Dr. Glueck

[thinone]

Hi ladies,

Question for you all: I have heard that Dr. Charles Glueck is a major researcher for PCOS, and is a big expert in the field. I was wondering if any of you have heard of him, and if you knew of others. He is in Ohio. Thank you!

[Danusmom]

Yep, read about his studies with Glucophage before I started taking it.

[ttara123]

He actually used to be my endo! He works out of Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati. I didn't really like him, though, and just started going to a new one this year.

I'm sure he was knowledgeable, but he wasn't really helpful. My mom went to him, too, but she also recently switched doctors because she wasn't crazy about him. When I met with him, he explained PCOS for a couple minutes and gave me a prescription for Metformin. He told me to get bloodwork done every month or two months (I forget which) and have all the results sent to his office. He also had a nutritionist in the building, and he had me go to her and she told me to eat more protein and less carbs. That was basically it. He did the same exact thing with my mom. I mean, he didn't really seem to take our different situations into account - i.e. she had weight problems and trouble concieving for a long time (although she was doing well weight-wise at the time and didn't want any more kids when she went to see him). I was skinny as a rail and was only 18. Maybe he did look at our diagnostic bloodwork and decide what was best for us, but he made it seem like Met was absolutely the only answer to PCOS and there was no use discussing other options. At that point, I didn't know about other options like I do now from this forum, so I didn't know what to bring up with him. But when I asked if this was the only way to treat PCOS, he basically said it was and there were no other options for me.

I did the bloodwork thing for a really long time, maybe a year, but I never heard from him about whether I was doing okay or not. When I met with him, I asked him about birth control and he said that I shouldn't do that because then it would mess up the bloodwork because he couldn't watch my hormones. He told me to get an IUD if I was worried about pregnancy (pregnancy wasn't my first concern or reason for wanting BCP, PCOS was. Plus, when I researched IUDs, they sounded like a bad suggestion to give me right off the bat. I was 17 or 18 at the time, and had never been pregnant). I signed something that said he could use me and my results in his PCOS research, and part of me thinks he didn't want me on BCP just because of that. The met never did anything for me, and after a while I called his office (since he never got back in touch with me despite all my bloodwork) to see what else could be done. The receptionist or nurse (I don't know who I talked to) basically just looked at my bloodwork (I think) and said that I should stay on the Met and see if it helps.

After a year and a half on Met with no results and never hearing from him, I had my gyno appointment where she prescribed BCPs for me and I quit getting any bloodwork done for Dr. Glueck. The only part of his work that still had any impact on me was that I kept taking the Met because it was all I had to go on. But I quit doing the bloodwork, and he never even asked why. He never called to check up on me or even tell me what was going on with my bloodwork.

I started going to a new endo this January and I like her a whole lot better. She actually discussed different treatment options with me, and she listens to my concerns and explains things well. She's a lot more helpful and I've only been with her since January and I've already gotten calls to see how I'm doing - something I definitely didn't expect after two silent years from Dr. Glueck.

I think my mom felt generally the same way that I do, because she doesn't go to him anymore either. I don't doubt for a second that he's a brilliant man and does a lot of work in PCOS. But I think that as a doctor, he's not so good. He seemed far more preoccupied with his research than his patients. At first, I liked that - I liked the idea that I had a cutting-edge doctor, who was knee-deep in research. I thought that he'd have a brilliant way to treat me and help me through PCOS. But really, he didn't help me at all and didn't take me seriously personally as a patient. And I'm not asking for a miracle cure. I just wanted someone who I felt like was interested in helping me. I'm not a high-maintanence patient at all, but I felt abandoned by Dr. Glueck.

That was really long - I hope that wasn't too much for you! You can PM me with any more questions, but I've basically said it all right here.

[Fuzzy Bear]

"didn't help me at all and didn't take me seriously personally as a patient."
I'm getting really tired of hearing about all the doctors that don't act like they care!
What the heck are they doctors for if they don't care anymore! Just for houses, and cars etc.?
Too bad there isn't a way to make all those doctors realize how they make US feel!
There, now I feel better to have said it.
Thanks for listening!
Fuzzy Bear

[kdmichelle]

I have had the complete opposite experience with Dr. Glueck. He has been helpful and explained PCOS, insulin resistance and clotting disorders to me. The entire first visit was covered by one of his studies which if it hadn't been it would have cost over 5K because of all of the testing he did. I have emailed and called a couple of times since the first visit and he has been prompt in getting back to me. I had some nasty side effect from the glucophage and he has worked with me to aleviate those side effects.
I just had a follow up visit with him today and he made sure I didn't have questions. He also made sure that my RE has me on the right meds to make sure I do not miscarry again.
He is leading studies on PCOS and has done a lot for women with PCOS. I would recommend you go see him if you have an opportunity.

** also- he does have 3 onsite dieticians who met with me to explain the lifestyle changes I need to make. I am fluffy and immediately started dropping pounds and within 12 days of seeing him and starting on the diet and glucophage I am pregnant.

[ttara123]

congrats on your pregnancy! I'm glad that he's working out for you, too. I guess this is why there is more than one endo in the world, so we can all find one that suits us!

[pal]

Here's my experience with Dr. Glueck, it's somewhat unusual but I have had good luck with the results. I'm not a typical PCOS patient.

I'm post menopause, have 2 kids, and have my PCOS pretty well under control. I was diagnosed back in the 80s when they didn't know much about PCOS and the meds I got at that point didn't help much. But I learned to keep things under control by eating right and exercise (hence pregnancies...) Despite all that, I've been pretty sick over the years, very likely due to PCOS type problems.

Around age 50 I was urged by my local GP to go back in for an endo check ..."progress has been made in PCOS research." So I saw two different endos, both of whom said "well there's nothing we can do for you..., you've got kids, aren't obese, etc.,etc." But I had done lots of research and knew that Met might be able to help me, but these Drs. weren't at all interested.

I finally contacted Dr. Glueck, he had me send him my test results. Based on the blood work he told me to go back to my local GP and get a perscription for Met, which my dr. did after seeing Glueck's reply. I live too far away to see Glueck personally. He was very helpful even though I wasn't really his patient and in helping me there was nothing in it for him.

I'm doing great on Met, this stuff has really really helped me. PCOS problems don't juct go away, as you age you need to be careful about heart conditions. Also I could tell I was having increasing problems handling sugar as I aged, and diet and exercise weren't enough anymore.

I can't comment on Glueck's "bedside manner" or "personal skills" but I'm really glad he's doing the research and is willing to pass on his knowledge!

[junior_j]

Cant say i have heard of him though i am in england, glad he has worked good for some.

Jess x

[thinone]

I wish I could get in to see him. I'm in NC right now, and was in CA before, so at this time it's not happening. I have contacted him via e-mail a few times and found that he was very helpful. I was wondering what meds you are on now to prevent miscarriage, and were you able to conceive without any drugs, or did you take drugs to help you get pregnant? I'm on Clomid now and have been on metformin long long before trying to conceive, and that hasn't had much of a difference. I'm just hoping the clomid works. I am going to see a RE in two weeks and I want to go in as informed as possible so I ask all the right questions. Thank you!

I have had the complete opposite experience with Dr. Glueck. He has been helpful and explained PCOS, insulin resistance and clotting disorders to me. The entire first visit was covered by one of his studies which if it hadn't been it would have cost over 5K because of all of the testing he did. I have emailed and called a couple of times since the first visit and he has been prompt in getting back to me. I had some nasty side effect from the glucophage and he has worked with me to aleviate those side effects.
I just had a follow up visit with him today and he made sure I didn't have questions. He also made sure that my RE has me on the right meds to make sure I do not miscarry again.
He is leading studies on PCOS and has done a lot for women with PCOS. I would recommend you go see him if you have an opportunity.

** also- he does have 3 onsite dieticians who met with me to explain the lifestyle changes I need to make. I am fluffy and immediately started dropping pounds and within 12 days of seeing him and starting on the diet and glucophage I am pregnant.

[thinone]

Super congrats on your pregnancy!!

[thinone]

that is very interesting--sounds like a very frustrating experience! Wish I could just get in to see him to hear what he has to say about me. Glad you found someone you like. Thank you for sharing all that with me!

[kdmichelle]

thinone- I actually am one of the lucky ones and got preg after only being on the met for 12 days. I have to take shots 2 times per day of heprin because of my clotting disorder. That along with the met, B6, B12 and folic acid are all what Dr. Glueck believes will help prevent miscarriage. I wish you the best of luck in TTC!

[BobbysMommie]

To those who have seen Dr. Glueck is he still at Jewish? I also live in the Cincinnati area (small world) and might be interested in seeing him. I'm courious Tara who you are seening now? I got a name off of the doctor referral post of Dr. Thie at Mercy I believe. Does anyone know her? Thanks.

[Young_Mrs.I]

kdmichelle; how much folic acid do you take? I have read that taking as much as 1mg can be very helpful at preventing mc, I was curious as I will be starting my clomid on Sat I have been taking about 1mg but I didn't want to over-doit, although my doc said it was ok, but being that you have pcos AND a sticky bun in the oven I wanted to get your view on it, maybe your dr. knows something mine may not???!!!!!!!! Thanks~ Congrats on pg!!

[ttara123]

To those who have seen Dr. Glueck is he still at Jewish? I also live in the Cincinnati area (small world) and might be interested in seeing him. I'm courious Tara who you are seening now? I got a name off of the doctor referral post of Dr. Thie at Mercy I believe. Does anyone know her? Thanks.

I guess I'm not positive if he's still at Jewish Hospital. He was less than a year ago, I'm pretty sure.

Right now I see Dr. Hermiller at Patient First Physician's Group in Crestview Hills. I just started seeing her about a month or two ago, but I really like her.