I realized that I haven't yet posted our recent fertility happenings since the beginning of the summer. I've gotten a lot of questions and realize that I need to get this information out there.
OK, so back in May we met up with our NEW, AMAZING, WONDERFUL OBGYN and was so comforted by her. I have felt so much guilt with this whole fertility thing - I could have done more, I should have changed doctors sooner, etc. She has been so wonderfully encouraging and supportive.
Anyway, in May we talked about some of the things I've been experiencing and she mentioned that I probably had PCOS and Endometriosis. Got my blood work done and sure enough I appear to have PCOS - I'll get more to that later. She also discussed having a surgery done to see if I have endometriosis since they discovered my mom had it when she had her hysterectomy last year. I was very uncomfortable with the idea of a voluntary procedure so we scheduled for it, fully intending to cancel it. We didn't end up canceling, but back to the PCOS for now.
With my old doctor, I had told her from the beginning of our troubles that I thought I had PCOS. She assured me that I did not have anything of the sort and that I was just really overweight and needed to drop down into the normal weight range - meanwhile I'd walk out into the loathsome waiting room and see expectant mothers much larger than myself - WHAT GIVES???? I knew there was something more but didn't know where to go or what to do!
Back to the surgery. So, prior to the surgery, my doctor put me on Metformin to help with the PCOS, which has been very, very interesting. It definitely took quite a bit of time for my body to regulate. Then after my surgery she doubled the amount and WOW - IT'S BEEN CRAZY!!!
Mid June I had my surgery. From the procedure we found that I did indeed have minor endometriosis which she was able to cauterize, for the most part. I still have some in there that was on specialized areas that she didn't want to mess with, but I'm confident that she got most of it. She also did the dye test again to see if my Fallopian tubes were clear. She said that my right one was a little sluggish but didn't have any trouble getting the dye into it once it went through. Finally, she looked into my uterus and discovered that I have a "fluffy" uterus, meaning that I have a lot of left over tissue from my past of not cycling. This was my issue before, as well, but the month long of meds that my old doctor put me on apparently didn't touch it - that was the WORST MONTH OF MY LIFE!
So, where to from here? I started a month of birth control - which I hated having to do but I'm at my wits end with all this - which I just finished. It was a whirlwind of a month - very, very hormonal and depressed. Glad it is over. I basically had to get on it to be able to regulate me again and get that excess tissue to release.
Now we get to continue with the Metformin and get to TTC for the next 3 months - hopefully only need 1 month. :D Please keep us in your prayers! If we don't get pregnant in 3 months, then we will go to Clomid.
I was invited to begin a new journey with my PCOS and I gladly accepted. I am so thankful to be a part of this group of women on a similar journey as me. We've been learning about what PCOS is and figuring out what we can do to help our bodies cope. Here is the site if you're interested in learning more: http://www.pcosdietsupport.com/.
One of the big things I've learned is that changing your diet to a gluten- and dairy-free diet will help immensely with the affects of both PCOS and Edometriosis. So, I've slowly started diving back into that realm. It has definitely come with it's challenges but I know that it will be worth it in the end. Once I start feeling better I'll be jumping back into working out again which I am actually looking forward to.
So, if you know of any yummy gluten- and dairy-free recipes or resources, feel free to send them my way. I'll be your best friend. ;)
Hopefully I got it all out there. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'm an open book. ;)
Later gator!

OK, so back in May we met up with our NEW, AMAZING, WONDERFUL OBGYN and was so comforted by her. I have felt so much guilt with this whole fertility thing - I could have done more, I should have changed doctors sooner, etc. She has been so wonderfully encouraging and supportive.
Anyway, in May we talked about some of the things I've been experiencing and she mentioned that I probably had PCOS and Endometriosis. Got my blood work done and sure enough I appear to have PCOS - I'll get more to that later. She also discussed having a surgery done to see if I have endometriosis since they discovered my mom had it when she had her hysterectomy last year. I was very uncomfortable with the idea of a voluntary procedure so we scheduled for it, fully intending to cancel it. We didn't end up canceling, but back to the PCOS for now.

With my old doctor, I had told her from the beginning of our troubles that I thought I had PCOS. She assured me that I did not have anything of the sort and that I was just really overweight and needed to drop down into the normal weight range - meanwhile I'd walk out into the loathsome waiting room and see expectant mothers much larger than myself - WHAT GIVES???? I knew there was something more but didn't know where to go or what to do!

Back to the surgery. So, prior to the surgery, my doctor put me on Metformin to help with the PCOS, which has been very, very interesting. It definitely took quite a bit of time for my body to regulate. Then after my surgery she doubled the amount and WOW - IT'S BEEN CRAZY!!!
Mid June I had my surgery. From the procedure we found that I did indeed have minor endometriosis which she was able to cauterize, for the most part. I still have some in there that was on specialized areas that she didn't want to mess with, but I'm confident that she got most of it. She also did the dye test again to see if my Fallopian tubes were clear. She said that my right one was a little sluggish but didn't have any trouble getting the dye into it once it went through. Finally, she looked into my uterus and discovered that I have a "fluffy" uterus, meaning that I have a lot of left over tissue from my past of not cycling. This was my issue before, as well, but the month long of meds that my old doctor put me on apparently didn't touch it - that was the WORST MONTH OF MY LIFE!

So, where to from here? I started a month of birth control - which I hated having to do but I'm at my wits end with all this - which I just finished. It was a whirlwind of a month - very, very hormonal and depressed. Glad it is over. I basically had to get on it to be able to regulate me again and get that excess tissue to release.

Now we get to continue with the Metformin and get to TTC for the next 3 months - hopefully only need 1 month. :D Please keep us in your prayers! If we don't get pregnant in 3 months, then we will go to Clomid.
I was invited to begin a new journey with my PCOS and I gladly accepted. I am so thankful to be a part of this group of women on a similar journey as me. We've been learning about what PCOS is and figuring out what we can do to help our bodies cope. Here is the site if you're interested in learning more: http://www.pcosdietsupport.com/.

One of the big things I've learned is that changing your diet to a gluten- and dairy-free diet will help immensely with the affects of both PCOS and Edometriosis. So, I've slowly started diving back into that realm. It has definitely come with it's challenges but I know that it will be worth it in the end. Once I start feeling better I'll be jumping back into working out again which I am actually looking forward to.

So, if you know of any yummy gluten- and dairy-free recipes or resources, feel free to send them my way. I'll be your best friend. ;)
Hopefully I got it all out there. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'm an open book. ;)
Later gator!
So proud of you and Karl going on this journey together. I know it hasn't been easy for you. Many of us just pray and expect the Lord to take care of everything...I believe He expects us to ask and then take the actions that are within our power and come alongside Him as He works. Can't wait to see more of His blessings fall on both of you. Love you!
ReplyDelete