For over 10 years I have been going to different doctors, getting tests done only to be told that everything seems normal - it's just stress, or just part of being a woman or you need to eat healthily & exercise. I have almost learned to just ignore my issues (you know them, weight gain that is impossible to lose, acne, irregular, heavy & painful periods, extra hair growth, fatigue etc). As my symptoms seem to have worsened greatly over the past year I decided to give yet another doctor a try. Went to the doc saying that I have suspicions of possibly having Endometriosis. Doc said she suspected PCOS, not Endo. Did some bloods - blood results all point to PCOS. Discussed metformin and told to do some of my own research on metformin while waiting for the ultrasound appointment, and that even if US comes back normal, I can still have PCOS. I discussed that I still wanted a referral to a Gyn as I knew it would take a couple of months to get in (live in a small country town, specialists only visit the nearby town occasionally)
I left that appointment feeling great. Finally a doctor that has listened to my concerns, and blood results that actually support the doctors suspicions, and PCOS explained so many of my symptoms!! Had the US, girl doing it said she could see some small cysts, but no large cysts that would require removal or anything like that.... well that was the end of the "good" news.
I had a follow up appointment with the doctor, and in the couple of weeks she had done a complete flip. The report from the US came back saying "of normal appearance", so doc said that as no cysts were visible I don't have PCOS, and it doesn't explain the sharp pains I get on my ovary, but Endo could explain that though she wasn't convinced because I didn't have ALL the other symptoms of endo. On the verge of tears I said to her that last appointment she even said that PCOS can be possible without visible cysts, and I had done enough of my own research to see that most agree, and that many get sharp stabbing ovary pain. She said that Metformin was not an option as I didn't have cysts, therefore no PCOS and I should go on the Pill again. AGHHRR, we had already discussed last appointment that I did not want to be on the Pill as that only masks the symptoms, and doesn't actually deal with the underlying issue. We plan to start TTC mid next year and I want to do my best to get my body in "normal" working order before then.
Went home very frustrated and upset - yet another doctor that doesn't listen Decided to do some more in depth research of my own, and just to sit it out until I heard when my Gyn appointment will be. The more I read articles, people's stories, the more I just know PCOS is what I have. I contacted the docs and got my own copy of the blood results. Found a few more abnormal results that point to PCOS that the doc failed to even mention to me.
I got the letter in the mail to say I had an appointment with the Gyn in over a month away. The past few days I have struggled so much with fatigue at work that I was debating if I should try the other local doctor in the mean time. Rang the Gyn's office to see if they had had any cancellations for one of the sooner visits, nothing - but said she would put me on the list. No sooner had I got off the phone, it started ringing. It was the other admin person at the Gyn's office saying she was just on the phone taking a cancellation for the visit in 2 weeks!!
The visiting Gyn I am seeing is the Director of Obstetrics at the main womens & childrens hospital in the state. I just hope he knows enough about PCOS.
I have the Symptoms, I have the blood results, now just to find someone who will listen!
Goodluck! I hope the doctor can help you. You should give the doctor all of your labs and us results and let her make a diagnosis on you before you tell her what you think it is. Also, Metaformin is used for women who have insulin resistance...pre diabetic. When you discuss everything with the gyn you should have a glucose tolerance test done. This is a blood test where you fast for 8 hrs, then they take your blood and then give you this nasty sugar drink. They then take your blood at 1/2 hr, 1 hr, and 1 1/2 hr to see how your glucose levels respond. I have it. It is where your body makes to much insulin and it cannot all be absorbed properly. It is easy to get a handle on for some people by just eating properly. No sugar, of course, and no simple carbohydrates, like potatoes and breads that are not 100% whole wheat. If you have it you should look in to the low Glycemic Index diet (GI) which is all about cutting out the foods that make your insulin surge. Also, do not ever let a doctor talk you into going on birth control because you are right, it is just masking the problem. I chart my cycles using the creighton method. This is based on the catholic church teachings, but many non catholics do it to avoid or achieve pregnancy the natural way, no pills needed. All you do is watch and chart your mucus, from toilet paper, on a daily basis. If you use the creighton method, you can chart for three months and send in your charts to Dr. Hilgers (or one of his associates), with the Pope Paul VI institute in Omaha, NE (popepaulvi.com) along with all of your past blood work and stuff. He can identify possible medical problems from your charting. He may order more blood work and may put you on medication depending on your problem. He will not prescribe birth control. You never have to go in to see him, which may be good for you since you live far out. He is a great doctor and the nurses are great too! This is the website for Creighton Method which Dr. Hilgers created (creightonmodel.com) Again, it is based out of the Catholic Church, but please don't let that bother you. When you are learning the system, you will have to meet with a teacher, or if there isn't one in your area, call the nearest one and they may be able to help you over the phone. You can find the nearest teacher at (fertilitycare.org) They do not pressure you to believe in the church's teachings and they do not care that you were on bc. Ok really sorry if I babbled. Please write me back if you are interested or have any questions. You will still need a local gyn though, so still go to her!
__________________ Amanda (24) DH Tim (25) Dx 2007, IR, high prolactin & hypothyroid
Thanks for the reply. I have been following a strict low carb, low GI for several months now, and before then I ate minimal breads, pasta, potatoes etc anyway, and most of my meals have always been full of healthy veggies & lean protien, never fatty deep fried foods. Take out happens very rarely - I live in a small country town and simply don't have access to it! I did drop a bit of weight in the first couple of months of being strict with the Carb/GI but in the past 5 weeks I have stayed exact same weight, and nothing seems to move it!
I have done a bit of indepth reading about IR, about how the body reacts etc, and I strongly suspect that I am IR. But yes, I will be asking for a GTT!
I live in Australia, so a little far away! Thanks for the suggestion though, may be of use to others.
I really hope the Gyn diagnoses PCOS, as horrible as it can be, I look forward to finally getting an answer to my symptoms. Docs have always just looked at one problem, done tests on what they suspect and when the test come back negative I just get brushed away. PCOS explains my symptoms as a whole.
The readings in the USA seem to be done a little differently that the way they are set out in Aust. My results that strongly suggest PCOS:
Testosterone: 3.1 (normal is 0.2 - 2.0)
Free Adrogens: 10% (should be below 5%)
LH/FSH ratio: close to 4:1 , should be 1:1
And a few other hormone levels are characteristic too, like certain ones are quite often on the particular extremes of "normal", and mine seem to follow those trends too.
Dr. Hilgers isn't out of reach for you...he does all of his consultations on your charts through mail or fax and phone calls with his nurses. I am sure just because you live over there, you cannot have email coversations with them. Of course you wouldn't be able to have surgery with him, but he may be able to help you with your hormone levels and such...but I understand the hassle.
Good luck!!!!
__________________ Amanda (24) DH Tim (25) Dx 2007, IR, high prolactin & hypothyroid
I really hope that your gyn will listen to you. Your LH:FSH ratio is typical of PCOS. I can't believe your other doctor did a 360 on her position. Like the prior person I was going to suggest a low GI diet. I started eating that way once my dr. suggested PCOS. I've lost weight, but more importantly I feel great. More energy, less moodiness, etc. If you're already following the GI diet that's a good step if you are insulin resistant.
I have PCOS - now to find a doc who will listen! 
Decided to do some more in depth research of my own, and just to sit it out until I heard when my Gyn appointment will be. The more I read articles, people's stories, the more I just know PCOS is what I have. I contacted the docs and got my own copy of the blood results. Found a few more abnormal results that point to PCOS that the doc failed to even mention to me.
