Update with questions (long)

MnMShaw

I looked at the miscarriage board and leaving the Austin bump scares me, so I hope you guys don't mind me just asking my questions here.

I feel like with this miscarriage has come with so many different things wrong with my body that it is so confusing.  When I went for an ultrasound at 6 weeks 4 days because I was spotting and the baby was healthy, they looked at my ovaries and said they thought I have PCOS and that is why it took so long for us to get pregnant.  They basically just said that I knew I was able to get pregnant on my own so don't worry about it for now and enjoy being pregnant.  No blood work was done at that time. 

Fast forward to miscarriage.  Monday I went in and confirmed and talked about a lot of things and did blood work so I can wait for my levels to get back to zero.  Then she said when my levels are back to normal, we will do blood testing to confirm PCOS diagnosis and discuss Clomid or Metformin.  Then things got interesting. 

Tuesday, I got a call back from my doctor and was informed I was Rh Negative and had to come back in to get the Rhogam shot.  This made no sense to me because my blood type is B+.  So when I went in, I asked.  The nurse went back and looked at the labs and told me I was B-.  I used to donate blood monthly when I was in high school with my grandma.  From that blood bank, they gave me a card with my blood type (B+) that I carry in my purse behind my driver's license.  When I called my mom before I got back to the doctor's office, she was also confused because she told me I was B+.  I talked to the nurse and she said she would have my blood re ran at the lab and call me back. 

Today, I was called back and informed I am in fact B-.  In fact, my blood is "Weak D Positive" which apparently makes some labs show my blood as B+ which in fact I have been B- my entire life.  So, since birth, I have thought my blood type was one way and it wasn't and now I have to contact the lab I gave blood to approximately 10 years ago and notify them so if by any chance they still have my blood in storage or something, they don't give it to B+ people. Something else to stress about.

If you have gotten this far, thank you.  Questions:

1. How long after miscarriage did you bleed?

2. How long after did it take for your cycle to come back?

3. Experiences with PCOS and getting pregnant?

4. Clomid vs. Metformin, thoughts?

5. Anyone have this "weak D positive" experience?

Thanks to everyone for the kind words on Monday.  I decided to go ahead and take the rest of the week off, which I think I needed to do.  I'm still sad and angry and don't understand but I need something else to do besides sit here and wallow in self pity so I have been trying to get as much info on PCOS, the meds, and this weak D positive mess so I feel like I have a little more control with what is going on with my body.  Thanks again.

rssnlvr

I don't have answers to your questions, just wanted to say that I'm so sorry you've uncovered a can of worms to deal with on top of everything else. I hope you find all your answers soon.

smb29

MnMShaw:

1. How long after miscarriage did you bleed?

2. How long after did it take for your cycle to come back?

I did not have a D&C and bled for about 3 weeks.  I got pregnant again 2 weeks later, so my cycle returned to normal right way (not dr recommended but we weren't trying too hard to avoid).  Sorry I can't help with your other questions.

sandieleeann

I bled for about 4 days after my miscarriage, and my first cycle was 34 days long.  Which is a huge improvement for me.  I'm used to 40-50 day long cycles.

Sorry I can't help with the other questions.

jml5q

i'm sorry again you are going through this and now dealing with this blood thing and possible pcos. i hope you get answers soon. i can only help with these two questions.

MnMShaw:

1. How long after miscarriage did you bleed?

2. How long after did it take for your cycle to come back?

My m/c was like a slightly longer, heavier period. where my typical period is 4 days, and fairly light, my m/c was 6 days with the last 2 being fairly light. I had a normal cycle immediately. i charted that month and O-ed right on time.

jessicaskyy

I had a CP last month, so a little different. 

The blood you donated 10 years ago is long expired, so no worries there.

august8080

rssnlvr:

I don't have answers to your questions, just wanted to say that I'm so sorry you've uncovered a can of worms to deal with on top of everything else. I hope you find all your answers soon.

Totally. 

brideonjuly8

1. I had a d&c, so my situation was different.  I did bleed/spot for almost a week though, almost like a normal period, but lots and lots of clots.

2.  I Oed pretty late that cycle, but that's typical for me.  That cycle was about 45 days long, I think.

3.  I haven't been diagnosed with PCOS, but I have poly-cystic ovaries.  I just started metformin a few months ago.  I haven't had an u/s to check my ovaries yet, so I don't know how much it's working for me.  I am on Femara though because my cycles are so long.

4. As far as I know, it's not one or the other.  The Metformin is for the polycystic ovaries, and the Clomid is for ovulation.  They normally put you on both if you have PCOS.  If it gets to the point where you are talking about Clomid, you might ask about Femara.  It has less side effects and it's less likely to thin out your uterine lining like Clomid does.  

5.  Never heard of that, sorry.

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all of this on top of the m/c.  ((hugs))

Kitkatishbakk

I don't have many answers for you, but I am so so so sorry. I know that you are hurting and angry and I am glad that you took some time off to grieve.

PCOS & Pregnancy...well, its tough. For me, I knew I had PCOS since I was 19. As my siggy says, we tried everything short of IUI and IVF. The 3 things that I think honestly helped me get pregnant (naturally, on my own...!) was 1) Surgery [6/2010] - my RE recommended ovarian drilling after clomid/femara/metforming/HMG/follistim failed to stimulate and follicles in my ovaries. 2) [8/2011] I started seeing a chiropracter and had adjustments done for 2 months. When I initially went, they did xrays that said I had lost 30% of the curve in my neck: bad posture, etc. The neck area of your spinal cord is what regulates hormones, etc. I was literally pregnant within 8 weeks of starting the chiropractor visits. 3) I lost 40 pounds Feb-April 2011. I was at my highest weight ever of 270 and got down to 230. I'm sure I lost more, but I quit tracking.

Please email or page me if you have anymore questions. kjg 1573 at yahoo.com (no spaces). I am so sorry you are going through this.

sweetdreams2000

I had a natural m/c - and mine was really heavy flow and cramping, with a ton of clots for about 3 days, and then period flow for another 2-3 days.

Then about 2 wks later, I had another really light flow (prob 3-4 days).  Then I got a slightly longer & heavier period around the time I normally have it.

I was able to get pregnant again about 2 cycles after the m/c, once my body kind of got back on track.

Also, I totally understand taking the time off.  I took the week off of work too - mainly b/c I didnt feel like being around everybody, and my cramping was really uncomfortable.

agran

I can't really help with most of the questions but wanted to offer hugs.  I was Rh negative also and it's really no big deal if you know about it and get the shot.  It protects your future babies... just in case. 

I don't have POCS but had to use clomid to ovulate-- lots of OB's try it out.  But you really should only use it for 12 cycles max before it starts having negative effects.  Some OB's like to pop clomid like candy.  I feel like they just don't know enough about it.

I stay on the Austin board with questions too... those other boards are scary and full of bitc!es 

MnMShaw

brideonjuly8:

3.  I haven't been diagnosed with PCOS, but I have poly-cystic ovaries.  I just started metformin a few months ago.  I haven't had an u/s to check my ovaries yet, so I don't know how much it's working for me.  I am on Femara though because my cycles are so long.

Do you know what the difference in having poly-cystic ovaries are and full on PCOS?  I'm asking because I don't know and I haven't fully been diagnosed.  The other thing is, when I had the first ultrasound, the sonogram tech said "here is your left ovary, looks completely healthy", took some photos and moved on and then got to my right ovary and didn't say anything.  Then when I saw the Dr. she mentioned that they thought I had PCOS.  Anyone know if you can have one healthy ovary and one not and that still be PCOS?

I know my doctor can and will answer a lot of questions I have when I go back in, but I just wanted others experiences as well.  Thanks.

brideonjuly8

MnMShaw:

brideonjuly8:

3.  I haven't been diagnosed with PCOS, but I have poly-cystic ovaries.  I just started metformin a few months ago.  I haven't had an u/s to check my ovaries yet, so I don't know how much it's working for me.  I am on Femara though because my cycles are so long.

Do you know what the difference in having poly-cystic ovaries are and full on PCOS?  I'm asking because I don't know and I haven't fully been diagnosed.  The other thing is, when I had the first ultrasound, the sonogram tech said "here is your left ovary, looks completely healthy", took some photos and moved on and then got to my right ovary and didn't say anything.  Then when I saw the Dr. she mentioned that they thought I had PCOS.  Anyone know if you can have one healthy ovary and one not and that still be PCOS?

I know my doctor can and will answer a lot of questions I have when I go back in, but I just wanted others experiences as well.  Thanks.

I'm not totally sure, but I think it has something to do with all your blood work and whether or not you are insulin resistant (I think?).  I don't have any other symptoms of PCOS besides the polycystic ovaries- I ovulate on my own, albeit late usually, I don't have the facial hair, the large ovaries, the weight gain (although I am overweight, I wasn't until after being pg).  They'll be able to tell more from your blood work. 

I'm not sure about one ovary being fine and the other not.  I know mine go back and forth- not too long ago they looked just fine, now they don't.  I know most people have a dominant side they ovulate from, maybe that's what they were seeing?  Most likely they'll start you on Metformin soon.  It's a drug used for diabetics, and the way it was explained to me was PCOS or polycystic ovaries, they develop that way because something in you pituitary gland (I think?) isn't sending the right hormones to the right places, and Metformin makes sure they all get where they are supposed to go, and to just one follicle, as opposed to many (as seen in the many little dots on your ovaries, instead of just 2-3). Does that make sense? There's probably somewhere online that can explain it better than I can.

Don't be afraid of the TTTC board, lots of very knowledgeable women over there, and the majority of them are very nice and helpful.  

SareBear30

Geesh. I'm so sorry you are dealing with all this on top of the grief. My heart just aches for you, sweetie. I can really only help with the first question, here goes:

My m/c (missed, then induced with misoprostel) was four weeks yesterday, and I'm still bleeding a little. I probably should wear a panty liner, but hate them, so I'm just wearing dark/ratty panties and dealing. I noticed last week though that it seemed more like mucous mixed with blood. I posted on the miscarriage board, and another girl said that she had that too and that it seemed like she was going though a cycle while still bleeding, according to the CM/bleeding consistency and her temping.

I am still doing weekly blood work to follow my HCG down to zero and just spoke with my OB's nurse. I'm still at 45 (but was 264 a week and a half ago) so she said I'm almost there. She said that this is probably why I'm still bleeding, and that this is also why they recommend waiting until the next cycle to start to TTC again. Because if my count was 85 next week, would it be because I'm pregnant, or my counts aren't going down? And if I was pregnant, it would be hard to date. So that also lends credence to what the girl on the miscarriage board was saying. We won't be TTC for a few months though.

It gets better though. I promise it gets better. It still hurts, but its so much better than it was. Big hugs!

MnMShaw

Bride:  That does make sense, thanks.

I know I need to just be patient, do the blood work, and wait this out and heal.  I just don't want to.  I don't want to be here!  I don't want to have to ask these questions.  I was supposed to hear my baby's heart beat this week.  Not this.  I hate this.

jgiles

1. I think I bled for about a week. I didn't have a D&C. I was given cytotec to move things along.

2. I was back to normal a month later.

3. I have PCOS and have been on metformin since 12/08. We struggled to get pregnant after the m/c and it took over 2 years. We tried clomid and were actually getting ready for an IUI and took a month off first. We got pregnant on our own 12/10 and have a precious boy now. I don't have all the symptoms of PCOS but some of them. The metformin truly helps with keeping my cycles regulated but don't always ovulate.

5. I believe the the 'weak D positive thing" is another antibody in your blood. It's not unusual!!! I wouldn't worry about the blood you donated years ago. They have to test it prior to using it and it's long gone. It's better that you were told B+ in the sense of donating blood. B+ people can take B- blood (I'm pretty sure).

 

I'm sorry for your loss and hope you get answers! Hope this helps

esbeek

I had a miscarriage (2 actually, though one was just a "chemical" pregnancy) before this successful pregnancy, and was diagnosed with PCOS. You can PM me if you'd like to talk at all - I have a lot to say on the subject. For now, I'll say that PCOS is a syndrome, not a disease, meaning that there are all sorts of types and levels of severity, some very mild, and they can change through your lifetime. PCOS also can go away after giving birth! If you are having trouble getting pregnant because of your long cycles, getting them regular might be a good idea. My RE used clomid, which I tried for 2 cycles, and it worked on the second. I thought he was very good at his work, if you'd like a recommendation (Dr. Silverberg). He said that the long cycles can actually cause miscarriage, because you want a brand new lining to host the fertilized egg. An "older" lining (even just a few weeks older) can inhibit blood flow and lead to miscarriage. Before I got pregnant with the clomid, I had acupuncture and made diet adjustments, and I think that helped with the quick success of the clomid. So don't panic about what you read about PCOS - it really depends on your individual numbers, and if you didn't know you have it, chances are yours is probably not very bad. I'm so sorry about your m/c. There is a yogic belief that it is your body cleaning out for the next, healthy pregnancy. That helped me a lot when I was going through it. Please do get in touch with me if you want to talk further.