So Frustrated - Not sure what to do - long

mj_romo · 09-15-2005, 04:06 PM

Okay, I had my annual physical exam today and I'm really irritated. Maybe this should be in the rant section, but I'm not sure. I did all of my research and went to my dr prepared, but I need some advice, so here's the deal.

I'm 5'10" and last year at this time I had gotten up to about 190 lbs. My dr told me at that point that before we started TTC, I needed to get down to 150 lbs. That was Sept., by Dec, I got really sick, my weight hadn't budged and I was diagnosed as hypoglycemic. My dr recommended Atkins and I did Atkins with the help of a nutritionist. By Feb, I was up to 215 lbs because the hypoglycemia was turning everything into glucose and then into fat, so my nutritionist and I researched and I started on the Low Blood Sugar diet - high complex carbs, low protein, low fat.

I'm now down to 175-178 lbs depending on whether or not I'm bloated. I swim a mile 4 days a week, I've started a walk/jog workout for 3 miles 2 other days of the week. I can do 3-4 flights of stairs without huffing and being out of breath. I feel really good. My periods are wonky, but that's probably partly because I've only been off the pill for 3 cycles.

My dr's first comment to me was that I was still in the "obese" category and that she hoped I wasn't thinking of TTCing any time soon. Her next "comment" was that "she guessed she'd have to put me on Metformin to take the rest of the weight off." When I asked if it was possible that this was simply the natural weight for my big-boned body, she looked at me like I was crazy. She didn't take into account the fact that the physical trainer I've been working with says my body fat is only around 23%; she didn't take into account that my blood glucose is rather low for Met (based on what I've read; at fasting its only around 55mg); she was just determined that I take it. Everything else about me was healthy: I've gotten rid of my gut with pilates, my cholesterol is low, my liver is good, my heart sounded good, my skin is clear, based on my charts I'm ovulating, my only real PCOS problem is excess hair (getting laser treatment next week), but she was determined to foist an scrip for Met on me.

This is what really gets me (sorry, I know this is long), she's supposed to be a PCOS expert. She was trained in England as an endo/gyn specialist. I really liked her the last time I met with her and so I was really surprised by her nasty attitude today. I don't want to take the Met, and I don't think it'd be healthy for me, but I don't know what to do.

I want to start TTCing soon, but not if it's going to be a health risk. Opinions, please?

Smorgan128 · 09-15-2005, 04:39 PM

I calculated your BMI, and it's 25.5. On that scale you are just slightly in the overweight category, however This scale doesn't account for bone density etc. On the next note, Many women on here are more than 50lbs overweight and trying ot conceive a child. I would find another doctor and get a second opinion. Have you visited a regular endocrinologist? I would definately talk to other people, maybe a reproductive endocrinologist. This doc seems a little out of bound is claiming you are overweight and forcing you to take a medicine you are not comfortable taking, without discussing other options with you.

tiggerlily5278 · 09-15-2005, 05:38 PM

I agree with the above poster. Your doc does not seem to be right here. I know there are plenty of cysters on this board who have had successful, healthy pregnancies and are MUCH heavier then you are. It also does not sound like she has very good "bedside" manners, to be giving you looks like you are crazy. I think you should find another reproductive endocrinologist. I say RE only because you are PCOS & TTC.

A few other things I thought of on your post...you should have a CD-21 progesterone level check (blood work) to see if you are in fact ovulating on your own. If you're not, then Metformin would be beneficial to you. Or, you could try Clomid first. Usually they try Clomid for 3 months, if no luck, then Met.

Congrats on all of the exercising you do! Lord, I have no idea where you're energy comes from! Can you send me some? I've been so tired and sluggish lately.

Good luck!

mj_romo · 09-15-2005, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely look for an RE - except that I think she has to refer me to one, and I'm sure she thinks her qualifications are fine. After today, I'm a little nervous about asking her anything, which I suppose is a sign that I need a new doctor. I was really surprised by her today because she had come so highly recommended and had been so nice when I had met with her before.

I'm curious, if I have the necessary CM and the basal temp spike, could I still not be ovulating?

Blakesmomma · 09-15-2005, 07:16 PM

What a bitXX! :rant2: I weighed over 200 lbs and am only 5' 3" tall when I went to an RE for help... come on now. If you overall health is fine what's up?! My RE in fact didn't want me dieting while ttcing. She didn't want the extra stress.

Unless you insurance needs you to be referred to an RE - forget her! I called the RE's on my own and got an appointment - DON'T WAIT! and heck with her!

Tori

jlbrown122 · 09-16-2005, 12:57 AM

I am 5 ft 7 in. and weighed 200 pounds when I first went to my RE. She never once mentioned my weight. At my next appt. she noticed I had lost 5 pounds and I told her that I was doing Weight Watchers. She said that was great and sometimes losing 10% of your body weight will help with PCOS and fertility. She has never said anything about not ttc because I am overweight.

That is horrible that your doctor isn't even praising your weight loss and how healthy you have become. You should be very proud of yourself and it sounds like to me that you are very healthy, which is more important than any number on the scales.

mrsjcc · 09-16-2005, 02:19 AM

Whoa you need to find a new doc. Good grief, I can't wait to get down to your weight --and I'm 5 inches shorter than you are!

I am 5'5 and when I went to my Endo, I weighed 208 lbs. My doc told me my weight was not too bad for someone with PCOS. She said my bloodwork was great, and applauded me on my healthy living. She was also anxious to get me TTC as soon as possible. So I would really get a 2nd opinion on this. Especially since you sound so healthy!

Football Widow · 09-16-2005, 02:07 PM

I agree with everyone else. 150 at 5'10" is very thin. On weight Watchers I got down to 150 at 5'8" and I was very thin. I am desperately trying to lose weight again, but don't let your weight prevent you from ttc. I think that this Dr. is incredibly pushy. Don't let her suck the joy out of the weight loss accomplishments you have already made!

mj_romo · 09-16-2005, 03:34 PM

I hate her! She called this morning and told me not to take the Met until I'd had another GTT and that she'd just put in the order. When I told her not to bother and that I wanted a referral an RE (or just another dr) she got really obnoxious - reminded me of all her credentials, etc. I told her that her credentials didn't matter if she didn't have a good personality and couldn't recognize what I had done in the space of a year (changing food habits drastically is not easy!) and if she was going to be pushy about it that I would find out what was necessary to switch. She said she'd look into it for me and practically hung up the phone!

So totally frustrating!!@!!!!

jlbrown122 · 09-16-2005, 04:09 PM

OMG!!! I can't believe she acted like that! If she won't refer you to an endo, then find a new doctor that will. My ob/gyn did not hesitate to tell me he wasn't sure the best way to treat me when I told him I had an extremely short luteal phase. He said he would feel more comfortable referring me to an RE, and I am so thankful that he did.

Good luck! I hope you find a wonderful doctor.

enits · 09-16-2005, 04:21 PM

Oh my goodness....It's definitely time to go another doctor. Doctors shouldn't hesitate to send you to another doctor when you ask them. My OB even suggested that I'm always welcome to get a 2nd opinion. I can't believe she had the audacity to remind you of her credentials. Apparently her credentials don't come with good bedside manners...let alone GOOD MANNERS period.

I'm so proud of you for making those healthy lifestyle changes. Those are tough. Keep up the good work!

mj_romo · 09-16-2005, 07:42 PM

Great, now what do I do? I called my insurance to see what I needed to do - it's no problem switching drs so long as I stay within the group - which is huge because it's at a teaching hospital. So then I spent an hour and a half calling GPs, OB/GYNs, Internists to see who's taking patients and who they might refer me to, and guess what...........HER name was the one I was given by 15 out of 18 offices. The other 3 offices don't see 'high risk" patients (yes, that's the exact phrase they used) and referred me back to some of the other ones, who, once again, referred me back to her. Now what?

BTW: I looked up her credentials and she is an RE along with being a GYN - PCOS is her life. What do I do now? I feel like I'm stuck with this bitXX!

altabes · 09-17-2005, 02:21 AM

MJ,

Try going ot the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) wesbite http://www.aace.com
They list endocrinologists and re's and list their specialties including PCOS!

Hope this helps a little.

sockmonkey · 09-18-2005, 07:41 AM

I am 5'11 and weigh 174. While I feel overweight for me, I am actually still within the range of healthy weight for my height. When I felt the thinnest, I was 155. I think your Dr. is crazy!!