to say, but it is just part of the deal. 

I'm so glad you're moving right along and don't have to wait forever just to confirm what you already suspect. Sept 4th will be here before you know it. Just be prepared that there are good amount of other things that can look like PCOS so the doc will be doing a lot of testing to rule out other things. It may seem like a lot, but it will nail down the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for you in the long run. And if something else IS causing the irregularity, you'll be thankful to have caught it.

DSculley1824

Hi all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your advice! I'm most def taking it to heart and with me to my appt. I def don't want to do anything that could hurt me worse! How scary. And @rainbowbridge14‌ a full day 3 blood panel test sounds like my WORST nightmare. Dear lord lol.

And yes! I knew I wasn't unjust in feeling the way I did towards the PA for her rude actions and comments. I'm def bringing that up too at my appt. So uncalled for. I left in tears.

theholmanherd

Welcome! I'm sorry you find yourself here, but we are all very supportive. I hope you have an enjoyable stay while we all ride this IF roller coaster together.

DSculley1824

Ahh that's so true @rainbowbridge14‌ ... I'm willing to completely face my fear of needles to figure out what's wrong 100% and hopefully overcome it. I think it's more terrifying thinking of not doing anything and never becoming pregnant. I have to at least try. Again, you ladies all rock! I'm so glad that I joined!

BKBABY3

Ha, yes it is amazing how used to the needles you become. I don't even blink anymore. I still can't look at them do it though!

And like many others, my HSG wasn't too bad. A little cramping, but I think I made it worse with how tense I was. Do your best to relax. No matter what, it's pretty short and use it as an excuse to take the rest of the day off.

And ditto on the PCOS causing OPK confusion. Best to rely on u/s and the always-fun blood work.

Best of luck to you and welcome!

lisa89760

I'm terrified of needles...or at least I was.  I even have a buzzy (a little contraption for little kids that vibrates and is an ice pack that helps with needles) and the one good thing that has come from this IF experience is I can now semi-handle needles and blood draws! Welcome

DSculley1824

Thanks ladies! Also, have any of you tried tracking and charting your BBT? Mine is all over the place and doesn't look like a "normal chart" at all.

I used to have to take a Xanax for blood draws. Probably shouldn't once I get pregnant. I'll have to look into a buzzy lol. I don't care if that makes me look like a child lol. Anything to ease my nerves! Haha

jenmcD11

DSculley1824 said:

Thanks ladies! Also, have any of you tried tracking and charting your BBT? Mine is all over the place and doesn't look like a "normal chart" at all. I used to have to take a Xanax for blood draws. Probably shouldn't once I get pregnant. I'll have to look into a buzzy lol. I don't care if that makes me look like a child lol. Anything to ease my nerves! Haha

What's a buzzy? It sounds nice. (I also have a fear of needles)

DSculley1824

Hi @jenmcD11‌ ... Apparently it's a little contraption that is made for kids who are afraid of needles. I've never heard of them until @lisa89760‌ mentioned it! Anything to alleviate my fear lol. Although, I do admit what I was imagining doesn't fit what it actually is lol. The name makes it sound so dirty haha!!

DSculley1824

@JlambertJen‌ RIGHT?! I did all that I could do to hold it in. I busted out in tears the second I left! Why would I be in denial for the thing I want so badly?' So rude! PS - I LOVE this throat punch Thursday you speak of lol. So brilliant'

kushie77

Sorry you find yourself here.  I too have PCOS and between that and thyroid issues, my cycles are a hot mess.  I also echo the PP and recommend that you discuss seeing an RE.  Have you had your thyroid levels checked?  And not just TSH  insist on T3, T4, peroxidase and antibody testing.  All of those can impact your ovulation also and RE's want that TSH in a much tighter range than an OB or GP will.  Vitamin D levels are important too. 

As for the OPK costs, cruise on over to Amazon and get yourself some wondofos, you'll save yourself a ton of money.  

Hope your stay here is short and you are on your way to your BFP.  

lisa89760

haha sorry I fell asleep at like 9 PM yesterday...the buzzy! https://buzzy4shots.com/

I did not get the one with the bee on it!  and I totally agree the name sounds dirty! It's basically this little vibrating thing (again...super dirty) that comes with a a little ice pack you clip in and put it right about the injection spot and it's supposed to help screw with your brain to not feel the shot.

I use it for my trigger shots and blood draws and it has helped me get through them.  I can still sometimes feel the shots but not that much and I just breathe through it.  I know it's stupid and childish but I had an extreme phobia of needles (like I don't have my ears pierced anymore because I couldn't change the earrings!) 

I'm thankful I spent the $40 on it when I did after all these shots and blood draws!  The nurses at my RE first knew me as the buzzy girl lol

BunnyBerry

Everyone gave good advice about monitoring, testing, and seeing an RE. Get an HSG! The pain is nothing compared to what we go through to have a child, and it's an essential first step.

Please seriously consider writing a letter of complaint to the office outlining what the PA did/said and how it affected you. That is freaking messed up and they need to be reprimanded and watched so it doesn't happen to other women. Hopefully they were just ignorant and not ridiculously insensitive but you should never have been accused of being in denial like that.

Good luck with all the decisions ahead of you, and I hope your stay here is short!

DSculley1824

Hi @kushie77‌ thanks for the info! I will def head over to Amazon. I just had a TON of bloodwork down that my PCP ordered the same time my OBGYN ordered my liver function test. All came back good (CBC, CMP, Vitamin D, Liver Function, and Thyroid). The only thing that came back abnormal was my ANA Antibody test. I had that test done in February too and it came back abnormal. I got referred to a Rheumotologist. Had an appt with him and went over everything. Asked me tons of questions. I wasn't (and still am not) presenting with any concerning symptoms he said to look for. But I have a call in to him to get an appt to see what I should do next. Dear lord let's hope I don't have a definite autoimmune disorder too. Wouldn't that be icing on the cake?!

And thanks @lisa89760‌! I'm seriously going to look into it. I used to be able to handle blood draws by taking a Xanax. Ok so not completely handle them but made them SO much easier. Probably shouldn't take Xanax when TTC lol.


Thanks @BunnyBerry‌ ! I'm gonna for sure talk to my OBGYN on sept 4. Get a vibe from her about the situation with the PA. I will refuse to ever see that PA again! Completely insensitive!

lisa89760

I used to take klonopin for my blood draws lol I was like a freaking zombie but it got be through!  This stupid thing has been a life saver.  I'm not sure if it's all in my head, but it works.  I still am not a fan of blood draws...but I don't think there are many people out there that are!