Wonderful PCOS Specialist in Philly Area - Dr. Minassian

colleenco · 05-23-2007, 11:39 PM

I found out about Dr. Minassian from the supser nice receptionist at Dr. Sharif's office. She told me she sees Dr. M and that he works hand in hand with Dr. Sharif. He also specializes in Infertility and for me that was right up my alley as I am going to ttc later in the yr.

Anyway, I went to see Dr. Minassian on Monday and while I was there a lot longer than I expected to be, I am very happy with the outcome. He really spends a lot of time talking to you, making sure you understand the condition, drawing pics, and ruling out every possability and finding the right approach for you. I was pleased that the bloodwork was drawn right there in the office and he even did a vaginal u/s on me and showed me what my polycystic ovaries look like. He was very nice and listened to me and did not rush me in any way. I have a few other tests I have to do as far as fertility goes, but he told me he would use the "MED" approach which is medicine (metformin in the form of Fortamet), Exercise, and Diet. He told me Fortamet doesn't give you as bad GI side effects as the generic brand. SO far I have taken it for two days and must say I haven't had any side effects except for a little upset stomach, but nothing bad.

Ok, so sorry if I am blabbing and giving too much info. I just couldn't be happier with this doctor. I spent a good 3-4 hrs there though. It was well worth it. It feels great to know that I am not going crazy and that I really have an *issue* that needs to be treated and I am finally getting proper care

Ok so finally here is his info! He has 2 offices. One is downtown and one on City Line Ave. I went to City Line.

Drexel Fertility - Bala Cynwyd See map
Suite 418, Rowland Hall
4190 City Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131
215-762-3600
215-477-6107 (FAX)
minassian@drexel.edu

Drexel Fertility - Center City See map
Feinstein Building, 4th Floor
216 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
215-762-3600
215-762-4323 (FAX)
minassian@drexel.edu

http://www.drexelfertility.medem.com/

Please write to me or ask any questions ya might have I would be glad to help! Good luck!!!

LessThanThree · 06-01-2007, 05:10 PM

I went to the City Line office yesterday. Dr. Minassian is fantastic. I immediately felt comfortable with him. The u/s made me feel much better as I was able to see that my uterus was fine and see the cysts. Now I know what I'm working with and I have full confidence in working with Dr. Minassian to manage it. I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone in the area.

KatCarney · 06-01-2007, 10:06 PM

Be sure to tell him you're a SoulCyster!!

LessThanThree · 06-02-2007, 01:56 PM

He's actually the one that sent me here!

KatCarney · 06-02-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessThanThree

He's actually the one that sent me here!

Yay!! We love that!

colleenco · 06-02-2007, 03:30 PM

Kat, when I went to see him he told me about this site and mentioned you, too!

He said it was a great site. I said "I know! I found out so much there!"

ads2e · 06-18-2007, 12:12 PM

I have to agree about Dr. Minassian. Dr. Sherif recommended him to me when I wanted to get checked for endometriosis. I was surprised at how thorough he was and how he went through all of the different options without pressuring me to do anything.

I even think of Dr. Minassian when I have to get treatments that my other doctors tell me to get. Recently, I went to get a another opinion about my PCOS treatment from an ob/gyn who said she treats a lot of PCOS. By the halfway point of the appointment, I realized I really didn't like her (she didn't listen, was very rushed etc.), but she did do a pap and called me (three weeks later) to tell me that I need to have an endometrial biopsy. My first thought was that I am definitely going to Dr. Minassian for the biopsy. When you go to a bad doctor it once again makes you appreciate the good ones. I am pretty freaked out about the biopsy (I'm relatively young (28), but PCOS and obesity are risk factors for uterine cancer, and my aunt died of uterine cancer last year), so I'm really glad that Dr. Minassian can do it.
--April Denise

AFuzzyLop · 06-18-2007, 12:28 PM

They are both great doctors and I am so glad you found them.

Are any of you going to the meetup Thursday? It would be great to meet you!

Stephicus · 06-18-2007, 06:21 PM

April, I just went to Dr. Minassian and he had a biopsy done on me on my first visit for the same reasons, I have an aunt that had uterine cancer. He had his resident do the procedure and it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't horrible either. It doesn't take very long and they pay very close attention to your discomfort as they do it. I'm 29 and he said that if I had endometrial cancer now that I'd be a medical anomaly, but thought it best to check anyway since the family history and my PCOS. He even went so far as to make sure my insurance would pay for it before recommending the procedure to me! I've never had a doctor do that. I'm so thrilled with Dr. Minassian. My mom came with me and she's thrilled too, finally, someone who listens!

Stephie

AFuzzyLop · 06-18-2007, 08:22 PM

just an fyi, I am doing the couch to 5K program and/or walking every day. If you ever want to join me I usually go to Peace Valley Park.

PM me!

ads2e · 06-19-2007, 10:37 PM

Hi Stephie:
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!! I really needed to hear it, because people don't just really come out and tell you about their biopsy experiences.

I'm not sure if I'm taking anyone to the biopsy with me. The closest family member is 5+ hours away (and I haven't told anyone in my family). The only person I told is one girl that I work with, and she offered to go with me. She also offered to follow me if I said she shouldn't come. Actually, to be more precise, when I told her I would be fine going by myself she said "I may use my FBI sleuthing skills and tail you over there incognito. So, if you see a suspicious person in a fedora and a bright pink trenchcoat in the waiting room, you'll know why..." That made me laugh.
--April Denise

AFuzzyLop · 06-19-2007, 11:39 PM

Best of luck in your biopsy! I haven't needed any....yet....

ads2e · 07-03-2007, 07:05 PM

The endometrial biopsy update....

So, I had my biopsy today (about 13 hours ago). I took 900 mg ibuprofen about an hour before and they used localized anesthesia on the cervix. (I had no idea they could use anesthesia on the cervix.) The procedure took about 15 minutes, it was painful but not the worst pain in the world, and now I just have cramps and some nausea. They claim I should feel tip top by Wednesday afternoon, and I have an appointment to get the results next Friday, July 13.

I'm quite nervous about the results, but Dr. Minassian said it's unlikely that there's anything seriously wrong. It's really kind of crazy that regardless of the fact that I know that there's only a very small chance that I have something seriously wrong, the word biopsy immediately made me think that I might have uterine cancer and I can't shake the feeling, especially knowing that pcos, obesity, endometriosis, and family history are risk factors for it and I have all of those.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I just wanted to give an update for all of you that have been so supportive. Thanks!

AFuzzyLop · 07-03-2007, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the update!

Stephicus · 07-06-2007, 12:55 AM

Good for you! I'm glad you made it through. I just got my results today, benign, so Dr. M said that's great, just what he expected. I'm sure yours will come out as well.

Don't worry!

Stephie