I was told my ovaries are enlarged. It was explained to me that they are holding the eggs that are not being released (I'm not ovulating). RE said that these are the type of ovaries that produce pregnancies with 5 or 6 babies that you sometimes hear about on the news. I asked if there's anything that can be done to try to prevent that and she said, "Yes, Metformin". RE said that what happens is if I have luck with a drug that will make them release the eggs, the problem is they will not just release 1 egg- they will release a bunch of them. I was just curious if anyone else has this condition, knows of anyone who has it, and if they had a successful single or twin pregnancy. Thanks.
I have the same problem. I develop enleast 30 or more follicles. My first IUI cycle was cancelled because my Re was scared I would have multiples and end up very sick. My last (4th) IUI, I developed OHSS, w/BFN. My Re recommends I just do IVF. But still searching the web for answers and maybe another solution. If you come across any new information re: our issue, please keep me informed. Thanks M
Forty Four years old, hubby is 52 married 4 years, TTC 4 years with this hubby, 14 years with first hubby, One adopted daughter, 2nd ivf done, 1st one pg with m/c, second no pg. Uses egg Donor. PG with twins on 3rd IVF mc twins on 8/25/05
I have the same problem...and I have been on Metformin for almost two years to try to assist in 1) getting me pregnant and 2) the pregnancy.
Has anyone told you about PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)?? There are a lot of people that will tell you that pregnancy with PCOS is more difficult or tricky...and yes, that may be the case, BUT, it is NOT impossible!! You need to find someone who will help you wtih your PCOS. There is a doctor here in Cincinnati who is doing some incredible ground-breaking work on PCOS and he is the one who started treating infertile women with PCOS with Metformin and had great success!! You can do a search for him: Dr. Charles Glueck with The Cholesterol Center at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. He takes e-mail questions from people all over the globe and I'm sure would be glad to asnwer questions for you if you can't find what you need on the web.
Currently, I'm on the highest dosage of Metformin allowable. PCOS is not only an ovarian issue but rather an entire endocrine problem involving a NUMBER of your hormones...which is why it is sometimes good to consult an endocrinologist while you're in fertility treatments. You'll find that your thyroid is most likely out of whack, your cholesterol, trigylcerides and homosystene levels will also be affected by PCOS...lots of things you wouldn't expect to be related, but they are...and they are all things that will ultimately affect your fertility.
Now, as for the multiple release thing...that may not necessarily be the truth. Again, that is why it's best to consult someone who actually does work with PCOS and Metformin. Usually the 6 or 7 baby pregnancies are IVF pregnancies, NOT just because you have ovaries that produce a lot of follicles. For example, I have PCOS which prevents me from actually ovulating and releasing all the eggs I produced. Though I produced MORE than enough, I never ovulated any of them. Even on the highest legally allowable dosage of Metformin...Metformin does not cause a total release of your eggs. If you produced twenty follicles all on your own, you'd be EXTREMLY lucky to release one of them. The Metform simply works to regulate the number of follicles you produce and reduce the size of your ovaries, in addition to a number of other things. In my experience, I never released more than one follicle for any of the treatments we did...and I was on a pretty high dosage of Clomid and HCG shots...and Metformin. DH and I did many rounds of IUI and finally got one right in February...even with all these problems. One bright spot: because I've got PCOS, I've only gained two pounds since I got pregnant!
Because I'm getting treatment for the PCOS, no one ever told me that getting pregnant was not possible...there was just a lot of fiddling with the medications...so don't let anyone tell you that you're on the wrong path. You're not!
PLEASE let me know if I can be of any help to you...I will be glad to answer any questions you have or give you any information I can...it's just such a terribly misunderstood problem and one that has been easily swept under the rug. I've done a TON of research on this subject and endometriosis with doctors all over the place to make sure I was treated properly, and promptly, to maximize the fertility treatments we were going through. So, again, whatever I can do to help you, please let me know.
Most importantly, don't let anyone dismiss you - there is help, you just have to know where to look and what questions to ask. Dr. Glueck may even be able to refer you to an endocrinologist in your area if you were interested.
Keep your chin up and know that you're just uncovering one more layer to the mystery of infertilty.
Shared Journey Community
Author
Logged
Offline