arcticslug

Hi, I live in northern BC, where there are no endocrinologists. I saw a gynecologist who prescribed me Spironolactone...which is working OK. I'd really like to have better care though, because i still have acne and other PCOS issues....I think an endo would be much more appropriate for my condition. I'm not trying to conceive at the moment.

If you live in a rural area with no endos, what do you do? Do you get a referral to Vancouver and travel down there? Or is it possible to get a phone consultation or something? I'm kinda confused about how to navigate the medical system...

BeetleGirl

Hey Arcticslug,
I live in Kelowna with a population of over 100000 and we don't even have an endocrinologist.
However with that said, we do have one that travels here once a month for a day to see patients. But they will only see high priority patients....and as far as they are concerned, PCOS is not a high priority. (I had a referral sent last September, and even after numerous phone calls from my dr's office..they still haven't set up an appointment for me)
So I feel your frustration.

The only thing I can recommend is get a referral to an endocrinologist in either Vancouver or Victoria. Save ALL your receipts from gas, to food, to lodging and anything & everything in between and come tax time write them all off under your medical expense allowances. (I always make my trips into mini shopping getaways)
The BC government also has what is called the Travel Assistance Program which you can find out more about from your doctor or the BC Care Card website. With the program it entitles people traveling to and from the island to ride the ferry for free in addition to getting you reduced costs at participating hotels.

If you do end up traveling...do your research on the doctor. Check out SC's for suggestions in addition to websites like this one. There is nothing worse than traveling all the way to the coast and discover the doctor you have traveled all that way to see is a lousy imbecile.
This I speak from experience. 3 trips to the coast last year and I really can't say anything nice about any of the 3 endocrinologists I met with.
Another big thing...do your homework. Figure out what treatment plan you are looking for and make sure you know all about the pro's and cons before the consult...it could save you valuable time of arguing with a doctor that thinks they know what you want.

And if all else fails....try and see if your family doctor (if you have one) will work with you. After so many failed trips to the coast, we just convinced our doctor it was in my best interest to try and work together...so far things have worked out not too badly.

Good Luck!

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arcticslug

thanks for the help Beetlegirl. I actually sorta like the idea of working with a local physician. If they don't know much about PCOS then I can give them journal articles and whatnot to keep them updated, as well as ask for the tests that I need.