Excess weight, mostly around my stomach and gained for no obvious reason
Irregular periods (after coming off the pill a year ago) - cycle is anywhere between 19 and 37 days, and totally unpredictable
Debilitating period pain for a week before and during my period
Acne, mostly on my chin and in the middle of my cheeks; neither over-the-counter treatments nor prescribed antibiotics seem to make much of a difference (I'm 27 and thought I was over the spotty part of my life!)
Thick black and white hairs growing out of my chin (have to pluck on a daily basis)
Thick black hairs growing around my (embarrassing to mention this) nipples
I took these symptoms to my (unsympathetic) doctor who said there is nothing wrong and that my spots probably can't be helped. He gave me a topical antibiotic cream (which he said would get rid of the hairs on my face too, WTF?!) and told me to take painkillers for the period pain.
Ought I to go back and get a second opinion? There is a history of fertility problems on my mother's side (including PCOS and endometriosis)... so I'm quite concerned.
I would be grateful for any advice you could give me.
I'm not a doctor, and none of us can see you obviously, but from the sounds of it it sound like PCOS.
I'm not surprised that your doctor is so flippant; a lot of us on this board have experienced that arrogance/ignorance, whatever you want to call it. A lot of women with PCOS aren't diagnosed for years; I've had it since I was probably 10, and I was just diagnosed earlier this month (I'm 25).
The way I see it, you have two options: either 1) go to your doctor with PCOS information and TELL him that you think you have it, and asks for the blood tests that test for it (sorry, I forget what they are exactly, but you find find a sticky on this board); or 2) go to another doctor and do the same thing.
Even before you confirm that you have PCOS, you can start reading the threads on this message board for non-medicinal ideas on how you can treat PCOS. I just started doing that and I'm learning so much! It's wonderful - this board is so informative and the people are simply lovely.
Good luck with that!
__________________
Dx'd Oct 2008 & started alternative medicine route after stopping bc pill in June.
Current regimen:
ADHS Dietary Supplement
Testo Quench (w/ Saw Palmetto)
Spearmint tea - 2-3 cups/day
Cinnamon in unsweetened soy milk
No grains, dairy, alcohol, sugar & salt
30 min. cardio & strength training every other day
Yoga once a week
1 week in: acne clearing up, chronic dandruff GONE!, and ovulated for the first time in I don't remember.
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Was the cream Vaniqa? I don't know of any antibiotics that will eliminate hair as well. Vaniqa is the only topical cream I know of that reduces hirsutism by slowing down the growth so that you don't have to pluck/wax/shave as much.
I would say get a new doctor.... this guy sounds like a tool. Someone that listens, perhaps? But that is just me... I don't have much faith in doctors and don't mind shopping around.... Dianna
__________________ Dianna (37), DH (42) Dx PCOS 02/06; Ovarian Drilling 03/06 BFP #1 05/06 (2 mos TTC); DS born 02/14/07 BFP #2 03/08 (5 mos TTC); To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. M/C and D&E (identical twin girls at 14w) - 06/08 BFP #3 03/09 (8 mos TTC); To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. M/C (soybean at 5w2d) - 04/09 Not TTCing any more; Met 1000mg Running 4miles 3x/week
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Regardless of the health condition, it is essential that you have a good working relationship with your doctor. She is your assistant, YOU are in charge of your body. If you have a bad assistant, time to fire her and fill the vacant position... in other words, IMO you should get a second opinion and find a doctor that hears your concerns, and addressing them to your understanding and satisfaction... this goes for PCOS, tonsillitis, toe fungus, or the flu.
I've noticed similar odd posts - perhaps trying to get to 10 posts to see links etc?
__________________
Diagnosed Aug 2005. Symptoms: No periods, obese, excessive hair
Fit Cyster! -Loving To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. !
Currently doing To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. + extra cardio & core work.
Finished my BSc (Nutrition),
Almost finished BCom (Economics)
Many thanks for all your responses; I'm booking an appointment with my doctor this week, and taking my husband for support. Sometimes, my doctor makes me feel like I'm a hypochondriac, so it's helpful to know that my symptoms do suggest PCOS.
Sometimes, my doctor makes me feel like I'm a hypochondriac, so it's helpful to know that my symptoms do suggest PCOS.
I had a few doctors like that who made me feel like poo. I don't see them anymore and I now have a wonderfully supportive ND. Maybe time to switch doctors?
Good luck
__________________
Dx'd Oct 2008 & started alternative medicine route after stopping bc pill in June.
Current regimen:
ADHS Dietary Supplement
Testo Quench (w/ Saw Palmetto)
Spearmint tea - 2-3 cups/day
Cinnamon in unsweetened soy milk
No grains, dairy, alcohol, sugar & salt
30 min. cardio & strength training every other day
Yoga once a week
1 week in: acne clearing up, chronic dandruff GONE!, and ovulated for the first time in I don't remember.
Many thanks for all your responses; I'm booking an appointment with my doctor this week, and taking my husband for support. Sometimes, my doctor makes me feel like I'm a hypochondriac, so it's helpful to know that my symptoms do suggest PCOS.
Many thanks again.
Victoria x
My family doctor has blown me off about a few things I've brought up to her. At my visit last year, I was going to ask her about PCOS, but I didn't because I knew she wouldn't listen. I wish I'd gone to a different doctor at the time. Instead I waited until I had a terrible period two weeks ago, and decided to find a new doctor. I'm so glad I did, and I didn't even have to bring up PCOS, it was brought up to me! I should have my test results on Monday, hopefully, so I'll know for sure if I have PCOS. If I were you, I would absolutely seek a second opinion.
You should get your doctor to do a full hormonal workup and also test you for adrenal gland problems, as the symptoms can be the same as PCOS. PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion, so they should rule out all other possibilities during the diagnosis process.
If your doctor won't test you, seek out a new doctor! It is very important to be proactive in your healthcare. It might help to write everything down before going to your visit, that way you don't get side tracked. Take notes while they are talking as well, that way you get all of the info.
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PCOS? How do I know? 
