Some of you know that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO/PCOS/PCOD). I was diagnosed about 10 or 11 years ago, but my problems started long before a diagnosis was obtained. I remember back when I was about 13 or 14 is when the problems began. I'd gone to a couple of doctors and had been told there was nothing wrong with me. You can imagine how frustrating it had been.
After menstruating for 21 days straight, I stopped taking my birth control. For 19 months I did not menstruate at all.
Finally, I went to another doctor, who point blank asked me why I was there to see him. I said, "Well, if you want me to self-diagnose, then I believe I have polycystic ovarian syndrome." He asked me to tell him why I believed it was PCO. I went through my list of symptoms, which were almost textbook example of PCO. He ordered several tests on me for confirmation, and started me on Metformin, Spironolactone, and a different birth control.
Shortly after that appointment the results of my PAP smear had come in. The pathology report showed 'abnormal cell growth'. Of course, I was terrified. My mom had a total hysterectomy because of pre-cancerous cell growth. I was only like 19 or 20, I had no children and had no plans for any in the near future. The thought of possibly having that taken away from me was earth shattering.
Since I was already on medication to help regulate my hormones, the only thing we had to do was a colposcopy, which turned into 4 colposcopies in a year's time. I don't know about you, but going to the doctor and spreading my legs is not on my list of favorite things to do once a year, let alone a total of 6 (2 pap smears included) times in a year. Exposing myself wasn't the issue I had, the pain of the biopsies taken during said colposcopies was what I dreaded the most. When it was all said and done, everything was fine. My endometrial lining was thickened from lack of menstruating. About 6 months after the menstruating began, the abnormal cell growth was gone.
Fast forward about 10-11 years. I am 30, married to a wonderful man, and we are ready for children. I am not menstruating on my own. My Danish OB/GYN is working to fix that now. I've lost about 16kg (35.2 lbs) since the end of February. I eat much healthier, I exercise more, I'm taking my medication. I'm taking Metformin and Spironolactone.
Back in January he put me on 2 cycles worth of progesterone, but it never resulted in menstruation. So, when I went in today I was a little surprised to see on the sono monitor that my endometrial lining is not at all thickened. I've now gone over a year without menstruation.
The doctor is happy with my progress so far, and has decided to put me on 1 cycle's worth of oral contraceptive. He said women with PCO tend to be more fertile after a month's worth of birth control. My instructions are to take my medication and call to schedule an appointment 8-11 days after I begin menstruating. During that appointment I will have another sono to re-check the follicles in my ovaries, as well as my endometrial lining. If there's no improvement, I believe our next step will be turning to Clomid.
Keep your fingers crossed for us! I'll keep y'all updated on our progress.
I too suffer from PCOS, but wasn't diagnoised with it till after I was married and we had been trying 2 years to conceive. I will be keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for you that this will work!
ReplyDeleteI hope this works for you! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are already beautiful parents....:)
ReplyDeleteCrossing my fingers! I hate this syndrome! It does different things for everyone and it's hard to tell where you stand! I hope this BC helps and then the Clomid helps y'all achieve pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has the same problems as you do. She and her husband have 3 foster children that they are adopting next month. ~grins~
ReplyDeleteSaying prayers for you!!
Thanks for sharing Laina. Sweet peace to you dear bloggy friend.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Laina. Hope everything goes just as you hope it will. Anything's possible and, if anyone can make this happen, you will. XOXO
ReplyDeleteLaina,
ReplyDeleteHas your OB checked your hormone levels? Specifically I am wondering about your prolactin level. In some women PCOD is a result of a benign pituitary lesion(usually a microadenoma) which could raise your prolactin level. A high prolactin level would also warrant a CT or MRI of the brain to help detect any such lesions. Pituitary microadenomas can cause a wide range of hormonal problems and prolactin producing adenomas tend to be the most common.
Some physicans will prescribe medications such as cabergoline or less commonly bromocriptine to help reduce the prolactin output and/or shrink the lesion down.
Talk to you doctor about this in more detail and figure out what is best for you and good luck!
I was tested for Cushing's before I was diagnosed with the PCO. I was normal, albeit a bit disappointed at the time, because I wanted to know what it was that was wrong with me. A lot of things were going on with me, medically, at the time and it was my nephrologist who decided to check for it.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm still a little confused. What tests did they do to determine if you had Cushing's or not? Did the endo test ALL hormone levels or was he looking specifically at something? Did you have a CT or MRI? Why did they suspect Cushing's? Did you have an elevated ACTH? I just ask because the evaluation of patients with suspected Cushing's disease and syndrome requires an understanding of the proper use and limitations of the tests commonly included in the diagnostic work-up. The best screening test for Cushing's syndrome is a 24-hour urine collection with analysis for urinary free cortisol excretion. Low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, corticotropin assays, a corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test and inferior petrosal sinus catheterization may be required for a definitive diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteI really don't remember what he ran on me, that was about 12 years ago. I just remember at the time hearing him tell my mom he was concerned it was Cushings, and was going to test me. I never had a CT or MRI, nor a sinus cath. I don't recall a 12 or 24 hr urine, but I remember him testing my urine several times. Everything is a bit of a blur from that time frame, so I don't remember all the details. He may have done an ACTH on me, I vaguely recall cortisol injections, but I could also be mixing it up with one of my patients.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Who is this?
Laina,
ReplyDeleteSorry, I should have told you this is Wendy... Duh! It's just that I don't tweet or have Google or any of the other mediums, only Facebook, so had to post anonymous.
I apologize for getting so personal. Please forgive me, it's just my brain kicks into overdrive at times. :) I'm sure you have a perfectly competent OB/Gyn and soon you and Hans will have a half dozen little tots running around!
Well, hey Wendy! Hans says hi, too! The OB seems to be a smart cookie, I like him a lot and feel he's competent enough. He's willing to listen to me and my theories as well, instead of dismissing anything I say, he explains his reasoning for feeling differently, etc... Reminds me of the Drs. at the hospital who were willing to take the time out of their busy day (or night) to teach you.
ReplyDelete