long anovulatory cycles?

[kristenok18]

I'm in the midst of my 2nd long anovulatory cycle. I'm going crazy because I don't know what is going on. The first was 67 days (or something close to that), and was accompanied by severe abdominal pressure/distension and moodiness/irritability like I've never experienced. Went to my pcp, who suggested a tubal pg. Not what I expected to hear, since we've been ttc for 2 years, and was completely shattered. Of course it wasn't, but they've since done a vaginal ultrasound and a ct scan to figure out what's going on. Of course they don't know. They want to do an HSG in the next cycle, which of course hasn't happened yet.

So I started changing my lifestyle habits in regards to diet and exercise. I expected some changes to my cycle, since I did some major revisions to my daily food intake. But I'm approaching 60 days (might even be over by now, but my chart's upstairs and I can't remember), again feeling the same abdominal pressure, moodiness, terrible acne. My temps have all been mid-range (higher than my normal pre-ov. temps and lower than my normal post-ov. temps), and the cf has been off-and-on eggwhite for weeks. So I'm not ovulating, I suppose (I did the opks this cycle, and nope, I didn't).

Has anyone else encountered this? Dh is constantly asking if I'm about to ovulate because it doesn't seem to sink in that I think this cycle's a wash. He was recently prescribed a course of pseudophedrine for some retrograde ejaculation he was having...and much to my surprise, it seemed to really help his numbers. Unfortunately, he's not being very understanding with the fact that I don't know what the hell is going on with my body right now. I know it's because he's incredibly frustrated with not being able to have another baby, but I'm still ready to scream.

[Dena]

Oh, I am so sorry. I don't have any advice, just a hug and a hope that "they" figure it all out for you soon.

[fierrbugg]

Not sure if this is what you want to hear, but have you considered PCOS?

I was on bcp's in early 2000, got pg, had a mc and then I instantly gained 40lbs and my cycles started lengthening. Prior to the mc my cycles were textbook 28 days long. I would have annovulatory cycles from 60-100+ days long. Very frustrating. I was dx in 2002 w/ pcos and my doc put me on glucophage which I took for about two years. It did help regulate my cycles, but also made me horribly sick the entire time, so I went off of it and have regulated my cycles (still annovulatory) with supplements/herbs/diet.

I tend to get acne around my jaw line, and I have hair in places it should not be. I also have an abundance of estrogen and testosterone (low progesterone) and elevated prolactin. Not fun.

Check out the PCOSA's site for more info on PCOS.

Hope this helps.

[kristenok18]

I've looked into pcos, but they did some sort of vague blood test and said everything looked "normal". (If I hear that term one more time I'll go ballistic!)

I'm overweight, mostly because I gained 70lbs with my pg and could never lose it, then due to a move, inability to feel safe enough to walk outside, and depression due to isolation, I gained more weight. I'm back down to a little more than I was before we moved 2yrs ago, and I'm now eating a higher protein diet (at least matching carb/prot, leaning towards more prot) and exercising. Well, since 1.5mo ago, when I decided that I hated the way I felt and the doctor I'm seeing was content to say there was nothing wrong, that I was "normal." I sure have a knack for picking medical professionals who look at me like I'm nuts because I think they should be looking at the whole body instead of just my uterus. Boy, do I miss my midwife (but she's 1000 miles away )!

My cycles have always been long and slightly irregular, usually between 31-38 days. But these last two cycles are just...I don't know. I have such tremendous pressure right above my ceasarean scar, which I never had before. Can pcos cause your cycles to suddenly change this drastically?

[majorsky]

Originally Posted by kristenok18

I've looked into pcos, but they did some sort of vague blood test and said everything looked "normal". (If I hear that term one more time I'll go ballistic!)

I've been told I'm "normal" after bloodtests. I've also read that the glucose test isn't very sensitive, so reading the tests looking for PCOS may be pointless for many women. I'd suggest you get a copy of your bloodwork and make note of the LH level. There's no "normal" range for LH on labwork, BUT there *is* an abnormal range if you know what you're looking for. Take a look at Luteinizing Hormone on this page:

http://www.pinelandpress.com/faq/hormonelevels.html

If you get bloodwork done on day 3 of your cycle (or it could be up to a week after your last period) and your LH level is higher than your FSH level, that's a good indication of PCOS. In my case, my LH level was twice my FSH level, but because there was no "normal" range on the labwork, my doctor said I was "normal." (Doctors don't always know what normal ranges are without the lab telling them.)

I was participating on a board like this one years ago, lamenting that I just couldn't figure out why I didn't have "normal" cycles, and one woman suggested I look at PCOS. I didn't think there was any way I had it, but after reading over the PCOS symptoms list and taking a closer look at my own symptoms and bloodwork, it was a "EUREKA!" moment for me. You only have to have something like two or three of the symptoms, even subtly, and you can be pretty sure you have the disorder.

Kristin

[fierrbugg]

I agree with Kristin. Get a copy of your blood work. I have a friend who has thyroid issues and she kept getting told her bloodwork was in the 'normal' ranges. Well finally in frustration she demanded to get copies of all of the tests, and found that she was on the high end of 'normal.' She changed doctors to a thyroid specialist and that dr. was appalled that no one had dx'ed her with the problem before. She said it was obvious she had the issues.

I've also had fun run-ins with jerky dr's. A month before I was dx w/ PCOS, I went to see a dr (mix up w/ my insurance at the time prevented me from seeing my current dr.) for my 90 day cycle. She spent all of 5 minutes in the office with me, told me I needed to lose weight and then everything would return to normal and that was that. If i ever see her again, I'm kicking her in the shins!!

So, like Kristin said, get a copy of the bloodwork. And find a dr who takes your concerns seriously and doesn't push you off as a hysterical woman. :

[Tinkerbell1177]

Hi Guys I am new. I just wanted to chime in here. I am in t he same boat. I do have PCO, but my hormone levels do not coincide with PCOS. It really stinks since I am in hell for over a month before AF comes and It may AVG up to 50 days between menses.