New to the UK

NYbird · 07-12-2002, 02:12 PM

Hi there! My name is Jen and I'm new to the board, new to the UK and potentially new to PCOS. I've had the symptoms for years, but never been diagnosed. I'm originally from NY, and my wonderful Kiwi/English husband and I got married a month and a half ago. We've moved back to the England and I'm wondering if anyone can give me some guidance with how the NHS works with PCOS.

So far I have had my first appointment with the GP, gone for blood tests and submitted a form at Ashford Hospital for a scan. My GP seems to suspect PCOS, but will she send me to see a specialist? My husband has private health care, but I don't know if I should just be patient with the NHS, or if we should be more assertive. The hospital was very vague as to when I might have the scan--the nurse told me they would contact me if there was a cancellation, or schedule me depending on how "urgent" they thought my need for a scan was. (!!!)

I've lived with symptoms my whole life, not knowing why my periods weren't like anyone else's, and doctors never really giving me straight answers (...just take your BCP pills and you'll be fine). Now my husband and I would like to start a family, and it's time to deal with this once and for all! Any advice on how things work in the UK would be so appreciated! I look forward to getting to know each of you!

*************
~jen (32)
~dh (28)

~first MP: 1989
~last natural MP: 1990
~BCP from 1992 to 2000
~current Rx: medroxyprogesterone for inducing MP every 3 months; Celexa for depression
~PCOS symptoms: ammenorhea; 4 stone overweight; depression; acanthosis nigricans
~doctors have not put the pieces together!
~TTC

~*ToryGirl*~ · 07-12-2002, 03:05 PM

Hi Jen!!

Welcome to Soulcysters and the UK

I hope they fit you in for that scan soon

Best of luck, hope to see you around the boards

Deeds2 · 07-12-2002, 04:23 PM

Hi Jen
Welcome to Soulcysters and the UK. You will probably find that things move quite a bit slower here than you are used to. If you can ask around and see if there is a gp in your practice with a particular interest in women's health - that certainly worked for me. I was palmed off for about a year and a half by a gp who wasn't particularly interested. My current gp is very proactive and knows which consultants to refer me to and what tests to carry out before I go to shorten waiting times - she has been a life saver.
If there isn't one you feel would be better than the one you are seeing (here you can make an appointment with any gp in the practice, not just the one you are registered with) then start to be assertive. You will get answers more quickly. How long ago did you get reffered for the scan? Depending on where you live it can take longer or shorter - which is very frustrating. Have you had your blood test results? They are sometimes more revealing than a scan, so make an appointment with your gp again to discuss the results. As you are ttc and given your age (same as me!) I would hope they would not keep you hanging around too long, how long have you been ttc?
Finally congratulations on getting married!!
Good luck
Love
Deeds

NYbird · 07-13-2002, 11:13 AM

Hi! Thanks for the welcome, good wishes and your responses, Deeds and Torigirl

Before I respond to the messages, happy birthday ToryGirl!

So I hope I get in for my scan soon... as of now, I submitted the slip this past Thursday. They wouldn't make an appointment on the spot, but if I don't hear from them in a week, I'll call back. My GP should have my blood results in a week too, so I guess I will be patient and give it a bit of time. I don't know if my GP will see me before she has both the blood tests and the scan, though.

So far I have been pleased with my GP--when I explained my situation, she immediately suggested that it could be PCOS and said which tests should be done. None of my doctors in the US ever suggested it. I was always irregular, but since BCPs, my period has never returned. Isn't it amazing how Dr's don't seem concerned? I actually switched GYNs about 6 months before getting married b/c I was concerned that I hadn't had a period in 16 months. The new GYN couldn't believe my previous GYN didn't seem concerned. The biggest difference I have noticed in the UK system is that the GP seems to handle all of the initial testing, which is different from the US. Actually, you could almost see a GYN exclusively, and never really go to a GP if you weren't ill. Do you know if GPs refer you to a GYN after the tests come back?

My DH and I have been TTC since Jan 2001... but no O, no PG. I'm hoping that once I meet with the GP about my results, we can start talking about Clomid. Yes, being 32, we're anxious to start a family! Very excited for you, Deeds!

Jen

*************
~jen (32)
~dh (28)

~first MP: 1988
~last natural MP: 1990
~BCP from 1992 to 2000
~current Rx: medroxyprogesterone for inducing MP every 3 months; Celexa for depression
~PCOS symptoms: ammenorhea; 4 stone overweight; depression; acanthosis nigricans
~doctors have not put the pieces together!
~TTC since 01/01
~my BBT: http://www.FertilityFriend.com/home/16643

Eva34 · 07-13-2002, 04:21 PM

Hello

Welcome to sc, congrats on your wedding too!!

I'd suggest keeping on to the Hospital too, give them a ring every so often to see where you are on the appointment list. That's what I did - and got to see someone.

Hope this helps

Eva

Pinkflutterby · 07-14-2002, 01:22 PM

Hey NYbird! Welcome to UK soulcysters.

I used to live in CT but moved back here over two years ago now. It wasn't until I came back that they thought I might have PCOS nad my american docotr actually told me to stop being silly and sent me home!!!!!!!!

I have had problems trying to get used to the doctors and everyone else here being so slow, but they do every test they can and they do spend time explaining things to you that American doc's don't tend to.

My hospital gave me a appointment for my scan immediatley (even though it was a month later) so maybe it's worth going down there and being very very assertive. I have had to do that with my doctor and after being dx in feb I am finally going on Metaformin!

Any questions or if you just need a sympathic ear email me okay???

lots of luv pinkflutterby

Heidi31 · 07-16-2002, 01:04 PM

Hello and welcome to the UK!!

I have sort of been diagnosed as having PCOS. I've been going to my GP since 1994 complaining about my periods not being right but it has taken till now to get anything done and it was me who suggested PCOS!!! I've had the blood tests done which weren't conclusive and I've had an internal scan (which doesn't hurt at all and is over very quickly). I'm now waiting for an appointment with a gyn at my local hospital. You will spend a lot of time waiting for appointments!
If you fancy a chat my email is: kingsheidi@hotmail.com

NYbird · 07-29-2002, 08:06 AM

Thanks so much for your replies! You are each so amazing! I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner... I've gotten really behind and I haven't had a chance to log on for a while.

So it's official... my bloodwork came back, I had a follow-up with my doctor today and I have high androgens and low 'sex hormone binding gobulins'. My Dr says that even without the scan, it's likely that I have PCOS. Part of me is not surprised--I've been asking my doctors for the last two years if PCOS is what I have, and no one would ever look further. This has been a huge lesson for me in being assertive.

Now I just have to wait for my gyn appointment. My Dr said the gyn will probably give me clomid, and in the meantime I need to start to work on my weight. It's hard to be patient waiting for appointments, but I guess I'll have to be. My GP says it will be about 3 months before I can see the gyn, and the hospital told me that the waiting list for a scan is 5 months... I guess five months is not a long time, considering I've haven't had a regular period for 14 year.

Trying to look on the up side, it gives me three months to get my body ready for the possibility of becoming pregnant... and I have so many things to do, like finding a job and saving for a house with my dh.

*************
~jen (32)
~dh (28)

~first MP: 1988
~last natural MP: 1990
~BCP from 1992 to 2000
~current Rx: medroxyprogesterone for inducing MP every 3 months
~Dx PCOS: 29/07/02
~PCOS symptoms: ammenorhea/anovulation; 4 stone overweight; mild depression; acanthosis nigricans; high androgens/low sex hormone binding gobulins
~TTC since Jan 2000
~ Waiting to see a Gyn...

~~~Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius. ~~~ Comte de Buffon

amk · 09-13-2005, 09:58 AM

hi ya girls,

thought i'd drop in to sprinke some baby dust on this thread in the hope of finding out how things have turned out for NYBird: are you still living in england and with the nhs or have you gone down the private route as i am thinking of doing.

would be great to hear from you.

SweetMe · 09-13-2005, 11:10 AM

well, i waited ages for a scan, but if you have the symptoms and abnormal blood labs, then you are diagnosed. i was sent to an endocrinologist, who saw me for my weight, but i finished with him, he referred me to gyns, who i see every 6 months for meds. im fine with it. i dont like the hospital...altho if i need an aoppt, i can go back earlier.

NYbird · 09-14-2005, 03:01 AM

hello amk! hello sweetme!

well... it's been a long, long time since I wrote this original post! Reading it after so long just took me way back to the start of this experience... not that I could ever forget it, but the reminder makes me all the more grateful for where I am today!

To make a long story short (check out my signature for the details!), I am 24 weeks pregnant with a little baby girl!

We conceived her with our second IVF cycle and I can't tell you how precious she is to us!

Amk, I ended up going private very quickly. I started the process in June 2002 and by September 2002 I found a private gyn who specialised in PCOS and switched to him. My local gyn that I was referred to was so uninterested, I never actually saw him. I had an appt with him, and he didn't bother to come in to the appt to see me--sent a nurse with a prescription for 150mg clomid to start! It just didn't feel right... I felt like I was not being taken seriously at all. My first private gyn was wonderful and while I did ovulate, I never got pg. It was Jan 2004 when I switched to The Bridge Centre and things started to move forward. I started with IUIs, but was reaching the limit on clomid cycles. I started an IVF cycle in June 2004 that resulted in only 1 egg (I was difficult to stim) so had an IUI and fell pg. Unfortunately, I lost the baby. After a short break, I had two more IVF cycles and the second one worked! I really loved the Bridge Centre... The Prof and his staff were brilliant and I just knew in my heart that they would help us have a baby! So here we are with me at 35 years old, having our first baby. It's an incredible experience. She's starting to kick now, reminding me every day that she is here with us and I can't wait to meet her come Jan 2005!

So Amk, where are you with your treatment? You mention wanting to go private... do you have any clinics in mind? I would highly recommend the Bridge Centre. The Prof is my absolute hero... at our most hopeless point, he gave me the hope that this would happen for us and he was right. He's been a miracle worker for me! I'd love to hear how you are and where you're at!

love
jen xxx

PS, I should also mention that the Bridge referred me to a specialist OB on the NHS for the full duration of the pregnancy, due to PCOS and IVF. I'm still on Metformin and I'm being seen by the Gestational Diabetes Clinic regularly. I'm not diabetic, but PCOS can predispose me to developing GD. Wish I could say that I went in to the clinic at the beginning of my pg, but it took me 16 weeks to get there... my NHS midwife wouldn't refer me until I was 28 weeks! I ended up getting in via my GP around 18 weeks. The NHS has done wonders for my assertiveness skills!

Chilli · 09-14-2005, 03:47 AM

Hey Jen

I don't know if you remember me but we used to email eachother probably about 3 years ago? I remember you because your hubby is a kiwi but moved to Englad when he was really young right? I think also we may have been on the same clomid thread for a while about 2 1/2 years ago now...

Anyway just wanted to say hi and a huge CONGRATS on your pregnancy!!!

Take care of yourself!!

Chilli (Allira)

Snow White · 09-14-2005, 12:58 PM

Congrats NYbird!!! I have heard great things about the bridge clinic as well, a friend of mine is having treatment there and they have been amazing!!!

Heidi31 · 09-14-2005, 05:44 PM

Congrats!!! So good to hear your news. I'm pleased you found somewhere you're happy with.
I've now got a 6 month old daughter & everything is going well.

Let us know how you get on, been great catching up. Lots of love to you & your bump!

NYbird · 09-14-2005, 08:06 PM

hi chilli, I remember you! Congrats to you on your pregnancy too--how exciting! That's so wonderful for you! Yes, DH is a kiwi in england... we really want to go there at some point with a little one on the way it's probably a couple of years off. How are you feeling? Your signature says your baby was a surprise... am I reading that right? What a wonderful surprise at that! :-)

hi snow white, that's so great to hear that your friend is doing well at the Bridge. They've been our miracle workers! I hope your friend has short stay there... I found it just the right balance. Pro-active but not overly aggressive. I can't wait till we have our baby and bring her back to the Bridge to show her off! :-)

and heidi31, thanks so much for the good wishes. And congratulations on your little one! It's so nice to hear success stories... each one is so special for all of us!

I'm just finishing up packing for a trip back to NY to see family. It's my last long haul flight at 24 weeks. My sister is actually pg too and due 27 September... I'm really hoping she has her baby while we are there! We just need one photo of the two of us, bump-to-bump and then hopefullyy he'll be born before we leave at the end of Sept. I can't wait to meet my nephew!

OK... off to pack! Hope everyone is well!

Lots of love
jen xxx