Fasting Insulin Test & Semen Analysis Results

So, on Tuesday 6th of Nov, the clinic's lab called me to inform that my Fasting Insulin Test result is out. She said that my insulin level is quite high at 14. I asked her what's the normal, and she said 11. OK. Quite high huh? And then she asked me to get Metformin XR (XR stands for extended release), 500mg, once a day. Another name for it is Glucophage XR. OK. That sounds about right. And I assumed this instruction came from Dr. Prashant himself. I read so much about Metformin. There are 2 types. 1, Metformin. 2, Metformin XR. The difference is that Metformin XR has been reported to cause less side effects as compared to the regular Metformin. So, OK. Sounds good. This doctor really know what he's doing. hehe. Then I asked about Jaffa's Semen Analysis results, and she said I need to see the doctor for him to explain the results. OK. That evening itself, after she called I went out to get the Metformin. (Talking about determination huh?) So, first I went to Guardian and crossed my fingers there is pharmacist available there. They don't even have a "pharmacy" to begin with? Shame on you Guardian! From then on I'm convince Guardian is not the place to get medication. To get toiletries and play stuffs yes, not serious medication no. Then I go to Caring Pharmacy. There, yes. There is full-fledged pharmacy with pharmacist. Awesome! I asked for Metformin XR, the pharmacist asked me 500mg or 850mg. (Wow, he knows his stuffs! haha). He then asked me if I want it in strip, or the whole box. I asked will it be cheaper to buy the one in box. Yes. The I got it at RM44 for 60 tablets, when the price printed is RM58.70. I guess that's how much it would cost if I bought them in strips. No bad huh? This is what the packaging looks like:

So, yesterday's appointment's was set at 1.45pm. Because this consultation session involves Jaffa, so he needs to come along. He went to work really early then take the rest of the day off after the appointment. (yeay!)

Went we're in the doctor's office. Dr. Prashant explained about J's result first. He said his semen analysis result is all good. Like to count should be more than 15million per ml, his is 125 million per ml! Motility should be more than 40%, his is 68%! "Super Spermies!!" I told him. MasyaAllah Alhamdulillah.. :) Here's how the report looks like:

I'm so proud of him. Well, I never doubted his spermies performance because we were pregnant before, but we took the doctor's advise to have him checked as well. Just in case if he has any issues at all, we would tackle the problem together, simultaneously. So yeay! J is soo proud of himself, masyaAllah! He and his Olympic swimmers! :)

Then Dr. Prashant explained my Insulin Test results. My insulin is at 14. Like the clinic assistant mentioned. He was expecting it to be higher like 20 something. But it was at 14. Normal insulin level should be 6'ish, and maximum is 11. So, not too bad la.. So he asked me to take the Metformin XR, 500mg at night. And then I need to go for another Fasting Insulin Blood test within 2 weeks. Ya Allah bagusnye doctor ni. Coz I read so much on the net that ladies was on Metformin 500mg or whatever dose, and then been on it for 6 months or so, then realized it did nothing to help to regulate period and stuffs and then their doctor upped the dose, then to see some improvement. But... after 6 months? or more? But Dr. Prashant feel like I will not go down to within normal range in 2 weeks, and that's why we need to do another blood work and if there is not improvement, we'll increase the dose. OKay! Not complaining! :)

Then he mentioned that the Metformin will not help me to lose weight, it will only stop my weight from continue gaining. I need to lose weight on my own. I need to lose 10 kg. He said I should take more protein and less carbs, go on low-calorie diet. Herbalife is good. He said now my body is sugar-hungry because of the Insulin-resistant. He asked me to read on Atkin's diet and he said I should be able to lose 1kg a week, and by January I'd lost about 7 to 10 kg, with Metformin combination I will be able to get pregnant without any hormone pills. The he touch his wooden table! haha. And I said "Ameen!"

So yeah, such a cool doctor. Although he's kinda cold at first, but generally boleh buat lawak bodoh with him. From my calculation, he is like 53 years old. Pangkat ayah lah kan? But he looks young and stylish, I mean for a doctor with 20 years of experience.. OK laa.. I'll take his word about how to lose weight. 

Now... my weight-loss journey begins! May Allah make it easy, Ameen!

Infertility: Medical Intervention

So, PCOS apparently is one of the most complex female health issues of our time. The pollution, the stress, the lack of body movement, the food, the food, the food. I just had to say food thrice. The chicken that we eat which has been injected with whatever growth hormones, pesticide laden fruits and vegetable, GMO foods. SubhanAllah!

So, my journey with PCOS. I discovered I had it a few months ago. And after trying to incorporate herbs and supplements into my diet the longing to have a baby is getting stronger, I do not know whether I have the patience to wait for the herbal supplements to start working which should be around 3 to 6 months. I been a geek reading all sort of things, and I read the Metformin, a medicine which has been given to Diabetic Type 2 patients by the doctors could help to regulate period and to bring on the ovulation for PCOS sufferers. 

So I decided to find a fertility specialist. Seeing a gynaecologist is not enough as their job is mainly address other female health issues and natal care rather than the focus to get women pregnant and keep the baby till labour.

So I happen to bump into my cousin who had her 1st baby after 6 years of marriage. Asked her for her fertility doctor. She said she been to a few fertility specialist, but this doctor is the one who helped her get pregnant. His name is Dr. Prashant Nadkarni from KL Fertility Centre. Can find out more about him here.

So, I went with Jaffa. Our appointment at 10 a.m. on Wednesday last week. Nice clean clinic with nice clinic assistant. (I'll take the picture of the clinic later). Then my name is called. Dr. Prashant is OK looking, no-nonsense kinda guy, but I think it's because our first time meeting him. So, he asked me about why I'm there and here's my script:

"Well my husband and I are married last year, June 2011. I was on birth control for 1 month, and I got off it and I immediately got pregnant. No problem at all. Then I had a miscarriage in November at 14 weeks. On our 8th week we went for a check-up there was heartbeat. But then, no more heartbeat at 14 week. Had a D&C. And in late February 29 then I got my period. After that my period has gone out of whack from 35 days to 77 days. The 77 days one, the period was induced with Duphaston. And then I took Clomid. 50mg in the morning, and 50mg at night. The Clomid wasn't fun for me, I and my husband rarely fight, but when I was on Clomid, we had a huge fight over something very small and I put on almost 5kg in 1 month. And I went back to the gynae for a scan and he sees no follicle. And he suggested to double up the dose to 200mg. And that's when I decided to see a fertility specialist"

And then Dr. Prashant said, good story. (Well, I sort of rehearse my script before I met him, because I was expecting to see a very busy, high in demand doctor, so I was prepared to make sure he likes my cut-the-chase, get-to-the-point story. hehe) Glad he appreciated it.

Then we left him alone writing all the notes, and then I said to him, "Dr. Prashant, we would like to have 8 kids" and he confidently said "Yes, sure. Why not?" and you should see Jaffa's face. He was beaming!

Then we had an internal vagina ultrasound. It wasn't that bad. Just need to be relax. Then he told us that for normal women, we should see less than 6 eggs (?) in easy ovary, and he started to count it on each of my ovaries. I have about 30 on my left, and 30 on my right. Yikes! Confirmed PCOS then.

Good. Now that we know for sure the problem, let's now fix it. Now. :)

He asked both of us to go for a test. Blood test for me, and sperm analysis for Jaffa. (Good sign of a good fertility dorctor. My friend went through many many painful tests to find out she alright, and after 7 years realised it was her husband who had low motility, low count spermies)

So he asked me to go on a blood test because he suspects I am insulin-resistant. And he said that if it confirms then he will give me a medicine that will usually fix the problem. And I asked him, "Is it Metformin?" he said "Yes, wow you know.." and I said "Yeah, I've been a geek, reading all sorts of stuffs" :)

So yeah. The medical bill was RM 450. Here's the breakdown:

Consultation RM 100

Scanning/Ultrasound RM 100

Fasting Insulin Test RM 150

Semen Analysis RM 100.

Not bad for a infertility specialist who has got Dato' title, and has 20 years of experience huh? So we happily paid for it, and left. We went in again the next day for my fasting insulin test and to deposit Jaffa's semen for testing. Result should be out on Monday, 5th November.

At this point of writing this it's already 5th November. I called the clinic just now and the assistant said that once the test result is out, they will give me a call.

Now I wait.

Overcoming PCOS... Head on!

I've been a geek. A total geek. Reading all sorts of stuffs regarding PCOS and all the matter about it. From all my readings, I also started taking a lot of supplements and herbs for it; because PCOS is a combination of many symptoms. And I am taking herbs and supplement that could help to address and suppress those symptoms. Check this out:

I am taking:

1) FertilAid

2) Fertile CM

3) GTF Chromium

4) Milk Thistle

5) Dong Quai

6) Cinnamon

7) Saw Palmetto

amongst others including Multivitamin, Vitamin C & Herbatus Sauda & FertiliTea

A lot right? I will talk about their benefit in next post.

But insyaAllah those will start to take shape and start to work soon, as herbal supplements usually will take about 3 months to show the benefits. So, I will try to be istiqamah and take it diligently everyday until my ovulation & menses is regulated.