Do I have PCOS?

Zoemommygirl · 10-27-2009, 12:01 AM

Hi Everyone- Has anyone on here been diagnosed with PCOS even though you have regluar periods. I think I might have PCOS and my doctor thinks I might be on to something. I have one healthy 4 year old and have been trying to get pregnant for 2 years. I have had 4 miscarriages and 1 termination due to triosomy 13. Before today my doctor didn't think I could have this. I have the following symptoms:

Low progesterone
Hair thinning/loss for the past 15 years
weight problems
acne
facial hair
high blood pressure
high cholestrol
always sweeting

I pulled my records from 15 years ago in which my DHEA-S was very elvated and one doctor wrote potential PCOS...never thought anything of it until now b/c of my repeated m/c and I am starting to fit the pieces together.

My doctor is now running bloodwork for DHEA-S, Prolactin, Testostrone and some others.

If it does come back that I have elevated levels and PCOS what can be done to help me have a successful pregnancy.

Any suggestions?

Thanks- Cheryl

Happy Wife · 10-27-2009, 01:51 AM

I have always had regular periods (28-30 days) I did not know anything was wrong with me. I thought the facial hair was just part of getting older, the acne was just my body/hormones, and the weight was just me. Although, I did kind of suspect something with my weight for years because it was so hard to loose and there were times I always felt hungry. I did not find out there was something wrong until after about 20 months of ttc with no luck. After 5 panels of blood work I was diagnosed with PCOS. I have insulin resistance and do not ovulate on my own.
I have been put on metformin which is helping with the cravings, my facial hair growth and especially my acne. I am also starting my third round of clomid which made me ovulate this past cycle. I am having an HSG next week to see if my tubes are all clear and if everything is ok with my uterus. My doctor is hopeful that I'll be pregnant soon. Tracking cycles and ovulation is a lot easier when you have regular cycles which increases your chances of success.

greenstripedzbra · 10-27-2009, 02:17 AM

Well i have only been diagnose a year ago but have a feeling its always been a problem that i just found out but had it. and i have been trying for a baby for a year now about i don't have normal periods due to too much testosterone and have recently well today went to a infertility group at kaiser it was very helpful to give me the info on trying for a baby. and this is what i have learned. depending on your diagnosis all depends how hard it is but not hard to work with once knowing what the underlining problem is you can take infertility drugs such as Clomid *SP* do invetro injections etc... but you wont really know what to do until you go to a infertility clinic and get checked out to see what steps to take. What hospital to you normally go to? i go to kaiser not so hot normally but the infertility clinic is awesome! expensive yes but worth it if you want to get it done right. and all depending on your age the worse it is when you've been trying for awhile im 20 so a year is normal but after that to go in if you are older than 35 6 months is recommended to get checked and a bit younger a year just in general like me. let me know what kind of methods you have been using and i can try and help to assisting you.

Zoemommygirl · 10-27-2009, 09:45 AM

Hi Greenstripe,
I have no problems getting pregnant 5 times on my own and one time with ferema all but one ended in a loss. I was about to do injectables next and then came across the PCOS that I think I have. I have read that people can have PCOS and be able to get pregnant most ending up in losses which I have. I have many many symptoms that I have had for years and just never put 2 and 2 together..I go to a RE and have been for 1.5 years since my 2nd loss and he never picked this up...I don't know if he thought he ran the tests or if he really didn't think I could have this since I do not have many cysts and I ovluate and get my period every month. When I brought it to his attention before he ran the insulin and testostrone he thinks I do have PCOS. I have a strong feeling my levels are high and I am headed to get bloodwork today. My doctor I have always loved and he comes highly recommended but now I am unsure. I have a 2nd opinion in Nov with a doctor at University of PA so we will see.

Becuase of all my symptoms I am banking on that I have this, will be put on drugs to regulate my levels and then hope it results in a healthy baby. Let's pray.

Good luck with you as well and keep me posted.

greenstripedzbra · 10-27-2009, 11:54 PM

aah well than you are very lucky if you do have it to be able to have a period and babies so often. looks like your on the right track. what did your results end up being? was it what you expected? and yea i have high level of testosterone cyst wise i don't think i have any but it is possible to get them hence the disorder. lol. yea i read that is easier with the disorder to have miss carriages but you are lucky to have so many. its good to hear others are doing well. i go to a infertility doctor on the 9th of November so yea i will keep you posted and see whats up with me see where i stand. let me know how yours went.

Zoemommygirl · 10-28-2009, 11:48 AM

I will have my results in like 3 days...I don't know that I am lucky to have 5 miscarriages as you stated but I guess I am one of the lucky ones to be able to get pregnant.. Having all these miscarriages has really put a toll on me and my family, including my 4 year old who very much wants to be a big sister and doesn't understand why she isn't. it is so sad to think what could have been and what should have been. If I do have this PCOS I am going to be very upset that my RE doctor didn't figure this out and perhaps could have prevented me from having so many miscarriages. We will see what the blood work results show and the levels.

Best of luck to you on the 9th..................

Cheryl

greenstripedzbra · 10-28-2009, 01:27 PM

oh i must of misunderstood i thought you meant you were able to conceive each time. i am so sorry. I haven't had that problem well at least not yet cause i haven't gotten pregnant yet. and i know what you mean taking a toll i can see why that would be so hard for the little one too. i hope you figure everything out. let me know in three days what came back. going through PCOS alone is a hard thing but the forum can help you and many others plus im always open ears. once again sorry for the misunderstanding that didn't exactly come off as warming from your side.