New to this... need words of encouragement

cln125 · January 2013

Hi,

I just turned the dreaded 35 and am TTC for the first time. I was using Mirena as birth control for the past five years. I had it removed in May 2012, but had not been actively TTC. We figured when it happens it will happen. As time has gone on I've realized that my periods are all out of wack. I was diagnosed with PCOS and am overweight. So I have multiple things going against me. I'm trying to lose weight (not that easy with PCOS) to ease the PCOS symptoms, but have not had a lot of luck. I do not want to start meds yet and so I guess I'm just looking for some success stories from others that were in the same boat. Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

danieleandwayne · January 2013

Have you been charting? Using OPKs to see if you're even ovulating? Seen an RE (reproductive endocrinologist)?

These are the things I'd start with, but I've never had PCOS. But women here have gotten pregnant with PCOS, although I *think* many of them had some kind of treatment (Metformin, birth control pill or other hormones to get their periods more regular, etc.).

I hope you get your answers! GL!

cln125 · January 2013

Thanks for the response. I've been trying to chart using CM, but have not seen anything that would make me think I'm ovulating. I haven't used the OPKs yet because I read that you are to start using those right after your period and I haven't had a period since Sept. I had some spotting about a week ago, but nothing else.

My husband and I have talked about giving it a few more months and then make a drs appointment. I guess I need to be more rigorous with the charting.

Thanks again!

danieleandwayne · January 2013

I never made enough CM to be able to chart it. I temped and used OPKs. If you're not having periods, though, then I'd get on that with a doctor-- after this long, you should just get the professionals on the case. At our age, waiting more than 6 months just wastes your time, which is not something we have a lot of at this point. They will do some diagnostic tests and then go from there-- if you're not ovulating, you will not get pregnant. That's just kind of the basic reality of things.

Just my opinion.

dragonfly711 · January 2013

Hello,

I am 38 will be 39 next month. Was very worried about TTC. I stopped birth control pills back in June and just went with when it happens it will. I did start really tracking my monthly since I hardly had it when I was on BCP. In Dec I started testing to see when I was about to ovulate did that once and OMG we are now pregnant. I really thought it would be tough for us since we are older I figured it would take 5-6 months or more, never thought a month would do it. My husband was more sure than me. I even the day before I took the test bought tampons thinking that the bloating cramping was going to be that time of the month. Well nope!!! I have also gained 40-50 pounds in the past 2 years, thought I might be hypothyroid but nope and also had Lymes twice in the past year.

Hope some of this helps!!

cln125 · January 2013

Yes I know you are right. I've read probably everything you can possibly read on the subject. I think I just needed someone (like you) to tell me like it is. You aren't telling me anything I haven't thought myself, but it is somehow different coming from someone else. It's funny how long you try not to get pregnant just to find out how hard it actually is.

danieleandwayne · January 2013

cln125:
Yes I know you are right. I've read probably everything you can possibly read on the subject. I think I just needed someone (like you) to tell me like it is. You aren't telling me anything I haven't thought myself, but it is somehow different coming from someone else. It's funny how long you try not to get pregnant just to find out how hard it actually is.

Amen, Sister! Amen... When I was younger, I got pregnant while on the pill and using a condom. Then, when I wanted to get pregnant, it took us just over 9 months and we miscarried at 7 weeks. Finally, after a total of 13 months, we did it. GL!

trevinosnm · January 2013

I was diagnosed with PCOS several years ago. A couple years ago after moving to Colorado I finally found a great doctor who specialized in PCOS. I had been taking metformin already but he had me see his nutritionist who really helped me understand just how much my body does not like carbs. A smart healthy diet with low carbs and a good exercise regimen eventually helped me get pregnant. Those of us who have PCOS really have to watch the carb intake not so much counting calories like other people who diet. I believe the nutritionist advised an amount of 35-50 carbs a day. Hope this information helps.

cln125 · January 2013

Heather... thanks for the post. Congrats!! That's great news. I think I should start testing for ovulation. You give me hope! On a side note... hope your Lyme is gone and you have no complications from it. I actually am a research scientist studying Lyme disease.

Abeille · January 2013

Listen to everything Petra said.

I have PCOS that was diagnosed when TTC my 1st at 35. I came off b/c and then nothing...no cycles for several months. I was not overweight, metformin and low carb diets did not help. My OB wouldn't even give me clomid, she said at 35 I'm sending you to an RE. I dreaded going, but it really was the best thing for me. The RE will run a battery of tests on you and your husband so you will get the best treatment for you.

My 1st was conceived with the help of fertility meds. Ironically, that pregnancy caused a lot of my PCOS symptoms to go into remission. I have had regular cycles since then. And while I did seek out help to conceive our 2nd, my current pregnancy was not on a treatment cycle with my RE, although I was on 1500 mg/day of metformin.

You may want to check out soulcysters.com...lots of good pcos info there.

Good Luck!

MT-Head · January 2013

I just want to wish you good luck. My husband and I didn't even begin TTC until I was 35, but I didn't have any health issues so it wasn't difficult for me like it has been for so many here. Lots of them have been there and been through it, and are giving you great advice. Best of luck in making it happen!

Fitnessteach2010 · January 2013

My best friend has PCOS and she's not overweight. She's 105 lbs. I would definitely make an appointment with your regular OBGYN. They will do the bloodwork to see if you are ovulating. Good luck!

Juicy71 · January 2013

Although I agree with PPs that you can go ahead and go to the doctor, if you also want to keep trying to chart, I would read Taking Control of Your Fertility and start charting on www.fertilityfriend.com. These are great resources for charting.

Good luck!!

soaringflutes · January 2013

I have been told I have PCOS as well, and am insulin resistant and overweight. I haven't been on birth control in years, and my cycles have been fairly regular. When I was TTC, I went to my OBGYN and got blood tests for a few months to see if I was ovulating. My progesterone levels were low, so I was told I wasn't ovulating. However, after only 2 months of trying, I found myself pregnant, despite the blood tests results. I'll be 42 when my baby is born. I do take metformin, so maybe that helped. I was supposed to start clomid, but I clearly did not need it.

Anything can happen, and you still have some time. However, if I were you, I'd get to your OB and get checked out just in case. GL!

cln125 · January 2013

Thanks everyone for the advice... I guess the concensus is to forge ahead with the OB/GYN sooner rather than later. I wish everyone else the best of health and thanks again!

bunches916 · January 2013

I discovered I had PCOS when we were TTC our first in 2005 (I was 29 yrs. old then). I was overweight, too, at the time. Among other things. Like you, my period was out of whack. There were times when I didn't get a period for 7 months. Charting, OPK's, and tracking CM may not work for those with PCOS because, oftentimes, we don't ovulate on our own. So meds were needed to help me ovulate. I went through Clomid then injectibles, and after about 2 1/2 years of fertility treatments and then a miscarriage, I finally became pregnant on my last cycle on injectibles. What helped, also, was that I went on a calorie-counting diet, where I lost about 16 lbs. With this pregnancy, I didn't go through any fertility treatment and just went back on my calorie-counting diet and lost another 10 lbs. and got pregnant on my own.

I went through almost 3 years of fertility treatments and suffered a miscarriage in between. There were times where I lost all hope, and went through many crying sessions with DH, wondering "why me?" But I kept it pushing. I'm so glad I never gave up, because I now have a beautiful 4-yo daughter and another daughter on the way. It will be tough, so don't give up. It will be so worth it in the end. If you don't want to go straight to meds, find a good diet that will work for you. My RE and OB told me that sometimes losing just 10 lbs. can help in regulating your periods to get you to ovulate regularly. I still have PCOS, but my periods have been regular since giving birth to my daughter almost 5 years ago. Good luck, and if ever you need more info or just need someone to talk, you can find me here.

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