I am seeing Dr. Ari Baratz at the CreATe Clinic (part of SWCH) and he diagnosed me the same day I arrived at the clinic; handy that they have a lab and ultrasound tech at the ready! They are located at Bay and College.
CreATe
790 Bay Street
Suite 1100
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1N8
416-323-7727 (tel)
416-323-7334 (fax)
Hi There, I have an excellant PCOS friendly Gyno. You do need a referral to see her but there shouldn't be too long of a wait. Her name is Alison Barrett and she works out of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston, ON. She is the type of Dr. who takes the time to listen and work with you to get things sorted out. Good luck.
In the meanwhile we can only hope that some endocrinologist out here follows the route of the PCOS clinic in Toronto...now that could be helpful.
Hi Beetle Girl, Do you mean the doctor you are seeing is from the PCOS cilnic in TO? And if so, which doctor are you seeing? I am desparate for a good doc!
Hi heartcyster,
I no longer live in Toronto. I live in British Columbia.
Since moving out here I have witnessed a major decline in what Western Canadians call healthcare.
In order for me to even see an endocrinologist I need to travel 4+ hours to Vancouver yet I supposedly live in a major medical hub.
Last year I met 3 seperate endocrinologists, all completely incompetent and should have their licences to practice medicine in Canada, revoked.
My quoted comment above was in regards to a doctor picking up on a need for a clinic out here so that women with PCOS could recive appropriate care.
There are plenty of doctors out there in Toronto. Many competent and even more incompetent. But don't even get me started on that. It was once I started taking control of my health concerns that things are finally getting done. I am disgusted with the Canadian Health Care system and the fact that I had to fall through the cracks several times before having anyone take me seriously. However with that being said, Dr. Laredo at the PCOS clinic is a fairly educated doctor when it comes to non-ttc PCOS treatments and because of that I would I recommend that one see her if able to however I believe that there are better educated doctors out there....they are just too far and few between.
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Hi BeetleGirl, thanks for responding. I know all too well how incompetent our health care system is. It's only because I have taken control of my health that I have been diagnosed appropriately. My first doctor said I just have stress, nothing is wrong with me. I insisted on the ultrasound and it came back with PCOS - but because her ego was too large to admit she was wrong, she witheld the test results and told me they were normal! I actually knew the results because the technician told me - and they're not supposed to so I was lucky. I told her to check again - twice! and I told her I knew the results, then she admitted that it was abnormal and dx'd me with pcos. My second doctor yelled at me for having just "anxiety and depression" concerning other health issues where I felt I needed to have an MRI - she said she never wanted to see me again! Great doctor - even if it was "just" depression - that's a serious illness too. Turns out my MRI was abnormal and I'm now seeing a neurologist to treat the symptoms that were just "anxiety" lol. So I'm interviewing doctors in the gta currently to hopefully find someone that will be a partner in my health - not work against me!
Sorry for the rant but you struck a nerve!! lol I can't believe though that it would be worse in BC? And even after making a 4 hour trip - you're not finding help – our healthcare is truly a joke - with a bad punchline. I think the best approach is finding a Doctor turned Naturopath - they are the ones who actually care about your health, they get to the root of the problem, and they can also prescribe medication if needed, although they cost money it helps to have insurance coverage. Are you seeing a naturopath?
I hope you find someone in your area soon - or at the least someone in Vancouver who is worth making the trip for!
I'm somewhat surprized about the issues with the Drs in Toronto. "For those of us Ontarians who live outside of Southern Ontario, we always hear, Toronto is the centre of the universe." I thought we had problems here: Sudbury. I have a good dr, use to be a pharmacist, so he's on top of the new meds when necessary. I found a lump in my breast last year and he sent me for a mammogram sasap (I'm under 40). I just wish drs in general would not say to women "it's all in your head." Would they say that to a man, NOPE with a capital N. If anything we know or bodies better, we know the cues for the most part, and many of us are proactive in our healthcare.
I hope things improve with your healthcare situation.
Cynthia
Quote:
Originally Posted by heartscyster
Hi BeetleGirl, thanks for responding. I know all too well how incompetent our health care system is. It's only because I have taken control of my health that I have been diagnosed appropriately. My first doctor said I just have stress, nothing is wrong with me. I insisted on the ultrasound and it came back with PCOS - but because her ego was too large to admit she was wrong, she witheld the test results and told me they were normal! I actually knew the results because the technician told me - and they're not supposed to so I was lucky. I told her to check again - twice! and I told her I knew the results, then she admitted that it was abnormal and dx'd me with pcos. My second doctor yelled at me for having just "anxiety and depression" concerning other health issues where I felt I needed to have an MRI - she said she never wanted to see me again! Great doctor - even if it was "just" depression - that's a serious illness too. Turns out my MRI was abnormal
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Hi BeetleGirl, thanks for responding. I know all too well how incompetent our health care system is. It's only because I have taken control of my health that I have been diagnosed appropriately. My first doctor said I just have stress, nothing is wrong with me. I insisted on the ultrasound and it came back with PCOS - but because her ego was too large to admit she was wrong, she witheld the test results and told me they were normal! I actually knew the results because the technician told me - and they're not supposed to so I was lucky. I told her to check again - twice! and I told her I knew the results, then she admitted that it was abnormal and dx'd me with pcos. My second doctor yelled at me for having just "anxiety and depression" concerning other health issues where I felt I needed to have an MRI - she said she never wanted to see me again! Great doctor - even if it was "just" depression - that's a serious illness too. Turns out my MRI was abnormal and I'm now seeing a neurologist to treat the symptoms that were just "anxiety" lol. So I'm interviewing doctors in the gta currently to hopefully find someone that will be a partner in my health - not work against me!
Sorry for the rant but you struck a nerve!! lol I can't believe though that it would be worse in BC? And even after making a 4 hour trip - you're not finding help – our healthcare is truly a joke - with a bad punchline. I think the best approach is finding a Doctor turned Naturopath - they are the ones who actually care about your health, they get to the root of the problem, and they can also prescribe medication if needed, although they cost money it helps to have insurance coverage. Are you seeing a naturopath?
I hope you find someone in your area soon - or at the least someone in Vancouver who is worth making the trip for!
best of luck!
I could not agree with you more ! Our healthcare is not only a joke, but a freaking disaster ! No wonder I've struggled all these years.
I once blamed myself, I left soulcysters for a few months because I simply decided to give up, no one understood my battle, no one understood that I have tried my best to find the right help for myself, and I now know that it is absolutely NOT MY FAULT, and I'm not about to give up because of incompetant jerks who took advantage of me.
I know my answers are out there, the right treatment for me, and if it takes my entire life to find it, then so be it !!
I'm located in Fredericton and I'm hoping to have an appointment with Dr. Christie. Hopefully he'll see me and I'll be able to report on him. Anyway,anyone know if he's good or of there are other drs in the Fredericton area that are PCOS friendly?
Well I did call call Dr.Christie's office last week hoping to get an appointment. I am on his patient list but I haven't seen him in about 2 years. The nurse pretty much said that she'd talk to him and get back to me about whether or not he'd see me. She didn't sound promising, so now I'm left wondering what happens now. Should I call him or not?
I can't believe I'm the only one here from Fredericton, NB.
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Symptoms: Hirsutism, Obesity, Hair Loss, Irregular Menstruation, Insulin Resistance, Acid Reflux, Acanthosis Nigricans, Fatigue, Joint Pain, Migraine, High Libido(Surely that's not a bad thing To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. )
Well ladies, I called back Dr.Christie's office, since they never returned my inquiry call. I had a witch of a nurse run me up and down the pole, very short, curt and rude, and I was told that would have to go to my family doctor to get a referral. So I laughed and said in Fredericton? So I said so you're basically telling me that even though I am on the patient list, because I've been working and have been in school until now but I haven't been in since 2007 I have to get a referral. Furthermore, I asked, what about the fact that I've been having a period since Dec to now. Straight. Nope, nothing. She got pretty rude at this point. I guess if I'm not a patient in office I am costing them money by being on the phone. And since I am in Fredericton, I have to go to the walk in clinic and beg, AGAIN. And in mid question she hung up on me.
So I guess...thanks?
*sigh*, I might as well laugh because if I don't, I'll just end up crying.
P.S. So I guess I'll be going to the walk in clinic ...again....to beg...should be fun! Should be fun.
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Symptoms: Hirsutism, Obesity, Hair Loss, Irregular Menstruation, Insulin Resistance, Acid Reflux, Acanthosis Nigricans, Fatigue, Joint Pain, Migraine, High Libido(Surely that's not a bad thing To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. )
Medications: Medroxyprogesterone 10mg....for now
Formerly: Metform, and assorted BCP and injection
Last edited by NB_Cindy; 05-19-2009 at 04:06 PM.
Reason: ETA
may 2009-I have been seeing DR.Hudson for just over 6 months and with the help of metformin, tamoxifin, clomid, prenatal pills i now have 3 dominant folicles that are sized at 15mm, 18mm, 20mm my lining is only 4mm so I have been put on estrace....hope it works! For anybody in the victoria region or willing to travel please google search his name dr. steven hudson in victoria bc
Dr. Amanda Kim out of the Meadowlark health center. You need a referral to see her, but she is awesome.
Royal Alex Fertility Clinic
Dr. Motan - he is such an amazing man! Cannot say enough good things about him! He has helped both me and my husband with our fertility issues and is very knowledgable about PCOS and how to manage/treat. Takes a VERY long time to get a referral to this clinic ( I was originally referred back in 2004, nothing happened and then was re-referred in 01/2008 -had my first appt 02/2009)
Acupuncturist
Kimberly Kluthe - Morinville Acupuncture (she is AMAZING and specializes in Women's reproductive health - WELL worth the drive out to Morinville) Ph. 780-939-1089
Well ladies, I called back Dr.Christie's office, since they never returned my inquiry call. I had a witch of a nurse run me up and down the pole, very short, curt and rude, and I was told that would have to go to my family doctor to get a referral. So I laughed and said in Fredericton? So I said so you're basically telling me that even though I am on the patient list, because I've been working and have been in school until now but I haven't been in since 2007 I have to get a referral. Furthermore, I asked, what about the fact that I've been having a period since Dec to now. Straight. Nope, nothing. She got pretty rude at this point. I guess if I'm not a patient in office I am costing them money by being on the phone. And since I am in Fredericton, I have to go to the walk in clinic and beg, AGAIN. And in mid question she hung up on me.
So I guess...thanks?
*sigh*, I might as well laugh because if I don't, I'll just end up crying.
P.S. So I guess I'll be going to the walk in clinic ...again....to beg...should be fun! Should be fun.
I have a follow up! And it's good news. So about a week and half after the original phone dismissal by Dr.Christie's staff I get a voicemail and it's another nurse calling me in for an appointment. I officially have an appointment later this month, and I am so excited at the prospect getting on some medication to manage my symptoms. I've let this run un-checked for far too long and I'm so pleased to get this appointment and to finally get it in check.
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Symptoms: Hirsutism, Obesity, Hair Loss, Irregular Menstruation, Insulin Resistance, Acid Reflux, Acanthosis Nigricans, Fatigue, Joint Pain, Migraine, High Libido(Surely that's not a bad thing To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. )
Drs in New Brunswick 
