Or two fucking years ago, before we spent six months and thousands of dollars on DIUI's that were NEVER GOING TO FUCKING WORK.
I have Ovulatory Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Different than "Classic" PCOS.
(Thank you Meg, for the link.)
Yeah, I've never heard of it either.
Maybe I would have, had I been diagnosed TWO FUCKING YEARS AGO. Because then I would have known that one of the symptoms of OPCOS is an elevated blood sugar level which can hinder implantation - KIND OF A BIG FUCKING FACTOR don'tcha think?!?!
So yesterday I had my CD3 Antra Follicle count. Our new RE (I need to come up with a name for him) wanted to see my ovaries in an "unchallenged state", meaning before there was a dominant follicle present. He quickly counted eight resting follicles on my left, and 12 on my right. FYI, the average for most women is about 10-12 total between the two ovaries. I have 20.
He mentioned something about this on the phone consult Saturday, but honestly I didn't have any idea what he was talking about, because I knew I didn't have any of the "Classic" Polycystic symptoms. But evidently he saw it coming because I have a 30 day cycle, which is a indicative of women with OPCOS. The only good thing about this is that it means I am likely to yield a higher reserve of follicles on a low dose of stims.
He wants me to start on Metformin asap. He says it will essentially make me "more fertile". And thanks to the link Meg sent me, I now know that is because the Metformin will regulate my insulin levels therefore bypass any implantation problems. He also said he will keep me on it until I am 12 weeks along, because it can also decrease the risk of miscarriage for someone like me.
I know I should be happy about the fact that it's finally been diagnosed, and our RE just kept reassuring me that it's actually a good thing because it means I'll be a better than average responder. But just having found out - I'm pretty hung up on the fact that this wasn't caught sooner. It kills me to think about how much time and money was wasted, but most importantly how the failed cycles caused such an epic amount of unnecessary heartache. Really the time and money was one thing, but the depression that followed not only comprimised my marriage but has forever changed who I am as a person.
Oh and now I have to sit with what else could come back from the rest of my blood tests. And all TWENTY-FOUR vials that they took!!!! It was twenty three, but the lab called later yesterday afternoon to tell me they had forgotten one. GAH. And fuck, what if the insurance deception doesn't work?!?!
Commence Meltdown.
(Number One)
21 comments:
Wow, I can't imagine how upset you must've been to learn this.
Now you've got me wondering whether insulin resistance has played a role in my own "unexplained" infertility. I am overweight (obese, technically), have elevated lipid levels, and have a family history of type 2 diabetes. Hmm.
Oh wow! That really stinks to think of all the pain could have been prevented if you had known this sooner. I'm so glad they figured it out now and am feeling optimistic for you that your day is coming soon!
Shit, that would have been good to have known 2 years ago. How freakin' frustrating!
Well, at least you know now and this will increase your chance of success with your IVF.
And hopefully, with the better than average response, you will have lots of good embies to work with!
Reminds me of discovering the hubby's fragmentation and low testosterone YEARS after we were both supposedly tested within an inch of our lives...and many, many thousands of dollars spent.
just goes to show that the RE you're with now is a keeper since he's actually paying attention to the unusual stuff. Hope that means good news for you soon. :)
This is very sadly the nature of the game. At my fist RE he said I had PCOS and needed donor eggs - remember I did TWO cycles of DE. I then moved for a second opinion and was told I dont have PCOS and now Im having triplets with those same "crappy" eggs that I was told would never work. Do you know how shit that is to find out that infact my eggs are actually fine. I went thru the most hectic depression for over a year coming to terms with the fact that I would never have genetic children.
So yip, I know the pain of incorrect dignoses.
Horrid, absolutely horrid. I would melt down too. The path to baby is hard. ((HUGS))
I am so not like this, but is there someone you could bring up on malpractice charges or something? I have never thought of doing that before, but I would be sooooo mad at this that I just might. I am so sorry that this happened and really hope that this diagnosis finally opens some doors for you that lead you to a BFP. Feel free to meltdown whenever you want. Hugs to you.
So glad you finally have some new info!
I'm very curious about your antral count--when I went in for my last one, I had 12-15 resting follicles on ONE ovary (they couldn't see the other due to a massive cyst) and the tech said the high count was a good thing... and nobody's ever said anything about my 30-36 day cycles. I've asked about the possibility of PCOS, but was brushed off due to the whole wicked endo issue. Hmmm...
Wow, you have every right to be totally mad and frustrated at this. It sucks so badly that so much of this RE profession is such a crapshoot. We pay these people to make what are essentially guesses. My husband (a doc) tries to tell me that that's sometimes the best any doctor can do. But it still makes me mad that I'm paying so much (in money and emotional toll) for them to be guessing. Take care of yourself. And I hope the Metformin works!!
What suckitude. I mean, I'm glad that one more piece of the puzzle has been revealed, but I'm so sorry that this wasn't figured out initially.
I hope you get great results from the Met.
I was just put on Metformin as well. I wonder if I have OPCOS. I'll have to read up on it.
I didn't have any side effects from Metformin. Hope you don't have any either!!
Glad you know... now. Wish it had been sooner :( Hope you respond well to the meds and insurance comes through for you.
Oh, Melissa, my heart goes out to you with the mixed blessing of finally being diagnosed with OPCOS. On one hand, it is good to have answers and not to feel crazy as to why the other attempts did not work. On the other hand, it sounds difficult to deal with all of the thoughts and heartache of the past struggles with IF. Your diagnosis puts everything into a different context and your feelings of anger and sadness are justified. Being so close to your marriage being ripped apart over IF and now having this news has to be a double edge sword. I feel the fear that you could have lost it all and could have been saved from the hurt had the diagnosis been made sooner. And I can understand questioning why you could not have been emotionally spared. Let yourself feel it all because even with a diagnosis and now having a stronger plan to move forward, you do not want to skip over your feelings. Let out all of your frustrations so that you can more solidly move forward and really be in a place to appreciate the wonderful care that you are getting from your new RE. Let it out so you can be free to refocus on the good of this situation.
You have every right to be pissed and upset! Two years is a long time to go through such heartache.
I am glad there are finally some answers, and time to move on and make that baby! :O)
I didn't know the name for it, but this is my diagnosis too!!! And it took them forever to find it, so very very frustrating. But, Metformin did help my egg quality. Fingers crossed for you.
Ps- love the title of this post. Ha ha!
I would be sooo pissed too! I can not believe no one figured this out for you sooner! This new RE is really on top of things and doing his job well. I'm so glad you switched. AND thank God this is something that can be treated and can actually work in your favor. I really can't believe you had to go through all of this. Let's send some hate mail to your former RE's. I think you should sue for that money back!!!
Holy crap I would be totally pissed off, too. I didn't know about OPCOS either. I am really glad you found out now, but wow ...
I have been sitting here trying to write more but I'm just getting more angry for you so just now that I'm keeping you in my thoughts as you deal with all the emotions this undoubtedly caused. *big hugs*
Of course the meltdown has begun. As if it wasn't all getting real enough, now you have this thrown in the mix. I am with the RE at least he knows and now can treat you properly.
Sending you strength and hugs.
Argh!! I can't believe you're discovering this after 6 IUI's!! I'm so sorry this bomb was dropped on you.
I'm no RE, but you're antral follicle count sounds normal to me - like you just have a really great ovarian reserve. 10-12 might be average, but that is probably taking into account people who are DOR. There is a chart here: http://www.advancedfertility.com/antralfollicles.htm Just throwing it out there that with the met helping your quality, you seem like you have excellent potential to harvest a lot of great eggs through IVF!!! :)
It sounds like you are in excellent hands with your RE...it SUCKS that you didn't know all of this before, but I am SO GLAD you didn't go through IVF without treating this.
Like we talked about, I'm glad this was ultimately diagnosed (however belatedly -- more on that -- see fumes coming from ears) so that you have the info (and therefore the meds) you need to increase your success rate. Because I am holding hope in my heart that THIS WILL FINALLY BE IT for you, dear friend.
I am also proud that you will be following up with your former RE -- a good way to help get out your frustration and also a chance to help others.
It sounds like you're in excellent hands with your new RE, and I am feeling excited for you! Bring it on 2011 -- this is gonna be Melissa's year!
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