I am back...with a PCOS diagnosis...any hope?

[pjmm]

Hello all,
I had taken a break from this site for a few months as I was so discouraged I could not bring myself to even log in. I finally hit 1 year of TTC with no success whatsoever, so my OBGYN finally did some testing. She diagnosed me with PCOS without cysts (I qualify under the other 2 criteria). She provided me a referral to see a fertility specialist, but I was completely gutted when I called to try to schedule an appointment and found out my insurance only provides partial coverage for fertility appointments and a single consultation would cost me $400 (!) I went back to my OBGYN and requested metformin. I started 5 days ago and so far I feel fine. No negative side effects or concerns. I've been reading metformin BFP stories cautiously. I am hoping this does the trick...if not I think I may have to head to Mexico for fertility treatments (cost is way too high with my insurance).

Anyway...anyone have PCOS success / metformin stories? or any stories really. Trying to connect with that hopefully side of me right now.

 

[sarah2211]

I'm sorry to hear you've been going through this. I'm there too. I did conceive on Metformin but had a MC at 5 weeks. It is possible but the chance isn't high. I'm now on Clomid and Metformin.

We have to pay out of pocket for fertility treatments too. If you can, ask not to be monitored if you are going to take Clomid. I'm not monitored and it saves me $300-$400 a month.

Good luck and keep us updated on how you get on.

 

[pjmm]

Hi Sarah! Thanks for your feedback...sorry about your MC...hope you get your sticky BFP soon! I don't know what I am more afraid of...never seeing a bfp or going through a MC. For the un-monitored clomid cycles, who perscribed it for you your regular OBGYN or did they still have you go see a fertility specialist?

 

[TTCfirstovr30]

Hi PJMM. I am sorry you are going through this, it must have been so frustrating for a year TTC with no results. The positive is that now you know what the cause may be.

As for me, here is my story. I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 19, right after being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer (in which I am cancer free now, yeay!) I have what you have, no cysts. I have been on Metphormine since I was 19 as well. I do not ovulate on my own and while this was a positive in my 20's, I knew wasn't going to have any success TTC without the help of drugs.

Once DH and I decided to start trying, we did go to a fertility specialist. It was a $400 consultation, just like you. She put me on clomid 50mg with the Metphormine for my first cycle. I produced "too many" follicles and she wouldn't allow me and DH to dtd. Second Cycle, we lowered my Clomid to 25mg in conjunction with the Metphormin and produced two follicles. I had a Ovidrel Trigger Shot to induce the Ovulation and then had IUI 36 hours later. I am happy to say I am 7 weeks pregnant and go for my second u/s tonight.

A few side notes, with PCOS you have to take really good care of yourself. No carbs, No Dairy, Exercise. PCOS is just like diabetes you do not absorb sugars (ie. carbs) normally. Before my fertility treatments, I was practicing a really healthy, clean eating life-style. I would occasionally "cheat" with some fro-yo or a bagel but most of the time eat clean. I would highly recommend this, if you don't already do it. Makes you feel better about yourself and gets your body ready for baby.

As of the total cost of my infertility 1) $400 Initial Consultation, 2) $800 IUI (includes 2x rounds plus u/s, 3) $250 sperm washing for IUI. Plus the cost of drugs. My doctor would not charge me everytime I went in for an u/s before IUI and only charge my insurance for a regular OBGYN visit. I would research your options. I also live in LA so prices are also pretty high here in the city and you don't have to do the IUI, I was just being aggressive because me and DH are older.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. You know you have PCOS and there are plenty of women who have PCOS that have gotten pregnant!

Hope this helps!

 

[sarah2211]

Hi Sarah! Thanks for your feedback...sorry about your MC...hope you get your sticky BFP soon! I don't know what I am more afraid of...never seeing a bfp or going through a MC. For the un-monitored clomid cycles, who perscribed it for you your regular OBGYN or did they still have you go see a fertility specialist?

Thank you. At the time the MC was extremely devastating. I was a wreck for a good week. But then I came around and felt a lot better in a short amount of time really. Of course I still wished I was pregnant, I would have been 6 month pregnant by now. But I can't change it.

My GP referred us to a fertility clinic and our specialist is a fertility doctor. I think he's just an OBGYN with a fertility qualification. He's not an RE. Anyway, he said we could be monitored at any time we wanted but he didn't think there was a lot of point.

 

[KylasBaby]

I was diagnosed with pcos at 13 (14 years ago!) and have never once had to see a fertility doctor. It's totally possible to get pregnant without seeing one. My daughter I used Vitex which is an herb. Along with a bunch of vitamins. A good b complex, vitamins c and d, iron along with a prenatal and natural progesterone cream. Now I'm on inositol and Vitex. There are a lot of herbs and supplements and vitamins that can help pcos. Diet is also very important! Look up a low carb/high protein diet.

I haven't tried metformin since I was a teenager and was tired of taking pills 4x a day, but it's totally possible! I've gotten pregnant twice (one MMC) first cycle trying with my herbs and vitamins.

 

[pjmm]

Thank you @TTCfirstovr30 and what an amazing story! Through this website, I have only confirmed how resilient women are and how much we area able to withstand. Thank you for all the details, when the costs are laid out that way it definitely seems manageable. I think I'll go ahead and schedule with the fertility clinic in early 2017. For the time being I'll continue to on the metformin and take care of myself.

 

[pjmm]

I was diagnosed with pcos at 13 (14 years ago!) and have never once had to see a fertility doctor. It's totally possible to get pregnant without seeing one. My daughter I used Vitex which is an herb. Along with a bunch of vitamins. A good b complex, vitamins c and d, iron along with a prenatal and natural progesterone cream. Now I'm on inositol and Vitex. There are a lot of herbs and supplements and vitamins that can help pcos. Diet is also very important! Look up a low carb/high protein diet.

I haven't tried metformin since I was a teenager and was tired of taking pills 4x a day, but it's totally possible! I've gotten pregnant twice (one MMC) first cycle trying with my herbs and vitamins.

Thanks! I tried vitex for a few months, but I found it started making me nauseous? did you ever have this experience?

 

[pjmm]

Hi Sarah! Thanks for your feedback...sorry about your MC...hope you get your sticky BFP soon! I don't know what I am more afraid of...never seeing a bfp or going through a MC. For the un-monitored clomid cycles, who perscribed it for you your regular OBGYN or did they still have you go see a fertility specialist?

Thank you. At the time the MC was extremely devastating. I was a wreck for a good week. But then I came around and felt a lot better in a short amount of time really. Of course I still wished I was pregnant, I would have been 6 month pregnant by now. But I can't change it.

My GP referred us to a fertility clinic and our specialist is a fertility doctor. I think he's just an OBGYN with a fertility qualification. He's not an RE. Anyway, he said we could be monitored at any time we wanted but he didn't think there was a lot of point.

Okay, I understand now. Growing up, I just went to the doctor once a year for my yearly check-up. Never thought I'd have to venture into the "medical chain of command" and such...but here I am...how is this cycle going for you?

 

[KylasBaby]

No it never made me nauseous. You sure it was the vitex?

 

[sarah2211]

It's hard. No one expects to be here and those who think they might have infertility troubles hope they're wrong.

I'm doing ok. I'm CD 14 and last cycle I ovulated on CD 16 with Clomid. My CM is watery and you'll see my temps have just taken a dive. My ovaries are a bit sore and BDing is a bit painful. I'm thinking I might O around CD 17-18.

My DH is in the military and is probably going to be deployed soon. In 10 days time we have our appointment for him to give a sample so we can freeze it and proceed with IUI if he is deployed. It's all quite scary and getting more serious and expensive.

Do you think your doctor will try you on Clomid? Metformin doesn't really do much for most women. You hear the odd story of a BFP on Metformin alone, but there aren't very many.