Thread: Anyone NOT under the care of a physician for their PCOS?

I think about this a lot. I am not under the care of a physician for my PCOS at all. I saw a RE to get pg and that has been it! My PCP checks my glucose every 6 months (it hoovers right around 109) and that is just about the extent of my treatment for PCOS.

Anyone else? I just feel like I should be doing more. I feel like I should get involved more.

I'm not cause I have yet to find a Dr. who I think is on the same wavelengh as me in regards to my treatment.

Most just blow you off, are too busy trying to be all super impressive not it alls, or don't know squat about the condition. At least around here.

My GP didn't even test me, just DXed me and said to come back when I was ready to get PG. Once I got PG I went to my now GYN's office and during a follow up visit asked my GYN about PCOS. He did tests and started me on Met. He is very knowledgeable about PCOS. I don't have a GP right now, though I guess I need one for non-PCOS or non-GYN related thing. My symptoms didn't start to improve until Oct. 2002 when I went on a modified lower carb diet. They improved more once I started Met. IMO if you have a doc who doesn't know about PCOS and how to deal with it, you might as well not have a doc. Each year mine tests my insulin and testosterone and usually cholesterol.

I am not seeing a doc for mine either. I like you, went to a doc to get pregnant, and haven't been to one since. But I am getting worse symptoms and am more concerned and I think I'm ready to look for a good doc. Like the others said though, getting a good doc is important, and that seems so daunting to me! But I have heard of one through a friend that wants to learn about pcos, so that sounds like a good start. I would at least like to be monitored.

Right now i'm not seeing a doc but will be in January to get pg.I just researched about PCOS from here and other sites which gave me info on alternative therapies so i take herbals and eat healthily,exercise,massage my abdomen and try to reduce stress.This seems to be helping.And while i wait to go to the docs we are ttc and doing plenty of bding.Fingers crossed for a natural conception.

I'm not currently on any meds for my PCOS either. We are trying ttc, I have been going to an accupunturist since Feb. I currently have a cyst, and the accupuncture seems to be helping. My Dr. is very patient, and relaxed, sometimes too relaxed. She sent me to an endo after running some tests and having my lh and fsh hormone levels at 0. He put me on met, but was not really monotoring me, so I stopped taking met, and stopped going to see him. I also wonder if I should be taking something else... but am a little hesitant to go back to an endo who is too relaxed. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a new gyno who specializes in reproductive disorders, well see what he says, maybe he knows more about PCOS than the endo I went to before.

Almond, I would love to know more about treating with herbs. I have tried homeopathic meds in the past, though have never stuck with them long, maybe I should try again, but would love more info. Can you share web sites where you found info?

I was under VERY intense care and treatment for about a solid two years, which reduced my symptoms to nearly zero, and returned my labs to 'best side of normal'. Since then, my symptoms have been very minor...usually a response to periods of stress and poor lifestyle. So I haven't really required any 'care' beyond routine check up stuff.

No, I'm not under the care of a doc for my PCOS. It was dx by my RE in 2005 when we were TTC. She suggested I see an internist to help manage my PCOS and hypothyroid. That was two years ago, and I still haven't found one. I don't know how/where to find a good doc for all of it or if a good doc to manage it even exists. I am seeing an endocrinologist in September so I figure that's a good place to start.

No, I'm not currently under the care of my dr, she put me bcps and told me to come back to see her when I am ready to start ttc. So far, everything has been fine without the need of my doctor. I'm so blessed for that.

here is the thing.... different treatments and lifestyles work for different people and there have been a lot of cases in which women who have made lifestyle changes and reduced as little as 5% of their body weight have noticed a significant change to their health and well being with PCOS. There are also a lot of cysters who use alternative treamtents which do not always require being under the scrutiny of a doctor. However.... for someone like me who has a really difficult time with insulin resistance and as a result has high cholesterol and other problems associated with PCOS, being under the care of a doctor is a wise choice. It is very possible to live a relatively normal life with PCOS but, it often requires a lot of work to get your body to a point where the symptoms are minimal and sometimes a good endo, RE naturopath, OBGYN or even a GP can help you achieve those goals. I think it is an issue of personal choice and where you are in your life and dealings with PCOS.
As with any person as long as you check in with your doc on occassion to make sure everything is working as it should and the syndorme has not caused any other issues i.e. diabetes, high cholesterol, etc... you can do what works best for you.

Originally Posted by jsr72

No, I'm not under the care of a doc for my PCOS. It was dx by my RE in 2005 when we were TTC. She suggested I see an internist to help manage my PCOS and hypothyroid. That was two years ago, and I still haven't found one. I don't know how/where to find a good doc for all of it or if a good doc to manage it even exists. I am seeing an endocrinologist in September so I figure that's a good place to start.

I am also in NJ, South NJ and see a wonderful internist in Philly, Dr. Katherine Sherif. I also know quite a few in central and North NJ, as well as NYC.

Let me know and I cna send some info!

I don't have a doc either.. but i take a great blend of supplements that have helped me a lot with weight loss (wasn't able to lose any weight before them). Yes, I was like you as well. It's a bit of denial, honestly. You kind of push it to the side because you don't want to deal with it. Happens all the time.. to me for years. But one day I woke up.. after finding this site, actually. And it's been a smoother ride ever since. Didn't want to go the chemical route, so did a lot of research on natural stuff.. workin' so far. :o) Good luck!

Originally Posted by Lupe

Almond, I would love to know more about treating with herbs. I have tried homeopathic meds in the past, though have never stuck with them long, maybe I should try again, but would love more info. Can you share web sites where you found info?

I got the info from here,SC has tons of info on herbal remedies
Like Altabes says different treatments and lifestyles work for different people.

Depends what u mean by physician. I dont have anyone taking care of me just me. If i get pain or i feel somethings wrong i go to the DR and play it up so they DO something about it, if i let it go or play it down they WONT do anything. I spent most of my life fighting with the DR telling her somethings wrong but she was all like "lose weight and everything will be better - your asthma will get better. Your obese thats the problem"

and i felt like sticking 2 fingers up 2 her. Since i moved away to uni i got registered to a DR and shes done more for me in the past 6 months than the DR back home. She doesnt put it down to my weight, she actually helping me with my PCOS. But i will only go to see her if i feel somethings wrong. She still doesnt know why im getting really bad pains and i guess its part of the PCOS but doubt theres anything anyone can do.

I hate feeling like this. But we got to be strong and carry on n deal with it x