Anyone have PCOS??

[harleyquinn]

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
I was just diagnosed and I'm a little freaked out.
We are try to conceive and I'm not sure how much this really effects my fertility. And I'm ticked that my doctor didn't diagnose it back in my teen years when I had all of the symptoms! I wouldn't have waited so long to start trying.
I would love to talk to anyone who has this too!

 

[harleyquinn]

Anyone?

 

[Minnesota!]

I do not personally, but know many women who do. My girlfriend got pregnant her first month on Metformin. What did your doctor say he was going to do for you?

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I have PCOS, I was diagnosed at 22 and went on to have two more kids after the diagnosis. They are both clomid babies, but it worked for me.

 

[harleyquinn]

I have to wait 2 weeks to see my doctor. And my mom who is a nurse for a GYN is out of town and unreachable right now, so I'm freaking out a little.

I'm trying to do my own research, but the Internet isn't always spot on or reliable especially when it comes to stuff like this...

 

[harleyquinn]

I have PCOS, I was diagnosed at 22 and went on to have two more kids after the diagnosis. They are both clomid babies, but it worked for me.

Ok that doesn't sound too bad.

I finally found one site that says that women with PCOS will get pregnant, it just takes some help.

Thanks for responding ladies--I just need some support from someone who knows more than me!

 

[HsvTeacher]

I was (finally) diagnosed with PCOS in 2005 after struggling with infertility since 2001. I take Metformin twice daily along with Spiro twice a day. That has helped with a lot of the symptoms, but I have not been able to get pregnant. I'm not willing to try Clomid, because there are several sets of multiples in my family, and I don't want to risk a higher-order multiple pregnancy. But Clomid works for a lot of women.

I see an endocrinologist every three months. I also see a gastroenterologist one a year, because the PCOS has affected my liver. They have both really been helpful in keeping my symptoms in check.

Best of luck to you, and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I have to wait 2 weeks to see my doctor. And my mom who is a nurse for a GYN is out of town and unreachable right now, so I'm freaking out a little.

I'm trying to do my own research, but the Internet isn't always spot on or reliable especially when it comes to stuff like this...

What are you freaked out about right now?

I don't remember freaking out when I was diagnosed, just wanting to move on and get things going. I was diagnosed two weeks later with a blood clotting disorder that was causing all of my miscarriages, I couldn't get pregnant easily and when I did I couldn't stay pregnant.

 

[milliepie]

Yes. We did have trouble conceiving DS 1, it took us 3 years. This was before I found out i had pcos. While in the proccess of trying for #2 is when I was diagnosed and with the metformin we got pregnant about 6 months later.

So.. while it isn't impossible to get pregnant with pcos it is more difficult. If you are taking metformin it will be tons easier.

 

[harleyquinn]

I guess I should count myself relatively lucky. We've only been trying for a few months. But reading over some info--I have almost all of the symptoms. And I get a very strong feeling my doctor knew I had it before she got my bloodwork back.

I also wonder how much losing weight might help me. I'm about 35 pounds overweight, but I joined weight watchers and am doing well with that--and this just gives me more motivation.

 

[harleyquinn]

What are you freaked out about right now?

I guess I'm freaking out (just a little) because I haven't been able to talk to anyone about it yet and I just don't know what it really means.

I'm getting that it doesn't have to be super serious and I just might need more help getting pregnant. And that I'm going to have to keep a better grasp on my diet and exercise--which I knew before the diagnosis!

 

[seven dwarfs]

I have PCOS. I have seven children. Six surviving. I did have to have help with my first two pregnancies but my last two pregnancies were natural. Losing weight will help lots but it is very hard and slow. I have lots of problems as I am getting older. I have lost 30 pounds with 20 more to go and am taking saw palmetto and progesterone cream which is helping me a lot. The only way I could lose the weight was to do the south beach diet. The way your body processes carbs and sugar is affected by this condition. It is a lot to read about and I feel like every case is different. Just read everything you can. And yes you will have a harder time but you can get pregnant. I do believe PCOS is more and more common. I hope this helps you some. It is a lot to put in one little post. lol

 

[harleyquinn]

Well, luckily I haven't had too much trouble losing weight as long as I'm paying attention, but I do think my mom has the same condition (and I would ask if she wan't unreachable! lol) and I know she has a hard time with her weight, so it might be something that gets worse over time for me.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Yes, i would agree that losing weight has gotten harder for me as I have gotten older. I also can gain weight so fast now as well. Also, when you get prego make sure they check your progesterone levels. Mine was to low each time and I had to take it to support the pregnancy. Dr thinks it was because of PCOS. Like I said, everyone is different and what I may have issues with you may not and visa versa. That is why it is nice to read everything you can. Recently I had issues with my hair falling out. Oh boy did I panic. I wasn't aware that could happen and I have never had this issue before! I have since gotten it under control although my hair hasn't grown back in as thick yet.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I was (finally) diagnosed with PCOS in 2005 after struggling with infertility since 2001. I take Metformin twice daily along with Spiro twice a day. That has helped with a lot of the symptoms, but I have not been able to get pregnant. I'm not willing to try Clomid, because there are several sets of multiples in my family, and I don't want to risk a higher-order multiple pregnancy. But Clomid works for a lot of women.

I see an endocrinologist every three months. I also see a gastroenterologist one a year, because the PCOS has affected my liver. They have both really been helpful in keeping my symptoms in check.

Best of luck to you, and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Clomid doesn't have to mean multiples and anyone seeing a good RE will be closely monitored so that they know how many eggs are maturing that cycle.

I have two singletons from clomid cycles, both with 150mg cycle days 5-9, one cycle had three mature eggs the other two. My sister also has PCOS, she did 7 cycles of clomid and never got pregnant, she finally did with IVF - it's a boy due next week!

 

[tiggerlover]

I have PCOS and have had GYN issues all of my life. It took 10 years to get a diagnosis after 10 years of trying to have children. (I saw many doctors and no one could accurately diagnose me). I had one pregnancy that ended in miscarriage due to lack of progesterone, tried for a while longer to get pregnant and couldn't. I finally was diagnosed with PCOS, had ovarian wedge drilling to get the cysts off of my ovaries, took clomid 150 mg. and was pregnant three months later. My son is now 12 years old. I tried after he was born for three years to have another child and couldn't, so I gave up, I was blessed to have my son and I was okay with that. I have been on the pill for the last few years to keep my hormones in check and haven't had any issues until recently. My best advice to you is to find a doctor that you like, one that will answer your questions and one you feel comfortable with.

 

[Princess_Michelle]

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[Kathi OD]

I'm almost 53 and was diagnosed with PCOS at age 20! I have a horrible weight issue that no amount of dieting & exercise seems to help, especially now that I've been through menopause. I also have quite a bit of facial hair that I've had to get rid of. I went the electrolysis route because when I was younger, laster treatments weren't available.

BUT, I did have 3 very healthy kids, without the use of any medication or procedures. I also had an ectopic pregnancy, but that is not related in any way to the PCOS.

It doesn't have to be super serious. My DD, now 30, has also been diagnosed with PCOS. She doesn't seem to have the weight issues that I've had, but has other She hasn't tried to get pregnant yet (hasn't met Mr. Right), so who knows what she'll face.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had "unexplained infertility" (with a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and several chemical pregnancies) for years and went through tests, surgery and Clomid treatments until I got a computer at home, and started researching my symptoms.

I begged for the blood test and was diagnosed with PCOS (mild insulin resistance) on January 6, 1999. I started Metformin on January 7 and found out I was pregnant on January 28th. I did have low progesterone as well and had to be treated with progesterone suppositories but have a healthy 9 year old to show for it.

When Hannah was 4 months old, I found out I was pregnant again. Emily is 8. We have been very careful since then.

I have a tough time with my weight as well. I don't take Metformin anymore, but thyroid problems also run in my family, so it's about time for another round of bloodwork.

BTW - a common treatment for PCOS is birth control pills - which isn't an option when you are TTC. So you need to see someone who knows what they are doing - I would suggest a reproductive endocrinologist. Clomid does not have to be all that scary - a RE will monitor you closely to make sure you are not producing too many follicles.

Good luck to you.

Denae

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I have PCOS. I dealt with 5 years of infertility before I finally conceive my both of my daughters with clomid and metformin. My daughters are now ages 4 and 6. I have very bad acne, excessive facial hair, and everything "wonderful" thing associated with it. You can have children even though you have PCOS it just may not be as easy as someone without it.