[-Brandy-]

Hey ladies, I am a regular on the TTC boards and hoping you may be able to give me a little hope/info. My name is Brandy (28) and DH is Steve (27).

My dh and I have been trying to conceive for 6 cycles, the first 3 after coming off bcp were regular cycles averaging 31 days (1st= 30, 2nd= 32, and 3rd= 31). Then the craziness started, on cycle 3 I o'd on CD 20 (based on cramps and + opk) and ended up with a 35 day cycle, the 4th cycle I o'd on CD 24 (based on cramps and + opk) and ended up with a 39 day cycle. I called my doctor at the beginning of the 6th cycle to tell her what's going on and we decided it was time to do blood work. In addition to the irregular cycle's I am now having (and had as a young girl prior to bcp) I also noticed dark hair on my chin. My older sister has been diagnosed with PCOS, and I have read they are still trying to determine if it has to do with heredity. So back to this cycle #6- my doctor told me to use opk's and have bloodwork done 7 dpo....however I started getting a + opk on CD11 and it has continued since then ( I am now on CD 21) with only 2 negative opks during that timeframe. I spoke with my dr last Monday (CD 15) and she told me to go have bloodwork done tomorrow since we can't figure out if I have o'd yet or not. Based on previous cycle's I am wondering if this time ovulation will move out another 4 days and happen on CD 28, but who know's? She is having the following tests done- FSH, Insulin, TSH (t-4 panel because Thyroid issues also run in my family), LH, Progesterone, Prolactin and Testosterone. I know the Progesterone will tell her if I have o'd or not...but will the others tell her if I do indeed have PCOS?

Anyway I am wondering if any of you who have been diagnosed with PCOS had something similiar to this happen after coming off bcp? I read on peeonastick.com that most often when you receive continuous + opk's it is due to PCOS. I just didn't understand why I was able to detect a LH surge previous months but now I am getting all positives---could it be due to the length of time I have been off bcp?

Also, if any of you who have conceived after being diagnosed with PCOS would be willing to share your story I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read this and help to give me some info.

[3Sapphires]

I have stopped using OPKs because I would get false +. Charting for me is much better way to track what is going on and when I O - although I needed a break this cycle.

I usually do not O before cd 20, and have O'ed as late at cd 40 something in the past.

I was dx'ed with pcos 2 years into ttc my first, and we did finally conceive him after 5.5 years. PCOS isn't the end of the world, and you will have your baby, you just have to find the right concoction to get you there.

[-Brandy-]

Ami, thank you so much for sharing your story. After much consideration I have decided to start charting and stop with the opk's as they are just making me nuts.

[yrlilangel]

I'm only in my 2nd month ttc, so I don't have much info to give ya. BUT with all the BFP we get around here, I say it is def possible to get pg with PCOS. We just have to try a little harder than others.

[Carrie429]

Hi Brandy - yes, the tests your dr is running will be able to determine if you have PCOS or not. Its been a few years but thinking back for me it was the LH to FSH ratio which was off, mildly elevated insulin, and mildly elevated testosterone (there were 2 done, 1 was normal one was off but I can't remember) combined with my symptoms and then an ultrasound that led to my Dx.

After I was officially dx'ed I started metformin then a few months later clomid. I conceived my 2nd son (my 1st was "pre" pcos days when I had fairly normal cycles) on my 2nd clomid cycle!

As said there may be a few hurdles to jump but PCOS doesn't mean you won't ever have children I'm sorry you're dealing with difficulties conceiving but I hope your dr is able to determine what is going on quickly and you conceive asap!

[~* Natasha *~]

My name is Natasha (32), DH is Price (45), I'm one of the hosts of this board. We have been ttc our first together for 29 months now....

I remember when I got my "clinical diagnosis" it did show that my LH levels would surge, but then wouldn't "dip" allowing my body to O correctly and thus have a normal cycle. I have the very typical-looking multiple follicular ovaries, so a tvus (transvaginal ultrasound) confirmed the PCOS diagnosis.

We are glad to have you here and I hope you soon get the answers you are looking for!

The ladies here are wonderful and I hope you feel right at home!
There is a wealth of knowledge here and plenty of inspiration with several of our Cysters who have been successful and have adorable LO's and are working toward more!
It definately *CAN* and *WILL* happen, but like the others have said, it just takes a little more time and effort on our part.

BTW, our other co-host, Rita (Ritzbitz) is on somewhat of a hiatus enjoying her LO who is a month old today!

We look forward to getting to know you better!

[-Brandy-]

Well I replied yesterday, but apparently it got eaten...

Thank you all for the kind words and sharing your experiences. I have stopped using the opk's because they were just making me nuts, and instead I have began temping...of course I got woke up at 4:45 yesterday am because my furbaby was sick, but I hurried and temp'd before I got up and then today my dh had to be at work early so I got woke up when he was getting ready at 4:30 and then went back to sleep and slept restlessly till 7:10 when I took my temp. So these first couple of days probably aren't the most accurate but it's a starting point I guess.

I should have my bw back either today or tomorrow so I will update all of you once I get it!