I can't believe 'lose weight' is the only advice they have for you.
After seven losses one would think that there's more to the story. I know a great OB/GYN I can recommend over here in NSW, but no one over in Perth. I have a blood disorder which prevents my babies from implanting properly and the placenta from developing properly. I have a 5-10% chance of carrying to term, but after seeing my doctor and being treated with aspirin, clexane and progesterone (my progesterone dropped a lot too) I carried my son to term - and over by more than two weeks! Surely there's something they can do for you too!
My doctor was with Sydney IVF, though we didn't need IVF thank God. They have some doctors over in Perth according to their website, I just googled 'Sydney IVF Perth'. The doctors listed are mostly in the Hollywood Fertility Centre. Here is a link.
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your little ones. Here's hoping that this year is your year!
I had had a couple of mc and a baby born with significant heart defects (now running through the house at 4 years old). I got tested and so did DH and lo and behold I have a folate reductase disorder which means that I dont convert folate properly and so does my DH. My GP and OB both suggested DH and I go on 5mg of folate (from the Chemist only about $5 for a months supply) which is 10x the normal dose. We are pregnant again and hoping this works out well.
Thank you all for your kinds words and suggestions etc
I have definately had my thyroid tested, not sure about the progesterone...
I am looking into Cohens and am waiting on a call back from them as I did look at joining Sureslim a few months back but I read A LOT of bad reviews about those guys. When we were looking at IVF last year we researched all the main Fertility specialists in Perth and didn't get too many positive rsponses for Hollywood. Most women were fairly happy with Fertilty Specialists WA which is where I ended up going in the end. Now my is a very calm, reasonable person, but even he walked out of there extremely annoyed and frustrated that we had just paid a lot of money for the same response again. Go away, lose weight and come back. My plan for tomorrow is find a new doctor willing to do tests. Unfortunately our local OB/GYN does not have a very good reputation. Leaves instruments inside people etc I think the plan for now will be meet with Cohens and find a new doc to start with and go from there.
I forget to mention, my current daily pill diet consists of:
1 x Elevit
1-4 x Metformin (gotta build back up to 4 a day)
3 x Super Omega 3:6:9
3 x Vitex
Shannon I cannot even begin to imagine what you have been through the last nine years. Sending you heaps and heaps of and praying that this is your year.
I took it too as it was prescribed by a naturopath. It totally stuffed me up! I know some naturopaths say it is an adaptogen and will work with your body to regulate your hormones but it totally did not work for me. I later read that in women with PCOS it should be used with caution.
If you would like me to refer you to the source and the reasons - just let me know.
im not a doctor ( a nurse ) BUT i think i have some info that might shine some light! i was sitting in the docs office yesterday reading a mag and saw a poor woman who had had 18 miscarriages never making it past 7 weeks turns out she had NO folic acid in her body, her body somehow couldnt produce it and at 7 weeks the babys spine is forming and needs this to make the skeleton. They gave her an injection at about 5 weeks or folic acid and walla she had a bub, maybe u should look this up also there is an injection, its very new that u can get for women with recurrent miscarriage that can increase the chances of carrying to term. It stops too much oxygenated blood cells getting into the uterus which is linked to the breakdown of the placenta and spontaneous miscarriage, this is only new to the medical world and still on trial , has been proven to work though i would ask about it, not sure whats its called though maybe google it, im sorry i cannot be of more help havent finished medschool yet!!! i will be devoting my life to women like us who just get shoved in the corner. I wish u all the luck in the world! also maybe u need progesterone supplements once u have concieved, you need to shop around for a new FS!!!
Yes - just a simple blood test and your DH can be tested for it too. My DH has it and it meant that both he and I were on MegaFolate for three months before starting TTC. I am still on it of course as now in early pregnancy.
The Dr will be looking for a "Folate Reductase Disorder" there are two types of the disorder, turns out I have one type and DH has the other! You can test for it at any time in your cycle so go for it!
Firstly, I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking experiences. To lose a child is a terrible thing.
Secondly, suggesting running straight out is a bit of a big ask, and as you say, 20E chests don't really go well with running. But yes, losing weight can help you to become pregnant and avoid complications - even if the problem with your pregnancies is caused by something else, it's good to be less overweight to help with delivery complications. Not news to you I know. Have you spoken to a physiotherapist about a suitable exercise regime though? You might be able to agree on a program which fits your body shape, your current fitness level and what fits in with your lifestyle and motivation. I am a physiotherapist and we run clinical pilates which is a special form of pilates done by physios which takes into account your medical issues and is designed to build your endurance and muscle control. I have had quite a few people lose weight doing this which wasn't their initial aim, but they are feeling healthier and fitter and one is 16kg lighter now than when she started. It's very relaxed and controlled and there's no bouncing around etc like aerobic classes.
Perhaps if you find a physiotherapist who does clinical pilates, or one who specialises in womens health (especially pregnancy) that might help re weight.
As you no doubt know, one of the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS is an increased level of luteinising hormone (LH). This is the hormone that triggers ovulation. When it is out of whack with FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) it can stuff ovulation up which can be what happens with PCOS.
Vitex stimulates ovulation but it can increase luteinising hormone and when you already have too much of it by having PCOS it is the last thing you need more of (reference: Women's Trouble - Natural & Medical Solutions by Ruth Trickey and Kaz Cooke. Ruth Trickey is a respected naturopath here in Melbourne and was doing some research work with a Melbourne IVF specialist).
The women with PCOS who are most at risk of early miscarriage are those that have high follicular levels of LH. It is unclear whether this is the single most important factor but Prof Kovacs suggests that raised LH levels, PCOS itself, obesity, insulin resistance and increased male hormone levels may singly or in combination be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. (Refer to A patient's guide to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Professor Gabor Kovacs & Jane Smith).
Therefore, the last thing you want to do is increase your LH levels and hence, miscarriage risk.
Shannan, I have to say that I am shocked and downright disguste at the way your doctors have treated you!
I also have PCOS, and went through 18 months of difficult IVF (you name a reaction and I got it!) and three miscarriages before eventually having my son.
It turns out that my PCOS was not my only problem. I have a mysterious rheumatoid arthritis condition and it appears that as part of that my bodt produces too many natural killer cells ans attacks my babies... we treat that with prednisone, but have to be cautious - too much prednisone and the PCOS gets out of control, too little and my babies die.
Sadly, it doesn't end there. We haven't been able to confirm this one for sure, but it appears that I also have a very mild form of a clotting disorder. For most people this likely wouldn't be a problem, but with so much other stuff happening in this body of mine, it is a problem for me.
In the end we used metformin, prednisone and aspirin to be able to carry my son to (almost) term.
Is it possible that you could travel to Sydney to consult with an amazing specialist over here? I can guarantee you 100% that Dr Gavin Sacks will not simply tell you to lose weight. If there's anything else hiding behind your PCOS to cause your miscarriages, he will find it. At the very least, it would be worth contacting him by email to see what he can suggest. I'm afraid I don't know of anyone similar in Perth, Dr S appears to be absolutely unique.
I'm so very sorry that you've been at this such a long time and have endured so many losses, I wish you every success in finally finding an answer to the problem.
Well ladies, thank you all for you comforting words and support
I have some good news, somewhat
I have found my old doctor! I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002 (8 years after symptoms began and 3 years after they began to get bad). The doctor that finally diagnosed me was brilliant. After so many years of pain I walked into her office and told her my symptoms and straight away she said you have PCOS... sent me for tests to confirm and referred me to a specialist. I went back to her for a follow up appointment after the specialist appointment and unfortunately that was the last time i saw her. Her husband and her seperated (both doctors at the same practise that they owned together) and her mother became very ill back in China so she flew home to be with her. I have just found out that she is now back in Perth So I have found my "new"/old doctor and am going to see her for more testing etc after everything settles down from this M/C. I am going to ask her to investigate everything which I know she will do. I have an appointment with Cohen's next Wednesday and I have managed to convince to give me this year to sort out my health and run all tests... And then we are giving it until the end of 2010
Thank you for that info Ticklish I will print out a copy for my doc.
Butterfly Warrior - We were actually planning to travel to Sydney in May this year but then I found out I was pregnant and now everything is just in limbo after the M/C. I've seen a few ladies mention asprin as something they were taking to help carry to term, unfortunately im allergic to asprin and disprin.
Shannan, I have been reading this thread but not posting b/c I don't know much about it. Just wanted to say I'm so happy for you that you've found your old Dr and things are on track. Sounds like you're heading in the right direction and I that a baby is just around the corner for you.
I have a blood disorder which prevents my babies from implanting properly and the placenta from developing properly. I have a 5-10% chance of carrying to term, but after seeing my doctor and being treated with aspirin, clexane and progesterone (my progesterone dropped a lot too) I carried my son to term - and over by more than two weeks!
Surely there's something they can do for you too!
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is a very calm, reasonable person, but even he walked out of there extremely annoyed and frustrated that we had just paid a lot of money for the same response again. Go away, lose weight and come back. 
My plan for tomorrow is find a new doctor willing to do tests. Unfortunately our local OB/GYN does not have a very good reputation. Leaves instruments inside people etc 
and praying that this is your year.
So I have found my "new"/old doctor and am going to see her for more testing etc after everything settles down from this M/C. I am going to ask her to investigate everything which I know she will do. I have an appointment with Cohen's next Wednesday and I have managed to convince 
that a baby is just around the corner for you.
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