Thursday, February 1, 2007

Polycystic ovaries

After seeing our OBGYN for close to 3 years for infertility issues, we were referred to the Jarrett Fertility Group and started to learn about the cause of Amanda's condition.

In just a short conversation and a look at her charts, Dr. Jarrett explained to us that she had what he called thin-woman polycystic ovaries (PCOS). Essentially, she had some level of insulin resistance that was causing her body to produce too much male hormone relative to her body's production of female hormones. This was causing her ovaries to produce poor quality eggs that weren't released from the follicles and were turning into cysts. This really made sense. That's why she had to undergo 2 laporoscopies!

Once he shared this with us, I scoured the Internet to better understand her condition and symptoms she had been experiencing that we missed. One site talked about having difficulty losing weight (she trained for and ran a marathon but didn't lose a pound!), irregular menstruation cycles, sugar cravings, naps and headaches. I was almost giddy to know that there was finally an explanation!

Another site talked about how glucophage (or glumetza), a drug normally given to diabetics, could help to reverse this viscous cycle.

Our visit with Dr. Jarrett

Dr. Jarrett was great. Very compassionate and understanding. He pinpointed the problem after a quick ultrasound. He thinks the problem is my polycystic ovaries (pcos). I knew I had them, but my other doctor's explained they were more a symptom than the problem. He said that I produce too much of a male hormone and so I am unable to fully produce the eggs needed for a pregnancy.

He gave me 2 options:
  1. Go straight into the InVitro process.
  2. Take a medication that will help me produce less of the wrong hormone and more of the right one. The first option is the one that I wanted to go with right away...lets get this show on the road! But after he explained the repercussions of not fixing the polycystic ovary (pcos) problem, which could result in a long hospital stay and possibly destroy my ovaries, I had peace about option #2.

He said that after 3 months on the medication, we could do invitro. But we may not need to because there is still a chance of conceiving naturally. Hope!

There are two downsides of taking this medication. The first is that I cannot eat any carbohydrates for 3 months. This will be difficult, but well worth it in the end. I may lose weight, which will be short lived once I get pregnant. The second is that any athletic ability I had, which is very little, may diminish. I guess Dave will have to get used to having an even "slower" running partner.

Anyway, Dave and I truly felt the presence of God yesterday. Everything went really well and we had a true joy in us. We know that the enemy who wants to destroy any hope we had was defeated thanks to your powerful prayers. Thanks also for your continued prayers, I truly covet them and need them. Our first born will know that her/his parents have a great group of friends and family that lifted them up in a very trying time and that she/he is a product of those prayers.


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