Where do I even start?

luckygrrl · 11-28-2006, 03:17 PM

Hi all, this is my first post here.

I have so many questions, but most importantly: I need some advice on a starting place. I hope this is the right forum.

I, somewhat embarrassingly, admit that I have been lax on my health care as an adult (I'm 29). I had a primary care physician who I saw a few times sporadically for general yearly check ups (including pap smears) and allergies. I have not gone to a gynecologist in.... okay, I can't even remember. Yes, I am aware this is bad, bad, bad, so no chiding please, I know it, I suck.

I guess my first question is this: where do I start with finding a doctor? I have a few symptoms of PCOS and have suspected I might have it for years but have been afraid (and probably more embarrassed than anything else) to do something about getting checked out. I don't have a primary care physician. I don't have a gynecologist. Where do I start?? Find a gynecologist first, and tell them I want to be tested for PCOS? I do NOT want to simply pluck the name of someone from the provider finder on my health insurance's web site (though I do need to find someone who's covered because I'm a grad student living on student loans).

I guess I just sort of need some direction here. Any help would be appreciated. It's been a long journey just to even get to this place where I'm ready to talk about it with anyone. Thanks for any input, I'm happy I found this site.

KatCarney · 11-28-2006, 03:19 PM

Joining here is a good start

Also see here: http://www.soulcysters.com/do_have_pcos.html

missy2003 · 11-28-2006, 03:22 PM

I felt the people on here were so open and welcoming, so I want to say Good for coming to us, we are ALL here to help. I found out from my primary care physician that I had PCOS, she had many blood tests run on me. I do not go to a gynocologist also. But do go to my PCP. If you let us know what location you are, there may be someone else close to you that may be able to recommend a doctor in that area. Feel free to ask any questions, and get advice on anything you need. Also, feel free to post to other peoples threads.

Jashobeam · 11-28-2006, 03:37 PM

I found my doc's office in the phonebook. I saw three lady docs there before they left and the owner came out of semi-retirement. The three ladies didn't seem to know a lot about PCOS, but the male doc does. He put me on Metformin, ran some tests (hormones, cushings, cholesterol, liver enzymes, thyroid, insulin resistance, diabetes, etc.) and encouraged me to stay on a lower carb diet, exercise as a I can (I have fatigue issues) and keep a watch on AF. He has really been great as a PCOS doc (he is a GYN with RE experience).

Check these links:

5 Types of PCOS

SURVEY: What else have u been diagnosed with?

FWIW, I understand your reluctance. I went to my GP in 2002 and gave her my symptoms and told her I read about PCOS in a women's mag. She went out, came back in (after reading who knows what) and said it sounded like I had PCOS, when I wanted to get pregnant she would send me somewhere. She told me to loose weight, eat right and that was it. Well, right then and there I started on a modified lower carb diet and lost 30 pounds in about 6 months. DH and I started TTC after I had lost the 30 pounds and when I got PG and I had my very first GYN appointment at the age of 30. Yep, I was a big chicken about going, but by then it was a must, lol. I am glad I found a great doc, and I wish all cysters could find one so educated and willing to listen as my doc is.

luckygrrl · 11-29-2006, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the kind replies so far ladies and the links, it's very nice to be welcomed here.

In my current situation of not having a doc of any kind, I'm wondering if I should get a PCP or a Gyn first. I did see a doctor this summer when I had bronchitis. It was so tough just to try and pick one out of the blue! It ended up being a mess because the first doc I picked ended up not taking my insurance so I had to get a last minute appt with this guy. lol I actually really liked him, but he does primarily HIV/AIDS care. However his secretary has email, so maybe I'll send her an email and ask if he also does general PCP stuff and if he has any experience with PCOS or could refer me to someone in my network.

I'm in Chicago and yesterday and will now again check out the Chicago threads, though at first glance it seemed like all of the recommendations were either out of my insurance network or were Endocrinologists.

Just in case anyone knows... is there a deep dark secrets type of forum on here too, to tell about personal PCOS-related stories and such, or is that just thrown in with the general categories on each topic? I'd love to read about other's experiences and share some of my own.

AudaciousFurball · 11-29-2006, 01:24 PM

Hi and welcome to S/C. There's truck loads of info about PCOS on these pages, so take your time, find out as much as you can. Ask us any questions you have, and we'll do our gbest to answer them.
As I'm not in the U.S. I can't say how you should go about finding a Dr with your med insurance as we have social security here in Spain, and all my consultations are free anyway. What I will say is that my G.P. recommended me to a Gyn, who diagnosed me with hypothyroid and because he couldn't dx anything else, he referred me to an Endo, we did find my PCOS.
An endocrinologist is probably the best professional to see because PCOS is primarily a hormone related disorder, and this is what endo's deal with.
Have fun here!

PBLayzod · 11-29-2006, 10:04 PM

I've always had good luck picking doctors from the phonebook. If your insurance is through your employer ask some coworkers for suggestions. They will probably have a few doctors they love and few they absolutely hate. You might feel differently, but it's a place to start. Some women use their gyno as their primary care physician, but if you feel more comfortable having separate doctors then do that. If you pick one they may be able to offer suggestions for the other. I'd think a pap would be first on the list of things to do, so I'd find a gyno asap. You may be lucky and the first doctor you try will be a PCOS expert. If not, you can certainly try someone else the next time. Happy hunting!

Cameryn · 11-29-2006, 10:44 PM

Referrals from people you know really are the best way--where do your friends go? Local women you know from volunteering or church or work or whatever?

When I moved to Atlanta I knew I'd need to find a new dr and then I read an article in the local "Welcome to Town" magazine that featured local gyns who dealt with PCOS--pretty easy and I made sure they knew how I'd found them.