Monday, August 30, 2010

Staying Optimistic

I'm usually pretty optimistic. Compared to A, I'm freakin' Pollyanna.

However, I can't help but be nervous that this Clomid cycle isn't going to work. I know it is stupid to think that we'll get pregnant on the first cycle, but I am also nervous that I won't ovulate.
One thing I have noticed, my temps seem to be a bit more stable so far this cycle (I'm on CD 11), hopefully they'll stay that way until O, and then they'll stay up for a BFP!


On other life notes, my Uncle was put in the ICU on Saturday. I really feel for his 2 girls (ages 10 and 8), they are really scared for him. I know you don't know me, but have a quick though for him, if you don't mind.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Where to begin?

I've actaully had this blog sitting here, blank, for a few weeks. Before that, I toss around the idea of even starting a blog.
Who would read it? Who would make it past the first line?

Then I realized that I didn't really care. This is my outlet, my way of contributing to the numerous women who have PCOS and who have decided that they would like to have children (or another child), if someone isn't interested or doesn't like it, oh well.


My husband (let's call him A) and I met my freshman year of college. We dated, fell in love, broke up for a while in between, dated some more, got engaged and were married in June 2008.
We bought a house about a year ago (crazy to think it was just a year ago we were dealing with real estate bull shit!) in the same town that I grew up in.
I work in a legal office in a major city and my husband works for a school district warehouse.
We have 3 "furbabies," and we love them like they are our children.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in October 2009.

Major symptoms of PCOS are (in no paticular order): irregular periods, acne, weight gain (esp. in the abdominal area) and excess hair (on face, neck etc.). I had all of these symptoms, going for months at a time without a period unless I was on birth control.

Most women who have PCOS also have insulin resistance. It's complicated to explain but if you want more information feel free to click here.

In January 2010, A and I decided to chunk the Nuvaring. I don't know why, but we subscribed to the idea that we'd get pregnant when we decided to actually try (You don't have to tell me, I know how idiotic that sounds now).

After not having a period at all (and I understood that no period = already pregnant OR not ovulating), I made an appointment with my Dr. in March 2010

I was put on a medication called Metformin (aka Glucophage).

Metformin (Met) is the devil. I swear it is the worse medication I have ever taken. I constantly felt nausea, stomach cramps and had the poos (lovely info, right?). It is now August and I am FINALLY starting to not feel like crap all the time.

Thanks to a lovely online site called Fertility Friend, I was able to track my cycle and see when I ovulated. Yay! I ovulated in June... but the cycle after that.... nothing. Not even a positive OPK (Ovulation Predictor Kit). So, back to the Dr. I went.

After another round of Prometrium (basically progestrone to help start your period), I have finally started my first round of Clomid! And that brings us to present.

In a nut shell:

Oct 2009 - Dx with PCOS
Jan 2010 - Bye bye birth control
Jan-March 2010 - No period =(
March 2010 - Start Met.
June 2010 - Finally ovulate! Start my period while on our very belated honeymoon =(
July- August 2010 - Annovulatory cycle = no period = me taking Prometrium for 5 days (aka the bitch pill)
August 2010 - Start Clomid Cycle Day (CD) 5-9 crossing my fingers to O (ovulate)!


Resources:

Soul Cysters: Great community to learn more and talk to others about PCOS

Fertility Friend: Really, start charting. It's easy and it tells you A LOT about what is going on with your body. No more second guessing if and when your period is supposed to start! *Check out the tutorials, you won't be lost then*

The Bump: Awesome forums for those Trying to Get Pregnant. Please do not post "Am I Pregnant" questions. Just pee on a stick and read some posts before jumping in. Stupidity is usually not welcomed.

Finally, read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. If you do not want to buy it, go to a library. It's there, it's informative without being boring and it teaches more than any health class you've ever taken. Plus, there's a nifty picture galley =)

And for those interested: Click HERE to see my chart =)