New To the Board W/ Questions!

rysarwin · 03-31-2008, 09:42 AM

I found this place last Friday, but decided to wait to join until I was mostly sure of myself! I have had concerns for myself in a general sort of way for years now. I've had things "wrong" with me that I try to just push aside and tell myself-- it's life.. you're getting older. Well I'm not old!!
After coming across the PCOS symptoms I felt like a light came on in my head. I showed my hubby what I had found and he encouraged me to make an appt with my GP. I have an appointment this Wednesday and I'm starting to freak out.
I've never really liked the doctor and have actively avoided it most of my life. I was the kid that lied to mom and told her I was well and then turned around and puked my brains out-- But I wanted to go to school anyway!
I only go when I'm sure there's something wrong and it can be fixed... which it looks like now I may have a long road ahead of me.
I feel like my symptoms aren't bad enough to be taken seriously. I have never had a regular period. I remember asking my doctor about this when I was about 15 and she said that it may take many years for it to become regular. I wish that was the case. I can usually go 3 months with having a period but they are VERY painful and different each time. Sometimes lasting 2 days, sometimes as long as 10. Sometimes I get it twice in a month.. Sometimes they're so heavy I feel like stuck pig.
Aside from that I have skin that just keeps on getting worse. I honestly didn't get my first pimple until I was about 19.. I freaked out. I have dry patches all over my body not to mention dark underarms with -loads- of skin tabs. I also have hair on my chinny-chin-chin

and I think if I stopped plucking I'd sport a thicker 'stache than my hubby. And speaking of the hubby.. we've been together for nearly 6 years now and we rarely if ever use protection.. No babies. We thought we were just lucky.. but not until recently as we're starting to think about actually having a child has this struck as as being odd..

I guess what I really just need to understand is how am I supposed to bring this upt to my doctor? I'm really not wanting to hear rejection-- because I'll probably stop my search right there. Do I just flat out tell her that my body is turning me into a werewolf, I look like I have a semi tire around my waist and I haven't had a period in nearly 2 months? Where do I go from here? I'm really anxious as I have a severe aversion to doctors.. creeps me out.
Any input is seriously appreciated. I'm sorry this was so long winded

~~Sar

EDIT: If anyone wants to know more about me-- just ask. I won't bite

Eva37 · 03-31-2008, 01:01 PM

welcome to sc, here is a link for you

Preparing for Your PCOS Consultation: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

rysarwin · 03-31-2008, 02:22 PM

Yes thanks, I actually read that first thing this morning. That was great, but I don't feel any more confident than I did last week when making this appointment.
Am I supposed to waltz in there and tell her who's who and what's what? I don't go to the doctor, therefore don't have a relationship with my GP. I don't feel comfortable doing this, but know it's for my own good.
Every time I've gone to the Dr. I've been told to go home there's nothing wrong, for other problems that is.. and until crisis struck they weren't willing to acknowledge the problem at hand. I don't want to be a snob to them but the main reason I never go is because no one listens to my concerns. I'm attemtping to avoid bi***ing them out and was hoping to gain insight on how best to approach this subject. I'm extraordinarly frustrated and am more so knowing that no one here would like to contribute either.

Thanks..

TTCTeacher · 03-31-2008, 05:11 PM

Hi-I found this board a few months ago but I didnt want to talk yet. But I read your story and I joined today. ( just now)

I dont know how to tell my doctor stuff either? Im humiliated to tell him about the hair on my chin (OMG I cant believe I typed it).

I came here to find people to help or work with to lose weight to hopefully ttc at least one baby. I read the losing weight threads but I still cant bring myself to low carb. I know I should but I dont think I have willpower.

I loko forward to working with you other pcos girls who want to lose weight too!
Thanks

taylorluvs2run · 03-31-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi,
I just got diagnosed 2 weeks ago. With that said my advice for you is to write down a list of everything that bothers you and bring it with you. You have read that most doctors don't know too much about this. So without stepping on any toes tell him/her that after alot of researching online that you would like to have the proper tests done. You could have which ones are important in getting a diagnosis and make sure that you get your results. My ObGYN dismissed my test results and said everything is fine. I got a copy of my tests and went to see a specialist. I go for my glucose/insulin test on Weds. There are treatments for the things that are bothering you. Don't be discouraged if they don't take it seriously. Some Dr's don't like being told how to do their job. Go in there as educated in PCOS as you can and be positive. This is you health and life and I feel like I like you are lucky to have stumbled accross this info on the internet. Without I'd be stuck, miserable without anyway to fix it.

Good Luck and God Bless!

macgrl80 · 03-31-2008, 05:53 PM

[quote=rysarwin;1889079120] I'm extraordinarly frustrated and am more so knowing that no one here would like to contribute either.quote]

I just wanted to first say hi and welcome to the board. I haven't been on here very long but it has been long enough to know that everyone on here is extreamly helpful and willing to contribute. Sometimes it takes a bit for some answers so you just have to be patient.
As far as how to approach the subject with your doctor...you can start with telling her what you have told us. You can print out the information from the stickies and give them to her also. She may not be aware or know much about PCOS and maybe your info would help her help you.
I understand not being comfortable with doctors, I am the same way, but if you want to get help you are going to have to put yourself and your symptoms out there. Most doctors rely on patients explaining their symptoms to help better diagnose their patients.
I don't have insurance right now so I can't go see my doctor but when I do I am defiantly going to come prepared with as much information as I can.
Good Luck with your appointment and don't hesitate to ask questions here. There is so much great information!!

Merrylou29 · 03-31-2008, 11:35 PM

Welcome. Just wanted to share my info with you, not to scare you off, just so that you will know one of the many possibilities that could happen when you go to your dr.s appointment. Some dr.s won't listen to you even when you tell them all your symptoms, etc. That is what happened to me when I went to the OBGYN. He said that I had PCOS but didn't tell me what to do about it, will not test me for insulin resistance, etc. And I came to the appointment with lots of info- a list of symptoms, a chart of my BBT for the current cycle I am on which is nearing 70 days now, and a history of all my periods for a year. MY DH and I are TTC so all that dr. did was give me provera to induce my period and clomid to help me ovulate. I am planning to go back to my PCP and see if he can refer me somewhere else, hopefully to an endo. I want to get my hormones in check before TTC. I am hoping that your experience is better than mine.

rysarwin · 04-01-2008, 08:57 AM

Right.. Well first off I guess I need to apologize. I got a bit snappy... I'm under a bit of stress (quarterlies here at work..ugh).
I'm still up in the air on how this is going to go.. but I'd like to thank you all for what you've had to say. I've had the same dr since I was about 14-- yes the same one who told me that eventually my periods would regulate themselves. She's also my mothers GP and my mom has been having issues for many years. She's never been forthright about what is ailing her except from what I gather she's in a lot of pain and.. guess what... Has too much period followed by not enough.. and a whole bunch of other "symptoms". The GP has put her through -years- of medications and testings but nothing seems to make her any better. I have to admit, I'm not at any liberty to say what may or may not be ailing her as her case is different because she also has MS but I know my grandmother and 2 of my cousins seem to be in the same boat without answers, of course.
At this point we're not actively ttc, but would like to do so in the future and I'd like to get to the bottom of this before it puts any "stress" on us with the idea that the clock is ticking or whatever. DH is very supportive of me, and as you've read, is the one who encouraged me to make the appointment. He said he wanted to come with to make sure that the Dr. listens to me. That makes me feel a bit better-- but I'm concerned with coming across as too pushy and then she just shoo's me out, y'know? I remember back when I was younger I had (have) chronic ear infections and would have to fight with the Dr. to get her to confirm that. On 2 occassions my eardrum had to rupture in order for her to admit her mistakes. I can only hope that now I'm older and "wiser" in some peoples eyes, that maybe she'll take me more seriously.
I have been dieting and managed to lose about 40lbs in a year and a half so I'll be taking all my calorie intake and exercise schedules with me. I'll also be taking a history of my periods since December.. and yes I know I might need more than that, but someone tossed out my '07 pocket calendar and I can't really remember how that year went down. She'll just have to believe me, damnit!
Also I have a relatively firm family history and my own symptoms. Even if she is not willing to treat me.. at least I'll find out what I need to know and can go from there-- With or without her.

TTCTeacher · 04-01-2008, 04:59 PM

I wanted to tell you that my OBGYN diagnosed me just by running some tests, a ultrasound where they do vaginally and my symptoms-I think you are more than prepared but I think you should see an OBGYN in addition to the GP. Good luck!

rysarwin · 04-03-2008, 08:49 AM

Hi all, figured I'd let you know how my appointment was yesterday.
Went quite well, better than I had expected. I think the nurse noticed my nervousness because she kept trying to joke with me. I took everything with me and told my concerns to the doc and believe it or not, she was the one to bring up PCOS. She checked out everything, did a pap, and sent me off to the lab where they took 3 vials of blood and I don't remember what tests the doctor said they were running, but the lady taking my blood (DH called her a vampire ha ha!) said "they ordered everything on the book for you!". I felt kind of sick after that so I don't remember much else of what was said and fell asleep in the car on the way home.
The doc says if everything comes back good (which she thinks may not) the only thing they can probably offer me is birth control, which I told her I'm not too keen on. She said it's suggested that I get an ultrasound and we'll discuss the need for that after my test results come back.
So.. all in all it turned out well. I'm a lot less stressed knowing that the clinic part is over for a little while.

danaevaughn · 04-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Glad to hear everything went well!! Good Luck!