My Hospital Appointment Yesterday

kim22 · 10-15-2004, 06:42 PM

I waited for an hour to see the gyno and when I was called in, I was in there for about 5 minutes, he is referring me to a endo because I have been taking metfomin for nearly two years and my cycles are still not normal, I think he was more interested that they have not helped me lose weight--- he weighed me and said "I last see you 18 months ago and you have only lost 4 kilos"..... I know its not alot but as least I have not put any more weight on, I am sooooo annoyed with him, he is useless! I have been seeing him for nearly 7 years (in which I have only seen him about 3 times, and about 5 other gynos under him) he gave me this pill to take to help my cycles become regular, they didnt work, so I had an ultra sound which, confirmed PCOS and some blood taken then put on Metformin.
I said to him is there anything else you can do to help, and he said "well I could up your dosage of Metformin, but I would rather you see the endo" (more like pass me onto someone else, because he cant be bothered) So that will be another 6 months to see the endo......

I dont think that we can wait that long not being able to do anything, but sit and wait for this appointment, I am so frustrated at the moment, that me and my husband are thinking of buying our own fertility treatment online (Clomid)

Kim

xx

MsJill · 10-16-2004, 08:02 AM

Kim,

I can understand your frustration. Please be patient and wait to see the endo before you take any action. Especially, please do not try to self-medicate with fertility treatments such as Clomid. This is serious medication, and it's normal for doctors to monitor you very closely when you are taking it (both for adverse reactions, to check for ovulation, and to ensure correct dosage. It can cause complications of not used properly.

In the meantime, can I suggest you ask yourself what positive action you can be taking to improve your health and prepare for motherhood - make sure your diet is 100%, work on getting plenty of exercise, look at your responses to stress, general lifestyle stuff that will be a good investment for the future. That way, when you see the endo you'll be as well placed as you can be to act on his advice.

kim22 · 10-16-2004, 01:50 PM

thanks for your reply MsJill,

I have been dieting for the past year and walking every day, (I walk about 4 miles every day and go swimming twice a week) my weight just will not go any where

(apart from staying with me)

I recently had a blood test done to check my thyroids (sp) from my GP, but the gyno said he run the test for my thyroids 18 months ago and nothing had shown up that there was any thing wrong.

Kim

xx

CelticSpirit · 10-16-2004, 03:08 PM

Kim,

I realize that you feel like your time has been wasted (and it has), but I think the endo is the best bet to treat your PCOS. I actually think that a reproductive endocrinologist is THE best person for you. Do you need referrals or can you set up appts yourself?

I'm so sorry that you've been going through all this...what a nightmare! Of course, it's more of a nightmare that an OB thought he could treat your PCOS when it's an endocrine disorder...UGH!

Hang in there...let us know how things go. Remember that we're here for you!

big hugs!
StacieD

kim22 · 10-18-2004, 08:39 PM

Quote:

it's more of a nightmare that an OB thought he could treat your PCOS when it's an endocrine disorder

He even kept telling me that Metformin is fertility treatment, and that it will make me lose weight.

I was so annoyed that nearly 7 years of my life has been wasted, when he could have sent me to an endo in the first place.

thanks for your support.

Kim

xxx

CelticSpirit · 10-18-2004, 11:41 PM

So...metformin is a fertility treatment now? That's news to us. I can't believe what you went through.

No, metformin isn't a fertility treatment. It's a treatment for blood sugar and insulin issues. For those of us with insulin issues, it helps us. There's a consensus that says most overweight folks have some degree of IR. There's also MUCH evidence that says we PCOS chicks (thin or not) most likely have some degree of IR. That's what metformin is treating. As a result, it helps keep our hormones in check, because our insulin is in check.

Hope that all makes sense...

Anyways...We're here for you...remember that!

Big hugs!
StacieD

VivC · 10-21-2004, 04:38 AM

What is the dosage of Met you're on? Your dumb*** OB might not have you on a high-enough dosage to do anything for you. Some cysters need more than others...

kim22 · 10-21-2004, 06:30 PM

My dosage of Metformin is 3 x 500mg per day

Shellbee · 10-21-2004, 07:00 PM

Getting answers is so frustrating! I feel horrible that you have to go through all of this. You're absolutely right, your gyno should have sent you to the endo immediately, not 7 years later! Hang in there! You'll feel so much better after you see the endo! I agree with Jill, be patient and don't try to treat this yourself. God is the only one I rank above my endo!

fawn · 10-22-2004, 03:32 AM

Are all endos have knowledge in PCOS?

CelticSpirit · 10-22-2004, 10:44 AM

No, not all (mine is a bumbling idiot with PCOS, I'm thankful that my OB is handling it all!)

When looking for an endo, ask about their knowledge of PCOS. Actually interview the doctor before going in for treatment. Ask them about their treatment methods for PCOS. Ask them about what they test for to make the diagnosis (or keep a diagnosis). And, most importantly, poke around here a lot and see what the other cysters have to say about treatment methods and such.

If the doctor doesn't seem to know squat about PCOS, then move on to the next one.

Hope that helps...

fawn · 10-23-2004, 03:37 AM

My dr seemed to know what PCOS is. I got my GTT, and my result was .(point) smething above the normal range. She told me that eventhough i am a few decimals above the normal range, that doesn't mean i'm IR. But still she prescribed me met coz i have a grandma and an aunt who's diabetic. So far 8 weeks of taking the meds, still no AF. NOw, i'm confused if she realy knows about pcos or not

TDoern · 10-24-2004, 02:38 AM

One thing I'm seeing as I'm reading the boards here, and it's again, why I cam here, is to educate myself.

Look up medications, look up information on your doctors, and treatment options. Know what your symptoms are, even if you have to bring in resource information for your doctor. I think that the better we arm ourselves, the better we can help educate our doctors. I know I know, they paid x amount for school and we pay them an obscene amount of money to get seen, BUT, it's our health.

I am really sorry that you wasted that much time with your OB ~ BUT at least he is now switching you to someone that hopefully can help you better than he. I would make a phone call to the end. that he refers you to asking about their knowledge on PCOS, let them know that this is your problem, and you want to make sure you are seeing an informed doctor.

~Tammy~

kim22 · 10-24-2004, 03:44 PM

thank you all so much for your replies and support, it means alot to me.

Tammy - when I get my appointment letter for the endo, I will phone up to see how much he/she knows about PCOS.

thanks again.

Kim

xx