[starrsgirl]

I saw a perinatologist a few weeks ago mostly to discuss my previous miscarriages. While I was there, I mentioned that now we seem to have trouble getting pregnant (that wasn't an issue with my first 2 pregnancies). My cycles are kinda acting wierd. I'm getting positive OPKs (2 in a row) on the days when I should be getting them. But then, AF does NOT arrive 14 days later like she should. Last cycle, I had over a 40 day cycle. I looked up having a long luteal phase and it seems like this pretty much means that I'm actually not O'ing and having anovulatory cycles. My body is probably surging like it's going to O but just never does. (I have PCOS so I'm not surprised)

Anyway, I told all the above to the perinatologist and he recommended that I go back on birth control pills for a month. Then, I should stop and TTC for 3 months. He said it may "normalize" me a little.

Maybe this sounds dumb, but should I do it? I HATE the idea of starting the pill again. I have been off for a solid 6 months now and am afraid of making anything "worse" somehow by starting the pill again. I also can't find much info that agrees with the perinatologist. I know the guy is an expert in the field but his field is really high-risk pregnancy...not necessarily trouble getting pregnant.

I dunno if I should get a second opinion or just bite the bullet and try it. I just feel like I'm going backwards in time instead of forward. I hate to waste even one month of TTC.

Please tell me what you think...be brutally honest to me because maybe I'm just being an idiot over here too. Thanks!

[mlyster]

I would get a second opinion befor eyou do something like that. Perhaps just your GP or someone like that. Don't mention what the Peri said right away or your second opinion may just agree so as not to disagree. But if they say you are doing everything right then see what he/she says about options to keep your cycles more in check. Perhaps its actually clomid or something that makes more sense if you are not ovulating properly.

[starrsgirl]

Thanks, Michelle! I have NOT talked to my GP at all about this stuff. I usually see the OB/GYN nurse practitioner for female stuff...so that is definitely an option. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm going behind anyone's back (they both work at the military health clinic and there is a possiblity they would talk to each other about patients). The GP will definitely not be an expert in the female field. Because I'm military, my GP probably sees 90% men...they tend to get a little out of touch with the female stuff. I'm just so worried to go back on birth control...but maybe I'm being a baby and it would actually work.

[madmum_sarah]

i agree i would defo get a second opinion hunny.
as you know i have pcos and endo and only 1 doc gave me that advice. i tried going back on bc but it did nothing to regulate me again.
when i eventually concieved kara i Od on cd7! my af was totally to pot and i was having cycles ranging from 19 days to 53 days and even though i got pos opks i wasnt actually Oing when i thought.
i eventually found some info on low iron levels while ttc because i knew i had a problem. spoke to my doc and he agreed after reading some info. that cycle i increased my iron (under his advice) Od cd7 and got my sticky bean. i was so angry because it was somthing so simple that had been holding me back but then so relieved it finally happened.
sometimes docs do not agree but in the position we were in, i was willing to try anything.

xx

[starrsgirl]

Wow! cycle day 7??? How did you know? Were you temping? Did you get an OPK on that day? Like I said in my first post, I think I'm like you in that I am getting positive OPKs but I'm pretty sure nothing is happening. It's frustrating because I know what's going on with my body but I can't seem to convince the doctors of it. One problem I have that I think really makes things more difficult is my appearance. I'm pretty thin, I work out a lot, I work my butt off keeping my skin clear and that tell-tale facial hair off so I don't LOOK like I have PCOS. Besides my endocrinologist who has my bloodwork, I always feel like my doctors are blowing me off....basically that I appear young and healthy and that I'm probably just being too pushy or something in TTC.

I will definitely check out the iron info too...don't think that's the case with me but sounds interesting anyway.

[madmum_sarah]

i didnt think the low iron was me. well i knew i had low iron but i didnt think it affected ttc. i was pretty shocked at what i read!
i was temping and using opks while ttc. i didnt get a pos opk for the first few months and my doctors pretty much blew me off when i told them about my cycles. luckily for me although my own doc didnt want me to have another baby (he felt 5 was enough for any woman ) he also knew i wanted one and would do anything so rather than put me at risk, he helped me the best he could.
i hope you find something soon hunny.my ttc journal is still up there somewhere. makes for interesting and depressing reading. (i should know, i just read it! )
xx

[mlyster]

Get that second opinion... even just so that the OB/GYN will reassure you that the pill is the right thing to do (or not). I think you have every right to a second opinion even if the doctors talk.

[KDD]

l would get a 2nd opinion too. Another Dr. may recommend something else entirely. You need to be comfortable with whatever treatment you go with.

[Kary♥RN]

OH Liz... I wish I could give you advice.. But I'm not sure what you should do. If you are questioning what you should... than I would say get a second opinion. I am going to be getting a second opinion my self... I have an RE and Hematologist appt. So... I would say yes... get that second or third opinion untill you get the answers you want to go with. HUGS.

[Trish36]

Liz, my cycles are kinda weird right now too and when I went on the pill for the month before my vacation the cycle right after was perfect. I O'd around cd14 and I had tons of CM and I even got a BFP. So it may not be a bad idea to give your hormones a 'kick start' so to say. Good luck!

[mum74]

I remember your post about your appt with your specialist and I remember reading it thinking he made a lot of sense. I know it would seem like a step backward to go back on the pill, but if it worked, it would be worth it. I have read many articles that say a lot of women get pregnant immediately after coming off the pill. If it can trick your body into a normal cycle once you went off, well hopefully it would be the jackpot...

Faced with the same situation, I'm sure I would find it hard to go back on the pill myself. But 'looking in' on your situation, I think the pill for a month could be worth a try. Sure I'd think differently if he said back on the pill for six months... but one month... not sooooo bad... Just my worth though

[.:Shortcake:.]

You have to do what you feel is right. If your not comfortable with going back on the pill then get the second opinion! I wish you luck with whichever you choice!

[krystal g]

If you aren't comfortable, definitely get a second opinion. But I think Trish might have a good point. If it works, one month may be worth it to get a good, normal cycle. But I understand your reluctance. I'm honestly not sure what I would do. *hugs*

[farasha]

Hmmm Liz... Well, I've actually heard of that working, but if you're having second thoughts about it, then I'd definitely see if another Dr. agrees. They'll probably want you to start temping to see if you can verify if you O or not. But if you did that, then maybe you could prove to the Dr,'s that you have a problem that needs to be worked on! Good luck!

[missy123]

I thought about this since I read it and I feel you should not go back on the pill if you are not comfortable with it. I am a bad person to listen to though because I have a tendancy not to listen to doctors orders.

Whatever you decide, I hope you get pregnant soon.

[starrsgirl]

Thanks for all the thoughts, girls!! AF is still MIA....and I'm definitely not pregnant...so it's another "bad" cycle for me. I really hate hate hate my perinatologist's advice, but I think I'm going to give it a shot even if it KILLS me. Even though I don't necessarily WANT to do it, I don't believe just trying it out is going to do any harm to me. And, you all reminded me that when I remove my emotions from the decision, it does make sense to me too. Also, I figure if I try the pill for one month and my first cycle off is still wacky, then I definitely have justification to make another appointment. What's another few months in the grand scheme of life, right? It seems like a long time to me, but it's not really.

I am going to NEED your help to survive this next month, Ladies!

[madmum_sarah]

i know it is a hard decision hunny but we will all be around to help you through the craziness. (yep, im still here )
xx