Why won't anyone listen to me???? (rant)

feline · 02-20-2004, 12:48 AM

Just got back from a visit to the gynae..... still not diagnosed.
Because my cycle is regular and I am not hugely overweight (I am a size 14) apparently I don't come under the PCOS banner. I was told the fibroid I have (14cc) is not causing any problems and does not need to be dealt with. My insane and cripplingly heavy periods were not an issue to him. He suggested ponstan etc. Seemed to be irrelevant that I can't spend more than 45mins out of the bathroom for 3 days each month. Kinda makes working, sleeping etc impossible and I am exhausted.
Seems that there's a chance that because I take care of myself( ie eat only low-fat proteins and the carbs that are in fresh fruit and vegies), my cycle is in good shape, so I can't have PCOS.
As for all my other symptoms, (acne, high BP, weight I can't shift around my abdomen, skin discoloration, hirsutism) he suggested the pill. When I explained that we are trying to conceive, he told me just to put up with it.
I have now spent over a thousand dollars and have taken almost a week off work in total getting countless tests done.
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FRUSTRATED!!!
Left the gynae's surgery in tears today.
Noone gives a rats about how this syndrome impacts upon your life and it seems that if you have done everything within your power to manage it yourself you are disadvantaged because you do not have bad enough symptoms.
I have not eaten fat (other than that in lean grilled meat) or complex carbohydrates for 2 months. I have lost only 2 kilos. I exercise 3-5 times a week for an hour at a time (eg run 5k, cycle 20k, swim 1k, rollerblade 5k, play tennis etc). MY BODY WILL NOT LET GO OF THIS FAT.
Can someone please suggest an answer. My self esteem is being eroded by my being overweight and having acne all the time. I am a teacher, and students can be cruel, not to mention the way having acne undermines your authority in the classroom.
Please help.
Sorry about the length. Had to get it off my chest.

Leece_au · 02-20-2004, 06:47 AM

I totally understand your frustration. I have PCOS and fibroids and know what you mean about the excessive periods

I have had to switch Dr's several times because they just don't seem to listen to what I was saying and thought I was being over dramatic.

Has your Dr diagnosed you with PCOS? I don't know how you feel about herbs, but I have had a huge reduction in flow with my last period since taking them.

I see a naturopath and have acupuncture and it has really helped.

I would also suggest you ask your Dr to check your blood sugar levels to check to see if they are high and if you have Insulin Resistance, it sounds like you might do with the problem losing weight.

Wishing you all the best, good luck with your tests.

Joanne cira 1973 · 02-20-2004, 06:36 PM

My experience is kind of similar, no luck from a gyn/ob. I had a better response when asking for medical help, when I went to an endocrinologist.

That was how I finally got my official diagnoses for IR + PCOS.

feline · 02-20-2004, 08:28 PM

Thanks girls.
Venting all that helped heaps.
Now I can get over it all and keep on with the job of finding someone who will help.
Leece, I'd love some more info about your herbal treatment.
And Joanne, I'll try to talk my GP into referring me to an endo.
In the mean time I'll keep on keeping on with the diet and exerecise regime. After all, if I give up on taking care of me, how can I expect the professionals to take my issues seriously?
(You have no idea how close I was to declaring last night a beer and pizza night!)
But I made better choices, and consequently feel OK about myself today.
Luckily, bourbon has no carbs, and caffein free diet coke has very few, so crappy days and doctors can be tolerated.
Smiles to all.
Thanks for listening.
Gabrielle

Leece_au · 02-21-2004, 04:55 AM

I'm not sure what is in the mixture she makes for me, I did ask her what herbs were in it, but she was being very mysterious

The only word I can make out on the label is soy *shrug*

I was speaking to a lady in the natural health shop yesterday though and she swears by false unicorn root in the first two weeks and vitex in the following two...not so sure on that combo myself.

If you see a good naturopath they will give you the herbs that will suit your body the best.

kmc · 02-25-2004, 12:30 AM

Dear Feline

If you can get a referral, a good Endo is Dr Warren Kidson. He has rooms at Randwick and Hornsby. He diagnosed me with Insulin Resistance in 2000 and his specialty is PCOS, IR and Diabetes. He will get you to go and have a GTT (glucose tolerance test) done and then determine your insulin levels from that.

He prescribed me Metformin and Aldactone (this helps reduce androgens at the skin level).

Good luck.
Kirsty:p

feline · 02-25-2004, 07:08 AM

Thanks for the info Kirsty.
I'm planning to go back to the GP to ask for a referral to an endo, so I'll take your doctor's name along and see whether I can be referred to him.
I'm hoping to find someone who will diagnose the IR and prescribe metformin.
As for the Aldactone, I was prescribed it a few years back by a skin specialist (back in the days before I realised all the problems were linked!), but my GP told me to stop using it when I stopped using depo-porvera as a contraceptive. Apparently if you conceive the aldactone can be quite harmful to the baby.
Having said all that, if we do ever have a child, the second the baby's weaned I'd be back on the aldactone. It was great.

Anyhow, I appreciate your advice, and taking the time

I'll let you know.......
Gabrielle