New Scared "Thin Cyster"

SLD32 · 02-03-2009, 06:33 PM

Good Afternoon everyone!

For starters, I am 5'11" and weigh 150 lbs. My doctor came to the conclusion that I have PCOs after I told her about my long cycles over the past 9 months. I was on birth control for 10 years and prior to that never had any issues with my cycle. For the past 9 months since I went off of birth control they have been 31, 36, 36, 36, 42, 37, and 32 days. She did some blood work - thyroid came back normal but said that I do in fact have PCO. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to discuss it in detail since I was at work when she called. I DO NOT have any unwanted hair, no PCOs or diabetes in my genes, or any other symptoms that I have read about. I exercise very regularly, even had a trainer for 3 years. I also eat pretty healthy - already eat whole grain everything, tons of fruits and vegetables, vitamins, etc.

So I am just so confused as to why I have PCOs and I am also really scared/worried for TTC. My husband is wonderful in that he is so positive and doesn't see a need to worry until we have been trying for a while. I agree but easier said than done when it comes to worrying!

My doctor gave me a prescription for Glucophage but said to NOT take it until after we have tried and been unsuccessful for a couple months. I bought some OPKs and have just started to chart my BBT. I don't really know what else to do - I can't really lose any weight (maybe a few lbs) and I don't have any other symptoms to try and correct.

I find it really hard to talk about it with anyone. At first I felt like a disappointment. Also, my two best friends are pregnant and they are wonderful but I don't think they understand what this feels like. Everyone around me wants to know when we are going to have kids and now that question seems even more hard to swallow.

I keep saying to not get ahead of myself and that I may not have any real issues, etc. But it is really hard not to think ahead! I don't want to be a pessimist or hypochondriac but this is NOT FUN stuff to have to think about. I am sure we all have said this - but I never wanted to have to use OPKs, take my temperature, watch my CM, fear the high risk of miscarriage, etc. It just is very overwhelming!

I really just want a place to vent, find hope/encouragement, and talk to people who are going through the same thing! I am going to track my information for the first time this month to see what happens!

Good luck to everyone out there and thank you for letting me be a part of this site!

sweetstar · 02-03-2009, 07:20 PM

It does seem kind of odd that you have PCOS. I am a little confused by the "long cycles".. they aren't really that long (other than the 42 day one) AND you are getting a period every month? Hmm, what makes them think you have PCOS? Was it the blood work or cysts on your ovaries perhaps? I would ask more questions.

I am curious about this one, I know there are a lot of thin cysters, without very many symptoms... but this one seems odd to me.

I don't think you'll have a hard time getting pregnant, but if you do, you know there are options.

Any questions, we are all certainly here for you.. vent all you want baby!

KATE2409 · 02-03-2009, 11:33 PM

Hi! I agree, I would call your dr. back and ask exactly how she/he concluded that you have PCOS. If they only did blood work, I'd ask which blood work indicated that you have it. I'm 5'9", 120 lbs and also have historically had 35-40 day cycles. I was always told that I wasn't regular because I was thin, but one dr. thought that I might have had it many years ago when i was irregular (I can't even remember how they came to that conclusion...) anyway, when I started to think about TTC 3-4 months ago, I asked to have my blood work done (which all came back normal), and I asked for a transvaginal ultrasound to find out if I had the "string of pearls" on my ovaries. Turns I did have the string of pearls, but all of my blood work came back normal and my dr. even tested me for insulin resistance, which also came back normal. So I'd ask as many questions as you can! I'm always finding new questions to ask my dr, and it's really helped me feel like I have more control over everything. Especially since everyone w/ PCOS seems to have slightly different symptoms.
As for TTC, charting is a great way to tell if you are ovulating. At first (at least for me) it was kind of frustrating b/c you have to make sure you take your temp at the same time each morning before you get out of bed, etc. I had trouble getting into the habit, but now it's second nature (also, I highly recommend using fertilityfriend.com to chart if you're not already). My charts tell me that I ovulate each month, but it's not always at the same time (which you may find is that same case for you, if you are seeing that you ovulate). Once my charts showed the signs that I was ovulating, my dr. recommended I buy the Ov-Watch (ovwatch.com), which I really like! Charting is great, but by the time you see the temp shift, it means you've already ovulated and it's too late. But w/ the Ov-Watch, it alerts you 4 days ahead of your ovulation day, so you can optimize your chances of getting pregnant. I'm only on my 2nd month of using it, but last month it alerted me right before my temp shift on my BBT chart, and if it's correct this month, I should ovulate in a couple of days.
Anyway, hope I didn't bombard you with information, but just wanted you to know that you're not alone and there are tons of options!

DD56 · 02-03-2009, 11:41 PM

You might just have very mild pcos, and may ovulate normally after all. You will find out after temperature charting for a month or so. I had regular periods every 28 days prior to my first child but after doing bbt's for a whole year, I found I never ovulated once. I also didn't have unwanted hair, am not IR, and am normal weight. Didn't find out about the PCOS until recently, when my RE did an US and saw cysts on my ovaries and combined with the anovulatory cycles, that strongly suggested PCOS.
I hope things go well for you. I have found that people are really helpful on this site too, and it is so good to have the support available.

SLD32 · 02-04-2009, 12:29 PM

I already feel better just from having responses from you ladies - thank you so much! It is just nice to know that someone understands!

I really appreciate all of the information too!

My doctor came to the conclusion after a blood test. She did not do any other tests for cysts on my ovaries, etc. I am not exactly sure what she tested either! Definitely need to find out more information from her - unfortunately she called me at work and I didn't have anywhere to go to discuss. Plus I was a little in shock when she told me.

I do get my period every cycle - so around every 36 days. Just curious to know if I am actually ovulating or if it is always an anovulatory cycle.

I have just started using fertilityfriend.com but have never heard of ovwatch. I will definitely check that out! I am going to chart my BBT and use OPKs for a couple of months to see what is going on. I would assume that information will help with figuring things out more!

Thanks again - I look forward to talking with you all through this!

KATE2409 · 02-05-2009, 12:32 AM

One more thing about the ov-watch - it works best if your cycles are 39 days or less. In fact, when you set the watch and it asks for how long your avg cycle is (which is just a guess - it doesn't have to be exact), it only gives you the option of 39 days or less...so just something to keep in mind if you end up buying it. Good luck!

amymedling · 02-07-2009, 01:24 PM

I am 37 years old, 6ft and 150lbs. I think that us Thin Cysters may not have some of the extreme symptoms that other women with PCOS suffer from especially if you are following a low GI diet and exercising. I did concieve with Metformin and Clomid and have two beautiful boys. However I couldn't tolerate Metformin well - I have actually read that it doesn't work as well on thin PCOS. I ended up trying the Insulite PCOS System to help with hypoglycemia. I am a big fan - I have been taking it for two years now along with progesterone cream, a low GI diet, and daily exercise. Last spring my husband and I had a big surprise. I became pregnant on my own - I owe it to the lifestyle mentioned above. Now I have a beautiful two week old daughter. There is hope. Take a look into Insulite.

hopefulstill · 02-08-2009, 04:44 PM

Perhaps you have mild PCOS, like many do (myself included). It is such a broad-spectrum syndrome. If you aren't ovulating, Metformin won't make you ovulate, it typically regulates cycles but often does nothing to induce ovulation. My cycles regulated to 32 days on 1000 mg Metformin, but I was not ovulating each cycle. All the best to you!

bkb2008 · 02-09-2009, 04:03 PM

Hi SDL32,

No worries, we all have days like the one you had on your earlier post. DH and I haven't been trying too long either (6 months) but given my history of 6 yrs of PCOS and prolactinoma, I can totally understand it is easy to get stressed. Feel free to vent and it's what we're all here for. :-)

For your first post and quoting from wiki:
"In 2003 a consensus workshop sponsored by ESHRE/ ASRM in Rotterdam indicated PCOS to be present if 2 out of 3 criteria are met:

oliggoovulation and/or anovulation,
excess androgen activity,
polycystic ovaries (by gynaecologic ultrasound), and other endocrine disorders are excluded."

I'm guessing your OBGYN diagnosed based on the 1st and 2nd maybe? But then again, you don't have any problems with unwanted hair which I think is a side effect of the excess androgens. Did your dr test for prolactin and insulin resistance? Assuming he/she might have wondered if IR might be an issue since he prescribed glucophage? For me I had the first and third symptom, so I was diagnosed as +ve for PCOS. But also coz my prolactin level is off the charts, my periods are super irregular too. I don't have the unwanted hair problem and do a fair amt of exercise (though am making a lot of effort to cut down).

All the best to you in your TTC efforts! :-)

Another informal poll:
Ladies when you say charting, do you use (1) OPK, (2) BBT charts or (3) BBT + CM charting?

I tried showing my family dr and RE my BBT chart and she had immediately said it doesn't work for PCOS coz it isn't consistent since we don't ovulate. Is that true from your experience?

(I've used OPKs before but have never gotten a positive- even when I got the digital one... so it's idiot proof. :-P I've now stopped coz it's just so absurdly expensive at $50 a 7-day pop!)

DD56 · 02-09-2009, 10:35 PM

I've used almost all of the methods. I've done BBT's for about 2 years total, 1 before conceiving my first child (no O for an entire year of fairly regular cycles) and over the past year. It's pretty much become habit now. I think that BBT has been the most useful and cost effective method, and I don't see why it wouldn't work in PCOS patients--if you don't ovulate, you won't see the consistant temp change, and over time it gets really easy to interpret as you get to know your own temps better. I've also done the OPK's when on clomid (pretty pricey), and recently tried out a fertility monitor (really really pricey). These were useful, but I still think tracking your BBT's is the most important. I don't know what your docs are talking about, but plenty of PCOS patients ovulate, but it's often irregular, and might have poor quality ovulation, such as reflected in a luteal phase defect.

bkb2008, if you're having trouble interpreting your BBT's, you can post them and I'm sure lots of the ladies here can help you. I imagine a lot of us have become experienced at these by now.

SLD32 · 02-10-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the notes again everyone! And thanks bkb2008 for the survey information. I am not 100% sure what she tested - all she did was a blood test though which I am pretty sure was testing my hormone levels. It was right before I got my period though so I have no idea if that would make a difference.

I have been using OPKs for the past 5 days (I have also been doing BBT and CM for the past 8 days). I bought a kit of them from early-pregnancy-tests.com as well as Clear Blue Easy. I am trying not to get my hopes up but I got a POSITIVE OPK test yesterday afternoon! I used one from the kit and a Clear Blue Easy and they were both positive. I was thinking that I may ovulate sometime this week/weekend and I guess it may happen a few days earlier than I thought! Fingers crossed!

One question I have - I have read that when you have PCOs it can give you false positives with OPKs because of the inbalance in the LH hormones. Do you all have any information regarding this?

As of now, I am just going to be positive and hope that the OPK test is a good sign for me this! Since I was just diagnosed with PCOs I really want to figure out what my body is doing - including if there is actually ovualtion going on!

jawwaj81 · 02-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Hi, I'm new here and confused??-
- Quit bc pill 8/08, menses Aug,Sep, very light in Oct, no period in Nov, period in Dec, and nothing since then, on cyle day 61 with no sign of period
- 1st gynecologist dx me with PCOS in Dec. just based by ultrasound findings
- 2nd opinion gyno says no based on labs
- 27 y/o 5'3 96 lb's, acne (cystic), hair thinning,irregular period since stopping pill
- I have my first appointment with an Endo, but not until May

bkb2008 · 02-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Thanks DD56 for your suggestions and encouragement! Yeah I like the BBT and CM charting too given the low cost of it. I've been charting BBT for the last 6 months, but am still learing the science/art of CM charting. I've read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" but don't get anything like the egg-white consistency like the pictures in her book. When it is stretchy, it is opaque. When it is too watery (and not stretchy) it is transparent. Not sure which to mark down as the ovulation date. Also am generally very dry and I only get discharge like two times a month. (I suppose techniques and intrepretation are topics I could research on more online) Any tips u have from experience/ research?

SDL32: Wow! What luck! And when you just bought the tests too! I read about the PCOS messing up the LH (hence OPK) results too. My previous endocrinologist also said OPKs were a waste of money and not accurate coz the LH flux might only be over a few hrs so if I'm testing once a day (as I did according to OPK's instuctions) I might still miss the window. Am curious to know if you find out more.

Anyways for this month, don't let that positive go to waste! Let us know your results in 2 wks! Baby dust to you! :-)

DD56 · 02-10-2009, 10:47 PM

sld32- that's great you got a +! hope that's all it takes! Even with pcos you shouldn't have enough LH to give a false + as long as you are doing the test properly, in the afternoon. I got false +'s before when I incorrectly used the first morning urine (couldn't wait till afternoon, had to plan my day

besides, if you are charting bbt's, you will know in a day or two if it was right or not.

bkb2008--I think CM charting is hard too. some months I can predict O with it, but other months it's really confusing. and when on clomid, it's not helpful at all to me, the CM just goes away. I got no good advice in that category, just follow the bbt and maybe you can learn what it looks like for you over time.

SLD32 · 02-11-2009, 12:08 PM

This site is great - I really appreciate all the ladies on here! It is so nice to be able to talk about all this stuff to those who understand what we are going through! And the advice is all so great!

bkb2008 - I agree with the CM charting being difficult. I will say that now that I have an idea on what is going on with my body (reading "Taking Charge of your Fertility") that over the past 9 months I have had months were I was like - what in the heck is that? Now I know what the egg white stretchy CM was those couple of months! Too bad I wasn't TTC then! I did purchase some pre-seed just to be on the safe side!

Those are my concerns with the OPK tests but definitely going to stay positive and give it a shot. I am hoping that by tracking my BBT I will get some more accurate answers. I have been finding that hard to do as well. Just getting the time exactly the same everyday and also having the consistent 3 hours of sleep!

DD56 - I hope you are right about the OPK!

Good luck everyone - Have a great day!