EmilyN

Hi Everyone! I just found this board when searching for information on PCOS and Femara. I'm so glad to have found it! Here is my story - sorry for the long length!

In May I was diagnosed as "Borderline" PCOS based on my FSH/LH ratio and low progesterone level. I was not surprised as I had researched my symptoms and knew already that I had PCOS.

I have a close friend who was having a hard time getting pregnant in 2006. She had been tested for PCOS so I started to look up some info on it so I could understand and be supportive if she had it. She didn't, thankfully and now has a beautiful son but I was aware of the sypmtoms as a result.

I went off of the pill in June of 2007 (not using any other form of BC). Every instinct I have told me something wasn't right. I told my mom and bestfriend and mother-in-law that I felt that way and they all just said to give it time. The NP I see told me I just needed to "relax" and let nature take its course. HA! I have a classic, text-book, type A personality. Relaxing is not possible! LOL.

I stared to chart my BBT, wore one of those fertility watches, used the microscope with my spit to see if I was ovulating and used OPKs. NONE of those indicated that I was ovulating. My cycles were anywhere from 26 to 33 days in length with no pattern.

In January of 2008 I went for my yearly check up with the NP. Again, she told me I just needed to relax. I took my BBT chart and showed it to her and she barely glanced at it! She was so dismissive and had me so flustered that I didn't ask her any of the questions I had. At that point, I seriously thought I was going to clock the woman. I KNEW that something was NOT right with my body. She reluctantly sent me for a CBC and thyroid test and tested my FSH but did not test my FSH/LH ratio or my progesterone. Of course, those tests came back fine.

In May, I had had enough and went to see another member of the practice who is an OB/GYN but does a lot of infertility work. I have a friend who sees him and highly recommended him. He is the one who sent me for the correct blood work. He looked at my BBT charts and said right way that it looked like I was anovulatory.

While my test results came back as "borderline" I truly feel it is more than that. I have several symptoms that began to appear soon after going off of BC (which I had been on for 10 years since I was 17, BTW). My symptoms where: very oily face, acne, excess hair on my cheeks, chin & upper lip (I've always had normal peach fuzz but it got longer and grew back soooo quickly after waxing), became hard to lose weight (I'm not overweight (5'4", 120lbs) but if I gained a few lbs on vacation or during the holidays I could NOT lose it!) and lastly, feelings of depression & moodiness.

It was the feelings of depression that bothered me the most. I am a very positive person and logically I knew that I had absolutely no reason to be depressed. I was beginning to consider seeing someone and asking about antidepressents. I didn't share this with anyone because I was embarassed. It is extremely uncharacteristic of me to feel depressed.

After getting the test results, he prescribed Femara to be taken on days 3-7 of my cycle. I had an HSG on day 10 of that cycle and learned that both tubes were blocked. They were able to open them during the test.

I am just finishing my first cycle on femara and after the HSG. I feel 100% better after taking the femara. The feelings of depression are gone, my skin is not quite as oily and my facial hair is not growing as quickly!

Unfortunately, as I type, I can tell that AF is coming. I didn't get a positive OPK this month and I'm really disappointed. Something is telling me that this isn't the end and that it is going to take more for me to get pregnant. I'm trying to be patient and follow my Dr.'s orders but it is sooooo hard! All of my friends have babies or are pregnant. I am truly happy for them but it makes it even harder on me!

It is very helpful to read other people's stories. Thank you all for reading and for sharing your own stories!

littlenova

Hi Emily!

Welcome to the board...I'm sorta new at this, too. Lots of different variations of this syndrome. The blood test is really where they found grounds for my diagnosis, too.

Great that they found the blockages and your tubes are clear, now.

For some women it does take time to find your ovulation rhythm if it doesn't happen every month. I JUST found out that I have a pretty regular cycle every month, but don't ovulate each time. Cramps seem to be there, flow, everything....Frequency is like clockwork, but when I use those OPKs----I am coming up with nothing!

I know how frustrating it can be. I, too, am surrounded by pregnancies. We have only been trying for 3 months, but it's frustrating when you can't control something like this.

Stay positive....

...and find a great RE in your area if you haven't already found one!

Eva37

lovely to meet you, welcome to sc. YOu will so love it here. Theres so much to learn, and everyone is so friendly there is a link to the newbie roadmap in my siggie for you
eva

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PCOS, LOCAH, Lichen Planus, IBS, HS,alopecia - raised bp/ cholesteral. Wheat and dairy intollerance Meds: Spiro, Bendrofluazide, Amlodopine, Simvastatin, Met, Prednisolone, Colefac, multi vits,

Me - 41, hubby 36 son 11. Married 14 years

She is buffeted by the wind, but she does not sink.



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