Radiology report

NaPro Dr kindly forwarded me the radiology report so I could read for myself all the details (fitting, since they ARE my ovaries - why we don't get them automatically is beyond my understanding!).

Here we go - FINDINGS:
"Examination shows endometrium to be normal for age with the uterus measuring 8.5 x 3.1 x 4.9 cm. Calcification is suggested adjacent to the cervix which could be seen secondary to prior inflmmation or delivery. The right ovary measures to 3.7 and the left to 3.4 cm in size. Multiple cysts are seen bilaterally within the ovaries with the largest on the right measuring 2.3 cm and the largest on the left measuring 1.9 cm. No free fluid is identified. Small nabothian cyst is noted which may reflect earlier inflammatory or post surgical change."

My NaPro doc said that the larger cysts are consistent with physiologic follicles (follicles preparing to release an egg). He also said that he can't tell from this report whether my ovaries are consistent with PCOS or not. The cyst and calcification on my cervix was not mentioned to me by either doctor, but is a bit alarming to me.

So... now what? I don't know. My NaPro Dr. has moved to MO and requested that I find local care. :-( The family doc here offered me a referral to the ob/gyn in their practice and I may take them up on that for further testing and treatment. Planning to sit down with my hubby tonight for some R&R and discussion.

Ultrasound

Went in for the ultrasound of my ovaries today. All I know is that she took about 50 pictures, made quite a few measurements and I am pretty sure that I saw dark areas that indicate cysts (monitor was turned away from me though)... Tom was able to see the screen more clearly and I have showed him pics online of various types of cysts and he doesn't seem to think he saw anything other than normal follicular cysts. We'll see though! I should get results in the next couple days and then we will see what the docs have to say.

Not this month...

Still a very encouraging cycle.  Temp finally dipped below coverline this morning and I can feel af on her way.  I tested with a First Response on Sat morning (12dpo) and it was negative.  I had been hopeful as I could see a true ovulation.  I do still think that ovulation was "weak" and the corpus luteum was definitely not producing sufficient progesterone as the temps were barely above coverline.  I hope to see more improvements on the next cycle.

We are thinking and praying about the next steps and will update here as we decide.  Thanks for your prayers and support!

Looking a bit encouraging

I am encouraged with this cycle so far (granted - only on day 9, but still)... my temps in the AM have been much more steady, haven't seen any peaks or dips showing hormone fluctuations.  I am hoping this continues, we will see.

I am upping my doseage of Metformin to 1500mg this evening which is where Dr. Yeung wanted me and we've gradually increased over 3 weeks now.  I am not noticing any side effects other than a bit of gassiness on the days that I have upped the dose.  Hoping that continues.  I need to get out more blood glucose test strips to check my fasting #s and see what kind of difference it has made.

We have decided to wait another couple months to see if the Met gives me a good strong ovulation before any further testing, etc... I am so anxious and excited, it's hard to be patient, but this is best.  :-)

Lab results

Finally got my lab results from LapCorp over to Dr. Yeung.  He says that my kidney and liver panels were fine and I can go ahead and start on the Metformin, which I plan to do tomorrow.  My LDL (bad cholesterol) was 141 which he said wasn't high but on the higher end of normal and I need to improve it with diet and exercise and keep an eye on it.

Lab tests

I scheduled to go tomorrow morning for my fasting blood draws.  Dr. Yeung ordered a CMP and a Lipid test.  Not sure when results will be in, but will post when I get them.

Test results at last

I finally got copies of my blood work from the PCOS / Acupuncture study done at the UVA in 2008.  These blood draws were taken on April 8, 2008 which is day 53 out of a 77 day cycle.

Vitals
Blood pressure - 137/81 and later 99/67 (normal 120/80))
Pulse - 95 and later 80 (normal 60-80)
Respiration - 18 and later 16 (normal 12-18)
Temp - 95.7 and later 98.1 (normal 98.6)

Oral glucose tolerance test
Fasting - 87 (normal 60-100)
1 hour - 128 (normal less than 200)
2 hour - 129 (normal less than 140)

Hemoglobin A1C

Click word to go to wikipedia definition.

Result - 5.0% (normal 4-5.9%)

DHEAS
Result - 287.0ug/dL (normal 35-430ug/dL)
Women with PCOS often have levels over 200.

Testosterone
Result - 93 (normal 6-86)
Women with PCOS have elevated levels of testosterone.

17-Hydroxyprogesterone
Result - 149.00 ng/dL (normal follicular phase is 15-70, luteal phase is 35-290)
Since I have no idea which phase of my cycle I was in or whether I ovulated that cycle, this seems difficult to understand how it my relate.


TSH
Result - 1.64 uIU/mL (normal 0.4 - 4.0)
PCOS women usually have normal levels, this was tested to rule out a thyroid problem - very good news!)


Prolactin
Result - 5.0 n/mL (normal 2-29)
PCOS women usually have normal levels, this was tested to rule out a pituitary tumor or other problem).


That's it!  I was hoping there was an FSH/LH reading in there somewhere and maybe some more hormone levels, but good to finally get these!

General update

Almost 3 weeks now since starting our new eating plan. It has been very easy and fulfilling to eat this way. I have lost almost 10 lbs in the past 3 weeks. I have days when I have a bit more energy, but am still fairly tired - though able to accomplish more throughout the day and not noticing the 3pm slump quite as much. I have not had issues with anxiety, difficulty breathing or heart palpitations recently, but am still taking SAM-e. I have not had severe endo pain, though some minor pain (not debilitating) in the past 3 weeks, but I also have not had a normal cycle since Nov 28. :-( I have not had a migraine in a while either, nigglings that I could get one but nothing serious. I have not any trouble with the tonsil stones for the last few weeks, my scalp has much improved, no thyroid pain. I have had itchiness on my face which I am working to figure out if it is an allergy to nuts or yeast growth, either way may need to cut them out of my diet. All in all, some good improvements.

My cycle is puzzling me for sure though. Have not had a menses since Nov 28 and have had 2 sessions of spotting for 2-3 days, now am spotting again. I get moody and achey and tired beforehand but then only spot. Need to figure that out. I have not used the pro cream since the end of December so it's not that. May need to consider another hair analysis and hormone panel soon.

Tom has mentioned that he has not had any heart burn for the last few weeks - hooray! The kids are doing very well on the plan. They are not complaining much, they are looking healthier. Rose said the other day that her lettuce tasted like candy - they were eating big wedges of it plain! Heather's attitude is much better the last few days, I had to stop in the middle of her grammar and tell her how much I liked seeing her smile and having her cooperate, she said that she felt happier - hooray!

That's it for now...

Final UVA appt

I went yesterday for my final appt at the UVA. I had the 2 1/2 hour fasting glucose test and other baseline readings. It went fine. The head Dr of the study came in to thank me, the nurse was much better this time and I got a nice quiet room with a bed, warm blankets and mindless TV. I turned in all my urine samples. My cycles the last 3 months have actually been a bit short, but they've been there the last 3 months - better than long or nonexistent I say! They told me that in the tests they did during the treatments, I had not ovulated at all - they would let me know if any of the urine tests showed ovulation from the last 3 months. They will be sending all my baseline test results to my ND, who will pass them on to me.

I am looking forward to starting back on the progesterone and estrogen creams!

An Article from UVA

This article talks about the study that I am hoping to participate in. I went Tuesday and had the diagnostic blood draw. I should hear next week if I can proceed with it. I am excited!

Click Here for Article

Medical Study for PCOS

A friend gave me a flyer about a study being done for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at the University of Virginia. I talked to Tom about it and then e-mailed for more information which was followed by a phone interview. The study is being done to determine if acupuncture is helpful to those with PCOS. I would get free treatments (real or placebo?), free testing/diagnosis, $170 (will just cover gas), and some meals. Right now, they have decided that I qualify enough so far to send me the info packet and then call in a week to see if I am still interested after reading all the details. I am a bit nervous about the blood tests (not real crazy about that for various reasons), and I will have to stop the estrogen and progesterone creams that I had just begun using (they could influence the results), it is also almost an hour drive to Charlottesville... so things to consider there. It is a 5-month long study, but I am uncertain right now as to how often treatments and evaluations are done. So please pray for Tom and I as we prayerfully consider this. Thank you!