April 21st, 2011. CD26.
Well, my temp did rise this morning, but not by an impressive amount. I guess my Ob-Gyn was right–I do have a weak natural ovulation.
I’ve been wondering why that is a lot lately. I think that’s why I started reading about PCOS. Now, I know I’ve said in the past that self-diagnosing is not the way to handle things, but it’s tough to sit patiently and wait for my appointment with the fertility clinic in June. Maybe if we don’t call it “Google Diagnosis” and refer to it as something like “educating myself on the possibilities”, it will all sound less crazy.
Who’s in favor of less crazy?
Oooh, ooh–ME!
So, in the spirit of self-education, I’ve been reading that PCOS has what a lot of doctors call “a body type”: the CliffsNotes version being that many women with PCOS have a tendency to carry a little extra weight around the middle.
I am not that type. I have a tendency to burn calories in my sleep. I couldn’t gain five pounds if I went on an all fast-food diet. I’m thin, high-strung, and cold most of the time. The husband calls me his “little chihuahua”. I suppose it would be cute if someone would carry me around in their purse all day…
I’ve also found references to something called “Thin Woman PCOS”, where the body type is not an issue. The disease tends to work in a similar way, but treatment is slightly different. Heavier women with PCOS might be treated for their insulin-resistance with Metformin, and Clomid to stimulate ovulation. For thinner women suffering with PCOS, they might also be treated with Metformin, however a much lower dosage would be given.
I’ve had blood-sugar issues in the past, but have them mostly under control these days. I just need to eat regularly, and snack between meals. No big deal. I have no idea if this tiny inconvenience in life will be a big factor in my fertility.
I also reacted rather well to the Clomid for the two months I took it, although I was not being monitored. My cycles looked fantastic while I was on the meds! I ovulated earlier, my LP lasted longer, and my temps were clearly higher during the TWW. My only complaint was the hot-flashes and night sweats, which a few doctors say can be a sign of untreated PCOS.
(I am not a doctor, nor have I been seen by one who can confirm or deny my suspicions. Do not attempt to self-diagnose using the wonders of the interwebs, and do not, for the love of all that is holy, use my warped outlook on my health to pin diseases onto yourself. Please and thanks.)
I know it’s sick to sit around and think (and blog) about what could be wrong with me. I really just want to get this appointment out of the way so that someone can tell me what’s up with my malfunctioning lady-parts, and why a baby won’t take up residence in there.
*Le Sigh*
Alright, moving on…
I have a very good friend who was also my roommate for many years, that is just about to graduate from a sonography program. She has very generously offered to sneak me into her workplace and scan my entire reproductive system! Oh, and my spleen. It’s on her checklist for graduation. That’s fine though, I’m fairly confident that my spleen is in better shape than my ovaries.
As excited as I am for this covert operation, I am a little nervous to see if she finds anything that resembles that telltale “string of pearls” signaling PCOS.
Maybe she’ll find a baby instead.
Ha.
One can still hope, I guess.
Oh, and sorry for the random post title.
I’ve been watching Mean Girls again.
Just Stop Trying and It Will Happen... 
omg that video is hilarious!
I have a close friend who was diagnosed with PCOS and has a body like yours, or at least I think it’s like yours. 😉 She also had a thyroid issue. I don’t know what meds she was on for her thyroid, but I know she got knocked up on her first Clomid cycle. It doesn’t help you, but I just thought I’d help you on your quest to self-diagnose. Maybe check out thyroid problems while you’re on WebMD? Hang in there!
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Oh man, WebMD is the devil. I was actually tested for thyroid issues last year. Bloodwork, thyroid ultrasound and everything. It all looked normal, I guess. That was my first guess too.
My GP wants to formally diagnose me with IBS, but she wants to rule out Celiac’s Disease first. I am so tired of giving blood, lol….
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I have PCOS
I am not overweight, I do not have blood sugar issues, and I am not covered with hair in inappropriate places.
But I stopped ovulating after I went off the pill last April
And I started having night sweats since about 3 or 4 months ago.
But you do not necessarily have PCOS. It could be anything. Even the good old reply doctors give to almost anything: stress.
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Stress might be behind everything that’s wrong with me, lol. It could be PCOS, it could be endo, and it could be nothing except the husband’s swimmers just don’t like the accommodations I’ve provided them.
Sometimes when they can’t find anything specific that’s wrong with you, hypochondria is the only way to go. 😉
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I’d like to carry you around in my purse 🙂
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Would you mind? I have gotten so tired of walking places. 😉
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I say go for the cheese fries- don’t forget the ranch 🙂 I still plan on emailing you an update- most likely this weekend 🙂
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Happy ICLW!
Waiting for appointments is never fun. I just had a 2 month wait to see a new fertility specialist and it was the longest 2 months of my life I can assure you.
Google is so tempting to use for diagnosing our own problems! I think ‘educating’ yourself is perfectly acceptable though!!
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey. xx
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stopping by from iclw…there is nothing wrong with educating yourself! you’re the one who cares most about your infertility, so you have to stay informed! 🙂
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Happy ICLW!
That video was hysterical!
I did clomid for a few months as well as femara. Femara does the same thing but without the side effects. Maybe that would be an option for you? I’m a googleholic when looking up infertility things. It is good to be educated though. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey towards motherhood!
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I’m excited for our covert operation 🙂
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Sending non-crazy-making, time-hurrying-upping vibes that your appointment comes quickly! Or that you don’t need it at all!
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