[pray2bmom]

everyone!!! This is getting so exciting. I am also new to the board but have been lurking for a while. Once I saw the board for the May buddies, I decided to join so that I can participate with everyone. IVF is stressful and I hope it is a little easier this time around with cycle buddies like you guys. Kelly and Karla, I also have lean PCOS. I am from South Louisiana.

Tracy - thanks for the updates!!!

[lauren5290]

to everyone new joining us!!!

I live in San diego, CA.

[jen12]

It looks like a couple of you are doing things around the same time as me. I'm happy I won't be doing it "alone"

I'm from Northern California

[Maggie34]

Thanks for the welcomes!

We live in Northern CA too, Jen12 - Bay Area

Still waiting for AF.....I keep checking...nothing there. I'm ready to get this thing started!

[kaym82]

Good morning Ladies!!....I kind of have a random question. I've been seeing/ hearing a lot about eating pineapple leading up to & after your ET. Is it true this can be beneficial...? If so why?.....
I've also heard something about drinking 100% grape juice too.....Let me know what you think or have heard on this...or maybe its all phoney....lol

[natenang654]

Originally Posted by kaym82

Good morning Ladies!!....I kind of have a random question. I've been seeing/ hearing a lot about eating pineapple leading up to & after your ET. Is it true this can be beneficial...? If so why?.....
I've also heard something about drinking 100% grape juice too.....Let me know what you think or have heard on this...or maybe its all phoney....lol

Good morning everyone!

Karla - That's not a random ?!!! LOL -
We all want to know the little things that could make a difference! I haven't heard of either of these (so far - I'm still rather new to IF though) Those 2 things would be so simple to implement........I hope someone else knows

Also, some of you mentioned that you are getting nervous - I am starting acupuncture next week - Wed is my 1st appt/initial consult - so I am kind of focused on that right now as "my next step"......anyone else doing AP?? Any thoughts on the experience?

Have a wonderful day, ladies!!!!!

[roxyv78]

I did AP awhile ago with my first attempt at IVF. I didn't care much for it, but I think that had more to do with the acupuncturist than the actual treatment. She was always running behind and gossiping about the IVF nurses and doctors (b/c a lot of her patients were doing IVF) and she actually would leave the door open so other patients would walk in the room I was in with needles sticking out of my belly, feet, head and everything!

I have heard that AP is very helpful as an adjunct to IVF and am thinking I may look into it as well...at a different location!

[lauren5290]

Karla- I think pineapple and grape juice are both on the old wise tales list of what helps to get you pregnant ( I had heard they help w/ implantation). I agree I think these things make you feel like you are doing something 'extra' but really doubt their is much to them. Who knows though?

I am also considering doing ap, but havent started yet.

[kaym82]

Lauren5290-- I wondered about that!

To anyone who has done ap-- does it hurt?...I made an appointment a few weeks ago & canceled....I was thinking about doing it but just not sure yet....

Hope everyone is having a good day!!

[Shasta18]

Hey girls! We're really vamping up and getting ready for good things to happen.

Karla and pray2bmom - I was shocked to learn that I had PCOS (lean or otherwise), since I've been doing infertility stuff for 3 years now, with 3 different docs, and probably had 15 ultrasounds in the process. Seems like someone would've noticed that before now. I'm still getting used to the idea of having PCOS, and still adjusting to the metformin, it makes me want to puke. Is anyone with thin or skinny PCOS losing weight while taking this?

I don't think pineapple or grape juice has been proven to help with implatation, otherwise, our RE's would be all over us to drink it! It would be nice if it worked though... Certainly couldn't hurt anything.

I've often wondered about doing AP. I've heard that if nothing else, it helps one relax while going through this process. Unless you go to Roxy's old APist, which would have totally stressed me out!

Have a good one, girls!

[girlymech]

I did ap a couple of weeks ago it really felt as if the stress was melting off me during the session. When we got accepted into the clinical trial they said no ap , I think that was the only thing that has really bummed me out as I was so looking forward to the weekly treatments

[roxyv78]

Question for those recently diagnosed with PCOS ("thin" one...I think). My doc has suggested putting me on Metformin b/c I hyperstimulated for my first 2 cycles of IVF and he thinks I may have a "mild" case of it. I don't have any issues with ovulating, high blood sugar and am not overweight. Another doctor told me that it didn't make sense to take Metformin unless there is good reason for me to.

What tests did your drs do to dx you with PCOS? What symptoms do you have?

thanks!

[Shasta18]

Originally Posted by roxyv78

Question for those recently diagnosed with PCOS ("thin" one...I think). My doc has suggested putting me on Metformin b/c I hyperstimulated for my first 2 cycles of IVF and he thinks I may have a "mild" case of it. I don't have any issues with ovulating, high blood sugar and am not overweight. Another doctor told me that it didn't make sense to take Metformin unless there is good reason for me to.

What tests did your drs do to dx you with PCOS? What symptoms do you have?

thanks!

Hi there,
My RE was telling me that at their practice (and I'm sure every doctor has a different theory about diagnosing PCOS) they diagnosis PCOS if someone has 2 of the 3 following symptoms: 1) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, 2) irregular periods (>35 days apart), 3) excessive male pattern hair growth (hirsutism). I only had the first 2 symptoms. The doctor was also telling me that thin people sometimes get the diagnosis late since they don't present like the typical PCOS'er, who oftentimes have metabolism problems and trouble losing weight. Her concern is that we'll have to watch me closely for overstimulation, since PCOS patients are at higher risk for this. I was told that even though I don't have a insulin resistance problem (that blood test was done 3 years ago by a different doctor who didn't diagnose me with PCOS), metformin would help me produce better quality eggs. Hope that helps someone! Here is a good website that talks about PCOS.

Good luck all!

[kaym82]

Valerie-- I wasn't diagnosed until the 2nd year of trying to conceive. Right after going off bcp's my gyno knew there was a problem b/c I wasn't ovulating. Then I started getting ovarian cysts. However that first year I had tons of u/s's & never saw the polycystic ovaries. I was in one day and all of a sudden I asked the nurse what that was on the screen- she asked me if I had PCOS, I was like oh God no.....-- from there my doctor put me on metformin. He said I was "borderline" PCOS.
When I started seeing my RE in Dec. of 06' she said the same thing as Kelly's doc. They rule out the symptoms--- 2 out of 3...I had the polycystic ovaries & lack of ovulation. I also had a high LH level at the time. She said that can also indicate PCOS. My LH level has come down some now though thankfully.
My Re also told me at my IVF consult Metformin can help reduce the risk of m/c. I was shocked when they told me I had it too!!

[kaym82]

Kelly-- I just went back on the Metformin about 6-7 weeks ago. This time around it was harder for me to get used too. I did drop a couple pounds at first, but once my appetite returned-- of course its back....=)
I still notice if I don't eat enough when I take it, I'll feel sick....I definitely don't like being on it....My RE took me off of it in the fall b/c my liver function came back elevated and they said it was due to that. Since my levels are normal now they put me back on it.....I think they are just going to monitor me every six months or so to make sure my levels are normal.....