(in)Fertility Friday {PCOS}

Friday, February 13, 2015

Guys! Best news ever! (Well, not ever because when I'm prego that will be the best news but...) I have extreme PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome)! And while I realize this is a bad thing, the good news is that I finally have a diagnosis. I prayed that my doctor's appointment would give me answers and boy did it! I am so so thankful.

This post is going to have all sorts of information so if you're infertile (like me) then you will probably be interested. Otherwise, you might want to move on to another blog for today. ;)

Here's what I learned...I have had PCOS my whole life and never knew it till now. My case has gotten more extreme as I've gotten older (and more insulin resistant) and have had a baby (who depleted me of all my hormones). All these things have contributed to my struggle with getting/staying pregnant. I'm 100% not relaying this as accurately or understandably as my doctor did but here's my main issues...1) I have PCOS 2) I have thyroid issues 3) I have no progesterone (the hormone that helps you get and stay prego).

Here's the interesting part...the meds he prescribed me (and the way to take them) and not typical. My doctors at Kaiser and going to lose their noodle when they find out what I'm doing but guess what...those idiots didn't even catch that I have PCOS because I'm not your typical candidate: I'm not overweight, I don't have acne, and I don't have facial hair. Those are all top symptoms of PCOS. Apparently 50% of PCOS cases don't display outward symptoms...that's me.

The meds I will be on are bio-identical (natural, not synthetic) Progesterone and Thyroid which makes a huge difference in resulting in healthy pregnancies. I will likely be on these meds the rest of my life since people with PCOS have a 6-8 times more chance of getting uterine and breast cancer. But it's preventable! Same goes with miscarrying.

I will also be taking the drug called Metformin which helps with regulating my blood sugar levels. People with PCOS have insulin resistance and in my case it's severe. This also means that I have to be really careful about my sugar intake...as in don't do it. :( I'm pretty sure that was the worst news I heard all day. I LOVE sugar and the doctor also said that is classic PCOS symptom. The good news is that the thyroid meds will make it easier for me to lose and maintain a healthy body weight...winning!

I'm SO relieved to have answers but SO annoyed at Kaiser for not catching any of this. Come to find out they don't even test for low thyroid in the most thorough way AND they didn't ever think to test me for PCOS because they were so sure I didn't have it. Lame.

Overall I can't thank YOU all enough for all your prayers. Today went just as I had hoped in that I have a clear diagnosis and a plan for recovery. I can't wait to start my meds and keep you all updated on the way it's going. If any of you is struggling with getting/staying pregnant I highly recommend this doctor. He graduated from UCLA and is also currently an ER doctor in L.A. He's no ding dong!


If you're still reading, I commend you. :) This weekend we are headed to the beach for some major R and R and I'm stoked! Happy Valentine's Day, friends! I love you guys!

11 comments:

  1. I'm so happy you have a dx and plan! Can't wait to hear how things go!

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  2. PTL for a diagnosis. I am so happy that you are now on a routine to normalize and hopefully get pregnant!! As a fellow IF fighter this is great news. I wish I could get a diagnosis to explain mine!! Maybe I should have my progesterone levels checked...I don't think I've ever had that done.

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  3. I too was diagnosed with PCOS years ago. So glad to hear you finally have a diagnosis, I am hopeful your treatment will result in baby #2.

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  4. SOO happy you are getting answers! My best friend tried to get preggo for 9 months before they found her PCOS (she had no normal symptoms either). She got put on Clomid for 3 months and BAM! Pregnant!

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  5. I also have PCOS, and struggled to get pregnant for a year and a half. I was put on thyroid medication and progesterone, but it wasn't until I started metformin that I got pregnant, 6 weeks later. The metformin works wonders for insulin resistance!

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  6. I also have PCOS and sub-clinical hypothyroidism and low progesterone, and tried to get pregnant for a year and a half. I always started spotting 3-8 days after ovulation. My doctor put me on thyroid medication and progesterone too, but it wasn't until I went on metformin that I got pregnant 6 weeks later. Good luck!

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  7. So great to hear you have a diagnosis! I have PCOS too and battled infertility. Like you, I didn't have any of the outward symptoms and my first doctor didn't catch it either. I did the Metformin regime with my fertility doc (twice) and have two beautiful babies! The good news is PCOS is manageable and very treatable! :) Bring on the babies!

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  8. So so happy for a diagnosis and amazed, really, that you were able to have Blair and that you are just now discovering this. So happy for you guys and can't wait to hear more good news! ;)

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  9. So happy for you, and thank you Jesus!!

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  10. Any updates? Have been following your story and praying for you!!

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  11. Doing a little blog catch up...this makes me so happy!!!! To have a diagnosis and a plan is flat out amazing! Like Sara said, bring on the babies!!!! XO

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