Seen doc today - no meds

rsisko · 11-16-2006, 08:57 AM

I visited a doctor today, she had heard of pco before but wasn't actually very interested in giving me medications of any sort. She said that due to my higher blood pressure she wouldn't give me any BCP's, and since my insulin response and cholesterol levels are OK/ideal, she didn't give me Metformin either. She didn't believe in prevention apparently. I had really put my hopes into getting Met. She just recommended Weight Watchers and said I should lose weight and my periods would bounce back into schedule. -Well yes, but the weight just won't shift!

I eat 1600-1800 kcal daily, approximately 50% carb, 30% fat (15% mono), 20% protein. Occacionally I check my daily eating with WW points, and I am usually within the range or slightly over. I do not use any alcohol, no baked goodies, hardly any bread but I eat some sweets every day, sugar is my downfall. I exercise (dog walking) about half an hour daily (I know it's not enough...) I explained all this but still no Met. She said pcos tends to spiral towards diebetes in later life, so we shall save Met until it happens.

So now I am back on my own with this, no support from doc. DH wasn't very happy either, he really wants me to get better.

Thank you for reading, this turned out rather long.

uhohcheerios · 11-16-2006, 10:52 AM

If I were you I would probably try to find another Dr, one that understands PCOS and the benefit of Metformin. Of course, that's really easy for me to say sitting here!! I'm also having troubles with my Dr treating my PCOS, she's not nearly as aggressive about it as I think she should be, yet I like her in all other respects of her practice, so I'm having a difficult time even thinking about finding a new Dr.

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I know how frustrating it can be. I wish you the best!! **HUGS**

AudaciousFurball · 11-16-2006, 12:18 PM

Get a second opinion. It's obvious this doctor has no idea what she's talking about. How can you wait until you have diabetes to start on Met? That's so stupid. Things should be done now, before it gets to that stage.
If I were you, I'd see another doc, and fast!

montana_in_la · 11-16-2006, 01:04 PM

Sorry you had to put up with this. I had a doctor in my college clinic tell me to my face that I had PCOS (without running any tests, and being very reluctant to do so!) and only want to prescribe bcps for it (even though I would be on them for a while and then I would stop having periods, so she would bump up the dosage without thinking to try something different).

She also told me to "lose some weight", even though I'm technically a healthy weight for my height. And everyone who I've told the story to has said to me, "what weight? where could you lose it?" (I, on the other hand, think I could probably lose some weight and look lots better, but those 10 pounds won't budge either!)

I would recommend finding a doctor who specializes in PCOS (or fertility problems if you can't find one who specializes in PCOS). Explain your situation and maybe help you out.

In the meantime, I would recommend fiddling with your diet a little bit. I've been working out in a gym a lot, and a trainer there told me that, ideally, my diet should be 60% carbs, 10% fat, 30% protein. As far as exercise goes, a half-hour daily is lots better than an hour 3 times a week!

Just my two cents. Hope you can get the meds you need.

Also, I've been trying some chinese herbs (I have the formula sheet, I just need to post the herbs) for my PCOS. They've been helping as far as having periods are concerned (I didn't have any for 6+ months), but I've also noticed I'm getting moodier and it's harder to control my mood swings. Theoretically if my periods become regular I won't have to take the herbs after a while. Then (hopefully) I'll be drug-free as far as my PCOS is concerned.

daksafarigal · 11-16-2006, 01:41 PM

My symptoms started showing up when I was about 18 and I went to my GYN to talk to him about it. (At the time there were no female GYN's in my area) Anyways, without running any tests other than a pap smear he shoved BCP's on me. Well, being naive I thought nothing of it, and went on with life. Then about 3 years later nothing was getting better. I couldn't afford the BCP's anymore (insurance doesn't cover contraceptives) so I went to the doctor again. He still didn't seem concerned told me it was my weight and I needed to lose it to prevent future health problems ( easier said than done). So fast forward to being married for a little over 2 years and my sex drive takes a nose dive. I didn't feel like being intimate, I had hair growing places it shouldn't, I couldn't shake the weight no matter what I tried, and I was getting headaches for no reason. I went to my doctor for headaches (I had moved to FL by then) and he turned me into a pin cushion ( I was having bloodwork done every couple of weeks for about 2 months). It hurt like hell at the time, but I'm glad I did it... he spotted the possibility of PCOS and referred me to an endocronologists. She was awesome. My first visit she ordered a couple of tests to confirm the PCOS, and by the second visit I had a definite diagnosis and a plan to fight it. If you doctor won't treat you I reccomend finding an endocronologist or better yet a reproductive endocronologist to help you out. I'm on Met to stop me from sliding to being a diabetic. Apparently your current doctor never heard that "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure." Hope this helps... e-mail or PM me if you ever need to talk

rsisko · 11-17-2006, 03:14 PM

Thank you Tricia, Danielle, montana_in_la, and daksafarigal;

I have now another appointment with another doctor, she is not a pcos specialist but through her, I can get a referral to one if she cannot help.

I'm so sick and tired of being overlooked by medical professionals, you have given me confidence to fight my case.

montana_in_la, do you avoid "bad" carbs as well, and what do you have for protein? Your 60/10/30 looks good. At the moment, I cannot join a gym, but as it's snowing at the moment, I'll be doing cross-country skiing pretty soon!

daksafarigal, the doc I was seeing said no blood tests were necessary, if the ultresound showed the blobs, it's pco. So no antigens will be measured... But at least they take it for granted that I do have it rather than doubt it.

montana_in_la · 11-17-2006, 04:09 PM

I don't know how well I avoid bad carbs, but I try to eat healthy. I don't like white bread at all and I've been trying to eat more veggies. I like whole wheat pasta, but it's a taste you have to get used to. Rice is probably the closest thing I have to a "bad carb" that is in my diet consistantly.
Protein-wise, I end up eating a lot of chicken and pork. I probably eat a couple servings of lean beef (no hamburger for me!) a week, and I try to get some fish in there as well. Eggs are a great protein source too. I like tofu, but it doesn't seem filling enough for me.
This was so hard for me to do, but another idea is to limit your dairy intake. Diary products tend to be high calorie, high fat, and there are hormones in milk that don't help PCOS problems. I love cheese, so like I said this was hard for me to do. I probably end up eating one serving a day, if any at all now. Any coffee or chai drink I get I try to get it made with soy milk. Whenever I do use cheese for something (which is very rare now), I try to buy something that's high flavor, like a well-aged cheddar or blue cheese. That way I feel like I've had enough even though I've had less than a 2 oz. portion. When I do end up buying milk, I buy organic milk. I don't know anything about the health benefits, but it tastes better to me.

AudaciousFurball · 11-17-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsisko

Thank you Tricia, Danielle, montana_in_la, and daksafarigal;

I have now another appointment with another doctor, she is not a pcos specialist but through her, I can get a referral to one if she cannot help.

I'm so sick and tired of being overlooked by medical professionals, you have given me confidence to fight my case.

montana_in_la, do you avoid "bad" carbs as well, and what do you have for protein? Your 60/10/30 looks good. At the moment, I cannot join a gym, but as it's snowing at the moment, I'll be doing cross-country skiing pretty soon!

daksafarigal, the doc I was seeing said no blood tests were necessary, if the ultresound showed the blobs, it's pco. So no antigens will be measured... But at least they take it for granted that I do have it rather than doubt it.

That's what we're here for cyster!!!
I hope everything goes much better with new doctor. Keep us informed.

BIG HUGS...

MommyJenny74 · 11-19-2006, 12:28 AM

I'm so glad you are seeing a different doc, cyster! Best wishes for your appointment.

Hugs
Jenny

PBLayzod · 11-19-2006, 01:54 AM

Keep looking until you find someone who is willing to give Met a try. I'm not overweight or IR, but it worked for me. Because Met still isn't cleared for PCOS treatment some DRs are reluctant to prescribe it for that alone. You shouldn't have trouble finding a DR in your area who's willing to experiment with it, though. You might have to visit several DRs before you find the right one. Don't give up.

rsisko · 11-19-2006, 05:56 AM

Hi again,

thank you all for your suuport! I will definitely keep you posted; the next appt is at the end of this month, so now I just go for longer walks - the doggie seems happy about it as well...

montana_in_la; I think giving up dairy would be really hard for me too, it's the milk in my morning cereal, and cheese as well. I'll try to reduce the amounts first and if that doesn't help I'll think of going totally vegan (scary...).