Brisbane doctor - city/north

miranda1977 · 06-06-2002, 08:03 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a good doctor/specialist in Brisbane (Newmarket/Alderley/Wilston or City area) who has a good grasp of PCOS ... I'm thinking an endochronologist - but I'm not ttc, so someone who can assist with other side affects (weight/skin etc) would be helpful.

Kind regards,
Miranda

rabbit · 06-10-2002, 06:18 AM

Hi Miranda

I see an Obs/Gyno at Nth West Hospital - as I am ttc.....
But he did refer me to a Physican/Endo on Wkm Tce - Narelle McDonald as I also have a thyroid problem ......

She is lovely - and explains everything thoroughly...... First visit is quite expensive - $150 - then around $100 for follow up visits....

Good luck

rabbit

Roni · 06-10-2002, 11:40 AM

My endo is Dr. Christopher Strakosch. He has offices in 3 locations - Wickham Terrace, Sherwood & Ipswich

His number is 3832-0457 his specialist fees aren't that bad ($60/15 mins) so if you can't get a referral, I think he's worth seeing even without Medicare if you can afford it. Generally new patient bookings take about 2-4 weeks.
He's a professor as well at UQ, and I think that's why he's up on current treatments. As an academic, he'd be more up with all the journals, etc.

This is from some one I met here who is now in the states, this DR is the best, I drive 90 min each way to see him.

miranda1977 · 06-11-2002, 11:27 AM

Hi Roni,

From your point of view, what do you think you've gotten out of your visits with the specialist? Have you learnt anything new or gotten any different insights into treating and living with PCOS that you didn't have before?

Sometimes I wonder whether doctors know much more than us when it comes to usual day to day treatments for PCOS, especially since I'm not TTC (which would be an entirely other story).

Thanks for your response!!

Miranda

goo · 06-16-2002, 01:31 AM

Hi Miranda,

I have seen Karen Webster, an ob/gyn in Spring Hill. Her no. is 3831 8788. She is very reasonably priced and a caring, holistic doctor. I spent almost 40 minutes with her.

As for the efficacy of treatment, it is hard to say. All women with pcos have different needs and react to treatment differently. My symptoms are totally manageable through exercise, and any medical intervention would be unnecessary - the only med that would have any effect is the bcp (bleeech). If I was ttc it would probably be a different story.

Good luck!
Nat

Roni · 06-21-2002, 04:37 AM

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you Miranda, I don’t visit here too often.
What have I gotten from my endo? Lots, more than anything he reassured me that I was not fat because of how much I ate, that it is my PCOS/IR doing it to me; May sound silly but it meant a lot to me.
I too am not TTC. He still has me on 2250mg of Met and 200mg/Spiro per day.

He did not do any testing on me only because I have a long history of treatment with PCOS, I have had the normal blood tests but nothing specific to PCOS.
He is willing to listen and to let me feal as if I am in charge of my treatment, that is a nice feeling.

miranda1977 · 06-22-2002, 01:12 AM

Hi Roni,

Thanks for that info. Like you I was diagnosed with PCOS quite awhile ago - 1995. I had all the blood tests plus an ultrasound which showed things pretty well!

I'm interested in why the doc has you on 2250mg of Met? I'm currently on 1700mg of Gluc (I've found, after comparing the two, I can tolerate Gluc better than Met). Also, I'm interested in the dose of Spiro - how have you found it has helped you?

I'm going to get a referral to your Endo, he sounds great!

Miranda

Roni · 06-25-2002, 01:03 AM

I got smart and I am checking in sooner than normal.
I am on 1.5 tabs of the 500mg met 3 times a day, which is why my dose is a funny one. I am on that for 2 different reasons; first IR and second weight loss. I think my body got used to being on a lower dose and I was getting insulin rushes especially with meals high in protein. I was (am) low carbing but I have free weekends, so I am not loosing any weight just maintaining my loss.

I cut down on my spiro dose (Dr was ok with it too) to 100mg per day to see if that is what was causing my period to be every 21 days. Within the first month my face started to break out, but my cycle was a ‘normal’ 28 days. It is not worth the hair and acne to me to have a longer cycle.

I go back to him this Friday for new scrips… but I am not expecting any changes in my meds

I would love to hear about your experience with him once you’ve seen him!

miranda1977 · 06-25-2002, 08:16 AM

Hi Roni...

Here's my story at the moment...
- I'm on Diane 35 ED, have been for about 7 years. I'm not sure it is the best pill to be on, but it's OK. I had really irregular cycles before going on the pill and have had since the word go.

- my skin has been shocking of late - worst it has been since my teens, so I'm back on the zinc to try and get it under control.

- I was first put on 1500mg of Metformin in 1995 ... I'm up to 1700 of Gluc (two 850mg tabs per day). I think maybe I need to be on more. Weight loss is a big thing for me too - that and my skin is the real reason I want to see your doctor!!

I'll let you know how I go with him. Do you think it is worthwhile to get a referral? I'm pretty sure I could.

Cheers - thanks for emailing me back it is much appreciated!!

miranda

Roni · 06-29-2002, 05:27 AM

Like I said I went to see him again on Friday; even with keeping my Calories low and doing lower carb I gained 0.5k in 2 months, ok while it is not a lot, I still hate that the scale is moving in the upper direction. So he has given me a diet pill (my choice), I need to drop 20K more I hate my body right now!

Sounds like you could use a dose of Aldactone (Spiro) to help your face; it is amazing how well that helps!
I can not say anything but how good he is, he ran a full thyroid panel the first visit with him, I do not recall any doctor ever doing it, even though my thyroid is enlarged everything came back normal.
I’d try for the referral, which way there is little to no out of pocket fee for you. Even if you pay cash he will only charge 50.30 for a regular visit…so totally worth it.

miranda1977 · 07-05-2002, 08:52 AM

Hi Roni,

Well, I'm booked into see my old GP from the Sunshine Coast who diagnosed me and has been my doctor since I was 8 years-old on Saturday July 1. She'll give me the referral letter and copy my files (with my bloodwork and ultrasound showing the lovely cysts and enlarged ovaries!!). I'm booked into to see your Endo on July 31. I'm really looking forward to getting good advice froma real expert.

I'm also going to see a nutritionist/dietician in Wilston tomorrow to try and get my eating on track.

So fingers crossed for a good outcome for all of this!!

Thanks for your info.

Miranda

miranda1977 · 07-27-2002, 10:20 AM

Roni,

I saw dr Strakosh on Tuesday night and I cannot tell you how thankful I am to you for recommending him to me. In all my years of seeing doctors about PCOS I have never come across someone so extremely knowledgable about the problem, so open to ideas, provided excellent suggestions and had a great friendly, reassuring manner.

He's got me doing a couple of things - doing a Glucose Tolerance Test, changing my pill, and changing from Met/Gluc to a new thing and then keeping an eye on my skin for awhile to see what happens - and I'm going to see him again in 4 weeks. So I'm actually going to be monitored.

I left feeling so reassured that someone out there knew what they were talking about and was willing to help me!

So thanks for the recommendation!

Miranda

Roni · 07-30-2002, 10:04 AM

You are so very welcome Miranda.

It is refreshing to talk with someone who knows what is going on with PCOS and open to most anything. I would travel more than the 90min each way to see him if I had to.

I will be seeing him again 28/8!

Cheers
Roni

LeeDawson · 08-04-2002, 08:41 AM

HI MIRANDA!
I saw DR LEE at the Royal Womens Hosptial last year before I fell pregant with my daughter!
If you want more detials I'll send them to u via email!

Lee