I Have PCOS

So I went to the doctor.  I called my new doctor and couldn't get an appointment for a whole month!  So I did the next thing I knew to do-- called my old doctor's office and asked to see a PA or Nurse Practioner.  I told them that I thought I had a short luteal phase and/or low progesterone and am trying to conceive.  I got in the next day with the PA who specializes in infertility.  Infertility.  What a scary word.

I printed off a list of my cycles (yes, it was color-coded) and was on my way.  She was SO nice and as I was telling her my symptoms and she looked at my sheet I printed off, she mentioned PCOS.  Polycystic ovary syndrome.  Some of the biggest symptoms that I had were abnormal cycles, acne, weird hair growth, cysts on ovaries, weight gain.  They did an ultrasound which confirmed that I had cysts all around the edge of my ovaries.  Mine kind of looked like this:

Basically it looks like a normal ovary, but all of those black spots are cysts.  I visualized at least 4-5 on each ovary.  And I didn't throw up at this trans-vaginal ultrasound.  SCORE! 

She ordered a whole panel of lab work (testosterone, insulin, FSH, etc.) that I have to be fasting for and plan on getting at the 24 hour lab this weekend.  I also have to get my progesterone level drawn at day 21 of my cycle.  In November, I'll be on vacation on day 21, so I'll have to wait until December for this lab.  This will show if I have low progesterone or not. She discussed my options-- she could put me on metformin, a drug used in diabetics to treat insulin resistance.  PCOS gives people a resistance to insulin, thus the weight gain and inability to conceive.  She could also give me Clomid which forces you to ovulate, but runs the risk (10%) for multiples.  Meaning twins...even triplets!  Yikes!  We decided that I just needed to do the metformin for now, and if it's not working in a couple of months, we can discuss the Clomid. 

She also said I needed to start a low-carb diet.  This will help with the insulin resistance.  I LOVE CARBS!  But I'll do anything to have a healthy baby, so I started on a low-carb diet today.  I've done pretty good so far.  I've looked into the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, and the Sonoma Diet.  They are all similar-- no carbs, lots of proteins, some veggies.  I don't want to stress myself out (even more) so I'm just going to cut out carbs as much as I can.  I'm going to make a healthier choice each meal to eat more of the right things and less of the wrong things. 

So, I have PCOS.  I think.  I'm being treated for it.  I started metformin last night and the only bad side effect per the doctor was diarrhea.  I thought I was in the clear....until I ate lunch.  I hope my body adjusts soon. 

I feel okay about it.  God is in control.  God is with me in this "wilderness" time.  I read a bunch of success stories online today about people on metformin and conceiving.  I'm so glad that the doctor gave me a game plan and is helping me.  It's an answered prayer.  God is good.