Life After Test Results

[Duckieshoes]

So today I got my test results back. I had gone in two weeks ago to figure out why I hadn't had a period since late November (I have been off BCP since May) and today I finally got the results back. Well, I started my period on Monday, so that part I already knew, definitely not pregnant. Oh, but it can't just stop there...

I am insulin resistant now, apparently, and tests came back showing positive signs of PCOS. High testosterone, a small benign cyst on my right ovary....I guess this is what I have to deal with now. I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow and my doc today said that I'll probably get put on something called metformin? Apparently it will help with the insulin resistance and so on and me losing weight might make it so that estrogen floods into my body and then I might be able to get pregnant. My husband and I just recently started a diet, and now I feel like it's no longer a 'well, maybe I can cheat once..." thing. I can't cheat anymore. I have to lose weight. Apparently this insulin resistant stuff could be making it difficult for me to lose weight, so maybe the metformin might help that?

I don't know, but needless to say this has been an emotionally trying day already, and it's only 11!

 

[Rockinmomtobe]

Hi Duckieshoes. Im sorry to hear about all the trouble youre having Hopefully some of the other ladies on here have experiences with the new drug theyre going to give you and can give you some insight on what to expect.

Can I ask you a personal question...and its totally ok if you dont want to answer, but how much do you weigh? Ive been stuck around 190 for about a year with no explanation. Im not diabetic, no thyroid problem...what exactly does being insulin resistant mean?

Either way, I hope you get everything figured out and get your BFP very soon

 

[Duckieshoes]

I hate my weight, but honestly we're sharing a lot of other equally personal information on this site so somehow, here it doesn't bother me so much... (besides, I've had to tell doctors even though I REALLY wanted to lie...hell, my driver's license and my military dependent cards both have bold faced lies on them...) but, I' 5'2-5'3 and I weigh 220 right now. This is the most I've ever been and I know it's because I've been depressed and I can't get up the energy to do anything. Besides that, before we had to move with the military, I had a job where I was running around constantly...now I just sit all day. Heck, even my school is online...

Insulin Resistant is a pre-curser for diabetes, which my dad has, his mom has, and her father have...so I'm likely to get it no matter what I do. Hopefully I can stave it off though for a little while...It means that I'm not metabolizing sugar like I should. Hopefully this metformin might help with that, which will mean I'll be able to lose weight which will mean that maybe I can get pregnant. Oh, and both my mom and my sister have PCOS too, so, yay.

 

[Rockinmomtobe]

Believe me, I know the weight thing is hard.I put on about 20 lbs when I got my office job. I was working in a daycare and never got to sit. Now im on my butt all day. So I make a much better effort to get to the gym.
I really appreciate you sharing with me. Thank you. I dont have much personal experience with what youre going through, but Im always here if you need someone to talk to.

 

[Duckieshoes]

No problem. Honestly, I know I'm not the only one who has ever had this problem before, but I just don't want it! I'm...I'm glad that we know because maybe we can avoid this...it's made me really seriously look at my diet (not that I was eating terrible before, but now...now I'm really changing it). I'm actually adjusting things now, not just tentatively dieting...It's tough to admit that there is a problem, but maybe...maybe it can finally go away.

 

[Duckieshoes]

So, I am now on Metformin and from what my doc was saying, I'm not likely to ever not be insulin resistant again...it comes with being PCOS apparently. Ah well, trying to get used to it, but the fact is it's my reality now.

 

[Ariannda]

I do NOT have PCOS but im on Metformin for weight. Im 5'7" and 250 lbs, i conceived all my other children at 210 or under so this for me is high ! my a1c is fine so it's not a precursor to diabetes but they feel i may be insulin resistant due to my weight. My DH also has some motility issues so...

The Metformin does help with both weight loss and insulin resistance. Lots of people with PCOS conceive and have wonderful, healthy pregnancies. It may take longer, but it can be helped and there are of course additional methods that can be used to help achieve pregnancy (without IVF)

 

[ready2Bmum]

Hi there :wave:

I can probably offer some insight into your situation as it is exactly the same as mine, Im just a little further ahead of you.
I am 26, have PCOS, am currently on 500mg of metformin daily and clomid 50mg cd2-6 round 3.
Insulin resistant means your body always thinks it needs more sugar. When you consume sugar (in any form, even fruit) your body keeps more than it should meaning you gain weight easier than most people. Because of this process its much harder to loose weight.
Being over weight in itself can make ttc more difficult, coupled with PCOS its not great.

The met helps regulate the insulin levels. It wont make you loose weight in itself, but it will put you on a closer footing to 'normal' people.
In 50% of cases it will also help ovulation. They havent figured out why this is exactly, but in half the patients it seems to work. It cant do any harm, so most doctors will put you on it regardless. Metformin generally has very little side effects. I had some heartburn & upset tummy the first week and thats it. Im on it a few months now and no problems.
If you are actively ttc, you will probably be put on clomid too. This will actively make you ovulate.

If you have any questions ask away. If I can help at all I will. I know how difficult this time is because Ive been there. I was devasted when I found first. But I promise you will get through this.

 

[Duckieshoes]

I know it helps with weight loss and insulin resistance and my mom has PCOS and had three children, so I definitely know it's possible and it happens, I just also know that this is going to be a longer road. And I talked with my doc and he said that PCOS causes some Insulin resistance, so it's not ever going to go away for me because PCOS isn't curable, but some of the symptoms can go away and diabetes can be staved off or possibly stopped from coming at all as long as I'm careful.

I know it's not hopeless...it's just...hard to get used to it.

 

[Ariannda]

I know, but there's lots of good news. Focus on the upsides. Thats the only way to get through TTC We're at +13 months of TTC, not my first, but now with secondary infertility. Just keep smiling, and keep your chin up, all will be well

 

[Duckieshoes]

Thanks Ready! I just got diagnosed with PCOS, so for right now we're just doing the Metformin. I'm on a military base so I can only speak for what's normal here, but my doc(s) (because I originally went to the base GYN about not starting my period and then when she ran the tests, she sent me to my normal doc) said that if I don't get pregnant by early summer, they'll go ahead and refer me to a fertility specialist (I need a referral to go anywhere, military!)

Today is my first day on the meds, so I'm hoping I don't get too many tummy problems. For me, they have me starting at 500mg daily, and then next week I'm to up the dosage, taking two 500mg pills a day. My doc mentioned that in time, the dosage may be bumped up to around 1500mg a day to 2000mg.

The GYN was mentioning that in many cases when they put someone who has PCOS on Metformin, they lose some weight which releases estrogen which helps make them pregnant. She described it to me as a "bump in the road, not a boulder"

 

[Ariannda]

Let me tell you the awesome advantages to living ON the military base, they will refer for and cover EVERYTHING ! Even living off base isn't as awesome as living on base with Tricare ! Everything will be taken care of for you ! Thats fantastic for you i assure you

Im on 1500 mg a day, and i just started taking it again... horrible, horrible diarrhea. I suggest investing in some baby wipes and witch hazel pads (the witch hazel pads you might be able to get prescribed and pick up at the pharmacy lol), but ive heard that the symptoms decrease, thank goodness

Also 2000mg is the max they prescribe. Starting off at 500 it shouldn't be as bad, even when bumping it up

 

[Duckieshoes]

Agreed, having tricare is awesome, but I didn't think it made it any better actually living on the base...maybe I didn't know? Honestly, I don't really love my base...it's okay and all, but it's incredibly small and our hospital is just a clinic (so we get refereed off a lot, which is fine, just kinda annoying. The fertility specialist I'll be referred to? Three hour drive)

 

[Ariannda]

Agreed, having tricare is awesome, but I didn't think it made it any better actually living on the base...maybe I didn't know? Honestly, I don't really love my base...it's okay and all, but it's incredibly small and our hospital is just a clinic (so we get refereed off a lot, which is fine, just kinda annoying. The fertility specialist I'll be referred to? Three hour drive)

We lived at Ft Hood and once we were on base everything was right there and close, there was a vast difference between living on and off post, but i realize this isn't always the way it is... also i hated Ft Hood

Is there no one closer that you can possibly go to ? An OB may be willing to work with you as a first step and for the first year (which is when people are generally referred to a specialist), maybe that would work better ?

 

[Duckieshoes]

Well, I'm at Laughlin AFB, which is also in Texas so we've been in the same place! Roughly, lol. Laughlin AFB is in Del Rio, which is a border town and three hours south of San Antonio, which is where our Main Medical Provider resides (ya know how it is, your base needs to be within 150 miles of a major medical facility and they put the front gate JUST at 150 miles so that we couldn't be labeled remote). A lot of women here have been referred up there, so that's where I figure they'd send me...not a huge deal, just kinda a pain.

Oh! We only have 2 OB's down here anyway and they are CONSTANTLY busy, lol. We'll figure something out if it has to happen...and hey, I'll be being sent up there, so at least I'll get per Diem.

 

[Ariannda]

blech Laughlin, well ok then ya know, eff it, deal with the 3 hour drive and know you're getting really good care lol

 

[Duckieshoes]

Lol, I see you've heard of us! Out in the middle of nowhere...one movie theater with some graffiti on some screens....only a few restaurants and they're almost all chains....we do good work out here. But yeah, that's why I don't mind so much. At least if I have to go up to San Antonio, the food will be good and I can get a good movie out of it!

 

[Ariannda]

See, you're already optimistic about it. Thats the spirit

 

[mommatoB]

hi ladies! I found out I have pcos in 2004 after a mc. I was put on metformin a while later I lost 40+ lbs. I was on it for a while. i hear it does help some to conceive, but for me once i added clomid with the metformin 500mg 3 x's a day (1500mg) i conceived but was ectopic. then my second try with the combo, i conceived my son im now pregnant again and my son is 7 months old but this was all natural. metformin is a good help but i will say it sortof messes with ur bloating, gas, etc. gl ladies

 

[Duckieshoes]

Yeah, ugh...I'm not looking forward to this first week from everything I'm hearing, but I'm also hearing that it's mostly just that first week? Maybe it'll go away quickly and it won't be so bad...fx!