Just got back from the Dr's and have some questions...

Bethwyn · 06-20-2005, 07:42 AM

I've been to my appointment, but I only got some of the blood tests results back. She said that the glucose levels were normal but my platelets were high (which is something I've had before, so it's no real worry at the moment because they were only slightly elevated), and I have to call back in a week to get the rest of the results. She looked at what I assume to be Acanthosis Nigricans around my groin, but didn't really comment on that, just said it wasn't very bad, and she's sent away to get me an appointment to get a vaginal u/s done to check my ovaries. She was VERY persistant that I lose weight too. I told her that I've been trying but not really getting anywhere and that everytime I manage to lose weight it comes back on again, but I don't think she really believed me.

I have a couple of questions now cos I'm a bit confused. Can I have PCOS or IR and yet have a normal glucose level? Also I have never had a vaginal ultrasound. What are they like? Do they hurt or are they uncomfortable, and do you generally have to do anything to prepare for them?

TIA

cec414 · 06-20-2005, 08:40 AM

Hey Bethwyn,
I only had an external u/s to check for cysts which they didn't see, but I can comment on the glucose test. What is usually wrong with PCOS is your insulin levels not your glucose levels, those would be elevated if you had Diabetes, so it's possible that you have IR with normal glucose levels like me. If you are really curious you could ask her for a special test for your insulin levels, but even then, the tests are very imprecise and you could get inaccurate results. The A/N is a sign of IR and I am not sure if your doctor has mentioned Metformin, but it has been helping me a whole lot as well as going on the IR Diet. Good luck with your exam

!!!!

Bethwyn · 06-20-2005, 09:00 AM

That for the reply Cec

She hasn't mentioned Met or any treatment at all yet except for losing weight. I'm assuming she will wait until all the testing has been carried out before she does. All she really said at the moment was that I had to start working on losing weight, which I'm trying to do anyway with the IR diet.

I think if she doesn't say anything about getting insulin tested, then I will ask her next time I have an appointment. I have a family history of Type II diabeties anyway, which I told her about, so I guess she wouldn't put up too much of a fuss about sending me to get it done.

dellwood · 06-20-2005, 09:04 AM

I second everything cec says. Plus the glucose levels depend so much on what time they're taken, what you've eaten or drunk, and even what she considers to be normal. My other doctor kept telling me my levels were normal and when I pressed her, I thought they were high, but she said,"Well, they're normal for someone with your conditions!" Duh!
My u/s was external, so I can't comment on that, but I don't think there is too much problem with a vaginal u/s. I have found that I am losing weight VERY slowly (it still yo-yo's a lot from fluid retention) with the IR diet. I am sure it would move more quickly with more exercise but the fibro rules that out at the moment. A lot of dr.s persist in seeing us as fat and lazy, due to their general ignorance of PCOS.
If you have carb cravings, chromium or cinnamon can help. Hope the rest of your results give you some answers. Stay cheerful! Thank you so much for the gift, by the way, it is greatly appreciated. I still don't have enough points to buy any, which is getting really frustrating!

Bethwyn · 06-20-2005, 09:15 AM

Thanks Dellwood

Are you on Met? The fibro and CFS is my main worry with exercise too. I don't want to overdo it because I know I will be screwed for months if I do, and that's not worth it, but I never know when I've overdone it until it's too late

Dreaming Wolf · 06-20-2005, 09:25 AM

I had an internal U/S done. Actually I've had two, one for my dx and one for a problem (tmi right now). They'll usually do an external one too, just to get as many views as possible. I remember I had to drink heaps of water and not pee for a certain amount of time. The actual test was OK, both the technicians I had were nice. The U/S gel is cold and it's basically just a thin stick-like thing with a condom on it. They put it in, look around for a couple of minutes and that's it. I didn't have a problem with it but I'm not shy about my body in general. I think that's the way to be when you have a medical condition like PCOS...

I recommend the GI diet for losing weight. I lost weight with a combination of that and WeightWatchers.

And yes, glucose levels are different from insulin levels. Insulin levels are measured in a fasting test, you have blood taken, drink a glucose drink, and have your blood taken again twice after that. Even so, it is possible to have PCOS without being IR.

Bethwyn · 06-20-2005, 10:02 AM

Thanks for you reply Dreaming Wolf.

How thin are we talking for the stick? Like finger size? Or more like penis size? I'm shy about my body, but I don't mind letting Dr's etc do what they gotta do. They've seen it all before and it's their job, so it doesn't really worry me.

If I have to drink water like for a regular ultrasound then I'm not looking forward to that! Last time it hurt so bad and I only just made it to the toilet before I wet myself, lol.

dellwood · 06-20-2005, 07:43 PM

My endo gave me 3 months to lose 14 lbs and said if I can't manage it by diet and exercise alone he wants me to go on Met at my next appointment. There is diabetes in my family also and as I am pre-diabetic already, I can't really afford to take too many chances.
I hear you about the exercise; it's so tempting when you have a good day to try to rush around to catch up on things you've neglected, even as you're doing it you know you'll pay for it for the next goodness knows how long. I always feel like I have to use the few good days to do as much as possible because I don't know when another one will come along. You think we'd have learnt by know to pace ourselves, wouldn't you?

Hope your bladder holds out!

Dreaming Wolf · 06-20-2005, 11:38 PM

Um... the size is probably somewhere in between! It shouldn't hurt, but it's not comfy because it's so cold!

You'll have to ask about the drinking. I had internal and external done at the same time so I guess I had to drink as for a normal U/S, but maybe just internal is different...?