Julie
I also was diagnosed with PCOS in 7/99. I had been trying for 5+ years to concieve my second child with no luck when the doctors did a laporoscopy and realized the issue I was having. I had gained an excessive amount of weight beginning in 1997(4 years after my son was born- 2/93). I had attributed my weight gain to the infertility medication that I was on- primarilly chlomid at the time which I used off and on for about 2 years. Once I was diagnosed, the doctors put me on injectable fertility medications and we tried inseminations-once we were sure I was ovulating. All this came with no sucess and landed me in the hospital for 4 days and on bed rest for 4 weeks because I obtained "Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome" which basically means that the drugs overstimulated my system and caused the fluid in my body to drain into my abdomen. Because of this, my body began taking all of the oxygen and nutrients from my blood stream and dehydrated my blood. I gained 20 lbs. in 5 days and my blood was so thick when they took me in that the doctors told my husband if I hadn't come to the hospital on that Friday, I may not have survived the weekend. To make a long story even longer- I gave up my hopes on having a second child and focused on getting healthy- I went on an extreme diet and excersise plan- limited my fat intake to less than 20 grams a day, increased my water consumption to 64 oz+ per day (and I hate water!!) and did not dringk any caffine at all or eat after 6 pm- I also started homeopathic treatments to cleanse my body and rid myself of the swollen tissues. It was hard but all worth it in more ways than one-I lost almost 60 pounds and took a relaxing vacation with my husband and son (who was then 7). On that vacation I concieved my beautiful daughter who is a true blessing and now 4 months old. I dont know if the fertility issues pertain to your case but I am hoping that I can give others in my situation some hope. I am very grateful that I went through the things I did because it made me value life even more- I would love to hear from anyone who is struggling with the same thing.