HELP! have pcos and trying to get pregnant - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Message Board

Chrissy0109 · 04-19-2009, 04:58 AM

hey everyone,

The nov. that just passed i found out that i have pcos. when i told the doctor that me and my husband have been trying to get pregnant the last year she told me, her response was that she would not help me get pregnant until i lost weight and she put me on birth control. she also said that in a year when i come back to her if i have not lost enough weight she would continue me on birth control. I couldnt believe she refused to help me get prgenant. she didnt even give me no info on pcos all she did was give me a piece of paper and told me here this is wat u have look it up on the computer. well when i started the birth control it got me really sick i couldnt eat or nothin for about a week before i got my period. and she said just to stay on them. well i dint listen and i stopped them. My question to is when i go to a new doctor what should i be asking them about different meds that i should be on to try to conceive. and is there any type of diet that i should mention for women with pcos. i'm overweight and no matter what i do i stay in the same weight range i dont loose weight for nothin no matter how much i excersice or diet. please if anyone can give me some advice and answer some of my quetsions you would be really helpful. Thank you

catheryn · 04-19-2009, 06:19 PM

What your doctor did IRKS ME TO NO END.

PCOS can make it VERY hard to lose weight. VERY. My weight didn't budge and kept going up until I started taking metformin.

Your doctor should've put you on metformin. That would've helped with the weight loss (caused probably by insulin resistance), reduced your risk of T2 diabetes and helped with your fertility. When I was put on the metformin I was told to make sure I'm strict about birth control if I didn't want to get pregnant because metformin will regulate your ovulation/menstrual cycles. I'm also a T1 diabetic so it's essential I plan pregnancies.

In any event, find a new doctor. This one is useless. You didn't lose weight because your testosterone levels and insulin resistance is probably high. Insulin will store fat, and if your cells are resistant you'll produce more insulin. This is very bad for those of us with PCOS because that's basically invitation for T2 diabetes.

When you do find a new doctor and have your testosterone levels tested. They're probably higher (because that's what happens when you have PCOS) and request a prescription for metformin. That's what I did. My doctor actually praised me on my research and basically my own diagnosis and treatment (I waited 9 years for a diagnosis and it was only after I saw a new GP that I got one, after I did my own research). The metformin can be hard on the stomach, but I find if I take it at night it's not so bad because most of its effect happens when I'm sleeping and the side effects subside over time. My insulin resistance has gone way down and the amount of insulin I have to take has gone down quite a bit too!

Good luck, and hang in there -- since i've been on metformin (mid feb) I've lost 15 pounds and counting and I haven't really had to be super super strict (i.e.: I haven't had to starve myself). And remember: larger ladies have healthy babies every day. Just because you're overweight doesn't mean it's a super awful thing for you to get pregnant like your bone-headed doctor suggested!

deannette1 · 04-22-2009, 04:02 PM

Chrissy,
After reading your posted it really made me mad at the doctor. Without any hesitation I would have to find me a new doctor. I have many health issues.. beginning very early ...PCOS, Endometriosis just to name a few. I do consider myself to be overweight and have been for a while which like you said is hard trying to lose with PCOS. I say all this to say that I now have a 10 month old little girl which I know is a blessing from God. When I stopped trying because Dr's have told me that I had 1 completely blocked tube and 1 partially blocked tube I had made an appt to go see a fertility specialist well after the second visit before I was about to start treatment They told me I was already 4 weeks pregnant. It just goes to show you that anything is possible. Since I had my little miracle I have had my left tube and ovary removed due to endo and just found out that my right ovary is in bad shape and is stuck to my uterus which is going to lead to me having a hysterectomy sooner than I expected. Sorry to ramble on but I just want to tell you: Don't be discouraged like catheryn said sometimes its good to do your own research and don't be afraid to ask the doctor questions about what you find (Not your current Dr. though). ANY THING IS POSSIBLE! I am living proof.

Melissa180 · 05-04-2009, 10:52 AM

Honestly I have PCOS as well. I have over 20 cysts and its not fun. Metformin should of been the first step of your doctor and information aswell. But also birth control is supposed to help as well. I have had PCOS since I was 13 and went on birth control and they went away until I stopped them now when I am 25 to become pregnant and now my cysts are everywhere.
Your doctor was kinda right about the birth control but not for someone such as yourself who wants to become pregnant. The best thing to do is go get a second opinion. Dont just ditch your OB if you like her, thats not for anyone here to tell you to find someone new. Just get a second opinion.
A combination of Metformin, daily exercise, a strict low fat diet will help with your cysts. And yes your odds of getting pregnant on Metformin are high. But Metformin is hard on the system. It makes you sick, nausea especially. So find talk to your doctor about the weening system to get you on it. Good luck

msfatnana · 02-13-2011, 05:46 PM

my best advice i can give u ....i have a doctor who is an endocrinologist/infertility doctor....i recommend u try that route....my friend has 2 kids and pregnant with her third