I am engaged right now, and plannin on getting married and starting a family in a year or so.
I was diagnoised with polycystic ovarian syndrome today. I am afraid i won't be able to have kids.
I am 129 pounds, 5'6 tall. So losing weight will not balance out my hormones. The endo believes that i have insulin resistance and it's genetics. Even though I don't show to have diabeties.. The doc put me on metformin.
I am just so sad that there might be a possiblity I won't be able to have children. I love kids so much, i can't imagine my life without having a child.
I just want to be a healthy normal 21 year old. I feel like i am 85... In pain, weak, scared, hopeless ...
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
My good friend with Lyme had atypical PCOS and insulin resistance. She was very thin (underweight).
She and her husband had been unable to conceive for over a year. She had not yet been diagnosed with Lyme.
After her Lyme diagnosis, she saw a LL endocrinologist, who diagnosed her with PCOS based on her hormone ratios.
She was put on Metformin while she treated her Lyme and Bart with antibiotics. I think it took her about 18 months to reach remission, then she got pregnant.
She continued abx during her pregnancy and now has a healthy 1 y.o. daughter. All of her daughter's Lyme tests have been negative.
She did need additional progesterone during the early months of pregnancy. She was able to stop the Metformin.
Find a way to treat your Lyme. Then you can live the life you want, with marriage, children, career, travel, friends. I know it seems impossible, but it will only get more difficult if you don't get adequate treatment.
Good luck! Do not give up!
Posted by trimom (Member # 25843) on :
I had PCOS and endrometriosis and with help from fertility drugs had twins, second time trying drugs didn't help so we adopted.
For me losing weight and getting fit helped my PCOS.
PCOS was talked about fertility issue but it is health issue for life to be watched.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
My sister has PCOS (she's 28yrs old). She's always wanted children but after she got married, she was unable to conceive after trying for a year.
She saw a fertility specialist and ended up needing to take oral clomid for several months then did 3 shots of hCG (one per month).
Thank God, she got pregnant fairly quickly with the shots because they were expensive and not covered by insurance.
Now I have a beautiful, sweet, funny, 6mo old niece that I absolutely love!!!
luvema, PCOS is treatable. You have to find an experienced doctor and have patience with yourself. There is hope!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Also, my sister's PCOS is severe so she is not be able to lose weight without birth control pills. She stays on them to regulate her cycles and control her other symptoms too.
Just wanted to let you know that some people are not able to treat the condition with weight loss alone. I lived with her and saw how desperately she tried...
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I don't think I was clear in my post. My friend's PCOS was caused by Lyme. It resolved with Lyme treatment.
I've known others with Lyme and PCOS. I hope you will treat for both. It's possible the PCOS could resolve.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Sugar makes the hormones go out of wack. It's really important to eat a low-glycemic diet if you have PCOS.
I've seen several experts over the years about PCOS.
One of the LLMDs I saw just happened to be a women's health expert (both a gyno and endo).
She said that she treats fertility issues with Vitex and a low-glycemic diet helps. She sometimes puts people on metformin.
By the way my blood sugar was fine before taking metformin. Metformin totally screwed up my blood sugar (it took years to straighten out my hypoglycemia after I stopped it, I had to eat every 1/2 hour or I'd feel faint. An ND was able to fix it).
Personally, I'd only take metformin if I was actually diabetic. It didn't really straighten out my periods either.
Vitex was way more effective for me.
You definitely have options and I hope one of them works for you.
Posted by luvema (Member # 26650) on :
I really dont want to lose more weight. My weight is between 126 to 129 pounds. I don't think losing weight is going to help me.
I am not diabetic, but the doc said that I have a high chance of getting it because of insluin resistance. She said Its genetics. My uncle has the same issue with insluin, and he is very thin and very active.
I am giving metformin a try. If it's not going to regulate my cycle I am stopping it. I'd like to go more a natural route also.
I eat health. The only sugar i get is from fruits and dried fruits. I don't eat anything processed what so ever. I am also gluten free. My diet is basically meats, fruitd, and vegetables.
I am trying to lower my white rice intake. I do eat brown rice, quinoa... Things like that. I also drink lots of herbal teas
I exercise whenever I have the energy to. I do yoga and belly dance.
I don't know what else I can do to help with my symptoms.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
quote:Originally posted by Judie: One of the LLMDs I saw just happened to be a women's health expert (both a gyno and endo).
She said that she treats fertility issues with Vitex...
Read the reviews for different brands of Vitex at iHerb. Here are a few quotes, edited.
It works by stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
I did alot of research on this herb and found from many many resources that this is wonderful in helping balance your hormones.
I am a womman with PCOS and I have been taking this for 2 months and have gotten my menstrual cycle two months in a row! This makes a big difference with PCOS. Buh-bye Metformin!
I originally ordered this after my sister shared what a positive difference it made for her PCOS.
I was having periods very irregularly.... this helps them to be normal and regular!
I got pregnant after 18 months of infertility due to PCOS using Vitex and maca.
To my great surprise, after 9 years of infertility I am finally pregnant.
I haven't had my period in years. After the first bottle was almost finished I had my period. And I'm pretty sure I might be pregnant!
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
I was under-weight and extremely athletic when I was diagnosed with PCOS, so for me weight had nothing to do with it either (this was long before lyme).
You might want to consult with an ND to see if there's more that can help you since fertility is so important. You might not need meds or may be able to take a lighter dose.
This is going to be something you're going to be doing for several years and you might want to explore your options.
I worked with an ND and have no trace of PCOS anymore (I'm definitely heavier than when I was diagnosed, so for me there wasn't a connection).
Bastyr opened a campus in San Diego, they might have a cheap clinic there if money is an issue.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
"I am a womman with PCOS and I have been taking this for 2 months and have gotten my menstrual cycle two months in a row! This makes a big difference with PCOS. Buh-bye Metformin!"
Yes! That's what happened to me! I had just about completely lost my period (I hadn't had one in 6 months). After about 3 months my periods became like clockwork, more regular than my non-PCOS friends.
I've been taking vitex for over 10 years now. I had an ultrasound last year of my ovaries and they look totally normal now, so this really works long term. Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
luvema - you've gotten some fantastic responses and a great deal of valuable information.
I would also suggest you contact the best Lyme pediatrician, Dr. J, who has put together a protocol for pregnant women with Lyme which can be followed with your own doctor.
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