Hope By a Thread... IVF#3 FET#1

I started AF two days ago, finally.  I had a 34 day cycle. Not too shabby for us with PCOS...  Last month it was a 30 day.  Just an update on taking Pregnitude, I have not taken it in over a year.  I do feel that it helped, but now I realize a clean, all natural diet is more prudent to keep my cycles regular and my weight in check.

I am in progress for my FET, CD 2 today.  Going for my day 3 blood work and u/s tomorrow.

I have to be honest, my heart still breaks.  My heart is so guarded.  I feel like I cannot get my hopes up with our 5AA.  I am having to stay distant or rather disconnected from this process.

Originally, I was thinking if this didn't take I may be up for one more IVF, but now, I think this may really be our last shot.

The thought of dragging this out anymore, pumping my body full of more hormones that I know are NOT good for me, is just to much for me to bare.

So this is me, holding on to hope by a thread, having faith that God knows what is best, and truly praying for a HUGE miracle.

Dr. Amin started me an antihistamine protocol a few weeks ago, per the other doctor I visited suggested it.  I am taking one pepcid and one claritin in the morning and one pepcid in the evening.  I do have horrible allergies so I'm hoping it helps.  I started my E2 patches on CD1.  Tentatively transfer is going to be March 9, lining check March 2.

Taken February 13, 2016 (9 years since our proposal). 

What Are The BEST PCOS Supplements for Battling My Symptoms?

It's been a while since I written about fighting with my health.  It's not perfect, it never will be, but its better than its been in a long time.  After writing my story, I've had some definite ups and downs with my health.  I fought anemia and adrenal fatigue this past year.  I switched up some supplements had some successes and some definite failures.  However, after much trial and error, and having so much success with Pregnitude alone, I found my perfect and favorite PCOS stack (which I shared on my INSTAGRAM) and I thought I would share with you!

Pregnitude. It is pharmaceutical grade Myo-Inositol with added folic acid.  I had been using Source Naturals Myo-Inositol, but I didn't have the same success.  Pregnitude works to improve insulin resistance, just like Metformin, but it comes without any of the side effects.  It is all natural.

Gelatinized Maca.  It is better than raw Maca, because it is more concentrated and more digestible.  Maca is a Peruvian superfood, known to help balance hormones, give energy, stamina endurance.  Both men and women benefit and helps with sperm mobility and production as well!  I take 2 tsp. per day.  It has a nutty flavor and mixes easily in my smoothies or shakeology.  I also make Maca Chia power balls that are a delicious treat to healing.

Vitex Chasteberry.  I am using the tincture, which tastes totally disgusting, but it is much more effective than pills.  I take 1 dropper full in a shot glass mixed with water 2 times a day, like I do with pregnitude.  Vitex is an amazing herb that helps increase progesterone naturally and thus balancing the hormones.  PCOS causes an imbalance of progesterone and estrogen leaving women Estrogen and testosterone dominant.  I have never been good about taking this one because of the taste, but using a shot glass helps.

I just recently added after stopping Natural Progesterone Cream.  Natural Progesterone cream also helps to balance hormones, but it can also cause fat storage and make it difficult to lose weight.  I was having this problem and I couldn't figure out what was going on!  I was then told by a wellness consultant it was likely the progesterone cream. Ugh!  I immediately stopped it and switched to vitex.  I look forward to seeing if it helps.

Cinnamon and Chromium.  These are usually combined into one or two pills.  I take these to help with insulin.  It is recommended that we take 2000mg Cinnamon and 1000 mg of Chromium.  This is also great for those with diabetes.  I have major issues with blood sugar.  I have never been diagnosed with insulin resistance, but I am definitely hypoglycemic.  It has been a bit worse lately too!  I began eating 5 times a day years ago to help with this.  I have to really watch my carb/protein intake as well.  I can not eat carbs by themselves and I ALWAYS pair protein with them.  Again, good for everyone!

I use this cinnamon, but you will need to add a little extra Chromium.  This only has 2oo mg.

MEGA GLA.  Gamma Linolenic Acid  helps not only during TTC (Trying to Conceive) with healthy Cervical Mucus, but also it is known to decrease floating androgen's in the body.  This helps reduce acne, excess body hair and hair loss. I take 2 per day during the first half of my cycle and 1 pill the second half.

Tumeric. Another superfood that is great for everyone!  Its main function is to reduce inflammation in the body.  When our bodies are not running well or in balance, it can become inflamed.  For myself, it shows up on my face.  I have struggled my whole life with horrible acne.  When I splurge off my diet, or don't take my supplements like I should my face loves to tell everyone.  You cannot hide acne.  Tumeric does help with that, however, and many other things...

Ironically, much of the research done on PCOS and supplements is always geared more for infertility or TTC.  But what comes after baby?  We still need to be in charge of our health, we still have an imbalance of hormones that can lead to disease!  Fighting PCOS Naturally is doable and much safer than taking any drugs.

Have you had any success with these supplements?  Where are you at in your journey?

I'm Baaaaaack!

Okay!  I know I said I was shutting this blog down, but I just couldn't do it.  For some reason, I decided to click on my old gmail email and low and behold, I had a ton of comments from when I did the Pregnitude review!  How funny!  I am loving my other blog, Loving Life Naturally, but I really miss the community aspect we had on here.

I didn't know what God had in store for us (I still don't, I guess).  But, for some reason I feel God leading me to write on here again...  Maybe it is because we just made another appointment with Dr. R!  Eeek!

Fertility update...  We have been patiently waiting for a miracle over here.  We haven't used any form of birth control in over two years and sadly, no baby.  Thats okay though!  I think its just been in God timing!  I am finally able to get up and breath again with my two!  However, I just ordered Pregnitude again, because I really feel I have had the best success with it, in controlling my PCOS, along with the addition of Natural Progesterone Cream (we are all deficient).  I was using this Myo Inositol, but I don't feel like its the same quality as pregnitude, unfortunately, because it is a lot cheaper!

So why are we seeing Dr. R?  To discuss the possibilities of baby #3! Our appointment isn't until September 26. So in the mean time, we are PRAYING over here for God to say YES or NO!  I only want to follow his plan for us.  I'm OKAY if it's a no, but I am ready for another little one :)

Anyway, Can you believe my boys are now THREE years old!?  We just celebrated their third birthday on August 5.  Here is couple updated pictures of them...

Maximus and Rocco

Rocco and Maximus

Yes, we had a pirate party for their third birthday!  It was a blast!  The boys are BFF's and have the greatest time together.  They are so much fun and we love them so much! They are busy busy boys.  I would love to say they are extremely brilliant, creative, lovable, caring, cuddly, sweet, like every Mom says about their kids, and its true! And of course have their unique personalities and individual qualities. Maximus is more passionate about everything and Rocco is Mr. Mellow yellow.  They also test my patients, and have humbled me beyond measure.  I have cried out to the Lord for his help in parenting my strong willed boy (Maximus), because only by his Grace and strength can I do this!  They have brought me great joy and I have to say going through IF, has been a blessing!  I would never change it.

 It is getting easier talking about infertility to strangers.  Because I have twins, so many people randomly and I would like to say thoughtlessly ask me if they are from IVF.  I used to become speechless, but I now realize that they are not MY story, they are the Lords!  From the beginning they have been His!  Before we every conceived, I promised the Lord, the children he gives me would be His. So, I can now RAISE MY HEAD HIGH, and tell strangers of the great miracle the LORD did to have these two for us.  How can I keep that to my self?  Hopefully, that story blesses them in some way!

So will the Lord give us another miracle?  We'll have to wait and see!  Stay tuned... and prayers welcomed!  God Bless everyone!

My Pregnitude Experience... the final analysis!

I finished my 6th box of Pregnitude.  I committed to doing a six month personal analysis on taking this supplement.  Lets recap... I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom.  I have struggled, since puberty, with weight gain/weight loss, acne, abnormal cycles ranging from 50 to 80 days, low blood sugar, high testosterone levels, low Vitamin D levels, and last but not least, infertility. I had always trusted my doctors, believing that they had my best interest in mind, believing that medication WAS the only option for me.  I am beyond ecstatic to report that I have had GREAT success with pregnitude or myo inositol.

Here is a little what I have experienced

1. weight loss - I now weigh a healthy 135lbs at 5'6."  I am healthy, strong, and have never felt better.

2. clearer skin-  My skin looks great!  I continue to have breakouts when I am about to start my period, but that is normal for many women.

3. Better ranging cycles- Since beginning pregnitude my cycles have stayed consistently in the 30-39 day range.  I would say that is a significant improvement from 50-80 days, wouldn't you!?

4. I did not conceive a baby.  I know it is marketed towards women TTC.  DH and I did not prevent pregnancy.  We did BD around O time consistently (even though we technically weren't TTC).  Given our diagnosis of IF (DH sperm cannot penetrate my eggs w/out ICSI), I am not surprised.

 My last cycle on Pregnitude during my sixth month commitment was unfortunately my longest at 39 days.  I had committed to take solely Pregnitude during that duration.  However, since I felt my cycles lengthening again I decided to add a few more supplements to my regimen...

    -Cinnamon 2000mg (helps control blood sugar)
    -Vit D 5000iu (I was previously taking only 2000iu)
    -Chromium 800mg (helps with insulin resistance)
    -Biotin 7500mg
    -Calcium 1200mg
    -a whole foods multivitamin (I have always taken)

With the addition of these supplements, I am happy to report I just started AF today and had a 31 day cycle last month!  Yes, that is a lot of supplements.  However, I feel that it beats taking a medication for the rest of my life.  I feel great!

After I finish off the rest of my Pregnitude.  I plan to buy Myo-inositol by itself.  It is cheaper.  Buying pregnitude is great marketing geared towards women TTC.  I have found a ton of supplements for great prices on PuritonsPride.com They are constantly having great deals.

I hope this gives many of you success with your battle with PCOS, as it did for me!

My boys and I taken last week on the Island of Kauai!! Aloha... or "Aloka" as Rocco would say!

OMG... Pregnitude WORKS!!!!!

I SERIOUSLY cannot believe it (NO I'm NOT pregnant!)!  I just had my first NORMAL cycle of my life!  I don't know if I have ever been so happy to have started my period!!  Lets recap...

Cycles post Breastfeeding

First- 35 days
Second- 44 days
Third- 48 days (started Pregnitude mid-cycle)

Fourth-30 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does mean?? I believe it means that what I am doing is WORKING, and Pregnitude (Myo-Inositol combined with Folic Acid) FREAKIN works !  This is amazing new for those of us with PCOS.  Honestly, I am a little dumbfounded.  I was very skeptical and did not expect to see ANY results for a few more months, especially since I had to be on 2250 mg of Metformin for my cycle to only get to about 39 days.  I also have been, of course eating VERY clean and healthy and exercising about four days or more per week.  I am so excited to share this with all of you and have new hope for NATURAL medicine.  Fingers are crossed for next cycle!!! xx


*** Update 11/30/12***

Since this post is getting a lot of view, I thought I would update. My cycle Five has not come yet and I am CD36. I still have hopes for pregnitude and understand that it is a natural supplement which takes more time to work.  Please follow along with me on my Pregnitude journey!

Pregnitude... what is it?

Myo- Inositol, which is found naturally in many foods, including oranges, cantaloupe, nuts, beans and products with high bran content, is the main ingredient to Pregnitude.    It is technically considered a carbohydrate and is part of the B complex vitamins.  According to the examiner.com, "Myo-inositol has been shown in clinical studies to increase ovulation rates, improve regularity of menstrual cycles and improve egg quality."  It continues to say that, "this supplement holds the potential to change the direction of the reproductive support for women with PCOS."  It not only has the potential to help women women seeking to become pregnant it has also been found to help with with PCOS improve their body composition (fat to weight ratio), inflammation, insulin resistance, androgen levels (acne and hair growth/loss), and blood lipid levels.

Pregnitude, includes a combination of folic Acid (200 mcg) and Myo-Inositol (2000 mg or 2 grams) per packet, which means you would be consuming 4oo mcg of folic Acid and 4000 mg or 4 grams of of Myo-Inositol per day.  It is possible to a cheeper form of Myo-Insitol and add a folic acid supplement, however, research has found that "many of these supplements do not contain the amount of myo-inositol indicated on the label making it challenging to dose for effective results."  The benefit of taking Pregnitude is that it has been clinically tested and is quality controlled which provides a more effective and accurate dosing.  In addition many people, including myself, have trouble taking supplements.  Pregnitude makes it very easy to take and comes perfectly portioned... no pill counting needed! 

I remember the days of being obsessed with "symptoms."  "I feel something different," "My boobs are more sore," "I have more energy," etc.  The good news is that now that I am not TTC, I am no longer "obsessed" with "feeling pregnant," etc.  This will help make me a good evaluator for this product.

How do I feel since taking Pregnitude?  Exactly the same.  I have no "symptoms," I do not feel any different, nor do I plan to... at least not for a few more months!  I just ordered my second box, with about 10 days left in my current box.  I did FINALLY start my period, four days later than the previous month.  So here are my stats:

Cycles Post BFing...

First- 35 days
Second- 44 days
Third- 48 days (started Pregnitude mid-cycle)
Fourth- CD 7

Fun with my 50! The boys... 13 months! (pictures galore!)

First pair of big boys shoes!  We love vans! 

Back yard exploration!  Every night the boys love to go outdoors to explore and watch airplanes!

Maximus!

Maximus 

Oliver taking a nap!

Rocco  

Rocco loves to play the "drum"

Maximus

Rocco 

Rocco looking at the airplanes! We live near an airport and the boys LOVE to watch them fly by!

Rocco

Rocco

Maximus... His hair is getting CURLY like Mommy's!

Rocco, VERY strait hair like Daddy

Grandma came out to visit!

Bedtime stories with Grandma!

Mommy and Maximus after bath

Mommy and Maximus

Mommy and Maximus

Mommy and Rocco

Mommy and Rocco

Rocco intrigued by my camera

What a month!  The boys are growing leaps and bounds!  It is unbelievable.  In one month the have gone from babies to toddlers!  Some new things they are doing are...

Maximus: Started saying "uh oh, I did it! "His first sentence at 13 months!! Also says, "hi," "ball,"when he is eating he loves to say"mom" about 5o times to see me smile, of course, "dada," he signs "all done" or in Italian, "Finito..." (what Italiano I do know, I speak it to the boys).  It honestly melts my heart!  He is still cruising every where. No first steps yet.  Love to push the Lawn mower. "spider crawls" on hands and feet.  He falls a lot, cries and wines a lot.  I know he gets frustrated and wants to communicate, but can't.  Maximus is very temperamental, and a tester, I have had to start disciplining (time outs for a minute in the pack n play!) him at 12 months (something I NEVER anticipated!)  He had started hitting and biting at 12 months.  He went from baby to toddler over night!  Thankfully, I believe in discipline.  I believe discipline is LOVE.  He has improved tremendously and knows there are consequences to negative behavior, even at this young age.

Rocco: Says, "plane" which sounds more like "pain." He has picked up on Maximus saying "Mom" during meal times and says "mama" about 20 times and waits for me to smile or say "Ciao" or "Ti amo" to him or Maximus or blow them a kiss.  He also signs, "finito,"waves "hi" and "bye" Every night we go out in the back yard and watch the planes fly over us.  I also have taught Rocco to wave "Ciao" to the planes! He Cruises everywhere. No walking yet or steps, but will stand with no hands.  He Also loves to push the Lawn mower. "Spider crawls" on hands and feet.  Rocco is SUCH A sweet LOVING lil boy.  He loves to give Kisses and hugs and rub his head all over me, Daddy and Maximus.  He has a very mellow personality and is an easy going boy.  I am thankful of the balance ;-)

Cycle update

Cycle one- 35 days

Cycle two- 44 days

Cycle three- still waiting... I'm CD 46

I have officially started the Pregnitude on September 17th, which would be CD 40 (since I had the short break of the flu).  I have had cramps and bloating and I feeling like i am going to start AF any minute, but haven't.  I am not sure why I feel this way?  I loathe PCOS.

A little delay...

I had a rough start to my "plan."  The night after writing my last blog post, I came down with the stomach flu!  Today is the first day I have eaten breakfast and have taken my supplements again since Wednesday.  It was the worst flu I have had in a very long time!  Wednesday night I threw up SEVEN times!  The first five times were EVERY 30 minutes from 11 PM to 330 AM.  It was horrible.  I had no appetite the last five days and yesterday I was finally able to choke down a bowl of oatmeal and later a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I slept every time the babies slept during the day and would just lay in the room they were playing in.  I think they were having a hard time with me being sick, just like I was!  Also, making them something to eat was no easy task and made me so nauseated!  Even when you are sick, you still have to cook! Its definitely not fun being sick and ESPECIALLY not fun when you have 13 month TWINS to take care of!  Thank goodness my hubby was hear to help as much as he could!

Enough of my rant.  We are back on track with the Pregnitude!  I thought I would add a couple pictures of what it looks like...

They come in a box with two little packets attached to each other for each day

The powder is white, but it dissolves to clear and is tasteless!

My typical diet...

Breakfast

1 egg 2 whites

Oatmeal with flax and chia seeds or sprouted wheat toast with homemade butter spread

fruit

snack

plain fage greek yogurt

fruit

or 

post workout

protein shake

coconut water

Lunch

dinner leftovers usually or

a sandwich on sprouted wheat

or salad

snack

apple and natural peanut butter

Dinner

chicken 

veggies 

brown rice

Now... Looking forward to beginning this journey... AGAIN! ;-)

I will leave with you a photo I took over the weekend!  They love their boots!! 

Bongiorno! From Maximus and Rocco! 

Treating PCOS... Naturally? Pregnitude, clean eating and exercise!

Prior to getting pregnant, I felt there was only one way to deal with my Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome... Medication.  The only two options that were given to me were to "get on birth control pill" if not TTC, or "take Metformin" if I was planning to conceive.  YIKES!  Is our only answer?  We have to stay on medication the rest of our lives or until we hit menopause?

Breast feeding had taken care of my symptoms for the most part.  My skin was still clear and I was losing weight.  If fact I had lost ALL of my baby weight by the time the boys were five months old!  However, in the back of my mind, I knew once I stopped at had two choices, get back on Metformin or BCP's.  I chose neither!

My two main PCOS symptoms are acne and irregular periods.  I have never been over weight however at times, like when my PCOS is in full force I do find it harder to lose weight if I gained or I will gain easy.

That being said, I had decided to research Natural remedies.  I don't want to be on medication.  Now that I am 31, I don't think it is wise to be on BCP, since it can lead to blood clots.  Metformin is a DRUG, that can't be good for long term use either.  Especially because it is know to cause Vitamin B12 deficiency.  I can only imagine what it does to our liver (just speculating!).

I found a supplement called Myo-Inositol.  There have been numerous studies that have shown very positive effects on women who have PCOS.  Some of these include more regular cycles, less acne, reduce miscarriage rates, improve ovary function, better egg quality, etc.  Even though C and I are not TTC, I am going to be taking the supplement called Pregnitude, which you do not need a prescription for.  It has the most mg/dose that I could find on the market and seems to be very easy to take.  I will be taking it every AM/PM for the next six months and will be updating my progress.

The greatest sign will be my cycle lengths.  With Metformin, my shortest cycle was, I believe, 39 days. Normally I range from 50-80.

My Current cycles Post Breastfeeding

First- 35 days

Second- 44 days (this is when I realized I needed to do something!)

Third- still waiting... I'm CD34 

My Plan

1. Eat clean. This is not a diet.  Its how I CHOOSE to eat and live my life. Its how my family eats.

2. Exercise. I workout 3-4 days a week. Three days circuit training, 1 day jogging. With added family walks/bike rides

3. Pregnitude. Take every morning and evening.

4. Document progress

I am looking forward to this journey and hoping for a positive outcome.  Although we are not TTC, we are not preventing. I hope you follow along! :)