Ttc: Newly Diagnosed!

DLChic428 · 09-07-2009, 01:24 AM

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum (as of today!). So my question is probably very general/basic. ANYWAYS, my husband and I have been ttc for a year this month! I had some crazy symptoms such as dyspaneuria (deep penetration), mild acne, and hypoglycemic episodes last November and made an appt. w/ my GYN. had an ultrasound and they confirmed small cysts on each ovary but didn't think it was anything to worry about. Now a year later (August 2009) I made an appt because these symptoms haven't disappeared at ALL! They did another ultrasound and confirmed cystic ovaries still and want blood work done. My GYN confirmed PCOS and after I get my blood work is going to refer me to an infertility specialist most likely. She think the PCOS is causing me not to ovulate, I DO have regular cycles (every 28 days) BUT sometimes they are really light.

Sorry for the long intro, ANYWAYS, I guess I just want to know if anyone has a regular period also and symptoms like mine? Maybe if there were any success stories or answers... I see so many thin cysters like me (5'3, 120) but not many that have regular 28 day cycles w/o meds.

PLEASE PUT YOUR INPUT... ANY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

THANKYOU!!!

sharky09 · 09-07-2009, 12:11 PM

You are not alone! Actually my case sounds a LOT like yours.
I have always had a regular period, and horrible cystic acne. I do get a little cranky if I get really hungry...I guess that could be considered hypoglycemic. It has gotten worse since starting Metformin. But if I eat every few hours, I'm fine.

I'm guessing you're just annovulatory, like me...If I were you, I'd pick up a basal body thermometer (BBT) and some ovulation predictor kits (opks). That info will help out your specialist. But good news I ovulate on Clomid and Femara like a champ.

Good luck!

DLChic428 · 09-08-2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks so much for the response!!!

I can't wait to get blood work/fasting glucose/insulin test this Friday because it will give alot of answers! Hopefully I can be put on something to help me ovulate and control insulin/blood sugars! My hypoglycemic episodes that cause me and my Dr. to think that's what it is are: I get very lightheaded, have blacked out, and horrible headaches if I don't eat every few hours!

I have a question regarding OPKs: is there a certain online place you get them from or do you just buy them somewhere in bulk? Are they accurate? I've read with PCOS it can be hard to tell if you are truly ovulating based on hormonal imbalances, but I don't know how accurate that is.

ALSO: Have you found anything that helps w/ your acne?!

sharky09 · 09-09-2009, 04:42 PM

ooh yes, I'm very curious to see what your test results are too! None of mine were wacky and my glucose is actually quite normal. I bet they put you on Metformin. Definitely bring up the hypoglycemia though. I haven't had a chance to bring it up to mine. And its slightly unnerving to me. Mine really kicked up after starting Met. So I've given in to snacking every couple of hours. Emerald nuts has some cocoa dusted almonds that are to die for...and I feel like I'm getting a treat. lol! But my hypoglycemia symptoms are similar to yours...but if I eat I'm fine. Its the worst for me upon waking...so I have a protein shake around 8:30pm if I've had a light dinner...and I haven't had a morning episode since. And I got the chocolate flavored protein...its kinda like dessert. (are you seeing a theme here??)

I'm really trying very hard to do a low glycemic/low carb diet. My skin seems much better considering I should start my period this weekend. I'm currently using a sulfate cleanser my former Dermatologist prescribed and the occassional use of of proactive as an exfoliator in the morning and in the evening I use the premoistened aveeno cleansing pads (because I'm so lazy). But other than that, not a whole lot for my skin these days. Met was a miracle for it!

As for OPK's, I never got a positive one until this month! So yep, I bet it was the PCOS that screwed them up. I'd suggest looking for the Answer? brand. I think I got some at Walmart...its a pack of like 20. That way you can use them all month and do a sort of "chart". But I've heard lots of girls rave about the digital ones if you can afford them. Anyway search for OPKs and you'll get lots of hits for recommendations on this board. I think the hardest part is not peeing for 4 hours. I drink a lot of water to help my skin so I'm constantly peeing. The nurse suggested to go when I get up...then not drink a ton of water at breakfast or that morning...and then use the next sample. It worked like a charm this month.

Good luck getting stuck on Friday!
Let us know what your results are...lots of very informed girls on this board.

DLChic428 · 09-09-2009, 06:38 PM

WOW! Thanks for all the info! I will be sure to let you girls know when I receive my results and what they mean!

I hope I will be prescribed metaformin because I have heard alot of good things about it!

PS I feel ya on the dessert thing haha! Sweets are my FAV! I will have to try those Emerald nuts for sure!

SLD32 · 09-18-2009, 02:23 PM

Hey girls - just wanted to jump on this thread real quick!

Quick background - 5'11", 145 lbs, 29. We have been trying to conceive for almost a year and I was diagnosed with PCOS in January. I had irregular cycles - 32 days to 42 days. But I always have a period each month - most of the time it is light. My doctor said that isn't anything to be concerned with as long as there is something!?!?No acne, hair, etc. Just the cycles. Changed my diet (low GI) and my cycles went to 28 days to 32 days. My doctor put me on Met 3 1/2 months ago - no luck yet but staying hopeful.

Once I was diagnosed, the first thing I did was change my diet and start charting. I wanted to find out if I was ovulating. I use fertility friend to track all the info. I bought a bbt thermometer and a bunch of opks from http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com. I was able to get them in bulk since I knew I may have to use several a month. I also bought some of the digital ones to use once I got a positive - to double check!

Since January, I will get a positive OPK around day 14-18, then 1-2 days later my temperature spikes and stays up for 12-14 days. From that information, I assume that I do in fact ovulate - my doctor seems to agree!

If something doesn't happen this month - I am heading back to the doctor! Either to start clomid or figure out what is going on! I might request more tests because something just isn't right!

Hope that helps! Good luck to you all! It will happen for us all soon - I hope! We have another thread going - Thin Cysters Who Are TTC - with some great ladies if you want to join in! It's nice to have people to talk to who are going through the same thing you are - not everyone understands what this is like!

Have a great weekend!