No great options for us (PCOS/Child/breastfeeding mentioned)

[abbycadabby]

This is my first time posting in this particular forum, so here's my brief-as-possible history:

DS #1 was a happy honeymoon accident. I never had regular AF but was not dxed with anything, just got pg when I stopped the pill. When DS #1 was 15 months and stopped BFing, we started TTC. DXed with PCOS almost immediately (no AF/US showed classic string of pearls). TTC 2.5 years, clomid, femara, metformin, and follistim. Follistim got us pg with DS #2, who is now 17 months old. DS #2 is still breastfeeding, and doesn't really love solid food yet. If I were to stop BFing him tomorrow, honestly, I would worry that he would starve. He eats precious little "real" food and just prefers to nurse all day. We see a feeding consultant and he's really starting to eat more often, his quantities are just tiny. Taking the breast away from him is just not an option right now.

The problem is, my PCOS is back, and in a BIG way. I'm taking my metformin but it isn't doing squat (which is no surprise, I'm not IR). Obviously, starting a follistim protocol right now is not possible because I'm BFing. We're really, really wanting another babe (hopefully less than 4 years between kids this time), but not willing to quit nursing to do so. The trouble is that the PCOS symptoms are so bad that I need to go on BCP of some kind. At the very least, AF needs to visit (it has now been 2 years). More than that, I'd love to control some of the PCOS symptoms beyond just the MIA AF. I'd love to take yazmin, or another combination pill that would get some estrogen flowing through my veins. Its not possible because of the nursing thing, though. So I'm guessing I'll just take micronor, which is a mini pill. I'm stressing, however, that the androgenic effects of the progestin are going to be nasty. The *last* thing that I need is my acne or weight gain to get worse!

:mrgreen: If you've made it this far. Anyone have suggestions for a BFing PCOS mama?

[Songbird_kay]

i havnt had ANY side effects from the mini pill WHATSOEVER! I love it- the only BCP I would take cause of all the hormones in the other pills.

But, having never had a LO to breastfeed I have no idea how to answer your questions- so sorry! BTW- I was that same as you... we got PG with a honemoon baby too on my first cycle off the BCP! (that was our first loss last year at this time)

[kimmie_n_angus]

WIth PCOS it can be hard to BF and get PG again. I also have PCOS. I got the suprise pill baby 11 yrs ago and went through the ringer to get PG this time. We also want another baby right away and are scared of the effects of the PCOS. I can give you safe advice at how to jump start each cycle safely while BFing but it may not get you to ovulate. Remember that PCOS women have a hard enough time 'o'ing on their own in general and then you add that some women do not get fertility back till a few months after weaning and it can be difficult at best. Ask for a prescription of Prometrium. This is natural Progesterone. You take it to make AF come each cycke if she does not on her own. For many PCOS ladies it is enough to make her body realize she is starting a new cycle and the body will kick in and start making eggs. Not everyone....but the good thing is it is not BC and has no hormonal effects like the pill. It will also safely allow your body to 'o' if you do and safe while BFing and PG. You would take it for 10 days to make AF come. ALso be sure you at the 2000 mg a day dose of Metformin as it lowers Testosterone and DHEA-S that keeps us non-IR mommas from 'o'ing. I too am NOT IR. I have high Testosterone levels and so that is what stops my ovulation. The highest possible dose of Met is a must for me.

[akrancher]

The natural progesterone kimmie mentioned sounds great.
Just to let you know about the mini pill. I took it after DS was born and was fine. No crazy hormones for me. As soon as I switched to regular BC is was horrible for me. I switched brands 4 times, the last one being Yaz. I tried it for 3 months. Yaz still makes me feel awful. So, I guess what I am saying is that the mini was low enough for me. I never got a period of the mini though while BF. But than again, I didn't get a period on the normal BC either for 5 months of taking it.

I believe Vitex, a natural supplement is safe to take while BF and can actually increase supply (we had major supply issues). It is supposed to help regulate your cycle.

GL

[abbycadabby]

Thanks, ladies! :hugs:

Well, prometrium is so not for me. I've tried it before, no AF. Provera works, but I'm not wanting to go that route.

I'm currently on 1500 mg of metformin. I didn't know 2000 was the magic dose? Is that going to be safe for me with breastfeeding? I guess it would be, if 1500 is safe then why wouldn't 2000 be, right? Geez, though, I get to go through the intestinal drama again. :puke: (there's not an icon for gas and diarrhea!)

[kimmie_n_angus]

Actually when I had been on 1500 mg and upped to 2000 mg I had none of the poop issues I had when 1st starting. I will also be breastfeeding on 2000 mg and it is safe...and actually great for supply from what I hear.

I would not recommend Provera either as it is synthetic and can make your AF's really awful for you. It is not easy to TTC with PCOS and IR cycles and try to BF at the same time. We too will be facing this soon.

[abbycadabby]

UPDATE: I think I've been up to 2000 mg for a week now? And no side-effects worth mentioning. Am I naive to think that upping my dose from 1500 to 2000 will make a difference?

[Kraysmommy]

I was just what the symptoms of PCOS are.

My sit is that we are still nursing. DS is 16 months, and like you I am not ready/willing to give up nursing to get pg. But I want to be pg soooo bad. We've been trying since DS was born. I am having regular cycles though and I seem to be ovulating, but nothing's sticking...

I hope your 2000mg helps Mama!