I visited two doctors in Tottenham (Somerset Gardens GP) and the last one was the worst experience in my life I've ever had! They are refusing to check hormone levels when asked. The first doctor did only FH and LSH levels and told that I was "fit and healthy" and wished me "to enjoy" and to come back when pregnant. My periods are 40-60 days and I don't feel nor see any signs of ovulation. . I went to the other doctor but he was even worse - he said that I should get pregnant first in order to treat my PCOS. Isn't it otherway round???!!! I was in tears asking him to check my other hormones (testosterone, prolactin) and he wouldn't agree - just at the of appointment he agreed, but that will not still be full profile. Is it important to check DHEAS, Androstenedione and SHBG - he was full of irony when I ask him to check those and simply refused!!! I came home in tears feeling frustrated and low. Also he said that my tiredness was nothing to do with my PCOS but I read that it wasn't only me who felt that way.
I feel really confused and depressed - don't know where to apply. the doctor refused to give me a referral letter to a gyn when I asked.
P.S.: I was diagnosed with PCOS 8 years ago and I had some treatment in my country but I've been living in London for 4 years and didn't apply anywhere except this local GP. What can I do????
Yovita
I want to wish you all Happy Easter - have a wonderful holiday
I'm so sorry. I've really had a hard time with docs too.
Could you try to get a referral to either a gynae or an endocrinologist from your GP?
Are you currently trying to conceive? If so, tell your GP you've been trying for over a year with no joy. (Lie if you have to.) At least then you should get a referral to a gynaecologist who will hopefully at least be willing to run blood tests and things.
I wouldn't expect miracles straight away though. The NHS can be very slow, as I've been finding out.
Thanks, Katiwren, I did tell them that I was trying to conceive but I told the truth - that's only sice last October, so if they made some notes, I'd be catched if lying wouln't I?... I just want to be aware of my current condition as I've been feeling sooo tired all these years and pill did even worse I guess. I did take the third appointment with the third doctor in two weeks time though. It was a shock to find out how bad was NHS and the attitude to patients...
I am still hoping though for a brighter day!
I am so happy that I found this site - I am a new here...
Yuvi
This site is fantastic. Not perfect, but really great.
Maybe you could pretend to have misunderstood the question slightly? Like say you've not been using anything to stop conception for longer, but only started trying to conceive with things like timing intercourse in October? I shouldn't really promote lying, but I wish I had. I was diagnosed years ago and told to come back straight away when I was ready to start ttc, but then when I did that, they started all over with the diagnosis and it's taken nearly a year so far to get back to where I was 5 years ago. I was offered clomid then, but have to wait at least until my appointment in June to get it now.
Just so you know, not everyone in the NHS is bad. It's just that it's so underfunded that everyone gets overwhelmed by the workload on a regular basis.
Just a suggestion but if your finding that your getting no-where with your medical practice well why dont you change. Some people from other practices I've spoken too have had a rough time with there G.Ps and have had to go and register with another practice to get help with their problems. I hope what ever happens that you get the help and full attention that you deserve.
See you around the boards,
Stina,
Also, it couldn't hurt to arm yourself with some of the most current and peer-reviewed research out there about PCOS and its symptoms. I'm an attorney (solicitor) and I certainly don't have every law memorized. I need to research most cases I take. By providing credible information to your GP about what you think you have, it might be the step up you need.
You risk pissing him off, of course (with the suggestion he's not competent to recognize an illness), but doesn't seem like that would make you much worse off.
Best of luck!
__________________ - me 28, DP 40
- diagnosed PCOS April 2003
- mom diagnosed w/ stage 4 endometrial cancer February 2003
(recovering well after chemo & rads)
- "Chocolate" cyst removed from left ovary 1996, recently found a new one (possible endometriosis)
- Plan to ttc in 2005 (at age 30)
If you are unhappy with the treatment that you receive from your GP, you should write initially to the Practice manager at your surgery and tell them you are not satisfied with the treatment you received and that the Dr's didnt listen to you. They should try and resolve the complaint. Include in the letter the standard blood tests that are used and checked regularly for pcos and tell them your gP refused to have them done.
If they still dont carry out the tests or refer you to an Endocrinologist then i would move to another practice and i would also contact the local PCT (Primary Care Trust)and ask for other Drs in your area. I think you might come under Haringey PCT, their address is:
St Ann's General Hospital
St Ann's Road
London N15 3TH
020 8442 6000
You can also use the NHS Patients Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
If you have a problem with local health services
If you need advice and information
If you have ideas about how services can be improved
Phone (020) 8442 6859
Address:
Barbara Waller
PALS Co-ordinator
Haringey Primary Care Trust
St Ann's Hospital
St Ann's Road
Tottenham
London N15 3TH
Pals Can Give Information About
Health services
Social services
Community centres
Support groups
Interpreters/linkworkers
Services for people with disabilities
How to make a formal complaint
Hope this helps.....
Squidge
__________________ -------------------------------------------
45(feels like 99 some days)
Dx - pcos 1982
Dx - diabetes 2 1999,
Tx - metformin slow release 2000mg. Insulin 5 times a day
Loads of other medications.
------------------------------- What is a friend?A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
Aristotle...
You poor thing - your doc sounds horrendous. i agree withy everyone here - get a referral to a specialist or change your GP. in fact I'd cahnge your GP anyway - if they are that ill-informed about PCOS then who knows what else they are ill-informed on.
I changed GPs when my last one dealt with me appallingly after I came of the pill and didn't have a period for a year. She examined me said she didn't think I was pregnant (I had done two -ve HPTs) but my womb was teh size of a four month pregnancy and she was sending me to have a scan as a matter of urgency - if they didn't give an appointment within a week I was to let her know. The scan showed my womb was perfectly6 normal but picked up poolycystic ovaries. I had (of course) been panicing thinking there was something seriously wrong (cancer of the womb, being of course the first thing you think of) in the meantime. When I saw the GP she took one look at the results and simply said, without looking up "Oh, yes, I told you it was probably polycystic ovaries, didn't I?" which she hadn't. She hadn't mentioned it. If she had I woud have asked her about them/looked it up. At that moment I knew I was never going back to that surgery.
You need to have confidence that your GP knows what they are doing and has your best interests at heart. Your GP clearly doesn't have that. It is true that people with polycystic ovaries (not PCOS) can kick-start their bodies into functioning normally through a pregnancy. I have several friends who have had polycystic ovaries (but not PCOS) and pregnancy has 'cured' it. But PCOS is something different and the very fact that your GP doesn't know this is a warning signal. Get referred to a specialist and change GP is my advice.
HTH
Safia
__________________ Me: 31 DH: 35 Furry babies: Sultana and Huraira (cats)
Suspected for years, dx:2002; TTC for 6 years; m/c April '02.
March '03 Clomid 50mg: O.
April '03 50mg: no O, then Od naturally.
12th May '03: 100mg Clomid
Trying to lose weight (HA! and HMPH!) & did well but now...!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I had the same problems that you are encountering when I was desperate to be diagnosed and completely frustrated by the NHS. It's not much fun, and so upseting when all you want is proper treatment!
You can search for specialists in your area, and then get a referral from your GP. Just search PCOS or reproductive endocrinology, and you should be able to find a Dr with the experience to help you. That's how I found my Dr, and I finally received the necessary bloodwork/treatment and hopefully soon, RESULTS!
Good luck to you!
cheers,
jen.xxx
__________________ me(39) dh(35)
- two beautiful children after IVf and every method possible before that
- Still nursing DS at 11 months
- Not sure what happens to my life with PCOS after babies... watch this space
GP doctors 
. I went to the other doctor but he was even worse - he said that I should get pregnant first in order to treat my PCOS.
Isn't it otherway round???!!! I was in tears asking him to check my other hormones (testosterone, prolactin) and he wouldn't agree - just at the of appointment he agreed, but that will not still be full profile. Is it important to check DHEAS, Androstenedione and SHBG - he was full of irony when I ask him to check those and simply refused!!! I came home in tears feeling frustrated and low. Also he said that my tiredness was nothing to do with my PCOS but I read that it wasn't only me who felt that way. 
Hi Yuvi 
Provide research 
