PCOS etc...
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: Coping with infertility
Forum Description: Have you been trying to conceive unsuccessfully? Dealing with primary or secondary infertility? Get support, advice, and help coping here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22603
Printed Date: 23 November 2024 at 6:21pm
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Topic: PCOS etc...
Posted By: bexmp
Subject: PCOS etc...
Date Posted: 20 November 2008 at 8:50pm
Hi... I'm not sure where to start... Hubby & I have been together for over 7 yrs... we've been married for 4yrs and have been ttc for almost the whole time we've been together... frustrating, upsetting, devastating... I don't think there are enough words to describe how I feel!!! I know of one baby due every month from next month thru to May... I love my friends and my family, but, sometimes I just don't want to know... I was diagnosed a year ago with PCOS when I changed GP. She told me that a gynae I had seen 4 yrs earlier had advised my previous GP about it and she couldn't understand why nothing had been done about it... especially with my previous GP knowing we wanted kids! I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the same time, due to the PCOS and weight gain (also due to the PCOS). I've met with fertility specialists but they want me to lose 50kgs first... I don't look my weight, but the scales say its so. I feel sometimes like I'm in a vicious circle... the only help I've been given by my doc is when she prescribes provera when I go too long without a period. The only other meds I'm on is Metformin for my diabetes... my diabetes has levelled out (and I wouldn't be surprised if it's not a problem soon), its the PCOS which is the biggest problem... I don't know what to do next.... anyone have any suggestions??? PLEASE let me know if you do... Thanx 
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Replies:
Posted By: JenCal
Date Posted: 24 November 2008 at 2:02pm
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Sending you many hugs!
DH & I have been TTC over 4 years now too, and thankfully not too many of my friends are pg - but enough to feel left out. I also have PCOS, and have a lot of weight to lose - I need to lose 35kg to get IVF and it scares me... it's so much and I don't know how I'm going to do it. I feel quite alone in this process. That absolutely sucks that your GP was so negligent about your PCOS dx... although in my experience many have very limited knowledge on it, maybe your old GP wasn't up on it???? Are you in Auckland? If so I would be keen to get in touch - maybe we could support each other losing weight. I really need to meet someone else in my situation to work together in this. |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 24 November 2008 at 5:55pm
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I'm so glad to see your post. Infact the tears are springing to my eyes! My husband and I have been trying 4 years as well. I was devastated when my sister got pregnant just a month after she got married (devasted for me, happy for her of course - I had a cry in private, but we had already been trying for 3 years by then). Then she had a beautiful girl, and 3 months later she was pregnant again! I went overseas for a year and when I came back, my best friend had had a baby. So now I'm the last one standing!
I get so sick of people asking when am I going to have a baby, that I better hurry up before I run out of time. Every week it seems I bump into someone who asks, or if I meet someone new, they ask if I have any children. Just yesterday going through the checkout at the supermarket, the checkout operator asked what i was doing for the weekend, when I said no plans, she then asked if I had any kids! I know she was just trying to be friendly, but when I said No, then we sort of lapsed into an uncomfortable silence! I too have to lose weight, I was devastated when told how much, as I have never been very skinny, even during my most active years in college, when I was in all the sports teams, I was never the weight then, that I've been told to get down to now! But I am trying, and have formed a weight loss group with friends and family, although haven't told them why, and have mananged to lose 5kg so far. I switched my GP in my early 20's when my original GP, just kept saying that my periods would become normal oneday. My new GP sent me for a scan straight away and I was diagnosed then, and had a cyst removed. I was put on Metformin - actually I asked my GP to put me on it, and I tried it for a year, it made me bloated, nauseaus and sick, but I stuck with it, to no avail. I took myself off it, and have decided to try and lose weight first, then try it again. The facial hair is what gets to me these days, in the past I have spent over $5,000 in the course of year having laser treatment, which worked on that area, but now its growing in other areas, and I can't afford to spend thousands again. But lets support each other if we can, I know 2 people who have PCOS, and have concieved, one has just fallen pregnant again - with medication of course - but she lost alot of weight first. I clling to this hope, that I will too, as she is the same age as me - 33. I'm in Welington by the way. |
Posted By: JenCal
Date Posted: 24 November 2008 at 9:23pm
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Coraliee <hugs>!!
I'm so sorry that everyone around you is also getting pg! I was also on Metformin, and took myself off it due to the awful side effects, and I have the terrible facial hair as well. I did do laser treatment for a while but it didn't help a lot. It lessened the hair but didn't get rid of it - and it was soooo expensive. BTW Well Done for losing 5kgs!! I am starting back on my walking buzz tomorrow, and going to go to the gym as well! |
Posted By: bexmp
Date Posted: 24 November 2008 at 10:20pm
Hi to both of you!!! Thanx for replying... I've found a way to lose weight if you're willing to eat some really boring food for a while! I tried it earlier this year and lost 5% of my original body weight... then I had some major dramas go down... and lost the plot where my diet was concerned. I'm looking at starting back on the diet again in the new year, the ol' 'New Years Resolution' as such. I'm thinking I'll diet for a week then go back to normal for a week, just to have a little variety! Anyway, I lost the weight using Optifast... for a whole week you take either a shake, a soup or a bar for breakfast lunch and dinner, the only 'free foods' you can have are green veges ( so if you like salad you're fine), pumpkin, swede, peppers, basically anything that's not a carbohydrate, oh and 2litres of water a day... I lost 4 kilos in my first week. I'm upset that I never stuck to the diet, I realise now that I woulda been so much closer to my dream if I had only carried on with it! over 3 weeks I lost 8kgs!!! I'm definitely going back to the diet though... Oh do any of you watch "From here to maternity"? I watched last weeks programme and one of the mothers on the show had endometriosis... she had visited a chinese herbalist for assistance... sounded very interesting! Oh Jen I'm in Hamilton, but, we'll all hav to keep in touch and support each other through this... we have to stay positive (as hard as it is when friends and family (or even complete strangers) are telling ya their good news and growing their baby bumps!!!) Best of luck to both of you!!! and if I find any new info you'll be among the first to know, especially if I hear of some sort of miracle breakthrough!!! Luv & best of luck!!! bex
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Posted By: mamazozo
Date Posted: 24 November 2008 at 10:39pm
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Hey there,
First off i am soooo sorry for you, i too have PCOS. Im VERY overweight (sorry too shy to say on here) and i also lost my hair because of it (its grown back now though, yay!) I was on Metformin, Spirotone and a special pill aswell which i cant memba da name of. None of which seemed to be making much difference, so i stopped taking metformin and spirotone and continued taking my pill. About 3 months later my hair started growing back and somehow i ended up pregnant even though i was on the pill! My lil miss was definatly not planned however im very happy now. Even though i am overwight and have a high BMI my pregnancy has been completely fine, no complications or problems what so ever and she is happy and healthy bouncing away in there! So i just wanted to say to you ladies hang in there, im sure if i can get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy you will too! Im going to have a massive mission after Lily is born losing weight but it will be worth it...lol and im sure ill feel happier weighing 60kg less 
GL to you and all my best wishes go to you!! -------------    |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 25 November 2008 at 7:30pm
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Thanks supazo - is great to hear good news, and gives us hope! What was Spirotone? Haven't heard of that one before!
Hugs to you too Jencal! thanks for that! I've never actually told anyone what I've been feeling (oh no, here come the tears springing to my eyes!), that post I wrote, was the first time, I ever expressed anything to do with me and PCOS. Although my family and friends know I have it - they don't understand. And I've been afraid that if I think about it too much, I might spiral into some sort of depression I might not get out of. SO, I always just push thoughts to the back of my mind, never talk about it, brush my mothers comments off - "you better go thr Dr" "Your running out of time!" etc. And just get on with my life, do the things I want to do and enjoy. But I have prepared for the worst - just incase, so I don't end up too devastated, and planned a future without children. That optifast sounds interesting bexmp! Where can you purchase that from? I'm afraid I might starve! Well goodlluck girls on the weight loss - lets check in now and again to post our progress!
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Posted By: bexmp
Date Posted: 26 November 2008 at 10:05pm
Hi to you all! that's very exciting news supazo! congrats! the optifast you can buy from any pharmacy or from the warehouse pharmacy... its approx $55 for 10 sachets... you start off starving but I think its just a mind thing!!! lol. I was doing really well until a family friend and an aunt died in the same week and the funerals took us out of town... you definitely have to plan everything on the diet... and I learnt that the hard way! I'm definitely going back to it in the new year! 
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Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 28 November 2008 at 2:26pm
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Goodluck bexmp - yes I think its best to wait until the jolly season is over with! Can't serve lettuce and carrot sticks for Christmas dinner! lol. Lol when I read ..."you start off starving" haha! Yes I think it is a mind thing! Have to somehow tell my mind, that it doesn't want chocolate - thats my big down fall. So I won't buy any, or have any in the house. Then I'll visit someone, and they'll have chocolate biscuits - well its all down hill after the first nibble. I've been reading up about PCOS, and because its caused or associated with elevated blood sugar levels, the best thing is to follow a low glycemic diet - and of course all foods low glycemic, are the boring ones. But it says that it is the blood sugar levels that cause the symptoms - facial hair etc. Low glycemic is not just foods with sweet sugars in - but foods like apples and bread - carbs are high glycemic. So I did a little comparison, as its confusing. And out of a peice of bread, a potato, a peice of pumpkin, or rice - instant noodles are the lowest glycemic out of them all! But probably high in salt or something else! Oh its all too confusing! Anyway hope you will have a nice weekend! It looks like its going to be a hot one for Wellington!......for a change!
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 28 November 2008 at 2:59pm
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I just wanted to say Im so sorry all of you are having such a hard time.
My best friends story is very similar your Supazo, and like her story IU hope hers gives u a ray of hope. She has PCOS and was told she would never get preg naturally. She was on metformin and 2 other meds (sorry cant remember what). She was also losing her hair too and over wight with high bmi. She decided to just stop all the meds cos she was sick of them and what they were doing to her,...she then got preg naturally. That was 5 years ago. In Oct she gave birth to her third baby girl 
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Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 30 November 2008 at 10:06am
| Oh thats good news Kellz! Happy for your friend, I wonder what the 2 other meds were!? Could you ask her? They might have kicked started something. I would be interested to know, so next time I go to my Dr, I can just tell her what I want to do! Other wise you can waste time, being referred here and there and everywhere! Thanks! |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 04 December 2008 at 12:41pm
| Went to visit my sister a couple of days ago, and her friend was there ....... and she was pregnant! BUT she said she has PCOS, and had been trying for 13 years to get pregnant! And then surprise, she did, this pregnancy is number 2! Another surprise for her - shes 39! So theres hope yet! |
Posted By: Kazper
Date Posted: 04 December 2008 at 5:28pm
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Hi guys! I'm am so sorry for what you guys are going through. Life can be so cruel. I get the whole friend thing as well. The moment we started ttc everyone else fell pregnant. When we found out we would never get pregnant without ICSI IVF, we were devastated. A week after telling family my brother phoned to say him and his partner were having a baby. I turned to my best friend for support and only days after a failed first ivf treatment she told me she was pregnant AND WORSE, so was two of her sisters that I am also close to. Well we got through that and got engaged and decided, hey lets throw a big party to celebrate us, because we deserve it, I found out during the party that YES another friend was pregnant. I totally broke down!!. Another friend managed to pick me up and make me feel a bit better. I remember saying I couldn't take any more news like that, but what do you know, my aunty decided to use our engagement party to announce her pregnancy.
Well one thing I do know for sure ladies, is that when we get pregnant, it will be so much more than just another pregnancy (if you know what I mean), it will be a lot more special and magical. P.S. I had to loose 20kg before doing ivf. I have sureslim books and plans. I would be happy to copy and send them out to any of you who would like them. They are the quick loss program - totally healthy - and I lost an average of 4kg per week for the first couple of months. |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 05 December 2008 at 1:03am
| I have just been referred to a specialist and the doctor told me that he is 'obsessed' with PCOS. I am what I would say chubby with bmi of 31..but have no symptoms. What sort of symptoms do people have..and is bmi 31 the sort of 'overweight' that is likely to be associated with PCOS. I don't really want to be stuck in a box and not have other things investigated because the doctor sees an overweight chick ya know!! |
Posted By: bexmp
Date Posted: 12 December 2008 at 4:14pm
Hi all... Sori I've been so slack in replying! I've been run off my feet lately... today I was walking around town (xmas shopping, spending all my money on everyone else!) and everywhere I looked were pregnant women or newborn babies or families with their toddlers.... I started getting a lil down then thought 'HEY!!! cut it out!!!! You'll get there one day!!!) and like Kazper said... when I do it won't just be another pregnancy... not only will it be a miracle to me, but it will be so so special to all my family and friends that are watching and trying to support me through all this mess, no, they don't understand, but, they are doing their best! So we have to all try our best to not get too down this xmas... and keep our hopes and dreams alive and try again in the new year!!! Best of luck ladies!!! I hope the new year brings us everything we've ever wanted and our dreams of being a mummy comes true!!! Luv Bex 
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Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 10:01am
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Yes, like Kazper - I've been told of 3 more pregnant people this week alone. Its hard to sound excited anymore. I seem to just say "oh really? thats nice". But it can wear you down.
To answer your question Kazper - symptoms include - weight gain, and harder than usual to lose weight. Heavy periods, few periods - or no periods! Cysts on the ovaries. Facial hair - and hair wear men usual get it, like on the chest, naval etc, due to higher than normal testosterone levels. And mostly a glucose intolerance - which in the future, could and probably will lead to type 2 diabetes, unless you control and watch sugar intake now! And high cholesterol = heart attack oneday! Fortunately all people are different, and everyones symptoms are different, lucky in your case you dont' seem to have any of the embarassing symptoms!But it may pay to just have a cholesterol and blood sugar test from time to time - can be done at most pharmacies for about $5. Let us know what the specialist says! Sounds like you have a good one! I'm trying to lose some more weight, and then will try next year to go to all lengths, so at least I know I tried. In the mean time, we can all look forward to the new year, and all the exciting prospects it may bring us! Goodluck everyone for the new year! P.S bexmp - I agree, its annoying when people are complaining of morning sickness and how awful they feel. It would be the happiest day in my life to wake up one morning and vomit! |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 8:01am
The new girl at work was moaning about having to go home and look after her baby after work. And then came THE QUESTION "Have you got any kids?" "No" I replied. "Your'e so lucky" she said....................
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Posted By: bexmp
Date Posted: 03 January 2009 at 10:53pm
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Hey Ladies.... how did all your celebrations go??? I'm back to work on Monday, not really looking forward to it, hasn't been much of a holiday for me, spent most of xmas & new years feeling miserable!!! was not feeling 100%, and on xmas day dad got a lil tiddly and asked when I'm gonna start having kids!!! I was lyk "Hav u been listening to me the last few years!!!" man that pee'd me off soooo much! oh and just b4 xmas my mum turned to me and said "oh I'd luv a nu grandchild b4 next xmas" I just said "good on ya!!!"... Even though they were lyk that I did enjoy hanging out with all my cousins children, they're lots of fun and aren't in any hurry for 'aunty & uncle' to have any kids... that would mean less tym for them! Going bak to work means sitting in the same room as two others that are pregs... one due in April and the other in June... yay for me! the one due in April is pretty supportive of me tho and kinda understands what I'm going thru, which is good, her and I have ended up good mates... Oh and Coraliee you're right about the diabetes, I have type 2 diabetes... I was diagnosed bout a year ago, have it under control now, but if I had been told by my original gp about the pcos I could have possibly prevented the diabetes... Man that makes me angry!!! Well ladies... lets make this year a good one an see what we can do where makin our own babies are concerned! I hope the holidays treated you well and you all went easy on yourselves!!! Good Luck!!!
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 07 January 2009 at 9:14pm
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Hi everyone,
I haven't yet been diagnosed with PCOS, but I'm convinced I have it. I've always had an irregular AF – I sometimes go months without one, and I also have several coarse, black hairs which continue to sprout up on my chin and upper lip. Apart from that I have no other symptoms, but my mother is convinced my sister has it and my grandmother has type 2 diabetes. You're probably all wondering why my sister and I don't just go to the doctor and find out once and for all – well, we have been. My sister lives in a small rural town and the doctor there keeps telling her she doesn't have it. She has very heavy, painful periods sometimes occurring every 2 weeks, plus she gets fuzzy, facial hair. She had a cyst removed from her ovaries a few years ago but yet her doctor has never run any scans or tests to check for PCOS. As for me, I went to my doctor 6 months ago in Auckland to express my concerns. They pretty much brushed me off and told me to come back again in a few months if there was still no sign of AF. I thought, bugger that, so I decided to go straight to a gyno. One scan, one internal, and one blood test later, I had to wait for AF before I could get a 2nd blood test. A bit hard to do when it's basically non existent! When it finally came, it was a Saturday and I was out of town. Monday lunchtime I rushed in to get a blood test, but AF had stopped – it only lasted 2 days. So I may have to do it all over again. Anyways, last week I booked myself in to see the gyno to get the results and get this – there's a 5 week waiting list! $600 later, too. Just put me on Clomid already! A quick question, how many of you gals with PCOS have had high grade lesions on your ovaries? That's another thing I've had. PS. Sorry for the rant! |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 28 January 2009 at 10:06am
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Hi, Wow Treen, tell your sister to change GP's asap! I too went to the same GP all through my teens, and he kept saying the same thing, your period will eventually become regular ( I was only having one twice a year!), and it never did. After my nursing training I changed GP's and on my first visit she diagnosed me in the first 5 mins and sent me for a scan, then referred me to a Gynacologist. And I had a cyst on my ovary that I had surgically removed.
That was about 7 or 8 years ago, and I'm ashamed to say.... I'm too scared to go for another scan. I don't want to go through all that again. Even though I've been back to the GP for Metformin, and she suggested to have another scan of the ovaries - but I put her off, saying I'll try the Metformin first. Which didn't work after a year, so took myself off it until I can lose some weight, Still trying to lose some more weight before I head back to my GP, and this time will be brave enough to go for the scan, no point taking all the meds and it won't work cos' have giant cysts - oh god, I hope not!
But it certainly sounds like your sister definately has PCOS! I wonder if I have high grade lesions - not heard about those before - any symptoms? |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 28 January 2009 at 10:21am
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Hi Coralee, thanks for sharing all this, yeah, I'm going to see if my mum will take her to a proper doctor out of town.
High grade lesions are cancerous cells you have to get burnt off your cervix (?). There are no symptoms, they just show up in a regular smear. Quite common, as well as me I know at least 4 of my friends have had them. If you've had them, you have to have a smear once a year so they can closely monitor them. I was just curious to see if they could possibly be linked to PCOS. |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 28 January 2009 at 7:01pm
I have PCOS too, being told that my u/s showed that I have swiss cheese looking ovaries- gee great! Some of the literature I have read says that PCOS can increase the chances/incidences of cervical cancer other literature doesnt seem to mention it ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com"> 
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 8:33pm
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Yay, finally had my appointment with my specialist and yep, I was right – I do have PCOS. Start clomid next AF! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: bexmp
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 8:26am
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Hi All! How's ur year going so far??? well... my gp recently diagnosed another complication... I was on metformin for my so called "borderline" diabetes and to assist with my PCOS, and, I got a lil dehydrated and apparently have a mild form of Lactic Acidosis.... so he's taken me off metformin for now and I'm due to see him on monday so we can discuss which meds I should be on... gee I bet its gonna be fun!!! ... I hope you are all coping well with the new year... it seems to be bringing lots of babies...well, everyone else seems to be having babies... anyway, good luck ladies!!! Luv Bexmp
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Posted By: alexbabe
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 4:27pm
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hi all, well I have been told just going on a year that i have PCOS, no drugs been given, DR says i should just see what happens, as she thinks im still young. I mean come whats with the DR deciding when they think you should want kids.
anyway, i hope this year brings joy and luck to all. |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 14 February 2009 at 1:52pm
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Change your DR, alexbabe! We have been trying for 1 year and I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS. DR wrote a script for 3 months of clomid pronto! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 8:33am
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Treen, did your normal GP write a script for clomid? Or did you have to go to a specialist for that? If it was your GP, then I'm heading off to mine to get her to give me some! I have in my head that only specialists can prescribe those medications - hope I'm wrong!
Hope everyone is doing well! Have come to a stand still in the weight loss, despite doing 3km every day after work and eating lettuce & tuna till it comes out of my ears! But shall not give up! Might have to make it 4kms now - damn it. Will try and check in here more often - but usually BABYSITTING on my days off for my sisters kids, my goddaughter, my aunties kids ...... everyones kids but my own - sigh.......
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 10:47am
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Ah, sorry Coralee, I went straight to a gyno. However alexbabe, you should change DR if your current one isn't willing to refer you to one. Or just ring one up yourself and make an appointment.
I've just completed my first round of Clomid, no side effects which is good. Just wondering, does Clomid stablise your cycle? What I mean is, with PCOS, I have a somewhat irregular AF. Will clomid regulate my cycle and OV? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 11:02am
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My G.P was the same as yours Alexbabe, I went in and said what I expected and where I wanted to go from that point. Yes, they are the Dr but sometimes you have to go in a be assertive and knowing the next step to take is an asset.
I had seen my G.P at least half a dozen times and been fobbed off each time- my cycles were all over the place and varied in length- up to 72 days long! and sometimes I was just passing old stringy blood clots (sorry TMI). I was told the AF cycles change for some woman from time to time and to just ride it out they didnt want to intervene when it is a normal circumstance.... I went in and said that I know something isnt right and it shouldnt take a "normal" "healthy" woman of my age (28) to take this long conceiving if there wasnt an issue. I said that I wanted a referral to a fertility specilist and named the Dr I wanted to see (I had done my research beforehand and knew this Dr had a good rep), within a couple of days I had an appt date- unfortunately there was a 6 week waiting list but now know that I have PCOS and not ovulating at all. I got my scan, my bloodtests and precription for clomid that day. I'm now on my second cycle of clomid and hoping for the best, next step for me I think is clomid and a trigger shot... All the best, sorry for such a long story, obviouslyly I'm still a little bitter about it as I feel I've wasted so much time through to being fobbed off for so long  ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 21 February 2009 at 7:38pm
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Thanks for sharing that info MindyW and Treen! Think I will go to my GP soon, wanted to try and lose 5 more kg first. But sounds like I can do that while I'm on a waiting a list to see a specialist, and know who I want to see too!
Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 22 February 2009 at 11:59am
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MindyW, has clomid made your AF more normal? Curious to see if it does mine. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 01 March 2009 at 10:19am
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Yay! Lost one more kilo! Gawd its hard. 4 kg to go and then will take myself to the GP. Would do anything for a toffee pop, but would do more for a baby!
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:01am
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Sorry Treen, um my first cycle with clomid was 33 days and I'm still waiting for my AF at the mo. Today is day 30 and no signs yet- usually start getting lower back pains when AF due to arrive.....
I had my second FA appt Monday and the 50 mg clomid didnt stimulate my ovaries enough to ovulate so now I've been prescribed 100mg. Like I said just waiting for my AF....HATE waiting!! Coraliee- I know how you feel 'cept that it is only day 3 of my diet !!!. My Dr said my BMI was "a little above normal" and I treally need to work on losing some weight to help the clomid to work. Great spent $75 for a script and to be told that I'm fat 
Soooo, better go do some exercise  Best do as the Dr says . Keep posting girls, we seem to be in the minority ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:52am
| Has anyone else heard of difficulties in carrying babies throughout an entire pregnancy with PCOS? Like an increased chance of miscarriage? It was on a website that I saw last night. While I know that you need to \take some websites with a grain of salt... my Dr has never mentioned any thing like that to me and my next appt is scheduled for ?May 5th- (will need to recheck that date). Thats a lot of pressure to carry around!! |
Posted By: Coraliee
Date Posted: 05 March 2009 at 9:46am
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I haven't heard about any difficulties, I know a few people with PCOS, who all got preggies (with various cocktails of drugs), but carried through to 9months as normal. But some 'normal' people I know who got preggies, had abnormally high blood pressures and high blood sugars (as when hormones go hay wire) maybe it depends on your overall health? Like say you have PCOS and also have diabetes - then your blood sugar level may go up and down. Or if you have PCOS and are over weight, your blood pressure might go high?
Not sure though - not an expert. One friend I know with PCOS, is about to give birth any day now (thanks to clomid) and has had no probs the last 9 months, nor when she had her last baby 5 years ago! Hey good luck! Any side effects from clomid? |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 05 March 2009 at 10:37am
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Intense mood swings! I've been on 2 cycles of 50mg clomid and the first cycle definately hit me the hardest! crying every 2 minutes- my DH thought I was going insane, This last cycle I have cramping in lower abdo and lower back for about 2 weeks still, still just waiting for AF- no signs still
I love hearing the success stories about women with PCOS and having healthy bubs ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 06 March 2009 at 10:03pm
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Hi everybody! Thanks for pointing me here Mindy, just reading everyones stories has been really great so far.
I have had abnormal cycles since I was 11 (AF only usually visits 2-4 times a year). I was always too embarrassed to go see the dr about it, but after meeting my current partner I realised it was something I would have to get sorted. My dr did blood test etc and came back with 'it's not normal, but there's nothing wrong'. I wasn't 100% happy with this, but it had taken me so much to go in there that I didn't have the confidence to push the matter. Then late last year AF came to visit for a whole month! So I went to a new dr (old one retired), this guy was about as helpful as my old dr and didn't send me for an ultrasound until my second visit when I was clearly not happy with his solution and he referred me 'just in case'. When the results from the ultrasound came back I went to my partners dr, who is heaps better, diagnosed PCOS and recommended a gyno. Today was my first appointment with the gyno. He has had me do more blood tests and is probably going to put me on a low dose of Metformin to start me off. My partner and I have decided we want to start trying to conceive, and while it is early days yet I get the distinct feeling I have a long road ahead. Apologies for the long post. I look forward to reading all your success stories in the near future. Best wishes. |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 07 March 2009 at 11:28am
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Hi again astral_monkey. This place is great for all the venting and talking about things that other people dont understand, and the beauty of it is that everyone here is going through or been through something similar...
Reading on here you will see that unfortunately a lot of G.P's havent taken us seriously . I was on 2 cycles of clomid 50mg cos I dont ovulate, they didnt work so now am waiting to start 100mg. Like you I have irregular cycles that can be few and far between so hoping that AF comes sooner rather than later  ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 2:50pm
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Hi folks.
I'm getting frustrated and impatient. I really want it to be friday so I can call my doc and get my blood test results. The sooner things get rolling the better I'll feel. I bought a BBT thermometer the other day and have started charting, but with my cycle being so unpredictable it feels a bit like mowing a rugby field with a disposable razor.
*Sigh* Hows everyone else doing? |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 11 March 2009 at 11:41am
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still waiting for AF, CD 37!!! had stupid spotting with small blood clots (sorry) but no actual flow...... guess I'm more broken then I thought! ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 10:53am
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Hmm... not happy. Decided I don't really like the gyno I'm going to.
I had to call him today to get my blood test results and find out where we go from here. He was a bit... I don't know... abrupt. He said they were still waiting on a couple of results, but the ones they had all looked fine and did I want to deal with the weight issue first or start on the drugs straight away. Weight issue! Argh. It's not like I'm 50kg overweight or something! I weigh more than I should and DH and I have already discussed it and have started making changes, but the doc already knew that and that last time I was at a healthy weight range it didn't improve any of my PCOS symptoms!
Anyway, that's just weight stuff, which is a bit of a pet peeve. I lost lots of weight once before and was the lowest I had been in ages but hadn't weighed myself at all so when I stepped on the scales during a physical I was so pleased at the number and the doc/nurse whoever said to me 'Hmm, you need to lose a few kgs'. I was like 'what the f*?'. I wanted to talk to the doc about clomid, but I didn't really feel comfortable asking about it with the way he was speaking to me. He's sending a prescription out in the post. I hope he sends a letter with it because he hasn't told me much about metformin, or when I should get back in touch with him etc. *Sigh* I was feeling like I had started getting answers and I was on the right track, but now I'm not quite as confident everything is going to work out. Sorry for the long post. Hope everyone is doing well. Mindy, any luck with AF? |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 4:30pm
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Weight issue pisses me off, I am a little overweight, well probably I guess 20kg overwieght which is substantial and not a little really, but people who are really fat get pregnang without any problems so it is really frustrating when drs go on about it.
I don't have pcos but as of today have been put on metformin I assume to help me lose weight but I dunno...I just don't really see how that can be affecting things. Suck pants I say! Sick of waiting and hoping. Sick of other people popping out babies willy nilly. Sick of the disappointment every month. grrrr ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 4:41pm
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Hmm, I'm a size 8-10 and I have PCOS plus high blood sugar levels. Don't let any doctor make you think that losing weight will lessen your PCOS.
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 4:53pm
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Mindy – I've been having spotting for up to 5 days prior to full flow for the last 4 AFs. They've also been irregular so I keep changing my ticker! I mentioned this to my acupuncturist today so she tried to address it in my session. You wouldn't believe it but about a minute after she had finished putting all the needles in, I started getting period pain. 3 hours later – full flow!
I've also started chinese medicine and decided to skip this month's cycle of clomid to try and flush out my system. I'm slightly skeptical about alternative medicines actually working, but the theory behind it all seems so much more believable than modern day medicine! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 7:54pm
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Treen, I've always been a bit skeptical about alternative medicine, so when I read online that acupuncture can help with PCOS, I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to try. But my mind is almost completely changed!
My dad had a stroke about a month ago and lost a lot of the movement in his right hand and foot. His roommate in the ward at the hospital recommended acupuncture and dad has had one session and can now curl his toes and drum his fingers. Woohoo! I was so surprised, and he is so happy. Definitely something I might investigate a bit further, I'm so glad to hear it worked for you! |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 13 March 2009 at 8:59pm
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Hi Astral Monkey, I know what you mean, I'm still skeptical, and reluctant to continue it for any longer than 6 months because of the cost, but it's amazing when you're lying there and you can feel tiny electric shocks going right through your body even though the needle is only 1mm in. I totally think that today, the needles shocked my uterus into action!
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 10:23am
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Yup AF came with full force... the heaviest Ive ever had. Im on day 4 of clomid...no side effects whatsoever this month. Af stopped after 3days which is unusual..nevermind at least she came.
Thats great news bout the acupunture. There is a lady in palmy that specialises in acupuncture for fertility and pregnancy so may give her a call next cycle...see what this 100mg clomid does first. astral monkey, awesome news that you dad has some of his function back! tell him to keep up the good work! your family must be very happy. ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 10:28am
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Def talk to your dr astral monkey before taking your meds, feel free to ask me questions and ill do my best to answer them.
Maybe we should try losing weight together girls just to keep motivated....they say that losing 10% of you body weight can help with PCOS.... I weigh 80.8kg so BMI of 28 (overweight), i'd like to get down to 69kg so ill have bmi of 25 (normal). so i need to lose 11.8kg starting today! ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 4:25pm
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Hi folks. Well I started taking Metformin on Saturday, and have had a headache virtually ever since. Not much nausea, and panadol helps with the headache, so hopefully that's the worst I get.
DH and I have started the weight loss / lifestyle change thing. We've started slow, which is mostly because I have a habit of starting things with a hiss and a roar then it all dies away. We're working on doing regular grocery shops, planning meals, and eating more fruit & vege. I currently weigh 72kg, BMI of 30 (overweight). I'd like to get below 60kg, BMI of 25, but should probably be aiming for 55kg. I need to lose 12kg min. This is not going to be easy! Thank goodness I've got a good reason!!! |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 8:45pm
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Good luck, Astral. My BMI is 21 but I have high blood sugar levels so I started a food diary on Saturday to see how much sugar really is in my diet. I didn't think I ate a lot of sugar, but I think since giving up smoking last October, it looks like I've unknowingly swapped the fags for sugar.
Having to write everything down over the last few days really has helped me become aware of what I'm eating, but it doesn't seem to be stopping me! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 10:40pm
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Right well finished day 2 of new routine of 45 mins a day on crosstrainer.... I start things with a hiss and roar to and they also end badly
My friend just text me to see how things were going.. then after I spilled exactly how I've been feeling I got the comment that pees me off the most..."I didnt realise how lucky we were" and "I guess you private time with DH has lost all the excitement..must be like a chore now" ...really? any need for that? Just kick me while I'm down ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 11:22pm
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From what I have read and from what my specialist harps on about is that losing weight helps regardless of having PCOS so I have to lose 20kg to be in what I (and specialist) consider to be a good zone. So we are joining Jenny Craig on Thursday and I can't wait-at the moment life is stressful enough without having to diet and think about what I am eating all the time.
If anyone wants to start a thread we could do our weight loss or something - no judging? -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 11:27pm
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Oh and I forgot to say Astral...could you change Drs if you don't like the one you have? My specialist is a bit like that but at the same time he is gunning for me so can live with the 'you won't eat chips again' and the 'you like sweet stuff don't you' comments! Ah the joys...I am guessing it is a male one?
Also keep telling self that I am overweight so he has a valid point - will be a lot easier DURING pregnancy if I start it off at a healthy weight -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 9:52am
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OMG Nat, I think I'd smack someone who said those kind of comments!
Mindy, friends comments suck especially when we're at this sensitive stage. I find myself constantly offended by our friends. I have one PG friend who warns me not to get my hopes up about clomid and the other day, I overheard DH explaining to a male friend over the phone, all the intricacies of my PCOS. This friend enquires how the baby making is going every time he rings. It's none of his f@#king business! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 9:57am
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I went private so I can change my dr whenever I want. I'm really bad with drs, I don't like most of them, which makes things hard. I've started seeing DH's dr as my GP and I'm not 100% comfortable, but she's better than most. More thorough, and she actually explains things properly, which is good. Wish I could find a gyno like that.
Mindy, that sucks! You've got to wonder what's going through peoples heads when they make comments like that. Ignore it! It's not worth thinking about. Well, DH & I are doing really well on the food side of the lifestyle change, but we've been so busy lately that we haven't really started getting active. Nothing on this evening so we might have to go for a big walk or something after dinner. |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 10:11am
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Treen, LOL at your DH. Mine would just shrug as say something funny, he's not one for the details.
DH & I haven't actually told anyone we're going to start ttc and I've asked him not to tell his family about my PCOS (his mum's a nurse and I could do with out the technical questions and obligatory updates everytime we're round there). So we get to avoid all the fun of questions... for now anyway. |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 12:07pm
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Yeah, we stupidly told everyone we'd be TTC right after getting married last year. We both honestly thought it would happen in the first few months. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 7:44pm
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thanks ladies! Felt better as soon as I vented!
Nat- I'm keen on the weight loss thread.. I think there is one already running on here somewhere..... I did W/W few years back- will try and sort out the points etc... Treen- We started trying after we bought our house... we had a checklist..careers, marriage, house and baby- we have all those except one
Astral_monkey- how is the metformin and headaches? ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 8:48pm
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Found the weight loss thread under the general chat :-) -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 10:15am
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Metformin is okay at the moment. I'm actually remembering to take them which is a start (3 times a day). Side effects haven't been major, and the headache isn't as bad as it was, but still there. I've had a bit of nausea and a bit of diarrhea, but thankfully these have mostly been in the evenings and not while I'm at work.
I've only been taking it a few days, it'll be a while yet before I know if it's going to make a difference. I did weight watchers last year and lost quite a bit in a pretty short timeframe (wasn't the plan, just sort of happened that way), then I went and put it all back on and couldn't get back into the swing of counting points. It definitely works if you stick to it! I jumped on the scales this morning and I am 71kg! Which means I've lost 1kg!! Yay! |
Posted By: jmac
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 8:21am
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well done astral monkey! 1kg is great!
keep up the good work. im doing tony ferguson but i wont jump on the scales as the numbers do my head in and i dont want to stress myself out anymore than i have been with the baby stuff. but my pants are feeling really really loose so i need to just bite the bullet and jump on those scales! where in the general chat is the weight loss forum? i couldnt find it? |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 9:18am
| http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20392&PN=2&TPN=78 - Jmac, click here for the weight loss thread. |
Posted By: jmac
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 3:39pm
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hi astral monkey,
thanks for that. i just went to see a naturopath who confirmed after some blood tests that i am insulin resistant and my metabolism is a slug hence why i cant loose weight! all related to pcos too. He has given me a program to follow and i see him in a fortnight - ill keep you posted but i came away far more positive about him helping with my pcos, weight loss and infertility. ------------- TTC 19 mths-PCOS Clom,Lap & HSG Nov 08 IUI feb 09 BFN IUI Mar 09 BFP!! Ariana Lesley Birch 29.11.9 TTC No 2 20 months IUI May 11-BFN IUI June 11-BFP sadly M/C IUI Oct - BFN IUI Nov - BFN |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 29 March 2009 at 4:51am
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Yay Jmac, that is good. The weight loss thread is also a good one.
Ya know, I started old JC last week and was SOOOO disappointed this month about not getting BFP as I was sure it would happen so I have to think positive about how an extra month on JC is a good thing YKWIM. So each month I don't get preggers at least I get to lose weight haha!! All makes for a healthier mum and might even get to be considered a MILF! -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 11:49am
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Hi ladies.
Have now been on Metformin for about 2.5 weeks. *Sigh*. So far all it's done is made me feel crappy. I keep trying to get my head around the fact that it's gonna take longer than a couple of weeks for things to work (if they're going to work). I can't help it, I'm from the 'now' generation. It's funny cause I was reading the TTC forum a little while ago and to see everyone charting and knowing they're on CD# etc. and then getting all depressed over the TWW. I'm just like, okay I'm on CD105 (not quite, but you get what I mean), and I don't even know what a TWW feels like! I sort of feel like I'm in limbo at the moment. |
Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 2:14pm
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I am soooo overwhelmed right now! I balled my eyes out while reading through this forum but at the same time I was relieved and excited to know that there were other people that feel the same way I do and have felt for so long!
When I was first told I had cysts on my ovaries, I was shocked! My GP at the time treated it like it was something he diagnosed about 100 times a day and kinda talked to me like "of course you've got it, look at the size of you"... I walked outta there confused, depressed, heartbroken, angry (cos he didn't care), and feeling dumb (cos I didn't know what to do from there?). I was eventually (through family planning) referred for an ultrasound which allowed me to see that my ovaries were the size of golf balls and then referred to a gynie to see if they could be surgically removed... The gynie without even meeting me first sent me a letter to say that my condition was not serious enough for them to operate on. Since then I have just tried to accept that this is my life and move on... It has been impossible for me! I have always wanted children since I was a young girl. I am the oldest of my 6 siblings and have always looked after them... I come from a big family, my husband comes from a big family, I just couldn't make sense of anything! I got my period early as a child then when I was 14, even though I wasn't sexually active, my mother took me to the dr to have "the injection". That being the first and only time I ever had any type of birth control, I never got my period again... About 3 yrs later, I meet my husband. When we became sexually active, I blew up like a balloon and got my period straight away... Only my problem is... it never stops! In a typical year, instead of getting my period once a month for about a week... I have my period all the time and stop once a month (if I'm lucky) for about a week and most times it doesn't completely stop cos I'll still be spotting and stuff but that's pretty much nothing for me. Again, I know this is completely abnormal but I don't know what to do! It's just a part of my life now! That being said, I have a hard time exercising as my blood-flow is always very very heavy! I constantly have huge blood clots coming out of me and often thought in the earlier years I was miscarrying? Now its just become a normality for me. I don't want to go to a GP cos I'm always getting told to lose weight and exercise. I'd like to see them try to do it with a big hand towel stuffed between their legs cos sanitary pads and tampons don't hold anything for me. Anyway... a while back my old GP put me on Norithisterone which was supposed to help regulate my periods! It was pretty much like being on the pill (I can imagin). Take it for 3 weeks then stop for a week! This had crazy side-effects... after about 6 months I took myself off it and the problem came back. Recently I was referred to another GP for a check up after having an allergy reaction to something... They found in my blood tests that my hemoglobin levels were about 30... this should never be below 110 min and should range between 150-160. They discovered that I have been slowly hemorrhaging over time. I don't have diabetes but have now been put on Metformin and have been taking it for a week. After reading this forum and researching the internet I'm starting to wonder if I should keep taking it? I know exactly how you all feel... I have a big network of friends who all got pregnant at the same time... In 2004, literally we were finding out every week that one of our friends were pregnant. We would just look at each other and with my eyes welling up with tears, my husband would say to me... don't worry, our turn will come. Now most of them have 2-3 children some having their 4th child. 2 of my younger brothers have a child each and now my baby brother is expecting. Even a friend who for 6 years of my marriage was single and wondered if she'd ever find a husband, has now had 2 children. Its so hard not to resent them and let jealousy take over me! I love them so much but Its extremely depressing and despite their best efforts to support me, I still feel like there's something wrong with me. I don't even feel like a normal woman. In this whole situation, its my husband I feel for the most. In the last 12 yrs, he has stuck with me through this whole thing and still loves me with all my moods, depression, weight gain, anger and bleeding! I'm so emotional about this topic. My heart drops whenever someone asks me why I haven't had any or will I have one? or am I pregnant? I long for the feeling of a baby kicking in my tummy or being able to wait anxiously for my husband to come home and surprise him with the news that we're having a baby. I haven't let go of that dream yet but have to be honest in saying that the older I'm getting which I am now 29, the more I'm starting to fear that it will ever happen to me. Thank you all for posting your stories and giving me encouragement and a sense of belonging... Best of luck to you all
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 3:41pm
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Larnz, your post brought tears to my eyes. Have you thought about seeing a naturopath or herbalist? You could also try Vitex (Agnus Cactus). You can get it from any health shop. It's supposed to help regulate your AF only you have to take it for at least 3 months before you're supposed to see any results. And if you fall pregnant, you should stop taking it right away.
Another thing I'm taking is Fibresure which is a 100% natural fibre supplement. I've read that 20 - 50g a day can be beneficial for PCOS as it lowers the GI of foods. I'm gluten intolerant, so I don't have near enough fibre in my diet. I just dissolve a teaspoon of it in a glass of water after every meal. You can also get it in capsules which I carry in my handbag. Benefibre is another brand. I just went and has my progesterone bloods at 21 days. The woman there asked me if I was 7 days past OV and I said yes as an automatic response but thinking about it now, I have no idea. My AF is irregular and I've been through a lot of stress over the last few weeks so the temps on my chart are totally unreadable. Last month was a 32 day cycle so if this month is the same, I'm only 2 days past OV. So my question is, how do you girls know when you've OV and when to take your bloods? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 3:57pm
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Hi Treenz,
No I haven't tried anything like that and I have absolutely no idea when I OV! Today I started looking at other options cos I honestly had the impression that there was nothing out there but surgery and I had been denied that option so I was stumped (I know! I feel like I was living in a bubble now). Only after today have I found other people that are going through similar experiences over this forum and have also only just found other pathways for treatment through the internet. Saw something about Acupuncture helping with PCOS too? What do you think of that? I didn't even know about taking progesterone bloods? Thank you so much for your recommendations and suggestions... After everything I've been through with the GP's I've seen, I'm definitely open to anything! |
Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 3:58pm
| Oops sorry, I meant to type Treen not Treenz |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 4:01pm
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Welcome Larnz!
Wow, where to begin!! If I were you I'd make an appointment to see a gyno (go private). Walk in there and just lay your cards down on the table. You've had enough, this isn't right, it needs to be dealt with, no you do not want to work on the weight issue first, you want to start trying to conceive, and you are not leaving that office until there is an action plan in place with clear expectations as to what and when you should expect to see results and what the next step is should those results not eventuate. I bled for all of August last year and by the end of the month had had enough. I can't believe you've lasted this long, that's incredible. Something is not right with your body and you certainly don't need me to tell you that. Be strong! We are all here behind you, supporting you. Make an appointment, get in there, and don't leave until you have the answers you need. Good luck!!! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 4:04pm
| Treen, I don't have a clue when I OV, or even if I do. Sorry can't help. Hows it all going? |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 4:45pm
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Hi again Larnz, I started acupuncture about 6 weeks ago and Chinese herbs 3 weeks ago. This month I'm taking a break from TTC, to try and flush my system out. Looking at my bloods, my herbalist says that my hormones are all out of wack and that I have a lot of gunk up there that hasn't been coming out once a month with AK like it should do. I guess only time will tell. One thing I will say is that she talks me through everything. She talks me through my blood results, my hormone levels, my charts... My gyno was like, oh yeah, you've got PCOS. Here's some clomid – see you in 3 months!
Astral Monkey - me neither, but I do remember some gals in this forum talking about day 21 bloods (progesterone) so I wanted to know how they know that they're 7DPO when PCOS makes you irregular. Can anyone answer this? Astral, are you on clomid and do you chart? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 5:07pm
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Nope, not on clomid. Am only on Metformin at the mo. Wanted to start charting, but not sure if it's worth it until AF comes along and I have a 'start' date so to speak.
Am hoping the metformin regulates my cycle a bit so I can get myself a ticker and actually have cycle days! From what I've gathered most people use temp, CM and/or OPK's to determine when they have OV'd. I'd say it's a damn site easier for those with regular cycles.  Almost finished work for the day.
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 5:37pm
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WOW thanks for that advice! I'll definitely do that :D
About the OV... as far as I've been told, most of the time people with PCOS don't ovulate? That's why we can't get pregnant isn't it? Thanks for all your support, I cannot explain how it feels to be able to communicate with other women that have similar if not the same problems! So do you recommend continuing to take the metformin? I've read alot of people have taken it and then stopped after a while cos it wasn't doing anything but causing bad side-effects? I've been there already with the norithisterone and rather than take it as a trial drug which I guess is what everything will end up being, I don't want to keep puting anything toxic in my body thats gonna cause other problems later down the track? Astral-Monkey do you suffer side-effects from it? |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 7:34pm
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Some girls with PCOS OV, others don't. Mine is a very weak OV. My eggs aren't overly healthy and don't burst down the fallopian tubes like they should.
I took one cycle of clomid and didn't have any side effects. I'm going back on in next month. What's the difference between clomid and metformin? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 7:48pm
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Larnz, PCOS is pretty broad. From what I gather you can have PCOS and still ovulate normally or you can not ovulate, but still have a period every month, or you can not have either. I could be wrong, but from what I have read/been told, PCOS is different for everyone.
I read lots online when I started on metformin. There are definitely people out there that have suffered bad side effects, but I also found a fair few that were really happy with the results. I'm only 2 and a half weeks into my 3 month course, and I have had side effects. I've had headaches, nausea (but no vomiting), diarrhea, and some general aches and pains. That's not enough for me to throw in the towel. The idea is that my body will adjust, which hopefully isn't too far off. I also haven't heard of metformin causing any long term problems. I'm gonna stick with it for now. I'll keep you updated if I have any major side effects, and let you know if the ones I have now dissipate. |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 7:57pm
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I don't know what the difference is in how they work, but metformin is a diabetes drug that has something to do with insulin as apparently woman with PCOS often have insulin resistance (though not necessarily diabetic). Metformin is used with PCOS patients to regulate the menstrual cycle. Clomid is a fertility drug, I don't know much about it, but it is used to stimulate ovulation, thus greatly increasing the chances of conception.
I think I'd prefer to be on clomid than metformin as I really really really want to start trying for a bubs, but doc decided to start me on metformin. Am gonna do my 3 months and then ask if I can be put on clomid. |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 8:14pm
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Just found this on Wikipedia:
D-chiro-inositol (DCI) offers a well-tolerated and effective alternative treatment for PCOS. It has been evaluated in two peer-reviewed, double-blind studies and found to help both lean and obese women with PCOS; diminishing many of the primary clinical presentations of PCOS. It has no documented side-effects and is a naturally occurring human metabolite known to be involved in insulin metabolism. Contrary to common — but false — claims, DCI is not a drug but rather a nutrient (as defined by the DSHEA) and is commercially available as a nutritional supplement in the USA. Anyone ever heard of it? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 8:16pm
| Well I'm definitely gonna stick to it then... I haven't had those kind of side effects but was a little thrown off after reading some bad reports of it... I got a little chest pain that freaked me out a bit but other than that its been fine :D Thank you for clarifying a bit more about PCOS for me too... I feel like my eyes have been opened up to a new world of possibilities now that I'm chatting with people that actually suffer from it rather than others that can't speak from experience. I too will try your plan of switching to Clomid if Metformin doesn't help after a few months and in the mean time i'll try the other options you've given me regarding the naturopath or herbalist etc :D I can't wait to hear from you all about your progress! |
Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 03 April 2009 at 10:45am
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Hi all, not sure if anyone's read this yet but here's a couple of natural at home tips to help us achieve results with PCOS.
Tip #1: Use apple cider vinegar regularly. It has been shown to have insulin-sensitizing effects, which means that it helps your body to get sugar out of the bloodstream more quickly, and inside the cells for energy. Insulin resistance which is associated with PCOS, results in a reduced ability to process sugar, and insulin levels end up rising. This is bad news for PCOS because high insulin turns off fat burning making it harder to lose weight, and stimulates testosterone production making symptoms like acne, excess hair, and hair loss worse. Apple cider vinegar is a cheap and easy way to manage insulin resistance. Have some in water before meals, and as part of salad dressings. Tip #2: Increase fibre intake. Getting enough fibre in the diet is important, you should aim for about 30 grams a day. Fibre helps to keep your bowel movements regular, reduce cholesterol, improve digestive function, and aid proper excretion of excess hormones. It also slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. Fibre rich foods include wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and legumes. An easy way to increase your fibre intake is with 'psyllium husks'. These are light and fluffy flakes that you can sprinkle on cereal or have in smoothies or juice. They absorb a lot of water when passing through the digestive tract, expanding the contents of the gut which presses against the intestinal wall, stimulating peristalsis (the movement of food through the digestive tract). When increasing fibre intake, it is important to also increase water intake, otherwise you may experience stomach discomfort. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. There's 6 in total to help reduce symptoms :D Good luck |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 03 April 2009 at 10:42pm
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Hey girls, metformin is also supposed to help with weight loss, so often the dr will use this BEFORE clomid because from my understanding you only go on clomid for a few cycles. So I am guessing that they will want you to lose weight before trying the pills that are a little more intense -clomid also comes with chance of mulitple births! That way you have the best shot at clomid.
It sucks to read what you have been through larnz, dunno how you have done it. Def go see a specialist even if you have to pay because that is affecting your life not just stopping you from having a bub. I know they take weight loss very seriously so I would suggest that you look at ways to move some kgs so they see you are serious - I weigh 85 kg and my specialist considers that my weight is an issue so just be aware that they will bring it up. Don't feel like they are judging you or singling you out, coz it happens to anyone who is even outside the correct BMI!! Def makes it hard when you bleed so much so this should be a case towards doing something about it right??? We have a weight loss thread over in the general forum too if ya waana get some motivation from other ladies! -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 03 April 2009 at 10:50pm
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Oh yeah I was gonna blab on about ov too....I am lucky coz I have such regular cycles (I don't have PCOS, I don't have a reason for my infertility) but I still rely on ovulation sticks (like pregnancy tests but for ovulation!) and my cervical mucus and now temping...so it is hard even if you are regular!
I would suggest that you try using POAS (ov tests) intensively over a month and see when/if it happens. This would be kind of expensive but sometimes is worth it to find out whether you are ovulating or not ay...coz I don't see how you can have a 21 day test when ya dont know when you expect to ovulate-that is just stupid of the medical people to even do that!! If it was the wrong time of month it would just come back saying you didn't ov!! My sister in law was going through family planning centre to see how her cycles went and she was going to send in a POAS every day for her cycle and they actually provided the POAS so that might be something worth investigating?? That was in Melbourne tho so not sure if they do that in NZ but hey, they might and it is worth checking out. Oh yeah, alternatively you could try to work out how to feel your cervix as that is supposed to be a good indicator and is free right!!! But don't ask me how to do that as it just ...well where is it?? heehee, how blonde does that make me sound!! Sorry about the long posts..... -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 7:07pm
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Your day 21 progesterone is just that.. on day 21. In a regular cycle or a cycle that is bein well controlled by clomid i.e ovualtion occurs you generally ovualte around day 14. The day 21 progesterone test shows whether or not you've ovulated. They reccommend your day 21 progesterone to be over 10 for a non medicated cycle and over 40 for a medicated cycle.
for example my lab results (Because I dont ovulate) Baseline: 0.4 ( )
Cycle 1 (50mgs Clomid) =1.9 Cycle 2 (50mgs Clomid) = 0.32 Cycle 3 (100mgs Clomid) = 48.7!!! Yay I finally ovulated! Just waiting to peeonastick bout this time next week(ish) to see if it was successful.
Metformin lowers insulin levels- In a lot of people with PCOS they have high insulin levels |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 7:44pm
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Okay, but, in a regular cycle, 21 days is 7 DPO. For me, when I did my progesterone bloods this month, I was only 2 days past OV. So, you could get an incorrect progesterone reading, if you haven't OVed or aren't mid luteal, right? With an irregular AF, 21 days and 7 DPO aren't the same for me. I have scripts from my gyno which say 21 days, however the scripts from my herbalist say 7 DPO... 2 different things for me. And when you google it, you get an assortment of articles coming up saying one or the other.
I'm confused, but I think for someone with an irregular cycle, it should be 7 DPO, right?
Another thing too that I'm sorta scratching my head about, is that when I'm on clomid, I still have an irregular AF. I was under the impression that you always OV 14 days before AF arrives, right? Or does clomid change that? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 10:43pm
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Yes I agree Treen, heaps of people don't ovulate on day 14...some people ovulate a lot later and some a lot earlier so if your cycles are all over the place the 21 day thing is random. All very fine if you have a lovely 28 cycle ovulating on day 14!! There are heaps of people in the TTC section who have cycles over 30 days so they would surely have lower progesterone levels on those days?
But good news for you mindyw as that must mean that you ovulated at about the right time, which obviously means the drugs are working! fx for a BFP in a weeks time -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 10:38am
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Thanks for the tip regarding Clomid, Nat. I didn't really think of it being a limited use drug. Maybe I should be thinking a bit more strategic and start preparing myself to give the clomid the best possible chance to work. Which means losing weight so that is not an issue.
I have not always weighed as much as I do now. In fact when AF first came to visit I was if not average, small, for my age. And AF has never made regular visits. I guess I was sort of thinking, being a suitable weight didn't change anything then, why would it now. Instead, maybe I should be thinking about removing any barriers to that BFP, and the barrier I have the most control over is my weight! I agree, the whole OV, cycle days etc is confusing. Sort of glad I don't actually have to be counting yet, as I am presently on cycle day 62 (no sign of AF). Congrats on the OV Mindy! That's awesome! |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 12:33pm
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Yeah astral, may as well give body best chance it can have though Treen will tell you that it don't matter what weight you are, ay Treen!
But worth making the changes that will get you fit and healthy coz then at least when you get pregnant it makes it an easier pregnancy. I just know that the old specialists make a big deal out of being overweight and if it is gonna be a barrier to treatment then it is worth working on right! Tell you what else- losing weight, or focussing on losing weight is a good way to take mind off not being pregnant - I find that I don't mind as much because each month not pregnant is another month I can get thinner haha! -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 1:43pm
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Yeah, it certainly doesn't hurt to be in a healthy BMI but from what I've heard in these forums, some of the specialists out there imply that if you lose weight, you'll get your BFP. I've heard of some even telling the women to come back once they've lost weight!
I'm here to say that I'm a size 10, I have always been a size 10, and I can't get pregnant because of PCOS. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 2:00pm
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Hi ladies,
just thought I'd put this in the mix and I don't know if anyone's ever come across this and not that I by any means think this could be your problem as I'm not a health professional in any way and I think anything between size 10-14/16 is a healthy weight anyway... but when I went to my last GP, he told me that PCOS occurs at both ends of the scale? He told me a story that I can't exactly remember but the outcome was that it wasn't only overweight people that could suffer from infertility but also people that were too thin? Could this be an issue for you? I am nowhere in your category as I'm double your sizes but just reading through the conversaion it could be a possibility right? |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 2:11pm
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I'm not sure, Larnz, I haven't heard that one but if it is true, it doesn't apply to me. My BMI is 21.3. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 to 24.9. I also have 2 other friends with PCOS (not TTC, though) and they are both size 10 - 12.
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 2:14pm
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Right OK... Just a thought :D
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 2:21pm
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Thanks for the thought, sorry if I came across frustrated – there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to help my situation. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 2:51pm
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Please don't apologize, I didn't take your email in that way at all and I completely understand :D We're all here to help each other and I just thought if any of us have any kind of knowledge big or small than why not share it? You never know?
Have a great week! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 3:03pm
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I have a theory (be it entirely uneducated and unsupported) that being overweight can exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS, however it is not the cause of PCOS.
Reading so many different things about PCOS, it seems to effect people of all shapes and sizes. In fact, I'm surprised at how common it seems to be compared to how little doctors know about it! |
Posted By: Larnz
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 3:10pm
| For sure... You all seem to know more than any doctor has ever told me! I know now that there must be soooo much women out there in the same boat we're in! Maybe one day we could start a foundation? LOL |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 4:02pm
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Thanks Larnz – totally agree with you – I seem to know more about PCOS than my specialist!
Astral – I reckon that sounds like a good theory. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 6:11pm
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Astral, from what I have read, that sounds about right, there have been HEAPS of studies out there, and it seems that for some ladies with PCOs, losing weight helps but there is still the % that it doesn't and that % is not small.
What it frustrating is that whenever they talk about losing weight to get pregnant it is ALWAYS associated with PCOS, so dunno if it will make a blind bit of difference to me. BUT it will make me feel healthier and fitter and that is a good thing :-) I think it sucks how some people suspect they have it but can't get answer from Dr - who presumably doesn't have a clue! It is crap. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 12:02pm
| a question does PCOS cause periods to be irregular i had clockwork cycles until 12 years ago now they can be anywhere from 28-45 days sometimes they sit at 28 days for a while and then all of a sudden change to a longer length cycle i first though that it was stress it started when at uni so i was 19 but every year it seems to happen maybe its the weather. |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 12:13pm
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Hi Sweetpea, yup, an irregular AF is a symptom of PCOS. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 09 April 2009 at 12:20pm
| So is it common for it to appear in late teens? are there are other symptoms i should look out for? |