I am by no means a perfectly healthy human being, even before the PCOS diagnosis. I keep an inhaler with me at all times for my asthma, though I only use it "as needed" now. I also take a daily 12.5mg of Atenolol for high blood pressure (this is after having been on a heart regulating pill for a few years). When my body decides to get sick, I get sick. Head colds quickly become sinus and upper respiratory infections. Same with allergies. Some months through the year, I'm even taking a daily allergy pill to be proactive with my heath. Some years, it doesn't help. Currently, I am not taking any allergy pill (not that it helped in the month of April!).
For this last month of birth control pills, I am also holding steady with my 1500mg of Metformin and adding in the OB Complete Petite Softgel prenatal. This makes 5.5 pills daily and an inhaler on-hand; no biggie. I got this.
The good thing about the Metformin is the restricted diet to control side effects. I end up eating a lot of fruits and veggies and have mad cravings for steak - and I am not complaining! I cannot have any straight milk or dairy product, though, which kills me. I'm not a fan of a full glass of milk to begin with, but I do enjoy a blended (now caffeine free) beverage from the coffee shop most mornings. Some meals just aren't the same with a big cup of Earl Grey tea (which, now that I think about it, must go, soon, too - this whole 'no caffeine' thing kinda sucks).
The blood pressure medication will need to go once we pop positive. I know this. Both my cardiologist and my OBGYN are aware of this. Once I have positive confirmation, I am under orders to call in and have her order a pregnancy-safe blood pressure medication, set up my appointment with her, and give my cardiologist notice of the change. I'm fairly certain I'm going to be under watch as high-risk patient the moment that test strip shows two pink lines (insert frowny face here).
Aside from the occasional Tums, that's it. I have always self-treated migraines with naps and take Tylenol on rare occasions.
These next few months will be an interesting trip, to say the least. With any luck, I won't need any more pills or medications to can get pregnant; I mean, I already take enough as it is!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Let The Journey Begin!
We have officially decided that this is the last month of birth control. Our journey from a couple to a family of three is about to begin!
We don't expect this to be easy. The last year and a half has been eye-opening, painful, and worrisome; less than six months after we said 'I do', I was diagnosed with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. We were relieved that I hadn't suffered a miscarriage, but I was devastated - even though the doctor told me my case is fairly mild, I had the fear that I would never be able to be a mother.
My own mother smiled the way moms do and told me not to put too much thought into the diagnosis. She said that age 19, she was told that she would never be able to conceive. Three years later, I came along, and soon after me came three more children. I try to hold on to that thought.
My doctor immediately put me on Metformin, 1500mg per day. She also prescribed a low-dose birth control pill so that I wouldn't get pregnant while she tried to fix me. I had no real outward symptoms, that I knew of, to give me a clue that I was broken: I had regular cycles, never really had bad cramps, and had a pretty normal sex drive. After visiting with my doctor and getting blood tests and every kind of probing possible, I didn't know what to think. I did find out that my trouble losing weight was hormonal, as was the very unladylike mustache (something you could only see in the right light; seriously, a few minutes with a tweezer and it was gone). The months since have been filled with sporadic cysts, emotional roller coaster rides, and some pretty unpleasant pharmaceutical side effects.
We are about to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Headed into our third year of wedded bliss, we will be dreaming of three. Join us for the journey?
We don't expect this to be easy. The last year and a half has been eye-opening, painful, and worrisome; less than six months after we said 'I do', I was diagnosed with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. We were relieved that I hadn't suffered a miscarriage, but I was devastated - even though the doctor told me my case is fairly mild, I had the fear that I would never be able to be a mother.
My own mother smiled the way moms do and told me not to put too much thought into the diagnosis. She said that age 19, she was told that she would never be able to conceive. Three years later, I came along, and soon after me came three more children. I try to hold on to that thought.
My doctor immediately put me on Metformin, 1500mg per day. She also prescribed a low-dose birth control pill so that I wouldn't get pregnant while she tried to fix me. I had no real outward symptoms, that I knew of, to give me a clue that I was broken: I had regular cycles, never really had bad cramps, and had a pretty normal sex drive. After visiting with my doctor and getting blood tests and every kind of probing possible, I didn't know what to think. I did find out that my trouble losing weight was hormonal, as was the very unladylike mustache (something you could only see in the right light; seriously, a few minutes with a tweezer and it was gone). The months since have been filled with sporadic cysts, emotional roller coaster rides, and some pretty unpleasant pharmaceutical side effects.
We are about to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Headed into our third year of wedded bliss, we will be dreaming of three. Join us for the journey?
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