Is it me? Or should I look for a new doctor?

barnkat · 02-20-2009, 04:58 PM

I moved to AZ in 2005 and put off finding a doctor until recently (I consider my PCP in CA to still be my doctor, but she wants me to find at least a GYN locally in case of emergency). I finally jumped into the deep end, found a doctor who had just started here at Banner Del Webb, and had my first visit a month ago. It did not go well (she seemed to be focused on my obesity, not on my concerns), but she ended with sending me for a vaginal ultrasound (which I've never had done), so I had hope. However, when I got to the clinic for the ultrasound, I found the reason for the test listed on the paperwork as "screening, obesity". A bad sign, at least to me.

Yesterday we met for the results and an endometrial biopsy. Early in the visit, she asked a question (I don't remember the exact question), and my responce was "that's because of the PCOS". She turned and said, "Well, the PCOS is only because of your obesity."

My question: am I just being sensitive, or is she really that obviously clueless about PCOS (not to mention fat biased)? Should I switch doctors?

alwayzrn · 02-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Personally it seems that this Dr is only wanting to treat your obesity and not you as a person. If this was my situation I would find another physician. PCOS does cause obesity as your hormones have some control of your metabolism. Also are you insulin resistant? Did she even try to check for that? I would try and find a physician that knows how PCOS can affect the body! Hope you find the right one!

Minxie · 02-25-2009, 02:01 PM

I would find another doctor. I live in Arizona too and I have had the worst time finding a PCOS-friendly OB/GYN. My primary care doctor, who has been fantastic, recently recommended me to an OB/GYN and it was a horrible experience. She would not listen to anything I said and proceeded to "inform" me that she since she had 30 years experience treating PCOS she knew more about my condition than I did. As I tried to explain the thing I had experienced over the years (I have had the condition since I was about 12 years old), she kept interrupting me and then told me I should seek mental health counseling as it is obvious to her that many of my "symptoms" were in my head and I obviously was not coping well. I was astounded. I have been researching PCOS for many years, and I feel that I am well-informed on the topic and I am certainly knowledgeable about my own body and what I have experienced. Doctors like her are the reason it took 18 years for me to be accurately diagnosed in the first place.

For years doctors told me to "eat less, exercise more" to the point I became bulimic and had to be treated for such. Find a doctor that will listen to you and treat you the way you deserve and need to be treated.

italianbelle · 03-23-2009, 01:49 PM

Definitely not you, i had a similar experience. i went to my boyfriend mothers gyno for a pap and to talk about my lack of periods for 5 months....and i was talking about PCOS and she kept saying i wasn't getting periods because im overweight and needed to lose weight. i was very upset after the exam because every concern i raised with her about my health she answered with i needed to lose weight (which is true but my gosh it was like she wasn't listening)....needless to say i never went back but have seen a new doctor i met in an urgent care,she saw me and my black ring around my neck, on my face and knees and asked me some questions and said she was willing to bet i had pcos and wanted me to come in for some tests....i was very excited to go to her because being observant and kind makes a world of difference in a doctor...good luck!!