I never thought I would be blogging about this topic, however, in my life I have concluded that it would be beneficial to me to share my story and how it effects me everyday so those who are close to me have a better understanding and also to possibly connect with others who are learning how to manage through the same struggles.
My story starts after I was blessed with my son, which I am truly blessed to have him in my life. As my husband and I started trying for baby #2 when our son was 10 months old, since we wanted our children to be spaced about 2 years apart. Finally, about a year later we were pregnant and excited but it came as a shock when a few days after knowing that I had a miscarriage. I went to the doctor he really didn't seem concerned. About 6 months later, same thing happened, this time I went to the doctor and the same thing other than I was having pain so he did a pelvic exam and sent me on my way. About 4-5 weeks went by and I was not getting over my MC symptoms, I notified my doctor and he basically told me its going to take time and he didn't seem the least bit concerned. However, I was concerned with the level of pain but I just tried hard to move forward. 4 months later, I was pregnant again, this time I was really skeptical and I miscarried again. I really didn't want to change doctors and chalked up my past experiences to the doctor having an "off day" when I had previously been to him. By the time my appointment came, I had already MC, but I decided I would go to the appointment anyways to get answers. Again the doctor wasn't the least bit concerned, to me 3 MC in one year is a big deal!
During the next few months, I learned as much as I could about PCOS and made adjustments to help the symptoms. I was prescribed Metformin but I didn't take it as prescribed because it made me very sick, so it was hit and miss when I decided to take it.
Upon having no luck with getting pregnant, we decided in April to start clomid. I was given 50 mg of clomid for the first cycle, blood tests confirmed that is was working and the levels looked good. For the next 5 months we continued with the clomid 100 mg, even though it was a struggle. The medication made me very sick, hormonal and scary mood swings all over the place! I decided that I wasn't going to take the clomid the 6th month.
By September I was just trying to live life and focus on other things, rather then spending so much time dwelling on the fact that clomid didn't work, however, very disappointing. Upon doing research, I learned that endocrinologist can help with the hormone inbalance, so I decided that I would make an appointment and go. From the appointment with the endocrinologist, I really didn't get a whole lot of answers but I am grateful that he did prescribe slow release metformin which has made a huge difference. I am now able to take my Metformin daily with much less symptoms.
Mid October, I woke up in excruciating, stabbing pain in my abdomen I went straight to the ER I was certain it was appendicitis. After arriving at the ER and having an ultrasound they found a large cyst on the ovaries, which for having PCOS I had never experienced cyst pain. About a week later the pain was slightly reduced. Due to my busy schedule with my son, foster children, collage and teaching preschool I kept putting the fact that I was in pain to the side, after all it was a cyst and it would resolve itself. By the first part of December I was miserable. I finally called my doctor to get things taken care of since the cyst didn't go away after this long. I had another ultrasound, there was no cyst. So automatically I feel like a hypochondriac and crazy because I am in a great deal of pain. My doctor decided to wait a little longer just to see if the pain would subside over the weekend, which I totally agreed. The pain continued to increase a week later, after my finals were over I let my doctor know that the pain was worse. He decided that we should do a lap and figure out what was going on inside, although he wasn't convinced that I had endometriosis, he still left it as a possiblity.
After surgery I was informed that I have endometriosis and my right ovary was near my left ovary and adheased to my uterus, which I was relieved to know the problem had been corrected. Although there was endo that the doctor couldn't get I had the option to go on birth control or depo vera shot to clear up the remaining endo. I actually felt really well post op so I decided to wait on the treatment. I was even starting to feel less fatigued.
January was going better than I expected but definately still recovering I started a new semester, I was skeptical so I decided to only take two classes. I started having pregnancy symptoms and I was shocked to get a positive test! Of course, even knowing my history of MC I was excited because unlike my other MC, this pregnancy felt stronger. 4 days later I MC. This one was very hard because it has been almost 2 years since I had even got a positive, I decided to chalk this one up to focusing on the positive that we are getting closer and my body is actually trying to become pregnant again.
Since a lot of things just have been happening the last four months, I decided to give my body a break; physically and emotionally. I decided that my body needs more time to heal and I definately don't want MC after MC because I know I can't handle it emotionally. I talked to my husband, we decided to take birth control to see if it would clear up the last of the endo and then we will start trying again in May. Even though I am not thrilled about preventing pregnancy, I felt it was my best option. I also started working out again for the first time since surgery, it has been helping me reduce stress and focus on the future.
