Hello All!

arbasham · January 2016

A warm hello to everyone who takes the time to read my discussion. I am a 33 year old Registered Nurse from Southern Indiana diagnosed with PCOS when I was around 14 years old. I was told by my endocrinologist then that I would probably never be able to get pregnant. My PCOS journey began when I had menarche at age 10. I was regular for several months but AF quickly became less and less frequent. By the age of 11, I began to grow facial hair (as well as on the rest of my body). When I transitioned to middle school at the age of 12, I was tortured by the other children. I was overweight, shy and growing a beard. Things continued as they were for several years. At the age of 14, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after an abnormal routine lab. The next bit of my life was incredibly difficult. I struggled with weight loss, diabetes and self esteem issues. It was an up and down roller coaster for me. Since I had been told I could not have children, I always said I didn't want them. I was just telling myself that to spare the hurt and disappointment of trying and not succeeding. Now, I'm in the stage of my life where I desperately want to have a family of my own. My SO and I have been trying for 2 years with no luck on our own. At this time, I began to talk to my GYN about trying to conceive. She prescribed Clomid 50 mg. No luck. Then she upped the dose to 100 mg and did a mid-cycle ultrasound to see if I had grown a follicle. I had! It was a big one too! The only issue was that my uterine lining was very thin. I was given an HCG trigger, but alas, no luck that month either. We switched it up to Femara 2.5mg the next cycle with another ultrasound. My only follicle was too small to trigger (but my lining was very thick!). My GYN decided that I needed to see a specialist. So, I made the appointment with the Institute for Reproductive Health in Cincinnati. This is my first cycle with them. The RE has me on Femara 5mg with ultrasound, trigger and IUI. The plan is to try this for 3-4 cycles before re-evaluating the treatment. I am currently on CD 6 and my ultrasound is scheduled for Wednesday. I'm nervous to see if I had any results. This journey has been one of the most difficult in my life. Any support or words of wisdom from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I hope that everyone on this forum can someday be blessed with the miracle of life!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

Welcome @arbasham! All of the wonderful ladies on this forum can sympathize with you, I'm sure! Many of us have PCOS which causes our infertility. I think it's wonderful that your GYN was able to help you at all. I asked mine about Clomid and immediately referred me to a specialist without even seeing me, as he is unable to prescribe an infertility meds. Turns out my insurance offers no support so referred me to an outside specialist. He was able to diagnose my PCOS and get me started on Clomid with IUI cycles. We tried that for just about a year before switching to IVF. I hope that you are able to have good results with Femara and that your RE is good about monitoring your cycle. The first cycle can be pretty nerve racking, but luckily you'll know right away as you'll be able to see it on the u/s! I know for me this too has been the most challenging part of my life. I'm extremely thankful for a supportive husband who wants kids just as much as I do (well, maybe a little less since he's a boy, but as much as a boy can want one before the actually have one). I hope you and your SO support one another in any way that is needed, which is sometimes just a long hug while you cry your eyes out when it doesn't work (but yours totally will work!!!). Fx!

tvh1982 · January 2016

Welcome @arbasham!
Been quite some journey for you to get where you are today, with quite some downs to tackle.
But look at where you are today! You are definitely a strong woman, so keep going strong.
Its always great when you have a supportive SO, it will make this road a little easier to travel.
And those moments you need to vent, looking for a word of wisdom, this is a great place to be.
These lovely ladies on this forum have given me already so much support, if theyonly knew!
I'll keep my FX and keep thinking fertile! x

arbasham · January 2016

My GYN has been more than supportive through the first few cycles. She even did the mid-cycle ultrasounds at no charge (she does this for all infertility patients). I am very lucky to have her. And at least my insurance covers the Femara and the Ovidrel. It will also cover Gonal-f if I need it. It won't cover any treatments, however. So hopefully the meds work. @AandDM2014, I can't imagine the struggles you have faced. I hope this IVF cycle is the one! @tvh1982, thank you for your supportive words. It means a lot to me. Good luck to you as well!

2015dee · January 2016

Hello @arbasham! I am so sorry that this journey has been so difficult for you. Many of the symptoms of PCOS are hard enough to deal with on their own, but adding infertility to the mix makes it even worse. I am so glad you've had a good experience with your OB/GYN AND that you have insurance coverage--that's amazing!!

Many women with PCOS are successful getting pregnant on clomid or femara. Has your SO been tested as well? I will cross my fingers that this round works for you and that some of your pain from PCOS will end.

mrandmrssmith007 · January 2016

Hello and Welcome @arbasham!! I am so very sorry for your struggles. It is hard to stay positive and strong when you keep getting knocked down. You are in the right place for support. The women here are AMAZING! They have been through it all and are so supportive. The best of luck to you during your journey and lots of baby dust!

Tulips29 · January 2016

Hi @arbasham and welcome! So sorry to hear about your struggles. It's great to have such an amazing doctor and a loving, supportive SO. Good luck to you on your journey and I really hope the difficulties end for you soon!

I can relate to PCOS, as I've been struggling with it since 14. It's not easy and I've always been told that women with PCOS struggle with fertility even more. It sucks, but in the short time I've been on here I found a lot of support and reading others' success stories make me hopeful.

arbasham · January 2016

@2015dee, my SO has been tested. His count was 35 million with 53% motility. I don't know if that's ok though. The RE said it was but he still wants to do IUI.

wifeinraleigh28 · January 2016

Welcome @arbasham! I'm sorry about your struggles and all that you've been through to get to this point. I have a friend from work who has PCOS and had similar symptoms growing up. She became pregnant from doing IUI and now has a beautiful baby girl

There is hope!! Your SO's SA is right around the normal cutoff I believe. I think they like to see around 39 million with at least 40% motility. You should be good to go for IUI

arbasham · January 2016

I was wrong about the sperm count lol. It was 89 million with 53% motility.

wifeinraleigh28 · January 2016

You have good count then, well above the cutoff of normal!

AS33 · January 2016

Welcome @arbasham! I live in the Cincinnati area and also use the Institute for Reproductive Health... Small world! My obgyn sent me to them and since I've heard nothing but great things. I've tried 3 cycles of femara w/ IUI and have so far been unsuccessful but I wish you all the luck in the world!

arbasham · January 2016

@AS33 I've also heard nothing but great things. I have a friend who was told she would absolutely never be able to get pregnant due to scar tissue and her son is now 7 thanks to IRH. She recommended them to me and my GYN also recommended them too. I'm sorry that you haven't had any success yet. My heart hurts for you. FX for luck in the future!

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