Ferility issues/PCOS how to educate yourself?

ncmc

I wonder if anyone could give me some general advice.

A little about me, I’m 33 years old, came off the pill 3 years ago with the intention of TTC. Basically I haven’t had a period since then. Went to the doctor for the first time about 2 years ago, She put me on a course of Clomid (I later found out that she shouldn’t have done this as I wasn’t being monitored properly and Clomid shouldn’t be prescribed by a GP). I changed doctors after that and was referred to a gynaecologist last year. I had an ultrasound and the other test (is it a HCG?) and they basically said that I had PCOS and that I wasn’t ovulating. I was told that I would be put on a course of Clomid and monitored properly, they would manually release an egg or something like that? To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the information I was getting and was panicked by the amount of time of work it would require, so I did nothing and am now no further along nearly a year later.

I think my problem is two fold, firstly, I feel I am very uneducated about the whole thing (as you can see from the above!). I do read this forum, but I get overwhelmed by all the different issues and acronyms. I end up feeling confused and hopeless and put my head in the sand for another six months.

My second issue is that I went public the last time and while all the doctors and nurses were lovely, I did feel that it all was a bit rushed, especially for someone like me, who is a bit clueless and confused about the whole thing. I ended up losing my confidence about the whole thing, and not asking questions when I should have.

So basically, that brings me up to this week, I had excruciating stomach pains earlier in the week and ended up in A&E. They diagnosed it (without ultrasound or anything more than blood tests) as my passing a fibroid. To be honest, I got a bit of a fright with the pain and just want to get this sorted once and for all. Also, last year, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted a baby, with my husband being very keen, as time passes and I get a little older, I have realised that I do want a child and am prepared to put the work in to get there.

So this year, I want to do things properly. I am going to ask for a referral to a gynaecologist from my GP and I think I will go private this time. For one, I don’t want to wait a year to see someone and also, I think with going private, I might get less rushed, individual attention? Or am I way off the mark with that? My main issue however is my lack of knowledge and confidence with the whole thing. How do I educate myself properly and arm myself with the right knowledge so I get the most out of each appointment? I don’t want a repeat of last year, where I just sit there nodding dumbly while not understanding what’s going on! The stupid thing is, I would consider myself quite a smart person in general, but I just become really stupid about stuff like this!

Basically, I just am looking for advice and guidance on how I can get the most out of this whole procedure. Sorry about the long post, I hope I haven’t put people off reading! Thanks in advance!

Lac21

Hi ncmc,
I read your post with great interest. You are in a very similar position to myself some years back.
After coming off the pill, I had no periods for almost 2 years. Had no idea what was going on and was eventually diagnosed with pcos by my GP after some blood tests. I had no other symptoms besides the missing periods.
I definitely buried my head in the sand initially. Think I was in shock. I suppose I always assumed that I could plan a family whenever I wanted. I didn't want to think about any problems which would occur.

After some time I got referred to a private gynaecologist. I would definitely recommend going private. Others might advise you differently here but I can't speak about the public system. I found my private gynae very helpful and positive and she set me on the right road.

In regard to education about pcos. The amount of detail out there is overwhelming esp online. I'd say buy a book and stick to that mainly but everyone's pcos story is different. Don't know what you think of alternative medicine. I found it helped my periods return. I tried acupuncture and low gi diet also.

I'm sure you'll get great advice and support on here. You've taken the first step on the road, so well done!! :-)

ncmc

Lac21 wrote: »

Hi ncmc,
I read your post with great interest. You are in a very similar position to myself some years back.
After coming off the pill, I had no periods for almost 2 years. Had no idea what was going on and was eventually diagnosed with pcos by my GP after some blood tests. I had no other symptoms besides the missing periods.
I definitely buried my head in the sand initially. Think I was in shock. I suppose I always assumed that I could plan a family whenever I wanted. I didn't want to think about any problems which would occur.

After some time I got referred to a private gynaecologist. I would definitely recommend going private. Others might advise you differently here but I can't speak about the public system. I found my private gynae very helpful and positive and she set me on the right road.

In regard to education about pcos. The amount of detail out there is overwhelming esp online. I'd say buy a book and stick to that mainly but everyone's pcos story is different. Don't know what you think of alternative medicine. I found it helped my periods return. I tried acupuncture and low gi diet also.

I'm sure you'll get great advice and support on here. You've taken the first step on the road, so well done!! :-)

Thank you so much for replying Lac21, it’s such a comfort knowing other people have been in the same boat. Most people here who have PCOS seem to have periods, so I was beginning to think there was something massively wrong with me! I would definitely be interested in going down the alternative therapy route. One of the things that freaked me out with the gynaecologist was the amount of drugs and medical intervention required. I’m never sick and hate the thought of taking loads of drugs and hormones, so something like acupuncture would definitely something I’d like to try. Do you think it was the acupuncture or the low GI diet that helped you?

Lac21

I know it's unusual to have no periods at all with pcos, but I was definitely nearly 2 yrs without any. I started acupuncture and they came back after about 5 sessions. They were every 12 weeks first and went down to 6. I conceived my son after about 4 periods with no need for medication.
I started to monitor my cervical mucus and knew when I was ovulating. I bought a few packs of ovulation predictor kits online. They tell u to test days 10-16 usually. I didn't do that because I knew it would be a waste. I waited until I noticed the egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) and then tested.

Definitely get recommendations for an acupuncturist and I would chat to them first about pcos just to see how knowledgeable they are.
As for the low gi diet. I did follow it at the time, not v strictly though!! Just kept an eye on my diet really. I got a pocket book which just listed the gi values of everyday foods.

After my son was born my periods were regularish 35-45 day cycles. I thought I would have no trouble second time round but after almost three yrs ttc, no luck. That's when I went to private gynae. She prescribed clomid and monitored me closely. I still did the acupuncture etc. I conceived on my second cycle of clomid. Due in October. :-)

So it's been a long road but I think u have to go with your instincts. I hated the feeling of being pushed into doing anything but when the time was right I knew I needed to get medical help.
Hope this info is not too overwhelming!
I'm happy to share any info I have thou. It can be very isolating when friends, family are having babies without any difficulty at all. Best of luck with everything :-)

pwurple

Ncmc, just one thing on the acupuncture etc, those can work, but I would really see a gyne or fertility doctor as well. At 35 your fertility drops dramatically, and all the treatments are more difficult. There is no reason you can't do both at the same time, but at least get investigated. Time is really very important here. You are 33. It takes months and years to get this started, and if you spend two years getting accupuncture while you have blocked fallopian tubes due to endo or something, you will have possibly missed your window.

Not to scare the bajesus out of you, but I regretted time spend faffing about half trying things, instead of getting my arse down to the GP and saying I wanted to start a family. There may be something simple wrong, just get some decent tests and go from there. You can do alternatives at the same time. Anything that relaxes you, like acupuncture, helps.

ncmc

pwurple wrote: »

Ncmc, just one thing on the acupuncture etc, those can work, but I would really see a gyne or fertility doctor as well. At 35 your fertility drops dramatically, and all the treatments are more difficult. There is no reason you can't do both at the same time, but at least get investigated. Time is really very important here. You are 33. It takes months and years to get this started, and if you spend two years getting accupuncture while you have blocked fallopian tubes due to endo or something, you will have possibly missed your window.

Not to scare the bajesus out of you, but I regretted time spend faffing about half trying things, instead of getting my arse down to the GP and saying I wanted to start a family. There may be something simple wrong, just get some decent tests and go from there. You can do alternatives at the same time. Anything that relaxes you, like acupuncture, helps.

Thanks pwurple, I appreciate your advice. I am very conscious of the time element, I have already faffed about on and off for two years, so I know time is of the essence for me now. I would like to try the alternative therapies, but would only do them in conjunction with seeing a gynae.

There was a recommendation on this forum before about a good book about fertility etc, can anyone tell me what that book was? I would like to educate myself a bit more before going to the specialist again so I am less like a rabbit in a headlamp!

Also, I know this is a difficult question to answer, but can anyone give me an estimate as to how much the initial stages of a private consultation would cost? I understand that tests etc would all start to add up, but just looking for a rough guide to price. I presume my health insurance would cover some of my initial tests? So I suppose I’d best get on to them and see what’s covered and what’s not.

Lac21

We paid €150 initially for my bloods and ultrasound. €100 on the same day for sperm analysis. Next follow up app was €100. Would be interesting to see the difference between the different clinics. That was in Galway Fertility Unit.

We waited about 12 weeks for initial app but once that was over things happened quite quickly. Had D&C and hysteroscopy after that which was fully covered by VHI.

ncmc

Lac21 wrote: »

We paid €150 initially for my bloods and ultrasound. €100 on the same day for sperm analysis. Next follow up app was €100. Would be interesting to see the difference between the different clinics. That was in Galway Fertility Unit.

We waited about 12 weeks for initial app but once that was over things happened quite quickly. Had D&C and hysteroscopy after that which was fully covered by VHI.

Thanks again Lac! That's good to get a rough idea of price. Husband had sperm test last year and all was fine, so that's one less thing to worry about.

pwurple

Satine82... Did you follow the medical advice given, and take the prescriptions? And those didn't work?

I can only say what worked for me. I had very long irregular periods. 90 days was about my longest. Scan of ovaries showed the 'string of pearls' typical of pcos. Went on pill for three months as suggested by GP, taking them to the minute at the exact same time everyday like he said. Had three normal periods after that, conceived on third.

For second pregnancy, did bloods every few days, clomid and follicle tracking. Conceived after two months of that.

For third, did follicle tracking on its own.

A lot of acupunturists also recommend that.

With PCOS, weight (under or over) can be a factor, so that might be the reason fir the advice on a nutritionist... Although I'm surprised they wouldn't go for a dietician instead.