Hi everyone. I am newly diagnosed with PCOS and I have some concerns and questions that I hoped someone could help me with.
I guess my main concern is that, from what I have read, my test results don't really show PCOS. Many of my symptoms are similar, but I sort of feel like my doctor is so busy that they just want to slap a "good enough" label on me and get me out the door. My second concern is in my treatment.
I guess an important thing to note is my symptoms. It started about 2 years after I had my daughter when I went on the Depo shot. I had been on the shot for a year, and all the sudden gained 60 pounds in 2 months. I gradually gained another 40 over the next 6 months as well. I have never had a problem with my weight before this, and even after stopping the Depo, I couldn't take it off. After I stopped the shot, it was 3 years before I had a normal period. The dr said this was normal in some cases and it would come back when it came back. Since it has come back, it has been regular again, every 28 days....the only abnormality is that once a year it lasts 2 weeks instead of 1. About 2 years ago, I started getting facial hair, and then hair on my chest so I went to my dr with that as well.
So, for the first issue, I just spoke with my Dr. and she said the diagnosis was made based on the fact that I had a 2 cm cyst in my right ovary and a few more <1cm cysts as well. The left ovary had some smaller <1cm cysts as well, but no large ones. For blood tests, they tested my estrogen, testosterone, prolactin (I still have a small amount of lactation from my pregnancy 8 years ago) and androgen levels and also did a fasting glucose test. They told me all the levels were normal (they didn't give me the exact numbers)
The second issue is that the only thing they have done for my PCOS is to give me Yasmin. My Dr. told me that it will be hard for me to lose weight, and that I won't be able to have kids anymore, but that is the extent of what they discussed with me. I have tried to ask more questions, but those are pretty much the only answers they will give.
Can someone help? I am sort of confused and frustrated trying to get answers from the Dr. I hoped that I might find some help here.
It sounds like you might have PCOS, but you have docs who do not understand it. Get another doc who knows the treatments and diagnosis of PCOS. Just because you have PCOS and are overweight does not mean you cannot have kids again. Just because you have cysts on your ovaries does not mean you automatically have PCOS. Your blood tests can come back normal and you can still have PCOS (I think my insulin level was the only one that came back abnormal, but I have PCOS per 2 docs). It can be hard to find a doc who can give you good information.
1. Did they test you for Cushings, Thyroid problems, Inusulin Resistance?
2. Did they explain that a high refined carb diet can cause severe problems with women with PCOS?
3. Did they explain that Metformin could help your symptoms even if you have normal Insulin levels?
4. Did they check your cholesterol and liver enzyme levels?
Welcome to SC!
I know you will find all the answers that you need here but in the meantime would you consider switching to another Doctor who would be more willing to take time with your case?
You deserve to be treated well and not brushed aside!!!
Good Luck!
It sounds like you might have PCOS, but you have docs who do not understand it. Get another doc who knows the treatments and diagnosis of PCOS. Just because you have PCOS and are overweight does not mean you cannot have kids again. Just because you have cysts on your ovaries does not mean you automatically have PCOS. Your blood tests can come back normal and you can still have PCOS (I think my insulin level was the only one that came back abnormal, but I have PCOS per 2 docs). It can be hard to find a doc who can give you good information.
1. Did they test you for Cushings, Thyroid problems, Inusulin Resistance?
2. Did they explain that a high refined carb diet can cause severe problems with women with PCOS?
3. Did they explain that Metformin could help your symptoms even if you have normal Insulin levels?
4. Did they check your cholesterol and liver enzyme levels?
Jashobeam, they did test my thyroid, and said everything was normal there too. THey checked my cholesterol which they said was actually really good (135 bad cholesterol, 45 good) Other than that, no tests. And, my doctor told me that I should lose weight, but said I should be on a low cal, low fat diet, and told me NOT to go on a low carb diet.
Thanks for the links. I have been trying to do my homework. I notice that a lot of people seem to have a hard time getting a diagnosis when I feel like mine was just sort of thrown on me so I would leave them alone. And so far, the treatment is worse than the symptoms =P I started the Yasmin last Sunday, af stopped Monday morning, then came back really heavy Monday night with severe cramping. Has anyone else had this reaction to it?
I am trying to get in to see a new Dr as well. Unfortunately, I live in rural Vermont and the wait to see a new doctor is about 2 months. It makes it difficult to get a second opinion.
I am also curious to know if anyone else has been diagnosed with PMDD? My Dr. also diagnosed me with PMDD at my last visit...basically because I have been totally off my rocker for about 2 weeks before my period each month. It only started when they put me on Wellbutrin to help me quit smoking though (2 months ago), so now the dr. wants to take me off the Wellbutrin and put me on Paxil for the PMDD. I have never been on so much medicine in my entire life =P
Thanks again for everyone's support and warm welcomes.
You could start a PMDD thread on the Do You Have This Problem board. The title could be something like: PMDD Support Thread. Support threads usualy draw more people.
Newly diagnosed with questions... 
