Catholic Cysters Corner - Page 80

musicteacherfla · 03-08-2007, 03:49 PM

By the way, here is a wonderful website that everyone should be interested in, especially Ashley. It lists all of the Catholic Church's teachings on infertility and reproductive medicine, and has a national listing of all Catholic and NFP doctors:

www.omsoul.com

I strongly encourage everyone to check it out. It was promoted by Johnette Benkovick on her show this week on EWTN.

God Bless,
Carrie

Rosebudlife · 03-08-2007, 05:48 PM

Just a quick one!

Welcome everyone that has just joined us! It's so great to have this group of Catholic acquaintences to write to when in need!!!

I just had a few recommendations before I run out the door. I don't think my levels of insulin are too high, and I'm only 30 pounds overweight, but my doctor allowed me to bump my Met up to 1500 because my cycle wasn't doing anything. I'm praying something changes this coming month. My temps are back to "normal", but ovulation doesn't happen early enough.

I actually have symptoms of hypoglycemia, and my doctor still allowed it. She did recommend, however, to eat protein snacks - nuts, peanut butter, cheese, etc. if I feel the midmorning shakes like I always do. I take my Met with each meal, and do not have a problem. Of course, everyone's bodies respond differently, but if you look on the Metformin link from the main page, you will see lots of info on it. Perhaps if you can arm yourself with "worthy" research, your doctor will allow you to try it.

And I recommend getting off of the pill asap too. Your body will thank you for lessening the amount of chemicals you put in. My hubby and I use the symto-thermal method of NFP, but Carrie has me interested in Creighton. Is that similar to the Ovulation Method? (Family of the Americas?) I don't see anything wrong with STM, I know when I get the "fertile" mucus, but it doesn't coincide with my actual ovulation, so I'm trying to figure out how to get it to match up. It's all the wacked out hormones I'm praying will go back to "normal".

I was wondering... I hope this isn't painful, because believe me, I know about losing children. I've mentioned the loss of my beautiful sweet Mari. Well, I'll get to the point...

I have read here and in other places on the board about miscarriages due to PCOS. How do you know if you have miscarried early on, and why does it happen with PCOS? How can you help it not to happen if you have had it happen before? It is my biggest fear to lose another baby, and I hope to reduce that if possible. I understand that oftentimes, the sweet baby just couldn't continue, for reasons God only knows, but don't we have ways to help boost our system? My doctor has me on progesterone for this reason, but I can't tell if I really ovulate or how and if it is working. I have the temp shifts, but we aren't getting pregnant, so I'm just thoroughly confused.

Anyhoo, I said I'd keep it short, and I didn't. I'm outta here! Have a blessed night!

musicteacherfla · 03-09-2007, 12:42 AM

Hi, Ladies!

I think I'm actually ovulating for a change--wouldn't that be something! When the doctor did the ultrasound on Monday, he thought I was getting ready to. So I think he was right! I sure have been cramping yesterday and today!

Amy, from what I understand, the reason we women with PCOS miscarry is because of the low amounts of progesterone in our bodies. Recently I felt certain that I had a very early miscarriage--even before a pregnancy could be detected. But there really wasn't any way to find out. I took several pregnancy tests, but they were all negative. I probably just passed the baby (if I was pregnant) during my period last time. I'm required to let my doctor know ASAP if I find out I'm pregnant, because he will immediately want to put me on progesterone shots, in order to prevent a miscarriage. I know for me, I have so much estrogen that it's off the charts, and it's causing my endometrial lining to be too thick. So in order for me to safely carry a baby, that endometrial lining will need to be thinned out. I'm going to e-mail my doctor, and ask him what he thought of my ultrasound, because I still haven't heard back from him (it was another doctor that did the ultrasound.) I bet you anything I'll be having a D & C.

May y'all have a blessed Friday!

Carrie

AshleyKatie · 03-09-2007, 12:56 AM

Thanks to everyone for the replies! I feel quite welcome!

I am anxious to get off BCP as soon as possible. I hope to soon. My husband and I have talked about it a lot and he thinks it's a good idea to achieve a healthier weight for my overall health and to give NFP the best chance of succeeding. I tend to agree with him, but I wonder if staying on BCP even temporarily is actually making it harder for me to lose the weight. I don't know.
I was just reading today on one of the IR info threads that decreasing your weight just 5% can make a significant impact on hormone and insulin levels. So, I'm giving it another month and hopefully it will be the last with BCP.

Carrie - Thank you for all the links. I appreciate it. We have a wonderful Catholic hospital in Birmingham, AL that I know offers NFP classes. I just haven't been able to find any offered recently.
I have been reading Taking Charge of Your Fertilty by Toni Weschler. I have learned quite a bit from it, and will most likely use the symptothermal method. I am specifically interested in this method because of the thermal shift ovulation confirmation. But I will look into the Creighton Model, too.

Amy - Likewise, thanks for the response!
I am certainly no expert on pregnancy or charting. But from what I have read in TCOYF, the book mentioned above, fertile cervical fluid at or before the time of ovulation is a must. If these things are not coinciding, the sperm is less likely to get where it needs to go. The illustration in the book shows the sperm getting trapped in a net of sticky fluid, whereas in the fertile fluid it is like a broad avenue in which they can also survive for up to 5 days.
I would suggest reading TCOYF if you haven't. It is very descriptive of the hormones and everything that needs to be in the right place to support a pregnancy.
My mother dealt with multiple miscarriages and I can't imagine what that's like. But know that you probably are doing everything right by taking care of yourself and working with your doctor. Don't lose hope!

Is anyone familiar with natural progesterone support? I've been reading some about this and came across this article:

If progesterone levels rise each month during the luteal phase of the cycle, as they are supposed to do, this maintains the normal synchronal pattern each month, and PCOS rarely, if ever, occurs. Natural progesterone should be the basis of PCOS treatment, along with attention to stress, exercise, and nutrition. If you have PCOS, you can use 15 to 20 mg of progesterone cream daily from day 14 to day 28 of your cycle. If you have a longer or a shorter cycle, adjust accordingly.

http://www.mercola.com/1999/archive/pcos.htm

This article is really descriptive of what is happening month to month for women with PCOS and why progestrone is so important.
I can't find much more than this article on natural progesterone & PCOS, but I have read about it being prescribed in other cases for PMS and in place of hormone replacement therapy for menopause. It's derived from wild yams and soybeans, and is supposed to be much safer than synthetic progesterone commonly prescribed by doctors. It seems worthy of investigation at the very least.

Thanks again!

Ashley

Swingin' Cyster · 03-09-2007, 10:14 AM

I've asked my OB about natural progesterone cream and she said the kind you buy in the store really can't help women with PCOS. (It can help women with much more mild menstrual problems) She said it isn't designed to enter the bloodstream through the skin. You can get a prescription for a prog cream that would work better. I know I'll have to take some kind of prog supplement whenever baby time comes for me. (but if it's shots - that may be a sign it's time to adopt....

)
~Kara

MaryMicheal · 03-09-2007, 12:01 PM

Hello everyone and thank you for the warm welcome!
I used STM for a while, but I have recently switched to BOM ( Billings Ovulation Method ). I was interested in Creighton, but according to omsoul the closest insturctor/doctor is over 3 hours away.
Miscarriages are very hard. My doctor is not ready to put me on progesterone just yet ( as I have carried 2 babies to term without using progesterone suppliments. We are going to check my levels after I ovulate next cycle ( somewhere between day 10 - 12 ).
I think I have a progesterone problem, but I am not my doctor so I will just have to wait...
Hmm...
AshleyKatie have you read Marilyn Shannon's book Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition? It is a great book. Not a lot of info on PCOS, but a lot of info on health and cycles.

Anyway, I hope and pray everyone is doing well. I have a bad cold so I hope I made sense. If not, I blame the cold!

AshleyKatie · 03-09-2007, 12:16 PM

Hey Kara, Thanks for the info on natural progesterone cream. I read about making sure you get the right dosage and apply it in the right spot so it can be absorbed. I may give it a try if I ever need progesterone before I move to something more serious.

I'm just so sick of doctors! The last time couple times I've gone to the doctor, I was there 2-3 hours (no joke) with only 15 minutes actually spent with doctors. Argh.

The more I am learning, the more I believe in the imporance of treating the whole person, and I'm finding my doctors lacking in that respect. No one treating my PCOS has ever stressed the aspect of diet to me, which I find shocking in retrospect. Granted, my weight has been pretty steady (within 10 pounds) for the past 10 years. Still, you would think it would come up. Doctors are just too ready to hand you a bottle of pills and send you away.

I suppose I am just learning the importance of being your own advocate!

MaryMichael - I will check that book out! Thanks!

Have a good weekend!

Ashley

tigir · 03-09-2007, 06:08 PM

Wow ladies, I don't think I will be able to keep up at this rate!

Welcome to all the newbies!!!

I will have to get to know everyone a little better AFTER Lent is over as I am not on here enough right now. lol

For those with questions, etc. I am on month three of STM and so far I am LOVING it! I am using Fertility Friend to chart and that has really helped me understand how to read my signs. So far it has shown a full thermal shift each month and my cm/cp has been right on with ovulation. Soooooo, hoping that will make it easier to conceive when we are ready. Right now we are avoiding and so far it is working.

I was a little obsessed this last month over it, but once I actually looked at my chart, I was only a day off of the month before. YAY!

On weightloss....I am doing it the natural way. Trying to stay away from obvious sugar, even the fake stuff and eating whole grains, etc. I am currently doing a three month excercise challenge thru SELF magazine - I did it last year too and saw my clothes falling off of me pretty quickly. My top weight was 230lbs (before becoming pg with #2) and now I am at 189. WOO HOO! My top size was 22w and now I am in between a 16/18 LADIES! :WooHoo: So, it can work.

Liz ~ You can tell your DH from me that I am not happy he took away my summer TTC partner.

But, since MY DH has decided he wants to "talk" about TTC this summer, you may not have had a partner anyway. It may be another year before we try. *sigh* Ah, well, more time to work on me! The healthier I am the better my pg will be.

Off for another week - did anyone read Kat's post about no more long threads? I am wondering about that, don't have time to read it today.

I have been wondering about Jennynd too. I am hoping she is okay and her baby too. Prayers for all of those who we haven't "seen" lately.

musicteacherfla · 03-09-2007, 11:08 PM

Hi, Ladies,

Wow, a lot of activity today on this board! My doctor also said that the progesterone cream wouldn't be as effective as the vaginal progesterone pills, which is why he has me taking the pills on the first post-peak day and for 10 days after that.

I finally got a response from my doctor about my ultrasound. He said that there's nothing to be too concerned about, and that a D & C would not be a good idea (because it causes scarring.) But the thickening of endometrial lining explains why I bleed so much and for so long. I guess it's just an ugly cross I'm called to bear!

With weight loss and regular use of progesterone, things should turn around. When I was in my early 20's, my cycle was fine--and I was 100 lbs. lighter!

Please pray for me, ladies! I really struggle with weight loss and sticking to my diet. I've been doing Weight Watchers' online program, but I think I need to start going to meetings--so that I can be held accountable!

Have a Blessed Weekend,
Carrie

musicteacherfla · 03-13-2007, 02:20 AM

Hi, Ladies!

Wow, it sure is quiet in here! How is everyone?

Does anyone else take vaginal progesterone? Ever since I started taking it, I've had the worst cramping on my right side. Does anyone else have that problem?

Please pray for my family. My mom and brother were in a bad accident tonight. They are fine--just shaken up (and possibly have whiplash)--but the car is totaled. My mom is questioning her faith in God (she's not Catholic.) She can't understand why God allows so many bad things to happen to her. I wish she understood the meaning of redemptive suffering! She's open to going to talk to my pastor...let's hope she actually goes!

God Bless,
Carrie

Swingin' Cyster · 03-13-2007, 06:36 PM

So sad to hear about the accident Carrie - sending my prayers. I too tried vaginal progesterone but my flow was too heavy and was washing it out before it got to where it needed to be to do any good
~K

advising_lady · 03-14-2007, 03:24 PM

Carrie, so sorry to hear about the accident. Hope everything is alright. Sorry I haven't got that far yet as far as progesterone goes. Dr. said we'd talk about it once I'm pregnant...hopefully that won't be too late!

annem84 · 03-15-2007, 12:07 PM

So being on Birth Control is doing more damage to my already "damaged" body.

musicteacherfla · 03-15-2007, 11:28 PM

Yes, I'm afraid so, Anne.

Rosebudlife · 03-16-2007, 03:07 PM

The minute anyone says "accident" my heart goes out. I realize your family is all right, but it is scary nonetheless. My prayers are with all of you!

I take progesterone Peak day + 4. I don't notice anything weird except for the tiredness. My period is actually going back to normal: no prespotting for a week out, and longer. Since the accident, it has averaged 1-2 days. Last month it was 3 and 1/2 days! Yeah! I wonder though, should I be taking it on peak day? Carrie, you said that's what you do, and I have asked my doctor about it. She says that peak + 4 is normal and all right.. I haven't ended up pregnant though, so I hope that it's not too late to take it that late. Should I question her again?

Kara, I heard you a couple of times on the radio this week!! How exciting to be able to sit in for a popular morning show! I could never do what you do!

Well, I have to run to class. Have a blessed day!