Ok so here it goes.... When I was 16 I didn't have my period for 9 months (and I wasn't prego). So my mom took me to the doctor and without doing any blood work or anything, she put me on bcp. She said it was most likely PCOS. Not long after that all of the crazy PCOS symptoms showed up....the excess hair, the really bad acne, the weight gain. So my parents took me to the dermatologist, she treated me for the acne (Accutane) and the hair (laser, but it eventually came back, as the problem wasn't being treated) and recommended I see an endocrinologist. Well, the blood work that the endocrinologist ordered didn't show anything because I was on bcp. At no point did anyone really talk to me about PCOS. But the endocrinologist made the comment that things should be fine, and that I might have trouble conceiving. That was 11 years ago. Until about 6 months ago, I had been on bcp since 1997. All sorts of different ones because I would get terrible break-through bleeding and cramps. It wasn't until about 4 years ago, when I was talking to a friend, and she was telling me about this horrible problem with excess hair she was having and she went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS. I was like "hey that's what they said I have". I immediately called my gyne and made the first available appointment. She was great! Very open and took the time to talk. She ran some bloodwork but again, I've always been on bcp, so no real conclusions drawn. The glucose test come back fine, so she said there weren't any signs that I have insulin-resistance. She suggested spiro for the hair. That was pretty much the end of that conversation since I wasn't ttc. I got married November 5th 2007. And stopped taking bcp about 3 months before hand (DH wanted me to give my body some time off from bcp before ttc). She recommended a different OB/GYN fertility specialist to start seeing. I have an appointment with a nurse practitioner in his group (he's on some medical mission or something). Since stopping the bcp 6 months ago, my body has gone nuts.....I gained 25lbs in the first 2 months and have been fighting to not gain more. The hair is OUT OF CONTROL, especially on my back (imagine how embarrassing it was to ask my hubby the morning of our wedding to shave my back because the dress was strapless). I bleed every two weeks for about 7-20 days and cramps are ruthless. My DH is a huge fan of online forums and has urged me to find one that will better help me understand what is going on with my body. And here I am….. It has been really nice reading all the posts and realizing that my problems aren’t uncommon. We want to start ttc but we want to gain a better understanding of PCOS. I don’t even know where to begin. I go to the doctor in just over a week. And I will express all of this to her too…I guess I just wanted to introduce myself and my situation to everyone here and express my joy that I have finally found someplace to belong. If anyone has a suggestion on topics to definitely discuss with the doctor or any “heads-up” information regarding meds she might prescribe, I’m all ears……I have been reading some greats posts about “what to ask the doc” and am learning a lot about the different meds.
While not specifially PCOS related, I recommend getting a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Your local library probably has a copy or you can buy one at the bookstore. It will explain some of the test, charting, and some treatments.
I'm a fan of Metformin. It seems to work even for women who don't seem to have IR. It also reduces our elevated miscarriage rate to that of non-PCOS women.
Good luck!
__________________ Pam (33) Rob (36) Otis the Doberman (2)
TTC #1 since 01/03 2003- Clomid - HSG - SA 2004- Lap - Gonal-f 2005- Break 2006- Met - BFP 10/06 after only 2 months of Met!
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Welcome!! Also, i second PBlayzod when she told you to purchase or borrow the book "taking charge of your fertility." its a good read and many of the wonderful ladies on here reccomend this book to many of the new comers.
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Mr. Baby Maker,
Curer of Infertility,
Would you please hear our plea?
We’re not asking for so much:
Just a sweet baby.
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If anyone has a suggestion on topics to definitely discuss with the doctor or any “heads-up” information regarding meds she might prescribe, I’m all ears……I have been reading some greats posts about “what to ask the doc” and am learning a lot about the different meds.
Mary, I wanted to welcome you to SoulCysters! I know what you mean, when I was 16 my mom took me to the GYN and the doc put me on BCP because it would help control the acne and hair growth. I wasn't officially diagnosed until 1999 when I was 25! But once I read up on the signs/symptoms of PCOS/IR (I had irregular menses, skin discolorations, body acne, hair in all the wrong places, obesity-apple shaped body-despite all of my weight loss efforts, and depression) I do believe that I've had PCOS since the age of 11. I also want to give you hope. PCOS is NOT a death sentence and it doesn't mean that you'll never have children. I have had 3 successful PG and 2 loss's, but knowing that I can get PG with PCOS continues to fill me with hope for the future. Has your doc said anything about treating your PCOS with Metformin? MET XR has helped me so much (1000mg twice a day). My once horrific PCOS symptoms are now very well controlled with the Met and the higher protein, lower carb, southbeach type diet. It also has helped my fertility. All of my babies are Metformin Miracles! We are currently TTC #4 If you have any questions or want a PCOS friend, I'm here!
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I agree..I just finished "Taking Charge of your Fertility" and have learned a lot. Are you charting yet? Checking basal temps and things? It may help...at least you will have record of what is going on with your body....
Welcome to SC! You'll find a ton of support and resources here!
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Metformin 2500mg
Humalog Insulin
Prenatal Vitamins
Folic Acid 3mg
Fish Oil 3000mg
Evening Primrose Oil 3000mg
2/17/08 Femara 2.5mg (CD 3-7) - O'ed on CD 16
Progesterone 400mg (started 3/1/08)
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I am new to SoulCysters today but totally agree with the "taking charge of your fertility" advice. My second son was conceived using BBT and it give so much info to what's going on inside your body. Good luck!
Finally found a place to belong!!!! 
