About Me

Twin Falls, Idaho
I'm a stay at home mom with 3 kids. Two of which I got through IVF. The third one just a miracle! We're trying for a fourth with one miscarriage since our third. I've had 3 miscarriage and one ectopic pregnancy. Did 3 rounds of IUI's and then 2 rounds of IVF's. Been through a lot and wanted a place where we could all talk about it. Share you're stories with me, jldxango@hotmial.com.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Need advice on PCOS

My husband and I were married in April of 2003, and immediately started trying for a family. I had a feeling that it might take a while for us to conceive due to my irregular periods. But I was hopeful anyway. I saw a doctor after about 6 months of trying with no luck, and she wanted to just put me on birth control to regulate my cycle. I agreed, reluctantly. I had to do that for 3 months, then everything went back to the way it was before. We moved from California to Utah the following March, and thought that we might have more luck with Doctors in Utah. We just had to save up to see one. Both of our jobs did not offer health insurance, so we were on our own. In November that same year, I felt like I needed to buy a test. I was reluctant, because I hated seeing negative results. I had seen plenty of them already. I remember it like yesterday though. It was a Saturday morning. I woke up early and thought I would just get it over with. I sat in the bathroom trying not to look at the test, willing it to be positive. Finally after a few minutes I looked. I just about passed out. It was definately positive. I began to cry, not knowing what else to do. I called my doctor and was able to get in to see him that week. Because I had no idea how far along I was, due to my irregular periods, he requested an ultrasound. When I went to my appointment, they were unable to see anything. My doctor reassured me that it was just to early, and we would check again soon.A week later I began to spot. I freaked out... called my doctor, and he requested another ultrasound. Again, nothing was found. I was sure that I was miscarrying. Although, this time there was a small spot in my left tube. The ultrasound tech, and my doctor told me that it was probably nothing and that I shouldn't worry.The Monday after Thanksgiving my doctor called me to check and see how I was feeling. He kept telling me that he felt like something just wasn't right. He decided that I needed to see a specialist and sent me to Utah Valley Hospital. When I got there I was checked out by a doctor, and sent for yet another ultrasound. This time was different. A heartbeat was immediately detected. It was a strong heartbeat, and got my hopes up so high. Then the tech told me that it was ectopic, and my whole life changed.I went in for surgery the next morning, and ended up loosing my left tube. I was devastated. It took a long time for me to overcome the emotional aspects that came along with the surgery, and loss.We continued to try, and try, and try. Finally my doctor decided to try clomid. The first month it didn't work, we upped the dose. The second month, it didn't work... we upped the dose again. Like they all say, third times a charm. Well, the third month worked, and we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Our baby girl is now 20 months old and the center of our universe. While going through all of our trials of infertility, I felt so alone. I hated going to church, being around all of those babies, and kids. I was called to be a sunbeam teacher, and although it was so hard at first I think it ended up being therapy for me. I thought, and hoped that our infertility story would end there, but as we are trying for #2, our struggles are back. Although things have changed, we've been trying for just over a year again. My doctor suspects that I have PCOS and wants me to come in for testing after the new year. He's again put me on birth control, which has done one good thing, made my incredibly heavy periods go from 3-6 weeks long to just 1 week, but still just as heavy... I keep looking for information on PCOS, and trying to find anyone that has gone through it and knows what to expect. If anyone has any information... I would love to hear it. Thanks again... I know my story ended up being so long... But, I didn't know what to leave out...Carrie

3 comments:

Shane and Amy Jo said...

Carrie,
I was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 years ago. I feel like it's a pretty vague diagnosis, used to define various infertility problems. I have a great doctor in Boise who first treated me with Metformin...used to try to regulate my periods rather than the pill. I ended up staying on Metformin for years, just for my own health benefits. Anyway, long story short, I ended up being Clomid-resistant, ended up with a infertility specialist. In the end (after 4 1/2 years), I did IVF and had twins a year ago.
I have a lot of information on PCOS. Don't hesitate to email me with any questions.
amyjtucker@hotmail.com
Thanks for sharing your story. It's always helpful to have support from those who can relate. Good luck.
Amy

Laura said...

Carrie,
Thanks for sharing your story. I also was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 years ago after starting really late and then having irregular periods from then on. I used birth control to be regular until I got married a year and half ago and then decided to go off of that and on Metformin. I have more details about that but can e-mail you them if you want them. Anyway we decided to start trying for a baby after we'd been married a year and we were referred to an infertility specialist. It took about 5-6 months but I am now 3 1/2 months pregnant with our first child. Like Amy I would be happy to talk more about it with you by email if you want. My email is speedracer59@hotmail.com.
I'm glad to see this board up and running again. I think it can be a real strength to talk to people who KNOW what you're going through.

Laura

Unknown said...

Thank you both for your thoughts... I've emailed both of you!!! It's nice to have someone that's been there and understands to throw my questions at!!!

Carrie