Misdiagnosis

IrishhLaydii · 07-15-2006, 06:09 PM

Well it turns out I was in fact misdiagnosed!! My old GYN diagnosed me from JUST ONE blood test that showed some of my horomone's were higher than they should be.I then HAD to ask for an ultrasound to determine if I had cysts or not & I had not one.
She diagnosed me w/ this horrible condition on just one blood test & that was it.I found out from a new GYN that I do not have this nor should I consider myself as having such.

I have called a lawyer & am persuing a lawsuit for malpractice.I went though HORRIBLE depression thinking I was infertile & was going to have all these problems..Totally UNBELIEAVBLE!!!!!

kltaggie · 07-15-2006, 06:23 PM

Don't get too discouraged. There are several symptoms and you only have to have two to be considered PCOS. I don't have any cysts either, and not everyone does. My symptoms are no period and abnormal labs. Keep in mind this is an endocrine problem that indirectly affects (unfortunately) our female reproductive system.

Hang in there!
Kara

Stacie M · 07-15-2006, 06:59 PM

Hmmmm, I think maybe a third medical opinion may be necessary. Blood tests are the best way to diagnose PCOS, and cysts ARE NOT a requirement for a diagnosis. Actually I was diagnosed with PCOS for close to 5 years before any ultrasound ever showed a cyst, and I had probably had 30 ultrasounds or so.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your symptoms? What led your original GYN to test you in the first place? What blood test was abnormal?

Stacie M

R0xyg4l · 07-15-2006, 08:13 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your misdiagnosis. I know when you looking at such a prevalent syndrome and start worrying about are you going to get that or this, it can be stressful. When I was diagnosed with an ultrasound and blood work they said it was presumptive since there are a ton of little cysts on my ovaries and my hormones are just off by a tad. Good luck in the future!

IrishhLaydii · 07-15-2006, 11:40 PM

The first GYN had tested my hormone levels to see if I had PCOS being that I told her I had severe irregular periods.That is the ONLY sympton I have & I know one is all you can have & that you dont have to have cysts to have PCOS.But I highly doubt I have it.
She came to this diagnosis from ONE blood test.She didnt send me for more work,that was IT.Now I know I am not a DR but I know that diff times of the year & other factors can make the hormones out of whack,so that was probably the cause of the elevation.She as a "GYN" should know that as well & know she cant jump to conclusions from just one test & tell a then 23 yr old she has PCOS & may be infertile.

ibcnuldu · 07-16-2006, 12:11 AM

I would get a third opinion and keep your mind open. I have always had irregular periods. (I've had my period 6 years now.) And the symptoms just recently showed up and I was diagnosed.

And I seriously think your decision to sue is very immature. You should be happy you do not have PCOS. PCOS is difficult to diagnose and yes, the doctor should've done further studies but I do not believe that is malpractice.

IrishhLaydii · 07-16-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibcnuldu

I would get a third opinion and keep your mind open. I have always had irregular periods. (I've had my period 6 years now.) And the symptoms just recently showed up and I was diagnosed.

And I seriously think your decision to sue is very immature. You should be happy you do not have PCOS. PCOS is difficult to diagnose and yes, the doctor should've done further studies but I do not believe that is malpractice.

Immature? I disagree totally.She MISDIAGNOSED me,lead me to believe that I had this & there was a high chance of infertility.I was already depressed & this diagnosis made it a million times worse.I was contemplating suicide b/c the depression was THAT BAD..She caused UNNESSARY emotional & mental strains.If a DR misagnosis then that is malpractice.I spoke to many many ppl & DR's about this & they ALL agree that its malpractice & that I should take actions.

No offense- but I think ill agree w/ them & the other DR's rather than one person who says differently(you).

ibcnuldu · 07-16-2006, 01:35 AM

I'm sorry, but I believe it is. (No offense.)
http://www.soulcysters.net/hey-guess...os-yay-176598/

This woman was misdiagnosed and might not live...
You're at least healthy and should be glad.

IrishhLaydii · 07-16-2006, 01:54 AM

As sad & tragic as that is & my heart truly goes out to her,one case has nothing to do with the other.A misdiagnosis is an inncorrect diagnosis & that is what I got.Are you saying that b/c this woman was misdiagnosed & may not live,I should not persue legal action? This DR should NOT be in the medical field

And dont assume just b/c I dont have PCOS that Im healthly.I was diagnosed w/ Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion.

I just dont see how you can rationally think that I dont have a malpractice case here,but whatever,Im not going to sit here & argue over something I know I am right about.. its the courts that have to be convinced,not you.

TammyH · 07-16-2006, 03:01 AM

What blood test was done to determine wether or not you had pcos? You said some of your hormones were elevated. Just that blood test alone can determine pcos (insulin levels, testosterone, LH/FSH, estrodial and on and on) Are you overweight? THere are many, many symptoms of pcos and while I know pcos can be tough to diagnose since the symptoms effect everyone differently usually a blood test is a good determination that you have it. I know how terrible it is to be told you have this disease and how it can be depressing. I would seek a third opinion before persuing a law suit for two reasons: one, to make sure that you do NOT have pcos. A series of blood tests WILL rule it out or vice versa, and two; if you have irregular periods, are overweight, and have a blood test that shows a possible pcos diagnosis then it was not malpractice. You only need two symptoms to be diagnosed. You dont want to end up spending all that $ on lawyer fees etc only to find out that you actually DO have it or that what she did was actually not neglectful. kwim?

Jdixon2 · 07-16-2006, 01:47 PM

MALPRACTICE is defined as "Professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage."

Your gyn did not cause you injury or damage. Mentally yes, but to each his own. PCOS is such a wide illness. There are no so called set guidlines for each person. So what if you have it...That doesnt always mean you are infertle. There are plenty of women on here who have had PCOS for years and years and they still have children. It just takes a little more work and dedication.

As someone in the medical field, I can tell you that a lawsuit would be a waist of time and money on your part for just a slap on the hand to the Dr. They carry so much malpractice insurance that its probably not going to hurt them one bit.

I know that there are bad Drs out there, but there are good ones who are only human and are intitled to make a mistake!!! Most Drs only go by what there pts tell them and how they react. Did you ever stop to think that maybe you just accepted what your gyn told you, and never voiced your opinon to them.

im not trying to argue with you, and I can see where you are comming from. PCOS is a difficult and missunderstood illness. I think you should go get a third drs advice, and go from there.

Good luck with whatever dicision you make. May the Lord guide you in the right direction.

JosieFB · 07-16-2006, 08:27 PM

I'd like to join the others who are cautioning you against wasting your money on lawyer's fees. The doctor will have high powered attorneys and expert witnesses. It will be difficult to prove that the doctor's mistake caused you injury. People are misdiagnosed everyday. Don't let the lawyer be the one who talks you into suing. It is no risk to him. He'll get paid whether he wins or loses.

With irregular periods, it is highly likely that a woman "may be infertile." Often the cause of irregular periods in young women is PCOS. PCOS is a syndrome, not a disease. Given your irregular periods and bloodwork that showed your hormones weren't "normal", many doctors would come to the same diagnosis. Many doctors do not even consider doing an ultrasound unless a women is trying to conceive or having pain in her ovaries, since cystic ovaries are not the cause of PCOS, but the result of the hormonal imbalance and/or insulin resistance.

Stacie M · 07-16-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosieFB

I'd like to join the others who are cautioning you against wasting your money on lawyer's fees. The doctor will have high powered attorneys and expert witnesses. It will be difficult to prove that the doctor's mistake caused you injury. People are misdiagnosed everyday. Don't let the lawyer be the one who talks you into suing. It is no risk to him. He'll get paid whether he wins or loses.

With irregular periods, it is highly likely that a woman "may be infertile." Often the cause of irregular periods in young women is PCOS. PCOS is a syndrome, not a disease. Given your irregular periods and bloodwork that showed your hormones weren't "normal", many doctors would come to the same diagnosis. Many doctors do not even consider doing an ultrasound unless a women is trying to conceive or having pain in her ovaries, since cystic ovaries are not the cause of PCOS, but the result of the hormonal imbalance and/or insulin resistance.

Stacie M

scarletsquirrel · 07-16-2006, 10:39 PM

Its rare to find a doctor who knows how to diagnose PCOS and its easy to find a doctor that doesn't have a clue. I'm not surprised that you found this second doctor that told you what you wanted to hear and probably has his head up his a**.

PCOS has its issues but most of them can be treated and controlled. If you are so depressed that you considered suicide then you should be treated for depression.

Also, you said that the diagnosis made you concerned about *getting* all the associated symptoms. If you don't have many symptoms then may be at a stage where, with exercise and eating right, you can stop it in its tracks and not even have any issues.