I have been lucky enough to be diagnosed after several years of the same problems. However I know my treatment is a little lacking. I have never been referred to an endo, my doctor said my testosterone was 89 but said she didn't know if that was high for a woman or not, then never checked. I am on 500mg of Met and I know I need more but I don't know how to ask. The body hair on my face, lower belly and back has been increasing a lot lately, it's scary and she told me it should go away with the metformin and to wait. I don't know what to say to her. I feel bad because she's new and I'm happy she knew what PCOS was and helped me but the most she has me scheduled for for the next few months is a phone call from her nurse to make sure I get my period again by mid April. That's great but I am angry about the hair growth and I know there is more out there but I don't want to go on and tell her her job, I don't like confrontation and I like how she advocates for me in general like sending mer for an MRI when I had balance issues but I feel like I'm not getting the right treatment, What should I do? What do I say?!! I'm terrible with doctors I ask questions but then I shrink like a violet.
Why dont you look for a Endo and see if you can get in to see them? I know some of them you have to be referred to, like mine. But they might take you in since you have been diagnosed. I am on 1000mg of Met and will move up to 1500mg in the next few weeks. I am also not getting a period even with the met so i will be getting bcp. And as far as i know, the met doesnt help with the hair (though i could be wrong). I was prescribed spironolactone for the hair. Of course not all of us are on the same meds, but i am sharing mine so you might get an idea of which ones to ask about. If you dont feel your doctor is helping you as much as you would like her to, look for another. In my case, my ob/gyn told me she didnt know enough about PCOS and she wanted someone who knows about it to treat me. So see, you have the right to look for the treatment that you consider best for yourself.. if she cant even tell the normal levels of testosterone, how can she really help. Then again that is just my point of view
I hope things work out for you. I know how intimidating it is to talk to doctors, i feel the same way but you need to think of your health too! Take care n best wishes..
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Iris
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Maybe write out a list of brief but specific concern/requests you have. Call the office and relay those concerns to the doctor's aide.
Something like:
"Hi, this is [your name]. I don't need to speak directly to Dr [name], but if you could grab a pen and jot down this message for her that would be great. Since it's not an emergency, she can get back to me at her earliest convience - hopefully by the end of the week."
Once they have a pen...
- I would like to receive some type of additional treatment for my hirsutism problem. If Dr [name] would feel more comfortable referring me to an endo for this issue, I would welcome any names.
- I would also like to get an understanding of what I should be keeping an eye on, as far as my pcos diagnosis goes. Again, if Dr [name] would rather refer me to another doctor in the area who specialized in pcos, I would completely understand. It's my understand that Dr [find someone] and Dr [find someone] are both very good.
Thanks for your time...please let Dr [name] know that I look forward to hearing from her. I know she's very busy, so if it's more convenient for her to respond by email, mine is blah@blah.com
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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I was scared too. I always trusted and thought doctors know best. But I wasn't getting anywhere in my treatment besides bcp and her switching them and more recently telling me to take continually by skipping the inactive pills and go straight into the next pack. I simply asked if going to an endo for my pcos would be beneficial and she said if I wanted to. It came across to me that she didn't care if I did or not and handed me a list of docs. I check w/ my insurance to see if I needed a referral to see a specialist and I don't. I called one of the docs on the list and made the appt. I didn't call the gyn but to get my results from u/s and lap. Otherwise they don't know about me going. They will find out at my next appt.
__________________ Starlite Me - 27, Dh - 27 DD Sierra born 9/17/07 Quit Smoking, 1/17/07
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Holding off on weightloss while baking another baby. Goal for now = only to gain 10-15 lbs this time.
My Happy Birthday Baby
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This has been a difficult issue for me as well. I've found that I have to take a list of issues that I want addressed with me to each appointment, otherwise I get distracted and forget what I wanted to bring up. I also have to force myself to be very direct. Remeber that you are in charge of your health care. Showing that you are an informed patient who is willing to do what is necessary to regain your health can also go a long way toward getting more aggressive treatment. Also, don't let health care people bully you, they are just people dont let them walk on you, your intuition about your body is a valuable tool, make sure they listen to you.
Amber
How do I assert myself?! 
