Upset and confused...arghh

sleepswithbutterflies · 08-10-2009, 04:44 PM

Hey everyone, I'm just looking for a few words of advice/comfort.

I posted a week or 2 back that I had an appointment with my doctor following the results of bloodwork and an ultrasound scan. Both results came back normal so I wanted to discuss the next steps to get a diagnosis. I didn't realise that I would leave the doctors surgery in floods of tears.

My doctor basically told me that I shouldn't be rushing into getting a diagnosis and I shouldn't want to have have PCOS. Well of course I don't bloody want it!! But I've got all the symptoms and just find it so frustrating that she refuses to diagnose me because of these results. My GP made me feel so stupid, that I was making a big deal over nothing. I tried to explain that my acne/hair/weight/periods make me feel really down, my self esteem is zero. I feel like an ugly monster that I am trying to cover up with clothes and make up. She actually told me that my skin wasn't that bad!!

I then tried to explain that a couple of women in my family have been diagnosed with PCOS and maybe it could be in my genes. She told me this was wrong. She also said that even if I was diagnosed there would be no treatment. So I left upset and with a prescription to be put on Dianette for my skin.

When I got home I tried explaining to my parents, but I was so upset. My dad told me that it was probably just my hormones and I would grow out of it!! I didn't even know how to reply to that!

Sorry for the rant guys, I just needed to tell someone, I'm feeling so low. I think I'm going to try another GP...this is hopeless.

KatCarney · 08-10-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepswithbutterflies

My doctor basically told me that I shouldn't be rushing into getting a diagnosis...

Agreed.

Be sure to check out the information in this link regarding getting a pcos diagnosis:

QUICK LINKS: Getting a PCOS Diagnosis & Understanding Lab Results

Keena · 08-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Before I was diagnosed I was told everything from "it's because you're overweight" to "you should be thankful you don't have a period every month"... by doctors! I even had one idiot compare my system to a garden and tell me that I wasn't tilling it right (what kind of sense does that make, right?!).

I agree that you don't want to rush into a diagnosis, but you've got to be seeing someone you are comfortable with. If you feel like it's time to move on, by all means, do so. I would! I had to switch several times before I finally found someone that I was comfortable with. Not all physicians are up-to-date with PCOS (or similar syndromes/diseases), and they brush the symptoms off or blame them on something else. Now, I don't know your situation, and I'd never say, "oh yeah... you most definitely have PCOS," but you deserve answers.

Good luck!

sleepswithbutterflies · 08-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Thank you to both of you

I have calmed down now after I got all of that out of my system and have got my head on straight now! I'm definitely going to consider seeing someone else, and in the meantime there are plenty of positive steps I can take to help myself.

jacquiej · 08-10-2009, 07:29 PM

Doctors and medicine in general can be so frustrating. Especially with PCOS - for some reason, some doctors think it doesn't exist or whatever. All I can say is keep your chin up and maybe find new doctors. I know that isn't always easy but it doesn't seem like they are really listening to you. Sometimes even if you feel like they are listening to what YOU really have to say, they can say the same thing the other docs said but it makes you feel better. Of course, no one WANTS to be diagnosed with anything but when you know there is something wrong...sometimes it is better to get that dx.

GL!

Greatest Hits · 08-10-2009, 09:17 PM

When I went to my first gyno, she told me my irregular periods were cause by excess testosterone *pointing to the hair around my navel as evidence*. She sent me home with medication for yeast infection.

At least my new gyno suspected PCOS but when most of the hormone tests came back fairly normal, he sent me to an endocrinologist for further study because it was starting to get out of his area of expertise. A glance over the paperwork (the LH, though at a normal level, was significantly higher than the FSH) and an ultrasound later the endo said I have it...it's not severe but it's there. Later on I got hit with the insulin resistance.

Even is PCOS isn't your answer, you should continue to hunt for whatever IS your answer.

lumpyone · 08-14-2009, 05:30 PM

I had a struggle to get diagnosed as well as I usually see my family doc who basically saw it as 'your mom is overweight and now you are, control yourself'. Keep pushing until you find a doctor willing to find out what the problem is if it isn't PCOS, as I finally made him refer me to someone else who did an ultrasound and hormone test that ended with me being diagnosed

sleepswithbutterflies · 08-21-2009, 01:32 PM

Thank you so much for your comments, I don't know what I would do without you guys!

I have spoken to a nurse recently about PCOS and she said if I was still unhappy go to another doctor. She also said that an internal ultrasound would be better than an external. I don't get why I didn't just have an internal in the first place?

Has anyone had better results with a transvaginal ultrasound??

Carolina5070 · 08-21-2009, 02:36 PM

My gyn did the internal ultrasound - I'm not sure if it makes a big difference or not. I've had both done before.

Had you got the actual lab results from the bloodwork from your doctor? Sometimes you may fall into the "normal" range (which can be very wide), but you could be on the high end of normal. For example, my doctor told me that while a normal level of testosterone can go up to around 80, certain people will show symptoms once it gets into the 50 - 60 range. My was 70, so that explained a lot. You can ask for a copy of your labs to be mailed to you and then you can check these things out yourself.

sleepswithbutterflies · 08-21-2009, 05:30 PM

I haven't seen the results myself, that's interesting to know though thank you. I will try to get a copy of the results. Thank you

sweetmomi · 08-21-2009, 05:38 PM

yes, ask for a copy. My labs showed classic pcos a year or so before anyone ever told me. I only found that part out by asking for a copy of my file. Definitely and ultrasounds and bloodtests, get your own copies. You can always ask questions about them if you do not understand. This also helps when you see a new Dr., you already have your info.

Did your ultrasound show cystic ovaries?

sleepswithbutterflies · 08-21-2009, 05:53 PM

The nurse scanning me said there were no cysts and the doctor told me the same. It's not that I don't believe them, but it was external so maybe if I have an internal scan it will be more..can't think of the word...reliable?

cdeno2009 · 08-23-2009, 11:22 PM

Hi,

Rant away. When I was 14 back in 1992, the doctors told me the pain I was experiencing was in my head. I went through 3 ultra sounds until they finally noticed I had a large cyst. One laporoscopy later, I was told I did not have one, but a couple dozen cysts. PCOS it was. Funny thing is about 7 years later I started having problems again and when I went back to the doctor that performed my surgery and gave me my diagnosis, I mentioned my issues could be the PCOS. He looked at me, without looking at my chart obviously, and said I don't think you have PCOS; who told you that? HE DID THE SURGERY!!!

Anyways, you know when something is wrong. I am now 31 and can tell when things are out of whack. Keep on it!

XxRaeRaeXx · 08-24-2009, 04:30 AM

You are not alone!! i went to a new gyno because i was consistently late with my period 1-3 weeks late every month. She told ,e "youll be fine you just need birth control." she mentioned pcos but reassured me i dont have it. I was fraustrated because i have had troubles since i started my periods and i just wanted to know why. I told her this and she recommended me to an endo after 3 appointments of complaining.

The endo was the one who diagnosed me with pcos after bloodwork. I went back to my gyno a couple months later because i wasnt feeling well. she asked if i was on any meds and i told her the endo prescribed me met. she was confused and asked why..i said because i have pcos. the endo diagnosed me with auto immune thyroid disease as well after she told me my thyroid was fine.

all im saying is if you are uncomfortable with your lack of diagnoses take action and see a new doctor. it couldnt hurt. Dont get me wrong she was a good doctor i just think that a lot of doctors underestimate the amount of women that actually have pcos.

and i did have an internal ultrasound which showed my whole ovaries covered in cysts..but the gyno still reassured she didnt feel i had pcos.

bekah429 · 08-24-2009, 02:25 PM

my situation is similar to yours... I have most of the symptoms of PCOS but my labs came back fairly normal. fortunately, my Dr. thought I had PCOS when I went over everything that was troubling me in my first appointment. She said that even if the labs come back "normal" it depends on where you are in your cycle when the blood is drawn.

the internal ultrasound is just a more accurate picture of your ovaries than when they just do a regular ultrasound. they did both the internal and external in the same appointment for me. if you have smaller cysts the internal ultrasound will show them better I think?

I'm not an expert, but I would try talking to your Dr. more about PCOS and if you don't make headway with any sort of diagnosis (PCOS or otherwise), try a different Dr.