Dear AF, where the F are you? poss PCOS

CopperPoppy · August 2013

I'm somewhere around 60 days with no period. More than that if you consider that my last "period" was 6 days of spotting (going back to May 30). My charts have been looking pretty anovulatory. BTW, if you look at my chart, I discarded my temp because i was shwasty-pants and hardly got any sleep so I don't think it was a legitimate temp rise.

Anyway, I went and saw my OBGYN today thinking she'd give me Provera. But no. She wanted me to get labs done (again! ugh) which i guess makes sense since I haven't had any done since being off BC. Labs are for TSH, FSH, Prolactin and fasting BS to rule out all other kinds of hormonal imbalances. She did say there was a high possibility that it is PCOS. I know it's not the end of the world but it scared the shit out of me. Instead of talking Provera she kinda let me know we might be looking into Clomid and IUI. I'm scared, but I'm not freaking out yet. After being on the boards I know that it may not have to get to that point.

Anyone who has gone through this, what has been your experience? What should I expect?

As an aside...I had a second interview with a job today...work has been really shit-tastic recently and I hope I get it so I can get the hell out but I hate changing jobs.

bumpuser8967176 · August 2013

First of all, good luck with the job!

I was kinda sorta in a similar boat last fall. I had one long annovulatory cycle, which led to blood work, which led to a "Your blood work is normal for someone who has PCOS" diagnosis. We waited quite a few months, giving it the ol' college try, but will be beginning clomid and IUI next cycle. My ob/gyn sent me to an RE at the one year mark, but did recommend that I see one sooner because of the PCOS diagnosis (I wasn't sure if insurance would cover before a year); I also had cold feet, so we waited quite a few months. Before the clomid and IUI, DH had a SA and I had a HSG. Have you done those yet and/or seen an RE at all?

CopperPoppy · August 2013

We just started TTC in May. We are both 27. The only reason I went is because of the long cycle. We haven't had to do any testing at all yet. But thanks, it gives me a little bit of an idea to know what to expect.

What's the ol' college try? Sloppy drunk sex?

Kara85 · August 2013

Hey - I don't have any advice but just wanted to so I hope things work out for you. It sucks having long cycles, especially with no sign of ovulation.

Can I ask how long you've been off BC (assuming that's different from how long you've been TTC)? Just wondering because when I went to my OBGYN Monday (spotting/bleeding for a long time), she did a pelvic exam and seemed a bit concerned with the length of my cycles thus far but said if I go another 6 months (1 year in total off BC) still having really long/variable cycles to let her know. I suppose its because some people just take longer than others to regulate after BC and a year is a reasonable amount of time to give it?

I don't know if that relates to you at all, but good luck and keep us posted!

CopperPoppy · August 2013

I got off NuvaRing in May of this year. But the only period I had was the one that directly followed taking out that last ring. Nothing since. I will sometimes get EWCM and bloating and other AF signs but never a period. Sometimes even spotting for a day.

I think as far as doing anything drastic i would be willing to wait a year of TTC. We aren't in a rush. I would also like to give my body a little while to regulate itself before taking more hormones to undo the mess of the last batch of hormones.

beckynsean11 · August 2013

Here's what I can share about my PCOS diagnosis:

My OB suspected PCOS. She referred me to a RE who did the blood work you mentioned, a series of ultrasounds, & a glucose tolerance test. Once the dx was confirmed, I was started on Metformin. The RE then monitored me to see if the medication helped regulate my cycles & get me ovulating. It did & I was able to conceive without doing a medicated cycle. It didn't end well, but we did it still.

I have no experience with Clomid(yet). I have seen numerous warnings about taking Clomid unmonitored & without prior testing. This is what I've learned from that: you need an HSG to make sure your tubes are clear, all the ovulating in the world won't do any good if your tubes are blocked. Your husband would also need a SA to rule out issues on that end. Many OBs give out that medication without testing or monitoring. A RE will do these things. Clomid also has some serious side effects you might want to research.

CopperPoppy said:

I think as far as doing anything drastic i would be willing to wait a year of TTC. We aren't in a rush. I would also like to give my body a little while to regulate itself before taking more hormones to undo the mess of the last batch of hormones.

I think you have the right idea here. Good luck to you.

CopperPoppy · August 2013

Thanks @nariadreaming and @beckynsean11, I'm also sorry about your loss.

I appreciate the feedback. My goal for the next few weeks is to stay as far away from google and webmd as possible. A few quick searches and I'm super freaked out. Gah! Thanks tho. I'll keep you updated.

CopperPoppy · August 2013

GhostMonkey said:

CopperPoppy said:

Anyway, I went and saw my OBGYN today thinking she'd give me Provera. But no. She wanted me to get labs done (again! ugh) which i guess makes sense since I haven't had any done since being off BC. Labs are for TSH, FSH, Prolactin and fasting BS to rule out all other kinds of hormonal imbalances. She did say there was a high possibility that it is PCOS. I know it's not the end of the world but it scared the shit out of me. Instead of talking Provera she kinda let me know we might be looking into Clomid and IUI. I'm scared, but I'm not freaking out yet. After being on the boards I know that it may not have to get to that point.

Those have to be done on day 3 of your cycle. And you need LH tested to help with a PCOS diagnosis.

And there are a number of other hormone tests that you need done that day too to get full testing done.

Your doctor is trying to work out of her range of expertise. Tell her to step off with her trying to play fertility expert and hand over the Provera.

That's what I don't get, why she didn't give me provera. I'll call her tomorrow and ask.

tippytoes06 · August 2013

CopperPoppy said:

I'm somewhere around 60 days with no period. More than that if you consider that my last "period" was 6 days of spotting (going back to May 30). My charts have been looking pretty anovulatory. BTW, if you look at my chart, I discarded my temp because i was shwasty-pants and hardly got any sleep so I don't think it was a legitimate temp rise.

Anyway, I went and saw my OBGYN today thinking she'd give me Provera. But no. She wanted me to get labs done (again! ugh) which i guess makes sense since I haven't had any done since being off BC. Labs are for TSH, FSH, Prolactin and fasting BS to rule out all other kinds of hormonal imbalances. She did say there was a high possibility that it is PCOS. I know it's not the end of the world but it scared the shit out of me. Instead of talking Provera she kinda let me know we might be looking into Clomid and IUI. I'm scared, but I'm not freaking out yet. After being on the boards I know that it may not have to get to that point.

Anyone who has gone through this, what has been your experience? What should I expect?

As an aside...I had a second interview with a job today...work has been really shit-tastic recently and I hope I get it so I can get the hell out but I hate changing jobs.

I'm actually going through something extremely similar - except I have a prior diagnosis of PCOS from several years ago. My OB was going to treat me with Provera, & Clomid unmonitored which I knew was a big no no, so I made an appointment with an RE. I just saw an RE yesterday and she ordered several tests and she gave me Provera to get my period, because you should really have other tests done before starting Clomid or other fertility drugs (and they need to be done a in a specific time frame).. Have you looked into getting an appointment with an RE?

WillCMyInk · August 2013

I'm glad GM said something. Based on what you told us in this post it sounds like your OB/GYN is jumping the gun. One really long cycle so soon after BC doesn't mean you have PCOS or even that it's a high possibility. I'd be calling back and asking for the Provera.

CopperPoppy · August 2013

@tippytoes06 would I be stupid to ask for a RE appt after only 3 months TTC and same amount of time off BC?

@willcmyink, and @ghostmonkey should I literally just call and ask my doctor to start provera. I kinda just thought I might go with the labs, go to a follow up in a couple weeks and then ask her to give it to me then. Not sure the best way to handle that.

All this info is helpful. So glad I'm here.

tippytoes06 · August 2013

In my opinion, it wouldn't hurt to at least call and talk to someone at an RE office, especially if you haven't had any signs of ovulation. I was at the 6 month mark with no temp shifts and no positive OPK's when I scheduled an appointment with an RE. I had a few periods in that 6 months, but no signs of O. RE confirmed I wasn't ovulating and said there is no point in waiting until the 1 year mark.

However, if you aren't in a hurry, I would just push for the Provera and keep charting. If you continue to have no signs of ovulation then call an RE. I'm not sure how long they typically suggest waiting to see an RE if you have no signs of ovulation.

KatieN123 · August 2013

Here is my story that is really on my siggy:

I did not have AF after 4 months of coming off BC. I took 2 different doses of progesterone and 1 dose of provera which resulted in a 1 day spotted period. I was diagnosed with PCOS after 2 blood tests and after 2 doses of progesterone failed. You can ask about an ultrasound which confirmed my PCOS(They look for a string a pearl effect and small dots that look like "chocolate chips" which are the cysts). I would ask about the provera (Supposedly its suppose to be a little stronger and gives better results and in my case it did.) If you take provera it will jump start your period and your cycle. However, if you are diagnosed with PCOS then you could take the provera, but you may not ovulate on your own with clomid/ ferma. Currently, Im looking into getting HSG and getting DH to take a SA this month since I know an RE is going to tell me to do all of this. Hopefully, this info helps. I wish you GL and I hope you can get some answers soon.

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Dear AF, where the F are you? poss PCOS

Re: Dear AF, where the F are you? poss PCOS

BFP on 11/23/13!! Due date is July 20, 2014!

Yeah! DH and I did it on our own without any treatments or procedures. We are excited about our miracle baby.

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