Started DCI today!

[kerricalabrese]

After doing a lot of reading and research on DCI (after seeing it mentioned on several fertility websites), I ordered it on Sunday, came today and I started taking it.

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago, tried Clomid with no BFP. I've done 4 IUI's...no BFP. First IVF was a chemical, last 2 were BFN's. I did have a natural conception right after my miscarriage from the IVF, but that was tubal.

So, I'm hoping that not only will the DCI help me medically, but that it may lead to a BFP with no need for further IUI's.

I know it takes several weeks to start working, but so far, no other herbs/supplements have helped, so I'm hoping this does the trick.

My cycles run anywhere between 35 and 50 days.

Has anyone else tried several IUI's/IVF's or even natural conception, have nothing work, tried DCI and that did the trick?

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Good luck with the DCI! I've heard good things about it too but heard it's pricey. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for yours and where did you find it? I just started taking the supplements listed in my signature line. Too early to tell anything yet but hoping they do something for me. I've heard good things so far about regular Inositol and I know the DCI is preferred over regular Inositol.

I'm sorry about the failed IUI/IVF's, tubal and chemical pregnancies :( I have only gone as far as Clomid and Femara. Clomid didn't work so well for me but Femara did get me to ovulate (no BFP).

Good luck again and keep us posted on how it works for you. I'm curious about the product :)

[cmschapp]

I couldn't talk my husband into the DCI yet either but am on the Inositol with some positive results. I would like to know how you fair with DCI so KUP!

[kerricalabrese]

I got the DCI off of the website from the company who makes it: www.chiralbalance.com

For one bottle of 60 capsules, with shipping, it was $67. So, that monthly is expensive but I've tried everything else and this sounds like a good product. We shall see!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

You should have googled online coupons codes for Chiral Balance. DCIFRIEND saves you 15% add that to buying more than one bottle and the price could be down to about $45 a month instead of $60. HTH for future purchases.
http://www.retailmenot.com/view/chiralbalance.com

[kerricalabrese]

Hi Christina!
When they sent me my bottle, they included information, with that coupon code, I'll definately use it next time. But, they say you can only use it once so I'll use it with my next purchase.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Remember if you buy more than one bottle they give you like 5% off too. So combined together it helps. If I am not pregnant by April. I might be switching to DCI too.

[cmschapp]

After doing a lot of reading and research on DCI (after seeing it mentioned on several fertility websites), I ordered it on Sunday, came today and I started taking it.

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago, tried Clomid with no BFP. I've done 4 IUI's...no BFP. First IVF was a chemical, last 2 were BFN's. I did have a natural conception right after my miscarriage from the IVF, but that was tubal.

So, I'm hoping that not only will the DCI help me medically, but that it may lead to a BFP with no need for further IUI's.

I know it takes several weeks to start working, but so far, no other herbs/supplements have helped, so I'm hoping this does the trick.

My cycles run anywhere between 35 and 50 days.

Has anyone else tried several IUI's/IVF's or even natural conception, have nothing work, tried DCI and that did the trick?

Kerri

Are you charting your BBT? That could give you some useful information. So you can see if you start ovulating while on DCI...

[kerricalabrese]

Yes, I've been charting my BBT on Fertility Friend for over 5 years now. I'll be able to tell with the DCI if my cycles are longer, shorter or the same at least. Fingers crossed!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Your charts look better than mine! I took a month off from the inositol and I regret it. Hopefully my body gets back on track quicker!

[kerricalabrese]

How can I have my ticker show, rather than the link to it?

[cmschapp]

You should see a button when you login to Fertility Friend that says ticker above your calendar picker. CLick that then click Customize your Charting Ticker. Follow the buttons to pick out the type, design, and slider. Then you will want to copy and paste the bb code into your signature. HTH

You might want to change the link so it points to this instead...http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1b712/

[kerricalabrese]

Got it...thanks!

[cmschapp]

No problem.

[cmschapp]

Did they put you on progesterone suppositories when you got pregnant before?

[kerricalabrese]

The first time, while doing IVF, I was on the progesterone suppositories but my initial beta was a 15, 2 days later a 16, then 2 days later it was almost down to nothing.

That next cycle when AF came, I managed to get a BFP naturally, but had no clue at all (so no, I wasn't on progesterone)! AF came (then I started on BCP for suppression for IVF 2), but it only lasted 3 days but it was heavy for 3 days, I thought nothing of it. I did my 3 weeks of BCP, went in for a suppression check (blood and u/s) and was expecting to be told all was fine and to start injects in 2 days. I was shocked and so was the doctor when he told me my beta was positive and my HCG was 1645 but not to get excited because my progesterone was only 0.5! I had to go right back for a more thorough u/s and we all saw nothing. They were concerned at where it implanted and we came to the conclusion that it was tubal. I was worried that it would cause me issues so I opted for the injection to start the miscarriage...I felt horrible about doing that, but it would have been dangerous if I didn't and it continued to grow.

So, since then, over 15 months later, I take an HPT each time AF comes...twice...one when AF comes and one a week later, just to make sure.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Wow. It sounds like you have been through a lot. You are a trooper! I think if it comes to IVF for me that DH and I will not do it. Its just too expensive for us espceially with the possibility that it won't work would just be devastating. I looked at your chart again it seems like you have a short luetal phase. Have you ever used progeterone cream once you have ovulated to try an extend it a few days to help build up the lining?

[kerricalabrese]

Oh yes, we've been thru tons and a lot of heartache. DH's insurance is good (he works for a hospital), so we get 3 IVF's and 6 IUI's, lifetime.

I have used progesterone cream a few times, but it's weird...one cycle it actually shortened my LP by a day! This cycle is too strange because of my post-ov temps so I'm curious to see how this one ends, LOL! I had spotting around 4dpo for a few days and since my post-ov temps are odd, I started the progesterone cream and the spotting stopped almost immediately.

[cmschapp]

Oh okay. That is great about insurance! We have infertility coverage but it is $5000 max lifetime. Which is a bummer.

[kerricalabrese]

I know, $5000 with regards to IF takes care of maybe one IUI with meds. Each of my IVF's with meds, cost about $15000, maybe more.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Wow. I know fertility meds are expensive. They say like 10% of the population has PCOS so if there are so many women with it why haven't they figured out how to balance it? DCI is very promising but there are only two companies that sell it and is rather expensive. I guess in comparison to IVFs, injectibles, and IUIs its minor though. Perhaps if I brought that point up to my DH he might change his mind on DCI.

[kerricalabrese]

To be honest, I haven't even told DH about the DCI, LOL! I find the less said, the better, being that I've tried so many things with no success. I'm not hiding it, it's sitting on the bathroom vanity, but I didn't bring it up or anything, LOL!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Ha. Yeah DH checks the credit card though so he would see a charge for like $200 and be like what is this? ha...

[emmilynn]

Good luck this month girls! Your charts are looking great. I'm anxious to see how the DCI works so definitely keep us posted!

Cmschapp - when are you testing? I love that spike today!! :D

[SleepyGirl]

I take buckwheat farinetta for DCI just cause its cheaper, but the muffins go bad real fast so now I make a pancake a day (Sometimes I skip a day though) I dunno if it does anything but it certainly doesnt do any harm and hey my testosterone is the normal for the first time in 10 years (not high normal or anything...almost low normal)

[kerricalabrese]

I've read that a lot of people choose to make the muffins or pancakes due to price. But for me, I'd prefer to pay a little more to just swallow 2 pills, LOL!

I started it 2 days ago, so it definately won't effect the outcome of this cycle and maybe not even the next one, but I hope it help at some point.

kerri

[cmschapp]

Probably won't test until Monday but we will see if AF comes sooner!

[kerricalabrese]

Good luck Christina!

[cmschapp]

Thanks. Looks like you might not be too far behind me!

[kerricalabrese]

Fertility Friend gives me the 12th as a test date, at 13DPO. Last cycle, I thought I may have been PG, I had cramps at implantation time and I was a day late, but nothing. Especially with this cycle being so odd with the post-ov temps, LOL!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Don't you just love how PCOS temps are all over the place. I think when I go to the obgyn this month I am going to have her do my blood test again to see if I am hypothyroid since my temps are so low.

[emmilynn]

Good luck testers! Christina, you are strong. I don't have the willpower to hold out on testing! But, I also didn't like the disappointment that came with it either :(

[cmschapp]

Thanks I appreciate it. My temp is still up so that is a good sign. But I feel kind of crampy like AF is coming. Either way I think I will be happy just because I have been getting AF on my own without provera or prometrium!!!

[emmilynn]

Thanks I appreciate it. My temp is still up so that is a good sign. But I feel kind of crampy like AF is coming. Either way I think I will be happy just because I have been getting AF on my own without provera or prometrium!!!

Love today's temp too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and what a blessing this would be if this long cycle had a happy ending! I know what you mean about being happy just to get AF on your own. I know it's so exciting for me when she comes without provera or prometrium. Rare...but exciting! :)

[cmschapp]

Yeah so I am out. Ha she showed up tonight. boo... oh well I can start a new year with a fresh start...

[SleepyGirl]

I would MUCH rather take the pills but moneys so tight right now, maybe next month I can switch!

[cmschapp]

Yeah so I am out. Ha she showed up tonight. boo... oh well I can start a new year with a fresh start...

Perhaps I spoke too soon. Maybe it was implantation spotting. My temp is still up and what I thought was AF disappeared...

[kerricalabrese]

Oohhhh, that's great Christina, fingers crossed for you!!! :)

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Perhaps I spoke too soon. Maybe it was implantation spotting. My temp is still up and what I thought was AF disappeared...

OMGosh your chart looks great! I would think that you would have seen a temp drop today judging from the length of past LP but those temps are still soaring! Crossing my fingers and stalking! :D

[cmschapp]

I know I would have thought my temps would be dropping now too. I am somewhat crampy but I wouldn't really call them period cramps and my bbs are tender to the touch. So not sure a few more days and I will have my answer...ha

[cmschapp]

Well my temp dropped to 97.23 and I have been crampy so I think AF is on her way. Thats okay means I can start fresh...

[kerricalabrese]

Oh, that stinks Christina! But, at least you have a great attitude about it, that's all any of us can have at this point...try, try again.

Can we create Buddy Groups here, like you can on Fertility Friend?

Kerri

[cmschapp]

I am not sure. I don't know what a buddy group is...

[kerricalabrese]

It's when a post gets so big that it turns it into it's own Buddy Group, with whoever contributed to the posts...like it's own chat group.

[cmschapp]

I don't think there is anything like that. There might be something on united cysters like that. I used to be on Soul Cysters but that board basically died. Everyone kept getting database errors so most of them moved over to United Cysters. We would have to ask an admin if there is something like that.

[cmschapp]

There is something called social groups. Under Quick Links Select Social Groups. I created a group called Alt Meds and made a post.

[emmilynn]

Well my temp dropped to 97.23 and I have been crampy so I think AF is on her way. Thats okay means I can start fresh...

:( So sorry Christina! But on the bright side, it doesn't appear that you have any progesterone or LP deficiency so that's good! My AF should come sometime this week so maybe we can be Inositol cycle buddies (even though I'm not TTC).

Off to find the Social Group... :)

[cmschapp]

Looks like today is day one maybe my cycle will be shorter than 60 days!!!!

[emmilynn]

Christina - sorry about CD1 but I like your attitude and here's to a fresh cycle! And yes, hoping it's shorter than 60 days too.

Kerri - any indication of AF on her way? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

[kerricalabrese]

No, so far, nothing, but...it's very common for me to be fine one second, then either crampy or spotting the next. It is what it is at this point, just have to hope for the best.

We're getting yet another snowstorm here in NY tomorrow, little nervous about having to shovel tomorrow.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Well I do use progesterone cream after I O so that could help...

[kerricalabrese]

Hi Ladies,
No AF yet, not going to test until Friday, even though Fertility Friend gave me today as a test date, based on my LP. I want to wait just in case AF is a little late or my ovulation date was off.

DH did the shoveling today, I only brushed off the cars and did light stuff. I feel funny limiting myself, but until I know what's going on, I'd rather do that, just in case. This way I can't blame myself later.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Yeah I try to wait as long as possible to test too.
My dh loves to shovel he cracks me up. We have a neighbor that has a snowblower and one time he helped do the end of our driveway and dh came inside and was a little upset he didn't get to shovel the whole thing...ha

[emmilynn]

Good for you Kerri with not shoveling...just in case! ;)

I'm in So. California and not to rub it in but it's in the low 70s here so I don't understand any of this shoveling business you speak of, lol. Sorry you have to deal with all of that.

I'm spotting a bit so AF is on her way to my house and hoping she stays away from yours. I'm excited to ditch these BCPs (once again) and see how the ole' body starts responding without.

Stay warm ladies! :)

[cmschapp]

I don't think I ever want to go back on birth control. I think it messed me up more than anything...

[emmilynn]

I know exactly what you mean! I was on BCP from age 19-30 and came off them in 2009 since my then DH and I started TTC. Well, it took months for AF to come and I was clueless so I went to the doc and that's when she started month after month of Clomid/Provera. Needless to say, I was convinced all those years of BCP was the reason for the messed up cycles but my RE said being on them that whole time was a good thing for the PCOS. I dunno, I'm torn. I think all but one cycle in 2010 was medically induced. When I stopped TTC, my first thought was to go back on BCP to control cysts, symptoms and whatnot so I did a couple cycles on them and then just knew I was done with them!! So, finished up my last pill today, AF is here and I'm throwing them away for good! It's liberating, lol ... :D

[cmschapp]

Nice! Everything I have heard or read is that bcp just masks the pcos which is not something I want to do. When I was going to the doctor before I started with my supplements I had to be induced everytime....Now that I started my supplements no more inducing!!! You could always do natural family planning in the future to avoid the fertile time of the month... (I think that is my plan)

[emmilynn]

Yes, the masking symptoms part is what just made me think I'm just done with them. Well, and the fact that I've popped that little pill every morning for all those years and I'm just done with it. And yeah, with the supplements, I'm hoping not to have to rely on Provera for periods! Natural Family Planning is exactly what I plan to do. I'll just get back into the routine of charting so I will always have an idea if/when I'm fertile. I'm just so over prescription stuff and would much rather put my faith into natural supplements that are spoken so little about but have so much success.

[cmschapp]

I agree with you! I think a good portion has to do with diet and exercise as well. The hormones and antibiotics that are given to livestock can't help either...

[emmilynn]

The good thing is I'm about 17 lbs lighter than I was at this time last year and that's due to joining a gym and working out heavily. Since moving to CA last November, I haven't gone to a gym but I jog every evening and do squats, crunches, push ups and those sorts of things. I'm convinced weight loss plays a huge role in cycles too so that's definitely just as importnant as the supplements. My goal is to lose another 15 lbs by this summer. That should finally put me in the 140-range and a healthy weight for my height. I've cut out carbs and sugars mainly but I crave those things so much and it's hard to quit them! During my vitex cycle, I was eating lots of veggies & protein and working out heavily and I'm convinced that's what ultimately helped me cycle on my own. I would love another ultrasound to see what my cysts look like now in comparison to what they looked like last June. I bet there's some difference...

[cmschapp]

Yeah I am going to have my blood work redone when i see my ob next week and least i am going to request it. Hopefully now that my cycles are getting more stable i can workout like i want to and hopefully get some results...

[emmilynn]

I hope you see some improvements w/ the bloodwork results. That's a good motivator too when you can see improvements in other areas. I just wish it wasn't so hard to lose the weight! It seems twice as hard for PCOSers to lose weight compared to a non-PCOSer. I have to run my butt off and eat extremely healthy to see any results at all. It sucks :(

[cmschapp]

When you run do you run at a steady pace or do you use intervals?

[emmilynn]

On a treadmill I would usually walk the first lap and then do a couple laps at a slow jog, then kick it up to 5mph or so for another mile or two. At my best, I was doing 3 miles in about 32 minutes but that was months ago.

Now I just jog outdoors on a trail at a medium speed and go for as long as I can (probably 1-2 miles) and then follow that with a brisk walk for another 15 minutes or so.

I prefer a treadmill so I can monitor speed/distance and go on an incline which burns calories quickly. But really doing anything physically active is better than nothing so I at least feel good about that. Those elyptical machines are low impact but you can adjust the tension and get a good workout quickly. I'd like to buy one eventually.

My problem areas are mostly butt, hips & thighs and it seems to take forever to see improvements in those areas. I seem to lose quicker in the stomach area although there's room for improvement there too!

[cmschapp]

You might see better results if you go up and down (variable interval training) as far as speed is concerned and it shouldn't take as long.

What I have been doing is doing about 7 different exercises like squats, lunges, overhead press etc I do 2 sets of 12-14 reps of most exercises. In between sets I run on the treadmill as fast as I can for a minute. So say my first exercise is squats and then my next one is lunges. I start out warming up but then do my first set of squats then i run for 1 min then i do my next set of squats and then run for 1 min then i move on to my first set of lunges etc. Usually i can only run in between sets 6-8 times before i have to stop and only finish my sets. My exercise is done in about 30 mins and I am whopped and know i got in a good workout. You should try it sometime see if you like it.

[emmilynn]

Ok! I see what you mean about the interval thing. When I get back in a gym, I will try that! I need to do more weight training and put more emphasis on the lunges/squats because I can really feel the pain after doing those things. I also like to walk on the treadmill at a fast pace on an incline carrying 5 lb weights in each hand. Doing that for like 20 minutes followed by squats/crunches/lunges really makes you burn too! I actually think doing strength training types of exercises gives me better results than cardio alone.

[cmschapp]

I definitely think that strength training burn more fat faster than cardio...

[emmilynn]

Kerri - good luck testing tomorrow (friday)!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!! :D

[cmschapp]

Me too good luck! KUP

[kerricalabrese]

I tested and it was negative. But, I had ovulation pains all day yesterday, perhaps being that my temps were weird and FF gave me crosshairs,maybe I really didn't ovulate until a day or two ago?? Could the DCI have messed up my system at all? I'm going to see how the next 10 days go and if I'm still testing negative, I'll have to go to the doctor for blood, this way they can see where I'm at cycle wise.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Sometimes FF is not always right. They are just dotted cross hairs which means you have fertility signs that are contradicting one another. Have you temped the last several days. It could change your ovulation day based on the recent temps . I have several cycles where I thought I was going to ovulate because of CM but didn't until later. It is possible that you didn't ovulate until yesterday. I would keep temping and putting in signs to see what it does. I don't think it would have messed up your system. I would think if anything it would be helping...It could take a couple of months to straighten out your cycle. I think I would go out 14 days from yesterday and if you don't get your period by then check with your doctor to do blood work...

[emmilynn]

Sorry about the BFN but I agree w/ Christina. Since you had O pains yesterday, if in 14 days from now you still don't have a period, take another test and call your doctor. Looks like if you did ovulate yesterday, you have your bases covered in the bedroom! Have you noticed CM in the past few days?

[cmschapp]

KUP on what you decide to do Kerri! I have never had EWCM after I had really ovulated so perhaps you still have a chance!!!

[kerricalabrese]

You know, I have been having some EWCM since I thought I originally ovulated. But, I did have that one cycle last summer and I know I definately ovulated when FF said I did (I also went to RE for a scan and blood because I thought I was annov but I had a nice size corpus luteum which confirmed I did ovulate). My friend said she had EWCM on her 2 cycles when she was PG (later miscarried) so to have fertile CM after ovulation is not always a sign that ovulation didn't happen yet. But with my cycle currently, I think it means I didn't when I thought I did.

No, I stopped temping at 6DPO, but I will continue starting tomorrow just to see where they are at. I have also been very tired for the past week and had serious nausea yesterday and sore boobs, but I have been using progesterone cream, again, because I thought I ovulated already. That alone is enough to delay ovulation so I wonder...should I stop the cream or keep taking it?

[cmschapp]

Well progesterone can also delay AF too. Not sure I think I would maybe stop it to see if you get AF. Its still possible that you ovulated when FF said you would and since you are using NPC it could delay AF. Perhaps the cramps were AF related cramps???

[kerricalabrese]

No, cramps were definately ovulation cramps. Since doing 3 IVF's and 4 IUI's, I know what it feels like and in those cases, you feel it more after you ovulate...that is what I had last night. To put any pressure on cervix is painful, sometimes even sitting down and I felt it in my belly. As for progesterone, the last time I used it, it shortened my LP by 2 days and while doing IVF and IUI, progesterone never delayed AF for me at all.

Mystery, mystery for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

[cmschapp]

Interesting. Well since you are sure they were ovulation pains I think I would keep doing the NPC and temping and wait 14 days. If it doesn't come by then I would check with your doctor...

[kerricalabrese]

Good idea!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Let me know how it goes. I don't check this too often over the weekend but I check it everyday at work haha...

[kerricalabrese]

OK, will do! Have a nice weekend.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Thanks you too. I hope you get some good news if you decide to test in two weeks!!!

[kerricalabrese]

My temp has been up the past 2 mornings, so I'm going to stop temping. I put my O date on the day I had those O pains. We'll see by the 26th!!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Good Luck Kerri. Let us know how it goes! I am waiting to O hopefully it happens sooner rather than later....

[cmschapp]

I have been having with this forum lately so I created a new forum that is free and has free hosting. Hopefully it will also have less spam http://pcoscysters.forumotion.com/

[emmilynn]

I have been having with this forum lately so I created a new forum that is free and has free hosting. Hopefully it will also have less spam http://pcoscysters.forumotion.com/

I have been having problems w/ this forum too. This morning, I couldn't even log in and it said the link was broken. I went to your forum and signed up there. Good idea and thanks for doing that!

[cmschapp]

We could always move over to united cysters or cysterworld and keep the forum i created as a backup. Doesn't matter to me. I just want a forum that doesn't break!!!

[emmilynn]

Doesn't matter to me either. I'd hate to lose contact with people going through a similar situation though. Maybe if this site continues anymore problems, we can use your site as a backup plan? Fortunately, the boards here aren't too active so we don't have to worry about "losing" threads or whatever. Just that nasty spam on occasion...urgh :(

[SleepyGirl]

Ya I couldnt log on at all this morning or afternoon, and I tried several times

[cmschapp]

Seems like it is working a little better. I wonder if the spam has anything to do with it?

[SleepyGirl]

I think Im going to buy the pills today. Im sick of pancakes!

[cmschapp]

I have an OB appointment followed by my first acupuncture appointment. I am really excited about my acu appt!

[SleepyGirl]

I just ordered from chiralbalance, and it came to 75 dollars for one bottle :eek: so Im not sure if I will be able to order from them again. It was 60 for the bottle then 25 for shipping from USA to Canada. That should be enough to last me 2 months though, but still VERY pricey...

[cmschapp]

Yeah they are they a little pricey, acupuncture was really neat some of the points were really sensitive though...

[emmilynn]

Woohoo for a good acupuncture appointment! Wouldn't that be great if you start seeing some direct results from it!

[cmschapp]

That would be awesome. It was $70 today, I hope the price comes down a little bit. Hopefully they won't have to be left in for 30 mins each time then it would be about half the price...

[SleepyGirl]

Ive always been curious about acu but its just all so costly

[cmschapp]

I have seen some first appointments that cost double that so I was happy with that price. He wants me to come every week which my husband is not to crazy about since it is $70 a week but I would rather try this than drugs. The acu dr also told me he thought my case was mild so that is a good thing! Maybe all the pills have been helping!!! I have another appointment scheduled for Saturday afternoon hopefully I will learn more then.

[cmschapp]

em- here is a link to a video on how to do just intervals. Might help speed up your workouts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j2CUlUE5rg&feature=player_embedded

[emmilynn]

Awesome! I'm going to try those tonight. She makes it all look so fast and easy but I bet I'll be dying when it's all over. Plus, I like the fact that it's something other than running which gets so boring!

[cmschapp]

There are so many exercises you can do squats, lunges, jumping lunges, walking lunges, burpees, pushups, mountain climbers, jump rope, jumping jacks, butt kickers, high knees, step jumps/ bench jumps. I am sure there are some that I missed but that is a good variety of things to do...

[BubbleKat]

That's a nice, simple forum you created. l like the simple ones. There's no digging through layers of stuff. Have you been spreading it around? I saw that soulcysters.net is going to be coming back up. The site actually loads last time I checked, but it has a message that it is down for repairs and will be online soon. That one was my favorite. I hope they get their issues worked out.

[cmschapp]

I just used some free software that is hosted somewhere. I really like soulcysters too. There was sooo much good information on there! I was on both of these at the same time so I hope it comes back up too. I hadn't spread it around too much. I figured we could see what happened with this forum and soul cysters. There are a couple other forums but these two have the most information.

[cmschapp]

Soul Cysters is almost back up. They said it will be up and down until they get everything finalized but I am so glad we didn't lose that huge database of information!!! I have always used both boards but there is just a wealth of knowledge of there!

[emmilynn]

yeah, I checked on it yesterday out of curiosity and the site would come up but there was a message saying they were working on it but it'll be back. I've only ever lurked there briefly but I'm anxious to join there too and see what all I can find! :D

[cmschapp]

I have the same username over there too! So come find me

[kerricalabrese]

Hi Ladies,
Sorry that I've been MIA lately! I keep forgetting that I'm still in the 2ww, I should know what's what by Wednesday or Thursday.

Kerri

[emmilynn]

I have the same username over there too! So come find me

Will do!

Hi Ladies,
Sorry that I've been MIA lately! I keep forgetting that I'm still in the 2ww, I should know what's what by Wednesday or Thursday.

Kerri

No problem Kerri, been thinking about you and the longest 2ww ever! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :D

[SleepyGirl]

Im still waiting on my DCI, it was supposed to come today :(

[kerricalabrese]

Emmilynn,
Tell me about it, it's been 22 days since the start of my 1st 2WW!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Kerri- I hope you are getting close to either AF or BFP!!! The 2ww is bad enough to do once in a cycle but 2 times is the worst. Hopefully you won't have to go to a doctor1 I guess you will know soon enough.

[kerricalabrese]

Thanks Christina! I'll know by Wed/Thurs for sure. My boobs still hurt and I stopped the progesterone about 2 weeks ago. Usually by the time AF is due it subsides a bit. So far no inkling of AF but I may have said it before...I can be fine one minute and crampy and spotting the next so I can't go by that. All I know is that after 50 days, if it does come, it'll be bad! I've also had a sinus infection for over a month, went to an Urgent Care place yesterday because this bad bronchial cough is getting worse and I felt really sick, couldn't wait a day or two to see my PCP. Plus, with all the snow we've been getting here in NY with more to come this week, I'm really tired and having a long cycle like this does not help one bit.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Yeah I hear you! My bbs are usually sore before I start AF. I feel like I am getting run down. I started Acupuncture and at my second appt he asked me if i was tired afterward and I said no not really. I definitely feel more tired now. I almost stayed home from work because I didn't feel good. Hopefully I am not getting sick that would suck...

[kerricalabrese]

Yesterday, I was super crabby, normal for me right before AF. But, a lot of things are going on lately which are causing me stress so one little thing can set me off, but I'm better today. I'm trying stay positive, but given this wacky cycle, who knows? I have to order more DCI I think, I have to check.

Kerri

[SleepyGirl]

Still waiting on my DCI...Im starting to get annoyed. It was supposed to be here friday. And they ship saturday as well. And its monday 1pm and its still not here.

[kerricalabrese]

I forgot how long it took my DCI to come...I ordered it on a weekend, it was shipped on a Mon and I got it by Wed. It may not always be that quick though.

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Kerri - sorry about you being sick! I know that just adds to the frustration of the 2WW and dealing with a ton of snow on top of everything. I hope there's a happy ending at the end of it all. And even if no BFP, AF will allow you to move on to a better cycle!!

Christina - sorry you're feeling under the weather now too! Hope it passes soon and doesn't throw off your O or something silly.

Sleepygirl - I noticed you are in Canada. Maybe that's the reason for the shipment delay? Not sure where it's being shipped from but maybe it's going throuh customs or whatever and held up somewhere. I hope it comes soon so you can try it out!


As for me, I want to believe the Inositol is helping with some weight loss. I've been slacking on working out (more than I'd like to admit) for the past couple of weeks but for some reason, I've lost 3lbs since I started taking it! Not sure if there's any real correlation but I'm thinking if Inositol has a similar effect to Metformin, maybe it does have something to do w/ losing weight. I even cheated this weekend and had a big stack of cinnamon pancakes from IHOP and pizza too. The scale is in my favor though. I'm so bad, lol :cool:

[kerricalabrese]

Emmilynn - I started taking DCI almost a month ago, I started on Dec 28th. I think I should reorder no later than tomorrow so I don't run out!

Yeah, this has been a very long cycle, even for me. Like you said, if I don't get a BFP, then at least I can move on and start a new cycle with DCI being in my system for almost 30 days, a definite jump start!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

maybe it takes longer since you are in Canada and has to go thru customs or something

[emmilynn]

Emmilynn - I started taking DCI almost a month ago, I started on Dec 28th. I think I should reorder no later than tomorrow so I don't run out!

Yeah, this has been a very long cycle, even for me. Like you said, if I don't get a BFP, then at least I can move on and start a new cycle with DCI being in my system for almost 30 days, a definite jump start!

Kerri

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It's had some time in your system now so that's a bonus for next cycle's results (if there is a next cycle!). Hopefully, when you reorder, you can maybe find a discount or a special offer or something. I hate that it's so expensive or I would try it too! :(

[cmschapp]

I definitely think the inositol helps. It is supposed to control insulin sensitivity just like metformin and as a result helps with weight loss, androgen levels and other things.

[cmschapp]

I think there is a code called DCIFRIEND but you can only use it once. They also had a discount if you buy 4 or more bottles. I think both combined brought it down to $45 a bottle.

I definitely think the Inositol helps me. I am hopefully this cycle will be shorter we shall see...

[emmilynn]

I definitely think the inositol helps. It is supposed to control insulin sensitivity just like metformin and as a result helps with weight loss, androgen levels and other things.

I think it's helping too. In fact, I think all of the supplements I'm taking help w/ insulin sensitivity and/or androgenic effects so it's tough to know exactly which are helping with what! Cinnamon is also said to help with IR and Saw Palmetto is said to help testosterone levels. And then there's Vitex which probably has a hand in everything but to what extent, I'm not certain. Oh well. It's just nice to see some results without having to go the prescription med route even though I'm popping like 10 pills/ day lol.

I think there is a code called DCIFRIEND but you can only use it once. They also had a discount if you buy 4 or more bottles. I think both combined brought it down to $45 a bottle.

I definitely think the Inositol helps me. I am hopefully this cycle will be shorter we shall see...

That code is helpful! I'll keep this in mind if I ever decide to go thru w/ trying it. I hope your cycle is shorter too. What we wouldn't give to ovulate "normally" and see AF (or BFPs) every 30-40 days or so. For now, I'm just waiting on EWCM, sounds so weird to admit but it's the little things that make me happy and give me hope lol

[kerricalabrese]

Yeah, that's the code that came with my first bottle of DCI.

I had a lot of pinching/sharp pains in my uterus area today, almost made me double over kinda. But, I've had every BFP symptom known to man over the years so who knows?

Kerri

[SleepyGirl]

I called USPS and they said since it was shipped on the 18th by priority it should arrive by the 21st. I checked online tracking but they havent updated since the 20th and then it was in chicago. Hopefully tomorrow!

[kerricalabrese]

How frustrating! Hopefully it comes today or tomorrow.

Kerri

[kerricalabrese]

Did your DCI come today??

As for me, I had very mild cramping earlier, if you can call it cramping and a little pink on the TP. All of that went away but I have my AF zits so I'm sure she's around the corner, but hoping I'm wrong, as she was due today!

Kerri

[kerricalabrese]

AF found me today, ugh! I kind of thought it last night, I had an almost instant zit attack and for me, that means only one thing. This morning, I had that normal "wet feeling" followed by spotting and little cramps. I'll test tomorrow just to be sure but oh well. Onto another and hopefully shorter cycle!

I have to order more DCI, only have 10 more days worth...

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Sleepy- I hope you get your DCI soon!

Emm- We are close to the same point in our cycle both waiting on O! I hope it works out for us. This is half of the battle

Kerri-Well that's okay. That means you O'd later in your cycle than you thought. Which is better than not oing at all right!

AFM- I have had 2 acupuncture appts and i have been having some CM. I am hoping that I am about to O which would be the earliest I have ever o'd which would be amazing! So any way

[emmilynn]

Kerri - so sorry about AF but on the bright side, you ovulated and can move on to your shorter/DCI/BFP cycle! :D

Sleepy - I bet it's in the mailbox today!

Christina - that's great! I hope the accup. is helping things along and I hope you break records this month with an early O!

I'm not really feeling anything so far. CM is pretty dry so I'm just waiting for something eventful in that department...lol

[SleepyGirl]

nope still not here...

[cmschapp]

Sleepy & Em Bummer I am sure your package will come soon enough and Em hopefully you will O shortly.

I haven't o'd yet but hopefully soon.

[SleepyGirl]

When I called USPS they originally said it would go by air and be here within 3 days. I thought WOW that is fast but the shipping is 25 dollars so I guess it makes sense. When it didnt come I called again and this time they put me through to international who said that it takes 6-10 buisness days to get to canada. it came today and I ordered on the 18th so that makes sense.

[cmschapp]

I am glad you got it! Hopefully it will start helping!

[kerricalabrese]

I'm glad your DCI finally came. I just ordered 2 bottles, I was going to order only one at a time (finances are tight) but between the DCIFRIEND discount and the multiple bottle discount, I saved almost $24. So I paid $94.30, instead of $118.00.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Yes DH was a little weary about paying that much so I said I would try inositol first. Then if that doesn't work by april I am going to DCI for 3-4 months then back to the RE if that doesn't work.

[kerricalabrese]

Hi ladies,
I hope you all had a nice weekend. We're gearing up for yet another snow/ice storm this week. We've had a storm each week since Christmas, very odd for us.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Yeah I hear you. Its supposed to hit Ohio too! Luckily I can work from home if its bad!
I am thinking I am close to Ovulation. I got nervous for a few days but DH and I BD last night and about 4 hours later I went to the bathroom again and appeard to have lots of EWCM so hopefully I O today. My temp dropped to 96.87 too.

My weekend was frustrating. We are remodeling our kitchen and we were working on the tile floor with DHs brother and wife. DHs brother dropped a tile and scratched our brand new dishwasher which is only minor can happen to anybody. But we have a pedestal sink in the smaller bath which was also being tiled. We took the pedestal out so we can tile under it and he pulled himself up using it and almost pulled it out of the wall. So we bought a new vanity and top to go in there instead but I wish I didn't have to deal with it.... They are going over tonight to grout so at least we are almost finished!

Kerri -how was your weekend. Are you doing mostly natural treatments too? I know you are doing DCI but I can't remember if you are doing anything else since I talk to so many women on these boards

[emmilynn]

Hey ladies! Sorry about the snow storms...boo! :( I can understand how much of a burden they become, not to mention I'm sure it gets depressing after a while. Christina, that home remodeling stuff is such a pain and sorry it was so frustrating over the weekend! But, it will look awesome when it's done, I'm sure! :D

Hope you get a nice temp spike tomorrow though! A CD 21 O would sure be awesome and some major progress over last cycle too. As for me, nothing too promising going on. No pains and no EWCM yet although I did have some sort of (TMI) white-ish mix of creamy and stretchy CM over the weekend but then it sorta dried up. Oh well, at this point I'd just be happy to O at all so I'll continue to be patient and take my supplements. I feel as though I've lost a bit more weight too. Just a couple pounds according to the scale but I can really feel it in my clothes so that's good. Keep truckin' everyone and think positive thoughts!

[cmschapp]

Yeah I am so ready for everything to be done! A temp spike would be great and definitely better than other cycles. Maybe your body is getting ready to O. Some women have creamy CM before EWCM. Losing weight even if it is a couple of pounds is always exciting.

I definitely need to be more positive. I have been trying to force myself to relax. I think it has been helping of course I will be able to relax more after this weekend comes and goes! By then our kitchen will be done and the gatherings will be over and I can just let it all go!

[kerricalabrese]

I ordered my DCI on Friday and just got it today, I was shocked!

I get EWCM for about 10 days prior to ovulation. I'm glad that I get it, but to have it so long, makes the whole process even longer. This is my 1st full cycle on the DCI so I'm curious to see how it goes. It's been in my system for 4 weeks now, nice jump on it!

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Christina - I'm sending you Ovulation, kitchen finishing and relaxation vibes! :D

Kerri - Awesome about the DCI! Glad you can continue with it and not have a gap. I think 4 weeks is a good amount of time to have it in your system and here's hoping it works for you!

I've been taking all my supplements now for a month too. I usually get EWCM for like a week or more prior to ovulation too so I'm hoping it gets here soon. But I know what you mean about it making the process of waiting to O seem longer. Maybe we'll be surprised and only have it for a few days before we surge and then ovulate! Fingers crossed for all of us anyway :)

[cmschapp]

Kerri- Good to hear that you got your DCI so quickly. I won't risk not taking my inositol again either!

EM- Thanks for the ovualtion, kitchen and relaxation wishes. I feel much better today. I was really worried about the toilet sitting well on the bathroom floor. We took up 3 tiles and re-leveled them so I am much happier now. It was not set up enough to grout but we got the floor ready to go.

AFM- My temp rose today so I think I ovulated but I need to wait the next 2 days to make sure my temp stays up.

[emmilynn]

YAY for elevated temp today!! I'm hoping it stays up for you since your BD schedule is fantastic! I'm soooo excited for your earlier O!!!!!!

"Team Inositol/DCI" all the way, lol :D

[cmschapp]

Ha thanks! I guess we will know soon enough. We got the bathroom painted. Its a light yellow called shortbread should look good with our blue towels and our pictures. At least this is starting to come to an end which would be a good thing in case I get pregnant.

[cmschapp]

So it doesn't look like I od yet since I had a really low temp this morning. Hopefully I will O today sometime. I had lots of EWCM which is a good sign.

[cmschapp]

I wish I would just O my temp did go up some today. I hope it goes up even further tomorrow that would be great! How is everyone else doing?

[emmilynn]

Looks like you had a pre-O dip and maybe yesterday was O?! Your last chart looks similar so hopefully that's what happened and your temp stays up tomorrow! I think you will be finishing up those home renovations just in time to put your feet up for the next 9 months...at least I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway! ;)

AFM - Started having some very mild cramps and pressure in the abdomen area last night followed by small amounts of EWCM so I think something is going on. My temps seem to be leveling out too so I don't know if that's a good thing either. In the few times I've ovulated, I've never seen a temp dip pre-O so can't really expect that, I guess. Oh well, being patient is all I can do now :D

Hope you all are keeping warm and safe from all the crazy weather out there!

[cmschapp]

Thanks Em I have mine crossed too! That would be really exciting because my Dad's birthday was in November. He passed away August 2005. So it would be a nice reminder to have if I had a baby close to his birthday. The only sucky thing is that my sister and brother both named their first kids after him. One is Kenna and one is Kenny. (My dad's name was Kenneth). I love my nieces and nephews but since I am the last one to have kids I want to honor him somehow. (If I ever have a girl I think I would go with Mackenzie.)

I noticed my temps are more even now than they were pre-inositol so I think it is a good thing.

[emmilynn]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad :(. A November birthday would be perfect then! And don't you hate it when all of your friends and family have kids first and choose the name(s) you wanted for your own baby?! That's happened so many times to me too and it's aggrevating. If I ever have a son, his middle name will be Robert after my dad (who passed away too) so I know he would smile down from heaven if I did that. :) I LOVE the name Mackenzie for a girl and it still honors your dad's name so it's perfect!

Yeah, I think the Inositol is helping my temps. In the beginning, my chart looked like a roller coaster but now it's leveling. I've also been taking 800 mg of Vitex instead of 400 mg. I upped the dose about 2 weeks ago so maybe that's helping too. Now I'm just ready to see some elevated temps. A less than 40 day cycle would be awesome so we'll see...

[cmschapp]

Sorry to hear about your Dad as well. (Its just a part of life I guess). I don't want to get my hopes up too much in case it doesn't happen. I would be disappointed but not crushed. Glad you like the name, I am not sure how much DH likes it but I think he would allow it, he knows how much it means to me to honor him one way or another. I just need to remember to take my afternoon pills! It has part of my inositol dose in it. I was trying to break up my dosage some. I agree with you on the elevated temps but I hope I don't see AF.

[emmilynn]

Thanks, it's always hard to deal with the loss of a parent. My dad passed away of a massive heart attack when he was only 46. I was 6 at the time and I guess at that age, you don't fully understand death. It was so hard on my mom to all of the sudden be a single parent at the age of 35. I'm sorry that you had to go through it as well :(

Anyway, I am loving your temp today! Looks very promising and I hope it continues to climb. BD schedule looks awesome so I'll pray for your BFP!! What an improvement in your cycle length, huh? So nice to see that!

AFM - Woke up to a temp dip and some more scant EWCM. I usually have more around O time but lately it's been very little but I'll take what I can get. Based on the dip, EWCM and very mild cramping a couple days ago, I took an OPK for the heck of it and it looks close, if not positive. BUT, I've had numerous false positives before so I'm taking it with a grain of salt. I'll believe it to be + if I see a temp spike soon. Have you done OPKs before? If so, have you gotten false positives? I know it's VERY common with PCOS because we already have elevated levels of LH in our system. I always have a second line on them no matter where I'm at in my cycles. That's why I don't trust them but have a few of them leftover from my TTC days so I figure I'll just use them up before they go bad. If I do actually ovulate, it will be a major success for me. The earliest I've ever O'd was CD 20 and that was a Femara cycle so I had major help!

Anyway, hope everyone has a nice weekend! :)

[cmschapp]

I did opks before i started inositol and i always had two lines it was hard to tell if I ever o'd. I may try them again if I can't get it nailed down...
My dad died of colon cancer he was 59 I think. I had to go back to school a week later I think. So I was 21 when it happened. I think it is still devestating at any age. My sister lived 3.5 hours away and didn't make it home in time. I am still mad at myself for not calling her sooner but it might have been better that way. I am not sure she could have seen him like that.

[cmschapp]

I hope you guys had a good weekend. FF put my O on the 2nd which is what I thought. My temps have been up so that is a good sign! I am so excited for this cycle because I o'd much sooner than usual. Most of the kitchen is finally finished have to put some baseboards down and some other trim pieces but so glad to just have a night off from working on it!
Em have you o'd yet?
Sleepy how is the DCI working for you?
Kerri- you close to O?

[emmilynn]

that is soo great Christina! I'm so happy for you and ovulating so much sooner in your cycle is a HUGE accomplishment! I'm going to keep you in my prayers at night for your BFP!! I hope you can get those project finished up quickly and relax a bit in your 2WW. You can always pull the "I might be pregnant" card to get you out of doing too much! ;)

AFM - not convinced that I ovulated. CM did dry up and my temps seem to be going up but really they are all typical pre-o temps for me. Post-O temps for me are always in the 98.something range so unless I'm just slowwly rising, I really don't think it happened. I guess that OPK I took was a false positive. Oh well, we'll see. It's still "early" in the game and anything could happen. I just hate irregular cycles and all of the "not knowing" that comes with that.

Anyway, hope you all had a nice weekend and Go Packers!! :D

[cmschapp]

Ha yes the Packers!!! Yeah my temp usually rises pretty quick but I had a few beers Friday and Sat and that usually effects my temps but I am still well above my coverline so I am pretty happy with that! Both parties almost went off with out a hitch. My mom was leaving my Jewelry party and ended up falling and hitting her face on the blacktop! She cut her eyebrow and had a pretty big bump but she is doing fine. She has a blackeye though which is a first for her! I am going over tonight to see her and take a pic so I can send it to my sister ha. Other than that everything went fine. Everybody liked the Kitchen and Bathroom so yay for hard work!

[cmschapp]

Well hopefully you will ovulate soon if you haven't already! How much of the inositol are you taking a day?

[emmilynn]

You are a brave soul for hosting parties when your house is under construction LOL! The OCD in me would obsess over the little things not being done and then everyone noticing them, ha! Glad they liked the kitchen and bathroom though. It's nice when others notice all the hard work you put into it! Sorry about your mom's fall..yikes for a black eye! Hopefully, she isn't left with a nasty scar or something other than a bruised ego, haha :D

I'm taking 1300 mg of the Inositol. Maybe I'll slip an extra pill in daily which would make a total of 1950 mg? I need to order more already. I keep telling myself that maybe this cycle will be more out of whack than normal since it's the first cycle after BCP. But, I was only on them for 2 months this time so I don't think that's long enough to mess me up for too long. Plus, my one and only ovulatory cycle on my own, I didn't O until CD 38 so maybe this cycle will be similar. Wish I could look into my crystal ball and see for sure, lol :)

[cmschapp]

When I first started inositol I think I o'd close to the same time. I ended up with 45-50 day cycles. I take 1500 currently but I think my new bottle is 750 mg so whenever I have to open that I will still take 3 at least every other day. It looked like my body was trying to O sooner but just wasn't quite ready and that could have been stress or other things too. I don't think the extra pill will hurt. Most studies where using 1000-2000 mgs.

[emmilynn]

Ok, I'll start the extra pill today then. Can't hurt anything, like you said. I do think it's helping with weight loss. It seems to be giving some sort of extra boost in that department so I'm happy with that! I think maybe I was gearing up to ovulate but then stopped. But in the past, I've always had very prominent signs of ovulation so at least I get some sort of sign before it happens. A 50 day cycle would be a good starting point so if that's how it turns out, I'd be happy!

ETA: When do you plan on testing?

[cmschapp]

I will probably wait until the 16th or 17th unless I get signs of AF...

[emmilynn]

sounds like a plan. No sense in testing too soon. Enjoy Valentine's Day! I hate seeing BFN's but of course by then you'll be able to see that BFP plain as day! Fingers crossed anyway!

On a side note, I know that when you ovulate in your cycle can potentially effect egg quality and supposedly a very late O produces a not so quality egg. So with your early O, your chances appear to increase! But I've seen charts and heard of women getting pregnant with ovulation after CD 30 too so it varies. I saw on FF the other day, a pregnancy chart with ovulation in the CD 70s! Crazy stuff but all of it gives hope!

[cmschapp]

Yeah. When I was reading on Egg quality it wasn't necessarily how the long cycle was much as the environment the egg was matured in. I thought I read somewhere that it takes 3 months to mature an egg so if you have a hormonal imbalance then its possible the eggs are not of great quality even when you take drugs to make the follicules bigger etc. Here is the link I think I was looking for...http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health

[emmilynn]

That's interesting - I had no idea it took 90 days for the egg to mature! I've read about CoQ10 and Royal Jelly in the past and am considering these as well. Stress and hormones can obviously make a big difference too. It would make sense that even an "older" egg can be a quality one if it's in the right environment to grow.

I hate that doctors don't explain this stuff adequately. Most seem to throw Fertility meds at you and will only accept a CD 14 ovulation as a "viable egg" when really there's so much more to it. I guess with PCOS we tend to analyze every aspect of TTC since we don't have the luxury of "textbook 28-day" cycles like non-PCOS gals take for granted.

[cmschapp]

Yes exactly! The inositol is supposed to help with egg quality according to one of the studies I read so it helps with many things! I have recently read that it can stimulate uterine contractions so I may lower my dose after O going forward. In another study it says it can help prevent neural tube defects just like folic acid. I am not sure if I were to get pregnant if I will keep taking it or not...

I hate that about REs and OBGYNs think that ovulation is day 14 and tests are day 21. Because that is just not how a PCOS body works even with ovualation drugs...

The sad thing is they don't know much about PCOS so they don't know what will help or what doesn't. So we are forced to do our own research to help ourselves and many times we are more informed about it than our docs.

[emmilynn]

Yeah, my ob/gyn quite obviously didn't know much about PCOS, in fact, she refused to test me for it when I told her I thought I had it! The only thing she would test was my TSH and Prolactin levels but nothing else. Never understood that. She just kept tossing Clomid at me and on my third consecutive month on it, I just wasn't happy with everything so I made the appt with an RE who confirmed PCOS based on my history, lack of ovulation and the ultrasound just confirmed cysts. It all made perfect sense and I actually felt more relieved after the diagnosis. I was so mad that I had to take it upon myself to get answers but that seems to be the common trend with all of us.

It might be wise to lower the dose while you're in the 2WW but I'm not too sure. I'll probably cut everything in half after I O, not because I might be pregnant, but just because I don't want to "overdo" anything after ovulation, if that's even possible. I've heard mixed things on Vitex in the 2ww. Certainly wouldn't want to cut yourself off from something that could help an embryo to implant and grow but at the same time, wouldn't want to jeopardize that situation either. I hate all of this worry! :(

[cmschapp]

Yeah no kidding. I think after I run out of vitex I will see if it changes my cycle any. I guess it depends on whether I get a BFP from this cycle or not. The only time I really noticed a difference was when I ran out of Inositol. Time will tell I suppose. DH is excited this cycle although he was tired of me demanding baby making sex vs just for fun sex. It didn't help we were working on the kitchen non stop so we were both really tired from that...

[emmilynn]

Yeah that was my problem with TTC and PCOS. The fact that I never knew when (or if) I would ovulate so the constant pressure for sex made it so exhausting for both of us. Then trying to make it seem as though you actually want sex and the intimacy instead of just the juice you need to make a baby...haha. I envy non-pcos gals who consistently ovulate around the same 3 or so days every month. They don't have to wear themselves out with sex non-stop for weeks at a time! :( I'm glad you can take a breather now :D

I don't want any gaps with the Inositol so I'll make sure I don't run out at any point. My temps seem to be stabilizing and that could be a result of taking it. I also have to keep in mind that it's been only a month since I started taking it. I bet in another couple months I'll see more drastic improvement like you have. I'll hope for that anyway! :)

[cmschapp]

I hope you do too! Sorry things didn't work out for you before but that doesn't mean they can't in the future!

I try to order mine 2 months at a time so that I always have it now too! Before DH and I would get wires crossed on when we actually needed to dtd and when it was for pleasure. So we finally came up with baby making vs just for fun. That way he knows that I am fertile without knowing all the details. It doesn't seem to affect his performance which I have heard that it does for some others (so I have to be thankful for that). I am so thankful for sites like these because sometimes you just can't share this with even your closest friends...

[emmilynn]

Exactly, I don't know who I would talk to about this stuff in real life! No one I know has PCOS and I seem to get that weird look if I even suggest that I have a problem getting pregnant. Meanwhile, the rest of my female family members are like baby-making-machines so needless to say, they don't get it! lol My mom is probably the only person I can talk about it with and she was shocked when I told her of my diagnosis last year. She doesn't fully understand it either since she had no troubles getting pregnant with my brother and I. But it's not like I go so far to mention things like CM or BBT or OPKs to her. She'd probably think I was speaking another language! I learned all of those things through forums like these so it's nice to have people to relate to and experiences to share. Makes you feel more at ease and like you aren't the only person obsessing over everything! :D

I never told my ex-DH when I was fertile even though I know he thought about it constantly like I did. I would take OPKs and monitor signs and he would ask "so is it time yet??" and that made things awkward and did effect his performance a little. I'm glad you don't have that problem. I know it's hard on men too when they have to step up to the plate month after month. At least mine could relax a bit after his SA came back good. Then he felt like Superman or something, lol.

[cmschapp]

Yeah my DH got an A+ on his SA according to our RE and DH is very proud of that. I was like great so it really is just all me but he has been supportive which is nice. He tries to remind me that we are in it together and sometimes I remind him of the same thing. But he can only understand so much of what we go thru...

I do have a close friend that has PCOS and endometriosis and we can talk about most things too. I am sure if our husbands knew what we talked about they would be like ahhh... ha

[emmilynn]

I'm glad he's so supportive and there to pick you up through it all..especially after a BFN. That is sooo important and I hope one day I can be so fortunate to find another partner who is as supportive as possible. My ex lacked that aspect but I guess that's to be expected when he wasn't fully committed to having kids anyway. I see it as a blessing though and gave me the opportunity to move on and find a way to reach my dreams no matter how long it takes. So, in the meantime, I just continue to find ways to better my health and restore somewhat normal cycles. If I ever do TTC again, I'll have so much knowledge and experience, not to mention, a ton of FF charts to take to the RE! haha

I have an online friend w/ PCOS & Endo as well and she's now in her last Trimester expecting #3. Both 2nd and 3rd were conceived w/ Femara so she's what got me interested in femara initially. I may give Femara another try (if I have to go that route) since she's my inspiration and I ovulated on my first cycle with it. It's funny to think how much we learn through the Internet! If there was no Internet, I would know nothing about PCOS, charting, fertility treatments and probably would still not know I have PCOS! Crazy how much we learn without doctors...

[cmschapp]

Thanks me too.
EM- that is a great way to look at things as far as your ex is concerned. I am not taking anything off the table at this point but I would much rather conceive as naturally as I can... then again who wouldn't.

[emmilynn]

I know what you mean about conceiving naturally. It kind of bothers me when doctors push fertility meds right off the bat without educating on natural methods (i.e. healthy diet/exercise/supplements) that not only can help you to get pregnant, but are also bettering your overall health in the process.

You're looking good this cycle - really good! I just know that such a cycle improvement will be just the ticket you need to get pregnant. I'm optimistic for that anyway!

AFM - Have no idea what's going on. Temps are still on the high side for me. I'm thinking maybe I've just woken up warmer than usual. CM is so strange - almost impossible to decipher...weird!

Edit: I think it's amazing that you had poor response to Clomid and are now ovulating regularly using supplements!! Did you ever ovulate on Clomid? I bet your doctor would be surprised to know that the supplements are working so well!

[cmschapp]

Thanks Em! I can't believe I went from a 60 day cycle to possibly a 37 day cycle! It is encouraging to see. If I don't get pregnant this cycle I have the faith that it will happen soon! Not sure about the CM its hard to tell sometimes.
I guess if you want something other than meds you have to find a doctor that focuses on that like an ND. The problem with that is most of the time they don't take or aren't covered by Insurance.

AFM- Trying not to think about my temps or what day it is. I am trying to keep my mind off everything. We are refinancing and have an apprasier coming tomorrow to look at the house. Hopefully it apprasies well! I am also trying to talk DH into helping me pick out backsplash tile so we can finish up the kitchen. I know he is worn out and needs a break but if I get pregnant I won't be able to help paint or use the mastic on the tile.

[emmilynn]

I hope you get a good appraisal and get that Refi. All the hard work (on the house and in the bedroom lol) will pay off! And like you said, even if this isn't your month (which of course it is!), it gives lots of hope that it will happen soon.

Hope the rest of the 2ww goes by quickly. I know how stressful it can be and then trying not to think about it all!

[cmschapp]

Thanks I appreciate the support!

[cmschapp]

Why does every natural site that offers information about PCOS have to charge for it? Don't people just want to help each other rather than making a profit. It drives me nuts...

[kerricalabrese]

Hey Ladies,

I hope you all had a great weekend! I'll do personals tomorrow but didn't want you to think I disappeared!

No O yet for me...I usually don't until after at least Day 20, at earliest.

kerri

[cmschapp]

Hey Kerri! Are you in your second month of DCI? Hopefully you will O soon.
I o'd on CD 23 which is much sooner than any other cycle. I am pretty excited just to see my body is starting to normalize.

[kerricalabrese]

Yup, my 2nd month of DCI, but first full cycle. I hope it has some effect on my longer cycles!

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Hey Kerri! Glad to see you around and I'll send you some O-dust if I can spare any ;)

Good luck with the DCI and here's to hoping you get some good results! :)

[emmilynn]

So I took another OPK this morning after waking up to yet another "temp dip" and appears to be another + ... but I'm taking it with a grain of salt since it looks similar (or slightly darker) than the OPK on CD 23 which I also thought was +. I know it's this stupid brand that doesn't work for me and you'd think I'd learn my lesson by now but I continue to self-torture and I'm not even TTC! LOL

Oh well, that's my self-mutilation story of the day :D

[cmschapp]

Yeah I am not sure OPKs did much for me and maybe that was because I got cheap ones. It sure would be nice to know. I have thought about the Clear Blue easy fertility monitor but not sure DH would like the cost...

[emmilynn]

I never had a problem with the cheapie ones you can by off Amazon or EarlyPregnancytests.com but for some reason these CVS brands are just h-e-l-l to read! Oh well, I'm almost out of em' anyway so figured I'd use them up. I've heard good things about the CBFM but it is costly for the monitor itself and then all the refill strips for it. Plus, it's just one more thing to obsess over when TTC is stressful enough.

Wish PCOS didn't mess with the accuracy of OPKs so much. It's definitely time to have my LH levels checked just out of curiosity... :/

Edit: I think the CBFM works good even for PCOS gals. It just may have a hard time initially determining fertile days and such. IDK

[cmschapp]

When I went to by OB last month she told me not to bother retesting because my levels were in normal range...if that is the case then how did she diagnose me with PCOS from those tests. I just don't understand. She said especially since my periods have been starting to normalize and I am ovualting that means they are probably even better and not to waste my money...

[emmilynn]

Maybe she made the diagnosis off of something else like elevated testosterone or something? I think even if your LH:FSH ratio is within normal, there can be other things indicated in a blood test like elevated testos./prolactin etc?? I never quite undertood the reasoning either behind diagnosing PCOS based on blood tests.

What I really don't understand are the women who ovulate consistently every month, especially around the CD 14-20 range and still have PCOS? I wonder what their bloodwork looks like? And I thought the #1/#2 symptom of PCOS was anovulation/absence of periods? I truly don't understand how ladies with "normal" cycles are diagnosed. It's all baffling sometimes...

[cmschapp]

Yeah I am not sure. I am sure it had to do with not have periods and maybe one other test... Hopefully I won't need to buy the monitor hopefully I will be pregnant this month...

[emmilynn]

Exactly! Hopefully your next doc visit is to report the new news and from there out to check on little bean!!! :D

Can't believe you are 7 DPO already! Seems to be going fast but for you, it's probably just barely creeping by...

[cmschapp]

So far it hasn't been too bad but I am sure it will get worse as I get closer to test day...

[kerricalabrese]

Holy skin breakout! I can't believe this, I have pimples coming out in my scalp and on my face...is this the DCI??

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Hey Kerri! I am guessing its your hormones. I get breakouts when my hormones are changing during the cycle so right before my period and sometimes after ovulation. Usually I get acne when estrogen is high and headaches when progesterone is high or dominating. I don't think my break outs are as bad as they were before the inositol. It takes some adjusting by your body. I would give it 3 months before you make a decision to stop it.

AFM My temp went back up so hopefully I am not out yet we will see. I will test around wednesday or thrusday. I did test this morning but was pretty sure I would get a negative since it is so early.

[kerricalabrese]

Hi Christina,
I'm sure it is hormone related. I usually get 1 zit right before AF but never before, not like this. I'm not going to stop the DCI at all, but if I take it for several months and my cycles are still long and I see no improvements, then I won't waste my money anymore.

Your chart looks good!


Kerri

[wishwishwish]

Hi! I was searching online for info about DCI and came across this site.I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 15 and have been dealing with it with all kinds of different drugs and such and would like to see if there was anything I could do on my own. I only seem to have 1-3 periods a year if not on birth control and the dr says I don't ovulate. I was wondering if anyone could give me any info about it and how soon it started working for them. Any info at all I guess. Thanks! Best Wishes to all!:)

[cmschapp]

I don't take DCI but take Inositol and I think it started working within 3 months. My moods improved and I actually have started cycling on my own.

[emmilynn]

Checking in! Hope you all had a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!

Kerri - sorry about the zit problem! Is the situation clearing up yet? I hate dealing with acne!

WishWish - I have not taken DCI yet either but take Inositol which is similar. I've only been taking it since the start of the year so I'm giving it some time to see how it works out.

Christina - I saw your ticker on CD 1 and I'm so sorry :( On the plus side, you had a MUCH shorter cycle so that is very promising! Keep your chin up.

AFM - still waiting to O, I think. Today's temp appears drastically higher than yesterday's but it's still a pretty common pre-O temp for me so I'm not looking too far into it. We'll see...

[cmschapp]

Not sure why the images from Fertility friend aren't showing up. My temp dropped and I had some pink last night and this morning when I wiped so not sure quite yet since I went ahead and used a tampon but i imagine its only getting heavier. Thats okay I am still psyched that my body is starting to get even better!
EDIT: Maybe it was just me. ha... (on the image thing)

[kerricalabrese]

Wish - I started taking DCI mid-cycle in December, this is my 1st full cycle on it. So, I'm not really sure what it's doing, if anything, yet.

Christina - So sorry about Day 1, but hey, like you said, your cycles are shorter!

Emmilynn - I hope you ovulate soon!

As for me, still waiting! My temps are going wacky right now, getting a little EWCM but not much at all just yet. My zit problem is getting better, finally!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

GL Kerri hopefully the DCI will help you ovulate.
EM hopefully the inositol will help regulate your cycles too. How much did you say you were taking?

[emmilynn]

I hate wacky temps! Hope yours start to balance out soon Kerri. Is it possible that you just ovulated? Hopefully you did or are gearing up to O. Glad the zit situation is improving. I had some random new ones last week but since I stopped the BCP my face as been pretty clear, surprisingly.

Christina- Have you tried taking B6? I know it can help to extend your LP. 11 day LP doesn't seem too bad. Mine are typically about 12 days. Anyway, just a thought on the B6.
I'm up to 3 pills/day of Inositol for a total of 1950 mg. Just started the extra pill last week. EWCM is scant but I'm still getting a tiny bit of it. I've had some slight twinges in the left ovary area that were noticeable over the weekend. Not sure what's going on! :rolleyes:

[cmschapp]

I take a b complex (liquid) that has b-6 in it. Usually I use progesterone cream and that helps extend it a bit. So this cycle I will do that. This has been the shortest LP usually it is 13-14 days.

[emmilynn]

Probably just a flukey shorter LP this time. I don't think a short LP is really considered a problem unless it's less than 10 days. Looks like your bases are covered with the progesterone cream and B complex liquid. I'm just excited for your shorter cycle! One step closer to a BFP! :D

[cmschapp]

Thanks Em me too! DH is pretty excited and he doesn't usually get that excited.

[kerricalabrese]

EM - No ovulation over here, look at my temps today, a freakin' roller coaster! I usually get a on of EWCM starting about 7 days prior to O (nothing really yet) so I hope it happens soon!


Kerri

[cmschapp]

Kerri- What is the Royal Jelly supposed to do?

We may need to create a new thread. I have read/heard somewhere to keep it under 200 posts...

[emmilynn]

I hope your temps start to even out kerri. I know what you mean about charts looking like a rollercoaster!

Christina - I think Royal Jelly is supposed to support egg health. I'm not sure if it's actually supposed to help you ovulate from what little I've read on it, sounds like it could be beneficial and worth taking.

AFM - still no O. I'm getting impatient and makes me worried that something is wrong. I know I should give the supplements time to go into effect and this could possibly be just a flukey long cycle after BCP but I've done some thinking and at next doctor's visit I'm going to ask for bloodwork (since I've never really had thorough bloodwork done) and maybe even ask about Metformin. I hate to say that but if I might be a candidate for Met, and if it might improve cycles, then it's worth looking into. I know I'm not drastically overweight but still need/would like to lose another 10-15 lbs but it's so hard for me to consistently lose weight despite watching what I eat/exercising regularly. Plus, I'm still wondering what my cysts are looking like. Last (and very first) ultrasound I had was last June during which I was PCOS diagnosed and the RE mentioned that I might need a Laproscopy to get a better look at "a suspicious cyst" during that time. Now I'm wondering if the Lap is still needed, or have I improved? Ugh...right now I don't have insurance since I'm out of work at the moment but as soon as I find work and get on board w/insurance, I'm taking myself to at least a GYNO, possibly and Endo to get some answers :(

[cmschapp]

Did you have regular cycles before the supplements or was it because you were on BCP? PCOS is a pain and it is so hard to lose weight. I struggle just to maintain the weight I am currently at so I don't gain any more. I would love to lose weight but I am not holding my breath. It wouldn't hurt to have blood work drawn or to have an ultrasound to see about your cysts. I think I want to have one done to see what my body looks like too! I hope you find work soon so you can get insurance! I know that it took 3 months after I started my supplements before I had my first AF on my own. Then my cycles progressed from there...Hopefully they continue. If you can handle metformin then that is probably fine. They have been using it for many years. GL!

[emmilynn]

No, I've never had normal cycles. Not in my teen years, and not when I quit BCP in 2009. The only fluke cycle where I ovulated without meds was last September when I O'd on CD 38. Maybe the fact that I had just done a Femara cycle the month before and that helped? Anyway, after the September cycle, I went back to BCP so I can't say for sure that I would have had another ovulatory cycle. I think that was just a fluke.

I figure by the time I find work and insurance kicks in, it could be another few months depending if I have to wait to start insurance, so in the meantime, I'll continue the supplements. Who knows, maybe I'll O next week and can put my mind at ease somewhat. I know Met can be a pain in the butt with all the side effects but if it's actually treating me, then I'm ok with that. My problem is feeling like I'm not treating the PCOS properly. Docs just seem to throw BCP at me as a form of "treatment" and even though I'm not TTC, it doesn't mean that I just want to mask symptoms and forget about it. I feel bad for whatever doctor I end up seeing! I'll have so much of a history to tell with my PCOS, RE experience, fertility drug experience, charts etc. and I'll be demanding tests and meds so he/she better be prepared to hear my wrath...LOL ;)

[cmschapp]

Ha yeah that is understandable though! Well hopefully the inositol and vitex will regulate your cycles and then you won't have to worry abou the metformin!

I did notice when I was in Cancun with DH back in Sept that I got heat rash and I have never had that before. I read that it was a side effect of vitex and I have gotten again but not as bad. I had a horrible time the last 2 days because of all the itching. So I may stop vitex all together when I run out. I have mixed emotions about it.

[emmilynn]

Yeah, I was in love w/ Vitex when I took it during the Sept ovulatory month so I was convinced that's what helped but I'm not so sure. I'm up to 800mg/day now and have been for the past month so I'm just not sure if I'm so in love with it now..haha.

I figure if Met can just give a medicated boost and actually help with IR (which I know I have to some degree) then why not look into it. I can't help but notice that taking Met alone has seemed to restore ovulation for some women on these boards and in general so it's worth asking about again...eventually. I'm still confident in the Inositol and keeping in mind that my body can still be adjusting to coming off BCP once again. So, I'm not going to look to far into the outcome of this cycle as it's not necessarily an indication of what future cycles will be like. And like you said, you've been on the supplements for months and months so it does take time. But, I can't help but feel as stressed about it as when I was actually TTC! Funny how that is...lol

[FLHopeful1]

emmi - I just wanted to update you about what's been going on with me since we have a similar situation with cysts and just coming off BCP. I O'd on CD 31, which was my first cycle off BCP. I normally O around CD 16, so I think the BCP really delayed it, but at least I did eventually O. I'm not sure if the Vitex helped me or hurt me, but I decided to up the dose to 1200 mg. I was taking 800 mgs last cycle. I just started the extra dose a few days ago and have been getting headaches and constant nausea. I'm going to give it a few more days and hopefully my body will adjust to the extra mgs. If not, then I might go back to 800 mg. I agree about the bloodwork. I would love to find out what all my levels are. Well, good luck! I hope you O soon!

[cmschapp]

Hopeful you are a few days ahead of me this cycle. At least you are Oing. That is half of the battle with us! My ob gyn wouldn't redo my blood work she told me it would be a waste since she could tell I was improving by having periods and ovulating so I guess maybe I was borderline before. She also knew I had very few periods even while on BCP. I am just glad something is working for me. Hope you O when you want to!

[emmilynn]

FLHopeful - thanks so much for the update and it's nice to hear your story and gives me hope! It is very likely the BCP just messed with our ovulations but glad to hear that you O'ed and have upped your dosage. I may do that as well and go up to 1200 mg/day. I think it's worse since last week I felt like my body was gearing up to O since I had so many signs but then everything just went away. That part is the most frustrating to me! I'm sure it will happen, just gotta be patient! :D

Good luck to you this cycle and I hope your body goes back to "normal"!

Christina - I bet that bloodwork would be a waste. You are ovulating and seeing improvements from cycle to cycle and I'd bet at this point, it's just a matter of time before you see a BFP!

[cmschapp]

Thanks for the support I hope you are right. I just bought the fertility monitor by clear blue easy on ebay for 20 dollars and 13 for shipping. That thing is usually $150 or more. I have heard it works for PCOS women. I hope so anyway!!

[emmilynn]

I contacted my old ob/gyn who ran some labs on me back in July '10 because I didn't recall what my numbers were. This is somewhat comforting since now I know what all they checked and here were my numbers:

Mine Normal Range
Cholesterol: 155 <200
Bad Cholest: 90 <130
Good Cholest: 50 >46
Sugar: 84 65-99
Iron: 37.3 35-45
White/Red B Cells: Normal

Here's the clip of the ranges taken from the Sticky in the Fertility Forum:
Glucose Tolerance Test with Insulin (GTT / IGTT)

Fasting < 126 mg/dl < 10 mIU/ml Normal glucose results are 70-90, 111 or over is impaired, 126 or over is diabetic. Insulin levels above 10 show insulin resistance.
½ hour < 200 mg/dl 40-70 mIU/ml A truly normal glucose response will not exceed 150.
1 hour < 200 mg/dl 50-90 mIU/ml Some want to lower the threshold on glucose to < 180 to identify early stages of diabetes. Insulin > 80 shows insulin resistance, or a level 5 times that of the fasting level (i.e., a fasting of 11 followed by a 1 hour > 55)
2 hours < 140 mg/dl 6-50 mIU/ml A truly normal glucose response is 110 or lower.
Insulin > 60 is IR.
3 hours < 120 mg/dl
4 hours < 120 mg/dl

Cholesterol, Triglycerides and C-Peptide

Triglycerides (TG) 8-16 hours fasting < 200 mg/dl Borderline high is 200-400, high is 400-1000, and very high is >1000. Elevated levels are a risk factor for coronary artery disease.
Cholesterol Total 8-16 hours fasting < 200 mg/dl A level of 200-239 is borderline high, and a level 240+ is high. Increased levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

I can't recall if I had fasted prior to this bloodwork but I guess what I was mainly concerned with was my sugar levels. Since it came back within normal limits, I'm not sure what to think. I was expecting it to be high or really obviously wrong. Wish they would have checked Insulin levels because that seems like one of the better indicators of Insulin Resistance from what I read in the Sticky info.

On a good note, cholesterol and iron were good. I've been told in the past that my cholesterol was high (years ago) and was turned away just last year for donating blood because my iron levels were "low" right before the donation. Possible that AF was in town and that's why. Anyway, that's my new news. The weight loss has probably helped tremendously with all of these levels so I'm pleased with that. :D

Christina - that's a great deal on the monitor!! I hope it works out for you this month. If I can find a deal like that, I'd give it a try if I ever TTC again. Just because it seems more accurate than OPKs. Good luck with it!

[cmschapp]

Sorry I didn't get back to you. My sister and her family were in town.
That was really fun but I have what I think is a sinus infection on top of that my brothers wife went crazy and uninvited us to my nephews birthday party this past saturday based on hersey. She wrote nasty comments about our family on facebook and unfriended me, my husband, my sister and her husband and the god parents of our nephew which happen to be my husbands brother and his wife. She is so ridiculous I can't even believe it... Then she made another comment before unfriending us because I said I was enjoying my first experience at red robin she said I will make sure to let Carey know. I almost said hey psycho we went there because you told us not to come to your son's party so its your fault! GRRRRR
Em it looks like you were within "normal" range on your tests... Hopefully you O soon so you can put an end to your cycle. I know my first cycles were really long too!

[emmilynn]

Ugh..sorry about the in-law drama! Sorry you didn't get to go to your nephews b-day party :( I hate it when family leaves you out of stuff and then unfriending you on FB is just petty and childish! I for one love Red Robin and I hope you had a great experience there! :D

Yeah, bloodwork was "normal". I think at this point, I'm just looking for something to scrutinize, lol. I'm playing "Dr. House" on myself and it's ridiculous!

I put another order in for Inositol. Got two bottles for $10 incl s&h after my $5 off coupon so I was pretty excited. I'm up to 3 pills a day now so that should last me for a while. I read a bit about Alpha Lipoic Acid the other night and am considering this as well. Maybe I'll start a thread to see what the responses are.

[cmschapp]

I saw your post on the other thread. I have heard good things about both supplements. Not sure if one is better than the other or not. I switched from alpha lipoic acid to astaxanthin because it sounded like there were more benefits but maybe I am wrong.

I am taking 4 pills a day which equals 2g.

I sent an email to my brother asking him to call me. I called and left a message with him yesterday letting him know I was shipping my nephews presents. Hopefully they acutally give him the presents. If not there is not much I can do. It just seems like everytime my sister comes to town that there is some kind of issue with my SIL its beginning to get ridiculous. SIL's dad has bipolar I am beginning to think that she has a lesser degree of it...

[emmilynn]

Oh wow. I hope she's not bipolar but that might explain all of the weirdness. Hopefully, they give your nephew the presents. Really shady if they don't. Maybe there's some simple explanation for it all. Hope so anyway!

I just went ahead and ordered the Alpha Lipoic Acid. They just happened to have a 2 for 1 deal on it through Swanson and it let me use the $5 off coupon again that I used yesterday for the Inositol. I think I'm going to stop taking the NAC (since I just ran out) and start using the ALA in it's place. Pretty good deal overall so we'll see...

[cmschapp]

You will have to let me know if you see any results with the ALA. I don't blame you for trying the ALA since it had a good deal.

[emmilynn]

I'll KUP on it! I read somewhere a while back in another thread a lady who takes it and swears by it. Now I can't find the thread..grr.

[cmschapp]

great sounds like a plan. now if i could just figure out what to do about my family issues.

[kerricalabrese]

Hi Ladies,
I'm so sorry that I've been MIA lately. Life has been busy and I've been on and off the PC pretty quick these days. I've had a bad sinus infection since Dec, went back to my PCP yesterday to get meds for the 3rd time in 2 months. He wants me to get a CAT scan of my sinuses to see if this is just an infection that's not going away or if it's chronic. If it's chronic, I'll have to be on meds for about 6 weeks, instead of 10 days. I also have to get my blood retested for a few things. Being on Met, my RE wants yearly bloodwork done to make sure my kidney and liver functions are alright, since Met over time can do damage. I had a Complete Metabolic Panel done 12/22 and a few levels came out HIGH and one was flagged as LOW. I'm going to get my blood redrawn next Mon and if the levels haven't come down, my PCP wants my RE to either lower my dosage or stop it altogether. I've been on 2000mg daily for over 5 years now. It doesn't help with shortening your cycles, only with the overall egg quality so it's definately not imperative that I take it. So, we'll see!

I also started Weight Watchers Online on Monday. I have to do something, I'm getting out of control! I truly believe that my weight has almost all to do with why I still am TTC. After my m/c with IVF #1, I got pregnant right after, I think I lost about 6-7 lbs, taking the kids I watch to the pool. So, I think if I'm diligent and put my mind to it, knowing it's for a great purpose, I can do it! Being 200lbs at 5'6" is not a great place to be. My RE told me even losing 5-10 lbs can make a difference overall, so I'm starting with small goals first and take it from there!

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Kerri No worries! i hope your tests come back okay. Its good that you are taking a step in the right direction. It is really hard to get and stay motivated.

[darlagonzalez63]

Hey ya Kerri, I was reading this post and noticed you are from NY...and some what close! I live close to Poughkeepsie...I wish you a lot of luck with the DCI and I thank you for keeping everyone up to date with your progress! :)

[cmschapp]

Good luck Darla with your natural remedies!

[darlagonzalez63]

Christina,

Thank you! You are always so nice and always respond to my posts, thats really sweet of you and I really appreciate your encouragment! :) I wish you the best of luck with everything as well...this is a crazy journey and it's good to have people who understand! Best Wishes to you and yours!

[cmschapp]

Thanks I appreciate that! The women on these boards are very supportive and this is where I found a lot of comfort and information so I try to be as helpful as I can!

[kerricalabrese]

Good Morning!

No ovulation yet, this is getting old already. When should I give up on the DCI and just say, "this didn't work for me"? My temps look like a roller coaster, I'm still getting traces of EWCM. I started the DCI at the end of December...

Kerri

[emmilynn]

Hey everyone! Trying to get caught up here.

Kerri - wishing you lots of luck with the weight loss. Keep us posted on Weight Watchers! I've heard lots of good things about the program. As for your cycle, I'd say wait it out a little while longer to see what happens. How much of the DCI do you have left? I know it would be tough for me to justify spending the $$ for more if I didn't see results quickly. You can always finish what you have then maybe switch to regular Inositol?? I just bought 2 more bottles for like $10. I know long cycles are so frustrating (look at mine) but I do believe this stuff may have to be in our systems for a few months to see improvements so I'm still holding on to that idea. Sorry it's been a roller coaster! Totally can relate there! Hoping your bloodwork comes back clean at your next draw!

Darla - good luck to you as well

Christina - sending lots of ovulation vibes your way since you're nearing mid-cycle now. Fingers are crossed for an earlier O this month! Beat your last record, lol :D

AFM, it's CD 45 and still waiting on O!! Past couple days have had a bit more EWCM than I've had earlier in my cycle and it's more clear than cloudy like it was before. That's really the only thing I'm experiencing right now so hopefully I'm getting close. Even if AF came at this point, I'd be happy! :rolleyes:

Edit: FF gave me 5 free VIP days and I just noticed all my charts are now in view if you click my link. Any chart stalkers can see how crazy all my past cycles have been.

[kerricalabrese]

Thanks Emmilynn! I'm going tomorrow for that blood draw. I just hope my levels aren't high, but I have been on the Metformin for over 5 years now so who knows? Met doesn't even help with shortening your cycles, only with egg maturation so it's kind of important. But, definately not worth ruining my organs...

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Thanks Emm. FF thought I ovulated on CD 11 because of my temps until I put this morning temps in. I noticed the my temps are affected when I drink any alcohol at all plus it doesn't help from having a sinus infection which I think I am almost over. I am glad you have the patience to wait for O. The other thing you could try is a little progesterone to help kick start your body.

Kerri- Keep us posted on your success with WW and your bloodwork!

AFM I am waiting to O too I think all the ibuprofen I was taking to help with sinus headaches may have caused me to O late but we will see. I have read that it can affect O. So the last couple of days if I had a headache i took aspirin.

[emmilynn]

Yeah, drinking and taking meds can mess with your temps. I hope you O soon though and can get over that nasty sinus infection. That's no fun.

Kerri - hope you are getting over your sinus infection as well. It will be interesting to see what they say about your Met dosage and if you will need to stop taking it. At least it's good that your docs stay on top of yearly bloodwork. Not being monitored properly is kind of scary!

AFM, might look into some progesterone cream or something. Never thought about that as a way to maybe help ovulation but I'll give it a whirl. I know once I ovulated 5 days into taking progesterone pills to kick start AF. Then ovulated in the middle of it so maybe that did help? Today's temp is a bit on the high side for me but still not convinced it's ovulation. I ran out of Inositol last Thursday so haven't taken any since. Still waiting on it to come in the mail. Maybe today it'll be here :rolleyes:

[cmschapp]

Good luck em hope you get your inositol soon. I recently started a new bottle that is 750 mg but still have some 500mg pills left so the rest of this week I will be taking 2000mg and then next week I will be taking 2250mg. When I took prometrium the first time to start AF I o'd too then got af which is what made me think of the progesterone. Usually you aren't supposed to use it before 0 because it will delay it or cause your body to think you o'd already. But if PCOS causes estrogen dominance it makes sense that we need to get those hormones in balance so we need to increase progesterone. Since then I haven't really had to do that to make me O. Hope whatever you decide to do will work out for you!

[emmilynn]

Got the inositol and ALA today. Thinking of starting the Alpha Lipoic Acid at 1200 mg/day. Seems reasonable according to recommended dosages I've read online.

Sticking with 1950 mg (3 pills/day) of the Inositol for now. I bumped in up to 3 pills/day a couple of weeks ago.

Did I mention how I hate waiting around to see if/how this stuff will work?! Kerri, I know you feel me too waiting for DCI results, lol. PCOS is such a waiting game! :(

[kerricalabrese]

Em - Yup, I agree! Everything I've tried to help PCOS has never worked!! If DCI doesn't work, then I'll just have to let nature take it's course until I'm ready to do an IUI. After 3 failed IVF's and 4 failed IUI's, I'm not exactly running to the RE for another IUI but I have 6 left. I emailed him and told him I want to lose some weight first, before going down the IUI road again.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

Hey Kerri- don't get too down. You haven't been taking the DCI too long yet. I think I would give it 3 months. Have you ever tried acupuncture that might be something to consider. I don't understand the pain of all of the attempts that you have but do know how frustrating PCOS is. Maybe we can be motivational to each other to lose weight. I have about 20 lbs I would like to lose. I had my alarm set to get up but didn't because i didn't get my workout clothes out last night and I didn't want to bother dh too much. I know lame excuse ha. I would love to be able to wear a bikini again maybe that should be my motivation.

[kerricalabrese]

Sure, we can be motivational weight loss buds!!

The only reason why I'm thinking of stopping the DCI is because it's making my cycles much longer. Last cycle I ovulated around CD 35-37, I'm approaching that now. I'll have to see.

Kerri

[cmschapp]

I would love that. WL Buddies :) I am planning on trying some tabatas when I get home from work so we will see how that goes. They don't take very long and are pretty intense. I can't speak from experience on DCI but am pretty sure inositol is the only reason I do ovulate. Are you taking the appropriate amount for your weight? That would be the only thing you might want to check on to make sure you are getting enough.

[cmschapp]

I created a new thread here is a link to it: http://pcoscommunity.com/showthread.php?p=359862

I figured 24 pages was a lot to look thru

[darlagonzalez63]

hahah hey ya guys..wow I had a lot of catching up to do! :) I am glad to hear everyone is doing well!!


I think I am not going to get AF this month because of my wisdom tooth removal (should have gotten it today or tomorrow but having no symptoms)...so I hoping for some good news from you guys! :)

Hey...I'm going to post this up as a seperate post but I will ask here as well...Have you ever heard of MACA root? I was doing some research about it because I heard it was really good for men and making them a little more randy in life..lol as well as boost their fertitliy... so I picked it up for the hubbers (boy he'd kill me if he knew I posted that! eek!) but I had also noticed a lot of women use it to help boost their fertility because it's a hormone balancer...I also noticed a few women with PCOS tried it out...