Pcos

[*Valdez*]

Hello everyone!

Let me first tell you a little about my situation. I just turned 27 last month, and have been married for 4 years. Last week my sister was diagnosed with PCOS. I have been doing a lot of research and found I fit the bill. I have almost every symptom. I have an appointment with OB/GYN in 3 days for testing, but since we have been trying to get pregnant I am having a hard time dealing with this. I cry just about everyday. I am in my senior year of college working on a BA in Political Science (Pre-Law) and Criminal Justice. I am completely unfocused and depressed. I am looking for advice from my fellow disers and support.

Anything I should ask my Dr.

 

[Calliaz]

(((hugs)))

PCOS is not as bleak as it might seem. I got pregnant after about a year of trying. It took a lot of b vitamins and learning about my cycle (and luck). I know that others have a miuch harder time, but becoming pregnant is doable for many people.

The biggest thing I regret is not fighting tooth and nail for proper treatment early on. When I first realized I had PCOS, very few doctors knew much about it. Most just told me to lose weight. Others refused to believe I have it. Nearly 10 years later, I am finally getting good treatment with meformin. Of course, it took my becoming diabetic to cause the treatment.

There is a great online source at http://www.pcosupport.org/. You need to learn what the actual tests for PCOS are and what the right treatment should be. You need to know how to determine if your doctor knows anything about current PCOS research and treatment [hint: run if he/she says to just lose weight].

As for getting pregnant, please invest in a copy of Taking Charge of your Fertility (if you haven't already). Knowing how to tell when you ovulate is critical with PCOS. If I went by the standard 14 days, I'd never have gotten pregnant. I had a very short luteal phase and ovulated late in my cycle. Taking B vitamins helped me lengthen the luteal phase. Overall, that book and charting in general were invaluable.

Don't give up hope!

 

[honugirl]

Please look at the symptoms for Cushing's disease as well. PCOS can mimic it. They kept telling me I had PCOS when in reality, I have Cushing's Disease. If you fit any of the symptoms, please see an endocrinologist and have several 24 hour urine cortisol tests to rule it out (one normal one does not rule it out!). I hate to see someone miss diagnosed like I was. I went close to 10 long years with the PCOS diagnosis. Good luck! There are several good message boards out there for PCOS support, and some have very good info for people TTC.

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

I am lucky to have a wonderful Ob.... who promptly put me on metformin after my pcos diagnosis.... We will see where this takes us, then on to Clomid if neccessary.

to you in your journey!

 

[chrisw127]

Hello everyone!

Let me first tell you a little about my situation. I just turned 27 last month, and have been married for 4 years. Last week my sister was diagnosed with PCOS. I have been doing a lot of research and found I fit the bill. I have almost every symptom. I have an appointment with OB/GYN in 3 days for testing, but since we have been trying to get pregnant I am having a hard time dealing with this. I cry just about everyday. I am in my senior year of college working on a BA in Political Science (Pre-Law) and Criminal Justice. I am completely unfocused and depressed. I am looking for advice from my fellow disers and support.

Anything I should ask my Dr.

I have three friends with PCOS and while they have to deal with certain symptoms that are a pain, they manage it. Definitely see your doctor, as you can have complications from it that could be dangerous for your health if not managed (diabetes, etc.).

By the way, one of my friends with PCOS has 4 kids and was a egg donor for a woman who couldn't have children on her own. That cycle produced 3 healthy babies! And she was 35 years old at the time (most donors are under 30, so this in itself is huge). So there is hope. Sometimes women with PCOS just need a little help.

Good luck. See the best doctor you can and don't wait to get pregnant. Everything else will fall into place (school, work, there were a dozen women pregnant in my law school class, if that is your plan) but PCOS means you need to start a little sooner. See an RE (reproductive endrocrinologist) if you don't get pregnant in 6 months.

BTW, I went through infertility/miscarriage. It's awful. Hang in there.

ETA: I second buying a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility that the PP mentioned. It's practically the bible of trying to get pregnant.

 

[mickeyboat]

You have gotten some good advice. I will add that most OB/GYN's don't have a good handle on PCOS - diagnosis or treatment. You may need to see a reproductive endocrinologist to help you get pregnant.

It's not the end of the world, though.

Denae (PCOS and mother of 2 daughters)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think the important point is that correct diagnosis and treatment of PCOS is important not just for trying to become pregnant, but for your general health overall. Women with untreated PCOS are at risk for a whole host of health problems that can be turned around pretty effectively with treatment (as often can becoming pregnant).

Unfortunately, the syndrome is still often very misunderstood so getting a diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge. I agree with seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist if you're interested in childbearing; if not, a regular Endocrinologist.

Family Circle did a great series a while back. Unfortunately, I can't get their website to open, but maybe someone else can.

Good luck.

 

[*Valdez*]

Thank you all for so much support. This is exactly why I turned to the Disboards. I have my appointment tomorrow. I am nervous, but happy that it will finally be done. No more of this waiting and wondering. Now only having to wait for the results. At least my part will be complete. I am already looking into that book "Taking Charge of your Fertility". So again thank you all for all your support. If anyone has any other tips or suggestions you can post them here or PM me.