Fertility, PCOS and retinopathy (the joys)

[Rose trustman]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been diabetic type 1 for 17 years and not had brilliant control. I have retinopathy in my eyes and early signs of neuropathy in my feet. I also have PCOS so totally irregular cycles. My last Hba1c was 64mmol so I am working so hard to bring that down and metformin is helping. I haven’t really seen anything anywhere from someone who has both type 1 diabetes, PCOS and retinopathy successfully conceive and have a baby? So I guess I’m looking for some reassurance/advice/success stories! My partner and I are currently going through some fertility tests to see if everything is ok but I’ll be honest I’ve been totally consumed with anxiety at the prospect of not being able to conceive and also the risk to my eyesight if I do successfully conceive. I’m 29 so I know age is on my side but I don’t feel like much else is… would love to hear from people in a similar boat if anyone’s out there! Thanks in advance x

 

[trophywench]

PCOS is something I've never had BUT years ago when my mum was in an old people's home, the daughter in law of the owner (who worked there and had PCOS so gook Metformin to help with that) had two very successful pregnancies and the kids were both by then quite old enough for her to go back to work, hence why she was working there! Hence I know it really is possible to do what you would like to do. Have you mentioned this to your diabetes clinic - because some although not all) hospitals have specialist pre conception clinics which are run in conjunction with the Midwifery and Maternity services at the hospital. Pregnant ladies with diabetes get more frequent scans as well than do ladies without diabetes! (I've also been told that starting on Folic Acid tablets whilst TTC (as well as for the first however long after conceiving) can help too but the standard dose has to be doubled up to 5mg for anyone with diabetes needing them at any time - I'm 74 but recent blood tests showed I had low folates so I was prescribed 3 months worth of 5mg folic acid and that has happened before, and treated the same, too)

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Rose trustman 🙂 I know a number of women with PCOS who have conceived. At least one of them had diabetes too. As for the retinopathy, that’s something you should talk to your eye team about. Pregnancy is a risk, but you get extra eye screens. I think I had 3 during pregnancy. That way any issues can be spotted early. Also, it seems to vary as to who gets eye problems during pregnancy. Some people who’ve never had problems before, develop retinopathy in pregnancy, but others who already have it can remain stable during pregnancy.