PCOS advice needed please

[Tryingforababy]

I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS after trying to conceive for 18 months, and would like to get advice/talk to people in the same position as me. I also have high prolactin levels, which I have been prescribed Bromocriptine to help reduce. Currently undergoing investigations and think next steps will be Fertility clinic. I am really struggling coming to terms with the symptoms of PCOS, bloating, weight struggles, facial hair, and the feeling of being depressed. I hope to hear from others as I feel like my family/friends do not understand how much this is affecting me.

[Greyeverything]

Hello fellow PCOS sufferer 👋🏻 I knew I had PCOS well before we started trying for a baby because my periods were irregular some times missing for months and I had all the other delightful symptoms. Started trying for a baby and found that I was never getting an ovulation peak when doing ovulation tests so went to docs and bloods confirmed I wasn’t ovulating. Scan confirmed PCOS. They put me straight on to clomid for 7 cycles I think, didn’t work so was referred for IVF and here I am. Failed fresh cycle and waiting for outcome of frozen one.

I’d say step 1 is to find out if you are ovulating or not? I can give you some reassurance in some ways though, not ovulating/PCOS is something you can over come fertility wise and isn’t the end of the world. When we had our first round of IVF they collected 22 eggs which is brilliant and is really common in PCOS sufferers so a small silver lining.

Right with you on the weight struggles and bloating. It seems I have to work twice as hard as everyone else to loose any weight. I do often feel very low as well.

Good luck with everything, message me if you need to chat Xx

[Tryingforababy in reply to Greyeverything]

Hi thank you for your reply.

Did you use an ovulation home kit? My periods are slightly irregular but I definitely get them, they’re just irregular in that sometimes they’re every 3 weeks sometimes around 7 weeks, so very unpredictable.

I think they are trying to level out my Prolactin levels before we go onto fertility treatment, so I’m a little ignorant as to what’s out there, I do apologise. What happens next regarding your IVF? Have you had to wait a long time to get to the stage that you’re at?

Nice to speak to someone who understands the symptoms. I have good days and bad but I’ve been reading about how food and exercise can really make a difference, so I really know I need to make some lifestyle changes. Xx

[Greyeverything in reply to Tryingforababy]

Yes I used home kits (various ones) and then the doctor did day 21 blood tests which showed that I had not ovulated. I went straight to the clomid cycles then because if you are not ovulating no amount of trying is going to succeed. They only usually do 6 or 7 cycles of clomid generally so that was 7 months and then was referred straight for IVF. It was pretty quick to be honest but felt like forever. Fresh cycle failed but I got 8 frozen embryos from it. I could have gone straight on to a frozen cycle but for various reasons we waited quite a while but that was my choice. I wanted to loose some weight and get healthier as it’s supposed to help. When I felt ready I called and started my frozen cycle. It has to be medicated due to irregular periods.

Exercise and diet resulting in weight loss made my cycles much more regular usually 32/33 days but bloods showed I still wasn’t ovulating.

I’ve been wanting to try the PCOS diet but I just love food so much!! 😩

[Tryingforababy in reply to Greyeverything]

Im going to order some ovulation kits now, thank you for the tip. I think waiting for next steps always feel like a lifetime so can relate to that. That’s good you made a few changes, wishing you so much good luck for the next steps 🙏

I really enjoy my food, I cook from scratch but I’ve started to make a few changes like using wholewheat whole grain etc... eating less red meat etc, the main thing for me is to cut out the sugar, I love chocolate 😫.

[Babyjoshua in reply to Greyeverything]

I understand how you feel I was diagnosed with PCOS too in 2017 when I got the news I was shocked and didn't knowant what to do. I am not your typical PCOS patient I don't have irregular period but however I do have painful period and have problem with my weight and mode swings. I had a fresh tranfer in 2018 and it failed awaiting for my upcoming FET in July. I know how u feel it's not easy having PCOS. Hangin there is know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Tryingforababy in reply to Babyjoshua]

Hi thank you for getting in touch, I struggle with my mood too and I don’t like how I am when I feel low, it’s hard to remember there’s reasons why and that I need to start handling these moods better. Wishing you all the best for July 🙏 I really hope you get everything to wish for.

I’m trying to think positively about the future regarding fertility but I just have a horrible feeling it’s never going to happen.

[Babyjoshua in reply to Tryingforababy]

Don't give up i know things will work out for all of us who is struggling with infertility and I know that if it's God's will for all of us to be mom's then it will happen. Keep your faith up and be strong. Sending lots of love and warm hugs.

[Tryingforababy in reply to Babyjoshua]

Thank you so much. Xxx

[Binky1983]

There is a pcos group on health unlocked. But I wanted to say hi, I also have pcos. What investigations are they doing? I only ever had blood tests to check hormones and a scan and then I was referred to the fertility clinic after 12 months and put on clomid. Got pregnant twice while taking it but sadly miscarried early.

Didn’t have regular periods but after the last miscarriage I must have ovulated as I got pregnant naturally and currently sat having cuddles with my 8 week old baby. Don’t lose hope!

As for the side effects, a low gi diet can help with bloating and weight. Hiit exercise works well for weight loss. If you’re on Facebook then follow healthy pcos as there are some good tips on there.

X

[Tryingforababy in reply to Binky1983]

Hi thank you for your coming on to reply. Sounds like you have been through a lot so sorry. But thats amazing news that you fell pregnant naturally and huge congratulations to you, I hope you and baby are doing well getting to know each other 💕

So far I’ve had several blood tests, showing high prolactin levels, low progesterone. I’ve had a transvaginal scan which showed enlarged ovaries and cysts. I’ve also had an MRI scan to check the pituary gland and I’m awaiting results. My husband is booked for fertility check next month. I’ve been given Bromocriptine for the high prolactin levels and my consultants main concern is trying to level this before I go back to the GP to get referred to a Fertility clinic. I’m hoping that the medication can lower the prolactin levels by the time my partner has been tested so that we can go back to the GP together.

I’m not on Facebook, but I’ve been reading about a low GI diet and exercise, and I know I definitely want to try to make some changes to lost around 1 stone and hopefully reduce my round belly 😂.

Did you make any changes in preparation for your treatment?

X

[Tryingforababy]

Thank you I will have a look at that. 😊