Well, no BFP this month. AF arrived yesterday 1 day early. I knew it wasn't gonna happen. Something just didn't see right. I've had that feeling the past 4-5 months actually. My face has been sooooooo broken out. And now its so scarred up I have to wear 3lbs of makeup. I'm totally overweight although I did loose 20lbs last summer. (I'm currently 5'3 and 175)
My cycles have varied so much recently in regards to the length. So after reading a lot on our blog and my google OCD, I found that I have almost all of the symptoms of PCOS. So, I went to my family doc for my routine physical and had her check my testosterone and free testosterone. My free testosterone came back at 4.7 (norm is 0.2-5.0pg/mL) and my Total Testosterone came back at 50 H (norm2-45 ng/dl).
So that shows my testosterone is too high, just as I suspected. So today I had an appointment with my regular OB who agreed that I have most of the symptoms (some I didn't care to list on here). She referred me to an endocrinologist. It could be 2 months before I can get to meet with them :( But this does give me some hope. We spoke of the Metaformin (spelling?) and my hopes are that they will put me on this. Other option would be BCP, which I obviously do not want.
I just pray that this gets squared away soon. I'm 28 years old and acne should be the last of my worries. But it has led me to the answers I have been questioning since I got off BCP 3 years ago.
To my fellow buds......was it hard to get a diagnosis for PCOS? How do you like the metaformin? Does it control your symptoms??
I am glad to hear that you got all your tests back and some results. For me it was easy to be diagnosed once I got to the endocrinologists. My FP doctor wasn't helpful at all and just wanted to wait and see. So I asked for a referral to an endocrinologists since I was worried about my hypothyroidism and I didn't feel he was addressing the problem aggressively enough.
ReplyDeleteMy endocrinologist put me on Metformin right away and suggested I go to a Reproductive Endocrinologist if I was serious about getting pregnant. The endocrinologist did run the full range of hormone tests before putting me on Metformin but they all pointed towards PCOS. I would ask for the slow release metformin that so you can take the full dose before bed. Doing it this way I have found the least amount of side effects. Otherwise, look forward lots of trips to the bathroom and feeling nauseous. I don't know if your endocrinologist will talk about diet change but if you do some Google research the common diet to help reduce the symptoms of PCOS is to follow a low glycemic index diet. Essentially a low carb, low sugar diet.
Being on Metformin I have noticed weight loss, less dark body hair and less craving of sugars and carbs. I wouldn't say it completely controls my symptoms but there is improvement. Coupled with diet helps a lot more and being on Metformin makes sticking to that diet easier.
Good luck getting in with the endocrinologist!!
I agree with Explorer on Metformin. I started taking it a year ago, and my first month on, I got the BFP. My OB told me to stop taking metformin, and I had the MC 4 days later :(
ReplyDeleteThe side effects depend a bit on you and how your body handles the med, on top of what your diet is like. If you're going to have carbs, try switching to whole grain or wheat, and limit your sugar intake. Also, make sure you eat small portions frequently throughout the day to help keep your sugar from dropping too low. In my case, it dropped a few times, and I needed to pull-over to throw up on occasion.
In general, I also hear exercise helps. My cycles were more regular at my heaviest than my thinnest, so it's mostly about knowing your body and what it wants and needs.
PCOS is not the end of the world... It's just good to be aware and have a plan :) GL! We are here for you!!!
You ladies are so helpful! I've taken notes and will def start to incorporate those changes before I get on the meds so the adjustments isnt so hard. I started weight watchers back up yesterday so it shouldnt be too hard.
ReplyDeleteI got my appointment paperwork. Its not until April 6th. Thats just dumb!
But anywho, guess Im good at waiting, so I will just have to deal with it. Merppp.
Thanks again ladies XOXO