NIAW: PCOS

In light of National Infertility Awareness Week I want to give an update on how I am doing.

Everyone thinks once you cross to the other side, as some of us like to call it, your mentality changes in regards to infertility. Well that is not the case. Yes my heart feels like it can burst into a million pieces with just one look at my little miracle BUT I am constantly being reminded that my body doesn't function normally. My symptoms have been so severe that I break down from time to time feeling hopeless. Before my diagnosis of PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, I had minimal symptoms. My cycles ranged anywhere from 30 - 60 days apart with excruciating pain on the start of my cycle. After having my son my cycles returned when he was 4 months. Little did I know it was the start of major PCOS symptoms. At first I chopped it up to my hormones trying to regulate themselves and my body just needed time to heal.

After two cycles I became an emotional wreck quickly realizing that what I was experiencing wasn't normal. I set up an appointment with my trusted acupuncturist. At my consult we went over all my symptoms which she immediately concluded my PCOS had came back with a vengeance.

I became very aware of when I ovulated due to the intense pain I got from whatever side the follicle was released. If that wasn't enough I would begin to feel extremely nauseous soon after. Followed by extreme migraines, as a matter of fact the migraines were a constant thing. I knew I was gearing up to ovulate once my migraines started up then they intensified once i did. It was a never ending battle of not being able to do daily task or concentrate at work. Hence the emotional breakdown and constant crying. The lack of sleep was more dreadful than ever, not because of my waking child. Fear of opening my eyes to endure my migraines. I felt incapable of taking care of my son at times. Feeling hopeless my husband had to step in to help during those difficult days.

After several sessions of acupuncture my migraines led off. They became sporadic instead of constant. Although other symptoms are still lingering around I am hopeful that with lifestyle changes, plus a little help from natural remedies, my body will start adjusting itself. I fear that I may always have to rely on these methods to have control of my body. So no I don't feel like I beat infertility since I am constantly being reminded that my body doesn't function normally. Yes, I am finally a momma but becoming one didn't instantly remove the title of infertile. Infertility will always be a great part of me. It made me aware which encouraged me to become knowledgeable in my diagnosis and be my own advocate on how to treat PCOS. I refuse to let modern medicine prescribe birth control pills to relief my symptoms.
I've fought through so many obstacles to have my miracle baby and I will continue to fight in order for my body to "fix" itself.

I am, will always be, an infertile woman who will never stop fighting PCOS.