Opinions Needed

capple23 · 03-29-2006, 08:28 PM

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with PCOS about two years ago, but I have exhibited symptoms since I was in my mid-late teens. Neither my GP nor my OB/GYN seem to think this is something that needs to be addressed unless I am trying to get pregnant.

I was put on BCP when I was 18 (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) due to not having a period for 9 months and only 3 in 18 months. After a few months on the pill, I started having anxiety attacks and my blood pressure shot through the roof. My then gyn suggested Depo, and I have been on it ever since except for a 3 month period when I tried BCP (Yasmin) again. Within two months, the anxiety and blood pressure problems were back with a vengeance, so back to the Depo I went.

I got my last shot in December and March 22^nd was the 12 week mark when I was due for another. I also went to see my OB/GYN that day for my annual exam. He had told me last year that he would prefer I not stay on Depo after one more year since I had been on it for so long due to the reports of extensive bone loss that have surfaced lately. Anyway, I was prepared to go off the Depo, but I had many concerns and questions as to what our plan might be if my period did not show up again. I also wanted to know how long to wait before becoming concerned. The only answer he had for me was, “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

My husband and I are not currently ttc, but I feel there are many health concerns associated with PCOS that are not being addressed by him or my GP. There are a pair of RE that specialize in PCOS in my area, but they are a 1.5 hour drive away and before I tried to get a referral and took at least half a day off work to see them, I wanted some opinions from those who know where I am coming from.

Any advice/opinions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

starlite · 03-29-2006, 09:20 PM

I would see an endocrinologist. Sometimes gp's and gyn's think they know about pcos and they really don't. I'm not saying all, but in my experience they didn't. If an endo is too far away, can you try a different gyn? Maybe call around and see if there are any that are knowledgeable in the area. There are blood tests that you would want to be run to see what your hormone levels are like since this actually stems from the endocrine system.

Birth control is something that gyns rx b/c they think that's what will help your issues. But actually bcps mask the issues. I was put on bcps at age 16 thinking that would correct my problems. But from then until about age 21, it didn't really do much. I finally got myself to an endo and just started taking Metformin, even though I am not IR. There are a lot of women who have a lot of success with this med.

Good luck with everything and hope you get the answers you need!