confused Adelaide newbie... any advice?

sarahr · 01-16-2004, 04:46 AM

Hi everyone! I've recently been diagnosed, based on a cysty looking ultrasound and total lack of periods... I'm ttc and my GP's made an appointment for me at the Gynae dept in the Queen Eliz hospital in Adelaide. Anybody know if this is a good place to go for treatment? I know there's some affiliation with the hospital to Repromed, but is Repromed related to the gynae dept or some other dept, like endocrinology? It seems a bit weird to send an infertile woman like me for an appointment in the maternity wing.... Should I go private? No idea how the system usually works... I'm new to Australia as well as PCOS... thanks for any help!

saffrhon · 01-16-2004, 07:55 AM

Hi Sarah and welcome to SoulCysters. (And Australia)

I am not from Adelaide so I can't comment on whether Queen Elizabeth hospital is a good place to go for treatment, sorry. Although busy places, some of the larger public hospitals attached to Universities that train Doctors will have access to the latest treatments and information.

I recently went for an appointment with a gynaecologist in Sydney at a large public teaching hospital. The facilities at the reproductive medicine area included appointments for women seeing a gyn who were not pregnant, and pregnant women, and ivf clinic all in the same section. (Yes it was weird to be surrounded by pregnant women in the waiting room, I read lots of magazines!!!) Often the gynae dept is linked together with obstetrics. Perhaps that is the same at Queen Elizabeth Hospital?

There are a few South Australia website links in the ivf clinics thread posted at the top of page one of the Aussie Kiwi forum here, perhaps they will give you some more info about Queen Elizabeth and Repromed. There might be some info in the Post your pcos friendly Dr thread also at the top of the same page.

Good luck with your appointment. I hope things go well for you.

Tollee · 01-16-2004, 09:11 PM

Hi Sarah, I'm not from Adelaide either, but just wanted to also add that when I was first sent off for treatment of my infertility, I was referred to the local public hospital, where I saw a gyn who was also seeing pregnant women at the same session. I agree it was werid being surrounded by pregnant women in the waiting room, but I was happy with the treatment I was given (you can see in my siggy that it worked!) so it was worth it in the end.

Is it possible that the Repromed place is for "reproductive endocrinology"? Lots of women on this site see an "RE" for their infertility and general PCOS issues.

Good luck to you, and hope to see you around the boards here...
Nic xxx

sarahr · 01-19-2004, 01:03 AM

Thanx tolle & rhon... you've put my mind at rest! Tollee - congrats on Alyssa!!!

calebsmum · 01-19-2004, 03:27 AM

Hey, I am from North Adelaide I didn't go thru QEH to have mine, but I have heard it is a good hospital. I saw a GP who specialises in hormone problems and he has been wonderful.

He put me on a low carb diet and natural progesterone cream and a herbal tablet called indolplex. I lost weight and all my horomone levels became normal and it as only taken me one month to conceive my second child.

His name is Dr Tunbridge and phone number :8267 3133

If may take a few weeks to get in, but it well worth the wait.

sarahr · 01-20-2004, 08:18 AM

Hi calebsmum! Good to know there's some other Adelaidians out there... and thanks for the advice, I'll try and get an appointment. Can you give me an idea about what Dr Tunbridge costs? Thanks!

calebsmum · 01-21-2004, 04:27 AM

Hey,

he cost about $35 for each appointment the cream cost me $37 and lasts about 6 weeks ..I hope that helps

Leece_au · 02-17-2004, 05:26 AM

Hi guys,

I'm new to the board, and i'm from Adelaide too

Sarah i've heard that Repromed has a really good reputation. I haven't been there yet, but when my body gets back on track that's where i'll go for ovulation induction. I've been to the Flinders Hospital Endocrine Clinic for ovulation induction, and personally wouldn't recommend them.

I have PCOS and IR and all the bits that go with it - lol. I have been seeing a Naturopath since January and I just love her to bits! She has me on a low carb diet, herbal formula and acupuncture regime that has been working great for me. So far i've lost 10 kilos and for the first time ever in my life i've had a 28 day cycle. Normally I have my period once, maybe twice a year...and since seeing Dr Baratosy i've had it twice already in 8 weeks.

Calebsmum i've never heard of indolplex, is it herbal? Dr Tunbridge sounds amazing, if I don't have success with the Naturopath I might go see him to try my luck!

Liznz · 02-18-2004, 05:43 AM

Hi Sarah, and welcome to SC.

I can't give you much opinion on the hospital...as I'm in Kiwiland

I do wish you all the best with your appointements wherever you decide to go

Take care, Liz

sarahr · 02-18-2004, 08:40 AM

Hi Leece and Liz, thanks for the welcome!

Leece, I've been thinking about seeing a naturopath but didn't know how to find someone who understands PCOS... maybe I'll try Dr Baratosy. I'm lucky that I don' t have too many obvious symptoms of pcos... but I would do anything to have a regular cycle for once! Good luck with the ovulation induction if you decide to go for it. Is there a possibility you're o'ing now your cycle is regulated? Post an update if you get a chance!

Calebs mum - I tried to make an appointment with Dr Tunbridge, but, sure enough, I couldn't get one until late march... so I thought I'd see how the hospital went first, and if it didn't live up my expectations, contact him later as plan B. Thanks again!

Sarah

Leece_au · 02-18-2004, 10:43 AM

Hi Sarah,

I'm not sure if i'm o'ing yet, but my PCOS symptoms are pretty bad so it will probably take a few months to get things all sorted out.

If you are interested in seeing a Naturopath Dr Baratosy knows about PCOS and how to treat it. In the initial consult she checks your eyes (Iridology) to decide what herbs and diet would be best for your body and does an acupuncture session as well.

She has a website http://www.foreveryoung.net.au

If you want any info i'll do my best to help

If you get a chance post an update when you go to the QEH for your appointment, good luck hon!

Leece

Emmando · 02-18-2004, 08:07 PM

Welcome to SC and Australia. Im an ex-pom but dont live in Adelaide so cant help you there. Have you been put on metformin/diaformin yet? This restores O in most PCOS people although it may take a while.

Good luck with your treatment.

Come on girls lets get some BFP's happening on this board!

Em

Serene Tamborine Mummy · 03-31-2004, 08:07 AM

Hi, I've just registered with Soul Cysters myself. I was diagnosed with PCOS 4 years ago and last December gave birth to my first child - a bouncing baby boy, Mackenzie. My advice to you is go with your gut feeling. I saw several doctors before I found one I was happy with. A couple made me feel like I was going loopie, and others just didn't understand. I found a fantastic guy in Brisbane (Prof Khoo) who, from day one was so positive and encouraging that it instantly relaxed me and got rid of any doubts in my mind that I wouldn't fall pregnant. It took 14 months after my first visit with him before I fell pregnant but was confident the whole time. Since I first fell pregnant I have felt so much better mentally and physically. I haven't had any hormone tests since giving birth, but I am hoping that the whole pregnancy/baby thing might have been just what my body needed. I wish you luck with your doctor searching and hope that you get some results sooner rather than later. Bye, Donna.