PCOS & medical help?

[Zara]

hello everyone

Just wondered if anyone out there with PCOS got help with TTC?

I went to the doctors the other day but he seemed to be quite arrogant to a lot of things. I went in and explained to him that i'm in a same sex relationship and we are using a known donor to try for a baby, however i do have PCOS and ovulation is very unpredictable!

He then went on to explain that 'normal' couples, meaning man and woman, wait up to 3 years for any NHS help. That left me feeling a little annoyed and deflated. The doctor sent me for a blood test which i had yesterday, and a scan on my ovaries. This is to check i have PCOS, almost like he didn't believe me that i had it! I really didn't understand his deal at all!

But i will be seeing another doctor on Monday and seeing a woman!

Back to the point, i just wondered if anyone out there got any help?

thanks in advance

xx

 

[Belfa]

I don't know why he said 3 years but some of what he's said is true. A "normal" couple i.e. a couple who have no known fertility problems will have to wait a year before a GP will refer them to the fertility clinic. Then it can take 3 - 12months for them to get an appointment at the clinic depending on what area you live in - I was 3months but have seen ladies on here wait much longer.

I already knew I had pcos so when I started TTC I went to the GP and still had to get bloods done again and a scan so it's normal for this to happen - you don't know if anything's changed in your system since your diagnosis. Granted I wasn't having periods which brings it's own health risks so that might have helped me in getting a referral through quicker.

I think you're partners already asked however, as I remember you do ovulate? do you know that for sure? blood work will help you determine that - if you do ovulate there's little they can do just now until after the first 12months ttc.

 

[Lynds77]

The blood test would be to check your hormone levels? Your FSH etc along with a scan will confirm PCOS dignosis.

Once this comes back you can ask for a 21 day blood test which is taken on day 21 of your cycle and will confirm if you are ovulating.

I got given metformin years ago to help with my weight but I never really got on with it so never took it.

Its also 1 year "normal" couples have to wait before NHS help is given so not sure why your doc said 3?

I think just now you might be best to start charting. Taking your basal temperature daily along with using opks to confirm ovulation and to get to know your cycle. You might ovulate every 2nd month, or have a long cycle for 2 months then a short cycle etc etc. Identifying patterns really helps. Also if it appears you are not ovulating you can go to the doc and get help. There is no point in waiting a year if your not ovulating as you would never get pregnant. You would probably be offered clomid in that case.

But have faith in your body. I have PCOS, and am a 37 yr old overweight ex-smoker and I fell pregnant on the 1st month of trying, for both my babies! So it can happen.

Best of luck and dont let doctors fob you off. X

 

[Londongirl]

I have pcos and conceived on clomid. I went to gp after 6 months of no cycles having come off the pill. They did blood tests and ultrasound which showed I had pcos. They tried to fob me off saying we hadn't been trying long enough but I took in nice guidelines saying if there's a known fertility issue, a referral should be made after 6 months. It took another 9 months to get to point where I started clomid although that was partly because I switched hospitals during the diagnostic phase as my first one charged £400 a cycle for clomid I discovered!

I would definitely look at nice guidelines and be forceful with gp xx

 

[millielaura]

I don't have experience with PCOS but I do think doctors can fob you off a bit. My cycles have been long and irregular and since I only have one ovary and a bit as I had most of my left one removed because of an ovarian cyst, I was worried. I got told it may affect ttc or it may not and that i'l just have to wait and see and that they wont investigate until 2 years trying! thought it was a bit of a joke as its meant to be a year or if a known issue then 6 months.

I'm going to book another appt for a female gp I think as think they will be more sympathetic! Hope the female gp you saw was more help! xxx

 

[Lara_M]

If you aren't ovulating regularly then with PCOS there is a chance that eggs aren't that fab from time to time either
The best thing you can do to regulate your cycle with PCOS without the help of a doctor is to eliminate sugar fro your diet as it messes up the hormone levels in ladies with PCOS. A low GI diet is perfect and really worked for me x

 

[MrsWilson]

Hi Hun, I have just been diagnosed with pcos exactly one year after first seeing my gp.

The first doctor I saw at the practice was rubbish and I was supposed to have a day 21 blood test but I think he sent me for something else entirely. In the end I complained and got transferred to a lady doctor in the same practise who really sympathised and helped us a lot. Is that an option for you if you feel your doctor isn't being helpful?

Be prepared for a lot of tests and then when you finally get referred be prepared to re do all of them tests! It's a long journey and they have to rule a lot out before they will diagnose you and that's why you need a gp who knows exactly what tests to send you for. Ie day 21, hsg, ultrasound etc.

Good Luck and don't be afraid of requesting another doctor if yours doesn't get more proactive about helping you! X

 

[MrsWilson]

Sorry I've just re read your post and you are seeing another doctor!

That's good hopefully she will be better!