Catholic Cysters Corner - Page 130

juststartn · 05-06-2008, 10:26 PM

This is a good place for info, Melanie.

Personally, I use the STM...as much to determine IF I am ovulating, as when. It is pretty important to have an idea of when you might have conceived, since PCOS cycles can be so, well, bizarre.

Now, before you get "down" about getting pregnant, I'd say Catholic cysters have a leg up on the other ladies since we "get" to find out about our bodies. Alot more than most of the ladies out there, honestly. And before you look at my sig line, I need to say that DH and I didn't use any ABC--or even NFP tta--for those first several years of our marriage. We were trying, but just never managed to get pregnant. I wasn't dx with PCOS until Aug of 06, so it was a loooooong while there, with the symptoms but no dx. We've not done anything differently, but charting. DH has been in the army, and was deployed ALOT since 2000, but since I've ovulated a whopping 8-10 times since 98, well, we've been blessed for him to be home most of those times, where we were able to conceive. I don't post in alot of the other forums because of the fact that some of the ladies frankly don't feel I belong there, since I've managed to conceive successfully several times. So I mostly hang in here...

Now, I'm going to say this, and please don't take this the wrong way...but BCP are not good for you. They actually made my PCOS worse, when I went off of them (I was on them for a whopping two months! >

). There are other, better, more "natural" options for cycle regulation (vitex, natural progesterone cream, etc). I know ALOT of women who have had more problems conceiving, more problems PERIOD, after coming off of any sort of chemical birth control...

Obviously, you are going to make your health decisions. But I would check out the Natural "helps" (I don't remember the name of the forum, but that is something close, I think, lol) forum here for some advice. Make sure to check that any herbal things wouldn't cause a problem with a possible pregnancy....

And best of luck with your upcoming wedding!! I remember being excited as all get out...lol.

Oh! I think I mentioned the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) for my charting. Some ladies swear by Billings, some by other methods. I read a couple of books, but the BEST one for me (it doesn't discuss PCOS, but I found the information on charting to be the best) was "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wenschler (sp?). It is *NOT* Catholic, as it specifically discusses using barrier methods and other chemical methods (foams, etc), but I just kind of skipped that section and read the parts that actually pertained to the charting.

HTH

Rachel

crunchymama · 05-07-2008, 04:03 AM

Hi I'm new here and had some questions about the pope paul institue and was told this would be the place to direct the question!

Hopeing that you ladies can reasure me that I am making the righ choice going to pope paul. I am just really tierd of wasting money to figure out what is going on with my body! I explain it all in my post thanks!

here is my post
Going to Pope Paul in 6 days!

advising_lady · 05-07-2008, 09:47 AM

I second Rachel's advice about BCP. Actually after the difficulties I had on it and coming off, my OB REFUSED to prescribe it for me (I didn't ask, he just flat out said "don't think of asking for it because I won't prescribe it" after Miles was born.)

tradertif · 05-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie-L

Hi, I'm a newbie. Cradle Catholic from Vermont.

Oh hey, I'm in Vermont too!!! *waves*

I've had PCOS for....well, ever since I started my period I guess, so that's gotta be about 14 years now. (And considering that I seem to have no cycle whatsoever......just constant bleeding.......that can't be good.) But I never went on BCPs or anything either.

But now I'm heading out to the Pope Paul VI center in Omaha for testing/treatment! (Or at least, I will be when I actually get an appointment, lol). This NFP stuff is fascinating; I've been working with a teacher out in NY, and charting and everything.

Have you had much luck seeking treatment in VT? I can't even find a good gynecologist here!

Melanie-L · 05-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Actually, my fiance is in New Hampshire, so I'm in contact with a teacher there. I think Vermont is probably hopeless when it comes to NFP.

I understand all that you're saying about BCP, and trust me, I know. This is why I'm now looking to do whatever I can to do this the best way.

My concern is that the NFP teachers are not doctors. It does make me nervous to go off of a prescription without an ok from a medical professional. I'm in the very early researching stages, trying to understand what's going on in my body without bursting into tears all the time, and trying to understand what my options are.

Is there any chance of obtaining a more regular cycle through NFP? Or is it a matter of simply going with the cycle I have, as ridiculous as it is?

whitebird · 05-07-2008, 04:03 PM

I've tried NFP in the past, but when my cycles stopped altogether I stopped charting. Now I'm starting to have periods again (I think it's combination weight loss and meds) but they are odd. My first cycle was very very heavy to the point I thought I might have to go to the ER. Then I didn't have a period the next month. In March I had a period that was 18 days long and very light. This morning I started another period.

My point is... with it all being so insane would it be better to wait to start charting again, since my periods are so messed up my doctor wants me to take natural progesterone for 6 months and a higher dose of metformin (1500 mg a day). He wants me to try this to get my cycles in some kind of normal pattern and then try getting off it to see if they stay normal, but since the periods will be medically induced I figure it's not really a good time to chart. Any thoughts?

whitebird · 05-07-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie-L

Actually, my fiance is in New Hampshire, so I'm in contact with a teacher there. I think Vermont is probably hopeless when it comes to NFP.

I understand all that you're saying about BCP, and trust me, I know. This is why I'm now looking to do whatever I can to do this the best way.

My concern is that the NFP teachers are not doctors. It does make me nervous to go off of a prescription without an ok from a medical professional. I'm in the very early researching stages, trying to understand what's going on in my body without bursting into tears all the time, and trying to understand what my options are.

Is there any chance of obtaining a more regular cycle through NFP? Or is it a matter of simply going with the cycle I have, as ridiculous as it is?

I don't understand why you cannot do both... I've taken meds and done NFP. Is it because you are on birth control (in which case NFP has no use)?

Melanie-L · 05-07-2008, 08:59 PM

Yeah, sorry if I wasn't clear. One of the meds I'm on is birth control.

juststartn · 05-08-2008, 12:31 AM

Hm. I'm on 2000 mg of met (well, I *should* be, but the move last month has me completely off of everything)...

No, NFP instructors are not doctors. But BCPs don't "cure" anything. They aren't a medicine, per se. They are a "convenience"--for most people. They are, really, a bandaid. That's it...nothing is going to be fixed long term for you, by using them. See, there's the rub. You might have a "period", because of the hormones that they are filling you (and the rivers and streams and aquifers) with...but the hormones are not helping your body "learn" what to do. I know it is frustrating and there is nothing that I can say that will change *that*, unfortunately. PCOS is an extremely frustrating thing to have to deal with...

Natural Progesterone cream is a good bet. Alot of ladies use Vitex (and other herbals) in conjunction with charting, to try and stimulate their bodies to ovulate (vitex is an herbal). Generally, you want to stop taking the vitex from when you ovulate to when you have your period. And then start it up again after your period. Charting is a great help for us PCOS ladies, really. Let's face it--its far better to know your body, to see those problems before they get out of hand, etc, to know when you are ovulating (assuming you are ttc) so you can time your intimate moments properly to maximize your chances...

The Pope Paul Institute ROCKS!!!!!! They are the absolute BEST NFP resource we've got! Naprotechnology is wonderful! They won't ever encourage you to go against the Church teachings on life, and will help you to learn so much about your body! I wish that there was a way for me to go there, but money is not something I have a lot of right now.

I do hope that you will get the help you need.

Rachel

musicteacherfla · 05-08-2008, 12:50 AM

Hi, Ladies!

Welcome to all of the newbies! I agree with Rachel--PPVI Institute ROCKS!!!!

Just to update y'all on what I posted earlier in the week: I went to see my doctor on Monday morning, he ran some tests and one of them came back negative. The other one had to be sent off, and I'm still waiting for the results. He thinks more than likely I have just been having a really bad case of PMS. He looked at my Napro charts and said it looked like I actually ovulated 4 of the last 6 months--including this month with the awful period! So we're on the right track, at least, even if I'm not pregnant--like I really thought I was.

Thank you all for your prayers. If this other test comes back positive, I'm not sure how I'll react! But I'll keep y'all posted.

God Bless,
Carrie

adlovesma · 05-09-2008, 11:08 AM

Hey Ladies,

Just wanted to mark my spot and say hello to everyone, i just wanted some advice, do you think its wrong to pray to one saint specifically and not the others, i have been praying to padre pio for about 3 years about TTC'ing and when i do i keep getting this feeling of st.Anthony.

Adry

juststartn · 05-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Hey, why not give it a try? I mean, most folks have more than one friend, so why not have one or more friend of the saintly persuasion working for you?

Personally, that's the way I think of it. Its not like here, where if you your best friend heard you were asking someone ELSE for help, they might get upset. St Pio will probably be glad of the help! And it certainly doesn't hurt to ask for MORE advocates!

;-) I think maybe you ought to just hit up St Anthony.

Rachel

adlovesma · 05-09-2008, 08:02 PM

Thanks Rachel,

I think i will to, i have prayed to him also for a very long time but he has just been very present in my mind.

Adry

juststartn · 05-09-2008, 08:38 PM

Maybe a novena, then? Rather than just scattered prayers for assistance and prayers on your behalf, a novena may be just the trick. When is his Feast day? That would be a great time to do it, if it isn't in January or something...

LOL

Have a great time in Vegas...lol

Rachel

musicteacherfla · 05-09-2008, 11:34 PM

Hi, Ladies,

My doctor called today, and told me that the other pg test came back negative. So I did ovulate this month and didn't miscarry. He said to expect more periods like this, since it seems like I'm ovulating again! Yippee!!

Thanks for all of your prayers!

God Bless,
Carrie

05-06-2008, 10:26 PM	#1936 (permalink)
juststartn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 756 Points: 3,783.25 Bank: 72,991.60 Total Points: 76,774.85 Donate	This is a good place for info, Melanie. Personally, I use the STM...as much to determine IF I am ovulating, as when. It is pretty important to have an idea of when you might have conceived, since PCOS cycles can be so, well, bizarre. Now, before you get "down" about getting pregnant, I'd say Catholic cysters have a leg up on the other ladies since we "get" to find out about our bodies. Alot more than most of the ladies out there, honestly. And before you look at my sig line, I need to say that DH and I didn't use any ABC--or even NFP tta--for those first several years of our marriage. We were trying, but just never managed to get pregnant. I wasn't dx with PCOS until Aug of 06, so it was a loooooong while there, with the symptoms but no dx. We've not done anything differently, but charting. DH has been in the army, and was deployed ALOT since 2000, but since I've ovulated a whopping 8-10 times since 98, well, we've been blessed for him to be home most of those times, where we were able to conceive. I don't post in alot of the other forums because of the fact that some of the ladies frankly don't feel I belong there, since I've managed to conceive successfully several times. So I mostly hang in here... Now, I'm going to say this, and please don't take this the wrong way...but BCP are not good for you. They actually made my PCOS worse, when I went off of them (I was on them for a whopping two months! > ). There are other, better, more "natural" options for cycle regulation (vitex, natural progesterone cream, etc). I know ALOT of women who have had more problems conceiving, more problems PERIOD, after coming off of any sort of chemical birth control... Obviously, you are going to make your health decisions. But I would check out the Natural "helps" (I don't remember the name of the forum, but that is something close, I think, lol) forum here for some advice. Make sure to check that any herbal things wouldn't cause a problem with a possible pregnancy.... And best of luck with your upcoming wedding!! I remember being excited as all get out...lol. Oh! I think I mentioned the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) for my charting. Some ladies swear by Billings, some by other methods. I read a couple of books, but the BEST one for me (it doesn't discuss PCOS, but I found the information on charting to be the best) was "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wenschler (sp?). It is NOT Catholic, as it specifically discusses using barrier methods and other chemical methods (foams, etc), but I just kind of skipped that section and read the parts that actually pertained to the charting. HTH Rachel __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 4/1/95 DD #1 born 3/11/00 DD #2 born 5/23/02 DD #3 born 4/19/04 DS #1 born 5/7/07 DS #2 born 5/7/07 "We homeschool cause we've seen the village, and don't want it raising our children!"

05-07-2008, 09:47 AM	#1938 (permalink)
advising_lady Miles' mommy Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,948 Points: 20,006.83 Bank: 48,684.35 Total Points: 68,691.18 Donate	I second Rachel's advice about BCP. Actually after the difficulties I had on it and coming off, my OB REFUSED to prescribe it for me (I didn't ask, he just flat out said "don't think of asking for it because I won't prescribe it" after Miles was born.) __________________ Brooke (25) Tom (26) Miles Robert-Born 11/18/07 mc 4/4/08~Miles' guardian angel Finally! I can sit by myself To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-07-2008, 04:03 PM	#1941 (permalink)
whitebird Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 17 My Mood: Points: 1,124.94 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,124.94 Donate	Catholic ladies having PCOS and NFP I've tried NFP in the past, but when my cycles stopped altogether I stopped charting. Now I'm starting to have periods again (I think it's combination weight loss and meds) but they are odd. My first cycle was very very heavy to the point I thought I might have to go to the ER. Then I didn't have a period the next month. In March I had a period that was 18 days long and very light. This morning I started another period. My point is... with it all being so insane would it be better to wait to start charting again, since my periods are so messed up my doctor wants me to take natural progesterone for 6 months and a higher dose of metformin (1500 mg a day). He wants me to try this to get my cycles in some kind of normal pattern and then try getting off it to see if they stay normal, but since the periods will be medically induced I figure it's not really a good time to chart. Any thoughts?

05-08-2008, 12:31 AM	#1944 (permalink)
juststartn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 756 Points: 3,783.25 Bank: 72,991.60 Total Points: 76,774.85 Donate	Hm. I'm on 2000 mg of met (well, I should be, but the move last month has me completely off of everything)... No, NFP instructors are not doctors. But BCPs don't "cure" anything. They aren't a medicine, per se. They are a "convenience"--for most people. They are, really, a bandaid. That's it...nothing is going to be fixed long term for you, by using them. See, there's the rub. You might have a "period", because of the hormones that they are filling you (and the rivers and streams and aquifers) with...but the hormones are not helping your body "learn" what to do. I know it is frustrating and there is nothing that I can say that will change that, unfortunately. PCOS is an extremely frustrating thing to have to deal with... Natural Progesterone cream is a good bet. Alot of ladies use Vitex (and other herbals) in conjunction with charting, to try and stimulate their bodies to ovulate (vitex is an herbal). Generally, you want to stop taking the vitex from when you ovulate to when you have your period. And then start it up again after your period. Charting is a great help for us PCOS ladies, really. Let's face it--its far better to know your body, to see those problems before they get out of hand, etc, to know when you are ovulating (assuming you are ttc) so you can time your intimate moments properly to maximize your chances... The Pope Paul Institute ROCKS!!!!!! They are the absolute BEST NFP resource we've got! Naprotechnology is wonderful! They won't ever encourage you to go against the Church teachings on life, and will help you to learn so much about your body! I wish that there was a way for me to go there, but money is not something I have a lot of right now. I do hope that you will get the help you need. Rachel __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 4/1/95 DD #1 born 3/11/00 DD #2 born 5/23/02 DD #3 born 4/19/04 DS #1 born 5/7/07 DS #2 born 5/7/07 "We homeschool cause we've seen the village, and don't want it raising our children!"

05-08-2008, 12:50 AM	#1945 (permalink)
musicteacherfla Singing Diva Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 384 My Mood: Points: 490.84 Bank: 1,098.29 Total Points: 1,589.12 Donate	Hi, Ladies! Welcome to all of the newbies! I agree with Rachel--PPVI Institute ROCKS!!!! Just to update y'all on what I posted earlier in the week: I went to see my doctor on Monday morning, he ran some tests and one of them came back negative. The other one had to be sent off, and I'm still waiting for the results. He thinks more than likely I have just been having a really bad case of PMS. He looked at my Napro charts and said it looked like I actually ovulated 4 of the last 6 months--including this month with the awful period! So we're on the right track, at least, even if I'm not pregnant--like I really thought I was. Thank you all for your prayers. If this other test comes back positive, I'm not sure how I'll react! But I'll keep y'all posted. God Bless, Carrie __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 12/30/05 Dx with PCOS 8/06 Taking Metformin & Progesterone, along with lots of prayer! Off Clomid for a few months To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Starbuck's is my friend! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-07-2008, 04:03 AM	#1937 (permalink)
crunchymama Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 20 My Mood: Points: 1,084.71 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,084.71 Donate	Hi I'm new here and had some questions about the pope paul institue and was told this would be the place to direct the question! Hopeing that you ladies can reasure me that I am making the righ choice going to pope paul. I am just really tierd of wasting money to figure out what is going on with my body! I explain it all in my post thanks! here is my post Going to Pope Paul in 6 days!

05-07-2008, 01:46 PM	#1940 (permalink)
Melanie-L Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 Points: 131.33 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 131.33 Donate	Actually, my fiance is in New Hampshire, so I'm in contact with a teacher there. I think Vermont is probably hopeless when it comes to NFP. I understand all that you're saying about BCP, and trust me, I know. This is why I'm now looking to do whatever I can to do this the best way. My concern is that the NFP teachers are not doctors. It does make me nervous to go off of a prescription without an ok from a medical professional. I'm in the very early researching stages, trying to understand what's going on in my body without bursting into tears all the time, and trying to understand what my options are. Is there any chance of obtaining a more regular cycle through NFP? Or is it a matter of simply going with the cycle I have, as ridiculous as it is?

05-07-2008, 08:59 PM	#1943 (permalink)
Melanie-L Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 Points: 131.33 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 131.33 Donate	Yeah, sorry if I wasn't clear. One of the meds I'm on is birth control.

05-09-2008, 11:08 AM	#1946 (permalink)
adlovesma Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ontario Posts: 60 My Mood: Points: 514.80 Bank: 162.36 Total Points: 677.16 Donate	Hey Ladies, Just wanted to mark my spot and say hello to everyone, i just wanted some advice, do you think its wrong to pray to one saint specifically and not the others, i have been praying to padre pio for about 3 years about TTC'ing and when i do i keep getting this feeling of st.Anthony. Adry __________________ ~Pray ~ Hope ~ and don't worry To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Prayer is the key that opens the heart of GOD DX- March/08 Me-23 DH-40 Meeting with ENDO June 25 !!!!!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-09-2008, 06:21 PM	#1947 (permalink)
juststartn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 756 Points: 3,783.25 Bank: 72,991.60 Total Points: 76,774.85 Donate	Hey, why not give it a try? I mean, most folks have more than one friend, so why not have one or more friend of the saintly persuasion working for you? Personally, that's the way I think of it. Its not like here, where if you your best friend heard you were asking someone ELSE for help, they might get upset. St Pio will probably be glad of the help! And it certainly doesn't hurt to ask for MORE advocates! ;-) I think maybe you ought to just hit up St Anthony. Rachel __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 4/1/95 DD #1 born 3/11/00 DD #2 born 5/23/02 DD #3 born 4/19/04 DS #1 born 5/7/07 DS #2 born 5/7/07 "We homeschool cause we've seen the village, and don't want it raising our children!"

05-09-2008, 08:02 PM	#1948 (permalink)
adlovesma Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ontario Posts: 60 My Mood: Points: 514.80 Bank: 162.36 Total Points: 677.16 Donate	Thanks Rachel, I think i will to, i have prayed to him also for a very long time but he has just been very present in my mind. Adry __________________ ~Pray ~ Hope ~ and don't worry To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Prayer is the key that opens the heart of GOD DX- March/08 Me-23 DH-40 Meeting with ENDO June 25 !!!!!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-09-2008, 08:38 PM	#1949 (permalink)
juststartn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 756 Points: 3,783.25 Bank: 72,991.60 Total Points: 76,774.85 Donate	Maybe a novena, then? Rather than just scattered prayers for assistance and prayers on your behalf, a novena may be just the trick. When is his Feast day? That would be a great time to do it, if it isn't in January or something... LOL Have a great time in Vegas...lol Rachel __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 4/1/95 DD #1 born 3/11/00 DD #2 born 5/23/02 DD #3 born 4/19/04 DS #1 born 5/7/07 DS #2 born 5/7/07 "We homeschool cause we've seen the village, and don't want it raising our children!"

05-09-2008, 11:34 PM	#1950 (permalink)
musicteacherfla Singing Diva Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 384 My Mood: Points: 490.84 Bank: 1,098.29 Total Points: 1,589.12 Donate	Hi, Ladies, My doctor called today, and told me that the other pg test came back negative. So I did ovulate this month and didn't miscarry. He said to expect more periods like this, since it seems like I'm ovulating again! Yippee!! Thanks for all of your prayers! God Bless, Carrie __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Married 12/30/05 Dx with PCOS 8/06 Taking Metformin & Progesterone, along with lots of prayer! Off Clomid for a few months To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Starbuck's is my friend! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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