Shoog, you seem to be doing great! Slow but steady Way to go!

Wa'il

Merry met ladies and gentlemen.

Where to start?

I've been radically irregular since I was about 14. Like, once a month, once every three months, twice a week, once a year, three weeks long, one day long, miss another two months, one day long, skip a week, two weeks long...

Doctors and stuff all said 'Oh you're just irregular...' I ended up in the hospital the first time about two years ago after a six week long menstrual cycle. That is not a misprint. I thought I was hemmoraging. [sigh]

Well, I guess I was officially (?) diagnosed with PCOS about a month ago. My ob/gyn sort of muttered something about irregular ovulation and we started playing the birth control pill go round.

We haven't quite managed to convince the ob/gyn to do the full battery of tests, but after doing a lot of homework and tripping over the INCID pages on PCOS (a godsend) we hit the same page. I'm hoping I can convince him to do the whole shebang soon and confirm it.

The first set of pills, I gained 45 lbs. On a woman who already weighed 180 lbs and was only 5'6", this wasn't exactly a great idea. So after some complaint, we changed pills. The new pills were so weak that if I missed them by an hour I bled.

After a year of this abject stupidity, I got him to change them AGAIN. Now I'm on some kind of 35 mcg a day acne cure or something, but I seem to have stopped gaining. I'm retaining enough water to douse a forest fire, but we can't have everything.

My testosterone levels are about double the maximum female normal, so I'm a pretty furry beast and I carry all my weight in the front. No breasts, no butt, a beard and a beer belly, as I explain online to folks.

I'd love to try Metformin, but first we must convince the doctor that my problem is not merely that I'm fat and lazy. [shaking head] Some days I could gratefully punt him.

About a year ago, I went through a stupendous five alarm nervous breakdown and basically ended up on Celexa and nine months of downtime. My weight has been kind of a joke since, since a rather stubborn inability to lose seems to be a side effect.

At one time, I actually weighed 140 lbs. Nobody who's known me in the last 6 years believes me, but really I did. [sigh] Two years of college and a nervous breakdown will do that to you.

I suspect I have thyroid issues, but my ob/gyn won't touch it because he says they're normal. My basal body temperature is about 95.8, so I don't know HOW... but okay. (Maybe he's just reading T4?)

I have spent time off and on on the Atkins diet (or some personally tweaked variant thereof) for a number of years - I was living it when I was 140 lbs and I thought I was fat and gross and needed to lose at least another twenty before I'd be presentable.

My how things change.

I fell off the wagon when I went to college and haven't quite managed to climb back on. It's just so DEPRESSING to walk an hour a day and try to eat right and get nowhere. Especially when you know your pills (BC and AD) are working against you.

I'm hoping to find the courage to give it one more go and stick with it this time. It's frustrating to realize your waist measurement has exceeded your ribcage. (46/42 respectively). If I think about my weight, I get suicidal. I have a very loving partner who doesn't seem to care, but I hate myself.

I've had doctors point out that I probably should be dead of a heart attack. My blood pressure is fine, but I just seem to be stuck - I can't even bring myself to care anymore. I've been fighting with the whole pretending I'm perfectly acceptable the way I am and I know that's such a load of bull because *I* can't make myself believe it...

A fair amount of the information I've read implies that the insulin problems, depression, water retention and thyroid issues may be related to the PCOS so I'm trying to look at killing the body of the hydra instead of lopping off heads and having them grow back.

I've invested in some thyroid supplements on my own and an herbal/amino insulin sensitizer (similar to Metformin) and am going to experiment with those a bit and see if they help me feel enough like I'm not roadkill anymore to try going back to the AWOL. [shrugging]

Mostly ranting, I guess. It's nice to find a Canadian support group. There isn't really all that much in town here, but if I can find folks online to help, it's a start.

-Shadow-

Alot has changed since we last wrote. I've moved back to Ottawa and fell off the wagon for my LC WOL I am trying to find the courage and the strength to go back on it.

The only good news is that I have only gained about 4 lbs. This week I started exercising 3 times per week. We have an aerobics instructor who does 3 classes per week in our boardroom. Only thing left is to go back on the wagon.

My periods are back to normal with the met. I AM SO HAPPY. DH & I have take summer off from TTC. Was getting too stressful but we'll be going back to TTC soon. Probably after the holidays.

How are you doing? What's new and exciting with you?

Jos

After almost a year on metformin I'm finally pregnant! This is my first pregnancy ever and when I did the hpt on the 20th I was shocked to see two lines. I did two more tests before my husband got home and then he made me do another. Then I went out to get a different brand and did number five, all positive! I had an appt. with my GP and she
ordered HCG levels. Friday was 1406 and Monday was 5064. She told me to stop the metformin on Friday. I had previously done a bunch of research on the internet about this and I don't want to stop it. My husband and I went back today and she ordered an ultrasound for in two weeks for dating. We think I'm 5wks + 3days according to when I believe I o'd but according to my period I would be over 6 weeks. We talked to her again about the metformin and showed her an article. I was kindof nervous about admitting I hadn't stopped it. (I did decrease it to 2000mg instead of 2500mg) She asked me to make an appt. with my endo to discuss it and I have arranged that for next Wed. I can't tell you how excited I am about all this but I'm also feeling nervous too because of "what if's". My husband won't let me tell anyone, not even you guys but I said I HAVE to talk to internet people about it if I can't tell me friends and family.
My symptoms are:
acid reflux and heartburn
dry mouth +++
nausea more in the evenings
fatigue
menstrual type cramps
emotional (feel like crying easily)
frequent urination (all the time)

And I've lost 3 lbs since I've been prego!

I really really hope I get to keep this baby. I don't want to go through losing it but I'm trying to keep positive - at least I know I CAN get pregnant now. I'm praying everyday.
For anyone ttc. This was my first cycle charting after reading
"Taking Charge of your fertility" by Tony Weschler. We'd been unofficially trying for a year without any luck.

Glad to hear your doing so good Jos! Good luck with getting back on the wagon.

-Brenda in BC

(ok, I'll only whisper congrats for now --- and I'm holding my breath right along with you and yer hubby .. )

From the reading I've done (probably the same articles you've read and printed out) it seems that you are wise to want to continue the Metformin .. especially during the first trimester. It's a good job you're seeing an Endocrinologist soon. She (he) should be able to guide you knowledgeably in this.

I'm a little worried to read about the cramping and the weight loss. Not good! Um, not sure what level of lowcarbing you're following, but most programs advise that you increase your carb intake to Maintenance Levels, or somewhere around 80 to 100g per day. Try to get the carbs mainly from vegetables, less-sweet fruits (not juice), legumes, dairy and eggs, and small amounts of whole grains.

Here are links to some of the Official low-carb program websites, and what they have to say about pregancy and Low-carbing

• Carbohydrate Addicts'
• Atkins Center (note, select Women's Health from the menu box)
• Protien Power

Actually, I just re-read your post, and noted the frequent urination. Make sure you're drinking lots and lots of water. Don't get dehydrated ... that might explain the missing 3 lbs.

Take care, and keep us posted..

Doreen

WOW!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

I am SSSOOOOO happy for you (and a lot envyous). How wonderful!!!!

I can't remember, but where you also on Clomid?? And if I remember correctly, we started Met around the same time right?....

I unfortunately am suspecting that hubby doesn't want kids. I've noticed that every time we talk about starting to seriously TTC, something happens and he can't, but says it's because of that. I really hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am. I'm a little scared to confront him about it in a way because if I do, it means I have decisions to make about our marriage. Everything else is going so well... I really hope this can be resolved!

But don't you worry about me, this is just me venting. I really am ok and will end up doing what's right. I'm just not quite ready yet... trying to get courage first to be strong for what ever might happen!

Keep me posted on staying on Met... I read somewhere that Dr's in Canada are not allowed to keep you on Met during Pregnancy. Please don't quote me on that but go look it up in www.soulcysters.com and see....Some of the girls are staying on it anyways, and there are testimonials about one that did the whole time and everything turned out wonderfully!!! So keep researching it.

Good Luck, and Congratulations again...

Josee

I couldn't help but respond to your postings. I 'think' I have PCOS, I have not gone to the doctor yet. I really don't want to hear the diagnosis. I had a similar situation, I was listening to the radio one day and there was a commercial for an experimental drug for PCOS --- as the commercial went along.. I thought OH MY GOD!!!! --- That is me to a T. I called the number given and I was told I was not eligible because I had regular cycles. I have almost all other symptoms. Overweight, hairs starting to grow on my chin, a few skin tags, alot of pain in my left groin area.. that totally feels reproductive, I can't seem to get pregnant. I have a shadow of skin coloration on my face. etc....

I must say.. however.. that my pain has almost disappeared while on ATkins.. I am curious to see how things go when I get my cycle. The only time I had irregular cycles was in college.. I might go months before getting one.

So.. I know I fall in there somewhere... but I am going to stay on Atkins until I have reached a reasonable weight and see how I feel.

Thanks you guys for sharing your info....

Ramona

I'm 12 1/2 weeks pregnant! I thought we might not be able to have kids and I'd been so worried.
For the past year that I've been on Metformin we have done nothing to prevent conceiving and then we decided we will get serious (going to specialists for injectables) in January. September we tried a little harder than usual and sure enough I must have ovulated because I conceived! This was the first cycle that I had gotten back to charting after reading Tony Weschler's "Taking charge of your fertility". It sure helped!
This is our first baby and we are very excited.
EDD May 22, 2002.

Brenda

Congratulations!! Keep us posted on your wonderful journey!!

Hi Brenda,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Enjoy your pregnancy, and then your beatiful baby. I'm sure she or he will be perfect in every way. Just like you always dreamed of.

Josee

What a great site! I have been reading this thread now for about 30 minutes and am amazed. I, too, have PCOS and was diagnosed in 1999 after my first miscarriage. It has been a very diffcult journey for my husband and I. We have been trying to have a baby for over 4 years. I suffered another miscarriage in May of this year and have hit the point where I kind of think all hope is lost. I have previously been on metformin, 500mg 3 times a day, but currently am not. We are currently "taking a break" as infertility has taken a major emotional toll on us. My sister-in-law just announced at Christmas that she is pregnant after about 5 months of trying and I was devestated at first, but really am happy for them (envious mostly!) It seems at times that I am the only person out there who is having these problems, so from the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for sharing your story. Maybe there is hope for me.

Chele

Chele,

I'm so glad that you were inspired by the posts. I'm sorry to hear about your struggle with infertility. I struggled with it for over a year and can't imagine the emotional toll 4 years would take. Who knows maybe taking a break and relaxing about it will do the trick. I conceived the first month we relaxed and it was the first time I didn't convince myself that I was pregnant that I was! *hugs* for you.

Brenda

After struggling with this for so long and beating myself up about it, it is so wonderful to hear other people discuss what is going on with them. I have never come across such a well put together forum! One of the things that does keep me going is knowing that God has some kind of plan for me (he's just not letting me in on it yet!). Everything happens for a reason, and in the end, it will all be okay. After you've tried to have a baby for so long, when you get pregnant is seems so unreal. And then to get pregnant twice, and lose both babies is just incomprehensible! Now I know that there are others out there who have struggled as much as I have, and even more.

Chele

After having been diagnosed with PCOS/IR about 2 1/2 years ago, I had come to understand it and deal with it. My doctor called me last night (yeah, weird huh. He called me from his home at 9p on a Friday night adn talked to me like a person not just a patient!) and says the metformin is too commonly prescribed and he's taking me off of it, that he doesn't believe I have PCOS/IR based on the current guidelines for diagnosing it. I just started going to him in October after changing insurances and I greatly respect his opinion, but I am just dumbfounded! It is ripping me apart! I finally thought that after 4 years of trying to have a baby, that I had understood why I haven't been able to get pregnant very easily (2 prenancies and 2 miscarriages)and now I feel like I'm back to the very beginning and it's 1997! I feel like everyone else is on earth and I'm on venus or some undiscovered planet! I guess the word is, lost. Everything I have been basing my life on for the last couple of years is gone. I am going to research it some more today and see what I can come up with. I am also going to make an appt to see him so I can see the results for myself and how he came to this conclusion. Maybe the first reproductive endo I saw had no idea what she was talking about. He wants me to see another endo and get another opinion, though, which I know is important in medicine. Thanks for listening and will keep you posted.

Chele

My personal opinion on this is that YOU have a choice. He's not the only one who should decide for you.

If you feel great on MET then tell him that you feel a difference when you're on it and you want to keep being on it for now and see for yourself. If he doesn't want to, then I would kindly tell him that you dissagree and will be seeking medical help elsewhere. With a doctor who would listen to your input and your obvious feelings in your own body.

DO more research on it but DON'T get discouraged. We don't always know the reason behind their decisions, and they might be all wrong. Listen to your body, and keep doing what feels good to you.

If you want to see an RE, make sure you SPECIFY seeing one that is a PCOS expert and deals with PCOS clients. This is very important. And what ever that RE finds, especially if they are willing to listen to you and help you out with things, it's important for you to tell that RE to write your regular doctor and tell him what they're doing with you. That way, he will see that he might be getting the wrong info.

Wishing you well and don't lose hope. Keep fighting for what you believe in. They might be Doctors, but they're not God to know everything. They also make mistakes and are often WRONG!!!