Yea! The tests came back....

AngelD · 08-23-2007, 02:33 AM

This may sound a little strange as usually when you have a test done, you celebrate if it comes back normal....but Yea!!!

A week ago Monday, I went to the doctor again for my symptoms and my yearly check up and since we had tested thyroid and a couple other things, he said that he was sure I had PCOS or was at least insulin resistant, but with the other symptoms, he was pretty sure it was PCOS. He drew some blood and put me on metformin but then two days later called and said that my blood sugar had been a point higher than normal for a fasting test and told me to stop taking the metformin and go get a GTT and insulin level test done. Of course I was upset because I had been sure I had PCOS before I even went and saw him and had read everywhere that metformin was used to treat it, especially the symptoms I have, and I really wanted to get started on the drug. But like a good little girl, I went off it and went and got the test done.

Then yesterday they called me and said that the blood sugar level part of the test was back and that it was normal. I didn't know whether to be happy or not...I mean, I don't want to be diabetic of course, but I was afraid if that came back normal, that the IR test would come back normal and then I'd be back to square one with this whole thing. I was also a bit upset that they called me without complete test results because just the blood sugar level wouldn't really tell me or them anything other than I wasn't diabetic without the insulin level test to compare with it. I still don't know why they didn't just wait to call me until they had complete test results back, but anyway....

Today they called back and said that my insulin levels clearly indicated IR (and I could tell by the tone of the nurse's voice on the phone, how she said "clearly indictated" that my levels were probably pretty high, and that with all my other symptoms, that clinched it for the doctor to make a conclusive diagnosis of PCOS. So she told me the doctor had said to go back on the metformin and to come back in 4 months!!!

I was jumping up and down and squealing in delight I was so happy. I'm sure the nurse thought I was a total nutcase as usually when they call to give bad test results that shows a problem, people are probably usually not quite so excited, LOL!!!

So now I'm back on the metformin and hoping for the best and that I'll finally get some resolution for these things that have been plaguing me since I was a teenager...and even better, that perhaps things will get back to normal enough that I can have child #3 before the end of next year. We've been trying for a year with no success at all and my first baby we had to try for a year and a half with her and I was only 24 then and my second, I had lost about 30 pounds on a severely restrictive diet and got pregnant in 7 months. But trying for #3, it's become evident that it's not going to happen unless the PCOS gets under control.

Thanks for listening to all my blabbing, but I'm just so happy to be finally diagnosed for sure and able to get back on the metformin.

Future Doc Cyster · 08-23-2007, 02:56 AM

I'm happy to hear that you got a definitive diagnosis and are getting your PCOS under control.

This may sound odd, but doesn't it feel great to figure out what's "wrong" with your body so that you can do everything in you can to make it "right"?
Especially when you pretty much know what the problem is and how to solve it but just need the doctor's ok and a prescription!

Best of luck with ttc!

Future Doc Cyster · 08-23-2007, 03:00 AM

By the way, I'm not ttc, but I'm just curious as to what your "restrictive diet" entailed when you got pregnant with baby #2.

Also, I'm sending *******baby dust******* your way!

AngelD · 08-23-2007, 03:13 AM

Yes, it does feel great. I've been telling doctors since I was about 16 that something wasn't right with me and they'd all kind of blow it off and never follow up on it.

I originally thought I had a thyroid problem and had the doctor I have now test for that and he tested for a couple other things I don't remember when I told him my symptoms and he mentioned PCOS, but at that time I had no idea what it was and had never heard of it. And then, just like fate planned it, about a day or two after that appointment a year ago, I was watching a show called "Mystery Diagnosis" on TV and they profiled a woman that had the same exact symptoms I had save the skin tag thing, though hers seemed to be even more severe than mine...and I said "That's it!" Unfortunately, my doctor is not that good at follow ups and at that time I was not as "assertive" as I've become now and when he called and said my thyroid was normal but my cholesterol was high and to just watch what I eat more (which I already do so I was really frustrated) I just said ok, I'll see if that helps and talk to him at my next yearly physical if things haven't gotten better.

As the year progressed and things didn't iimprove but got worse, I started doing more research on PCOS and the more I read, the more I was completely convinced that was my problem. When I went to my next check up a week and a half ago, I was armed to the teeth with all the info I read and ready to make an argument for my case and demand to be tested since I was so used to getting blown off by doctors who never did anything...but surprisngly, when I brought PCOS up, he agreed that with my symptoms that was likely and said without me even having to say another word "I'm going to put you on metformin and do some blood tests." I was like..."uh....ok" I didn't know what to say as I was all revved up ready to argue! LOL!!

Boy do I wish I would have been more assertive a year ago, maybe I could have gotten him to do these tests and got diagnosed and on treatment before now. That's my advice to anyone when it comes to anything, not just PCOS, if you are having symptoms of something, even if you don't have a clue what it is, if it's abnormal, advocate for yourself, keep pushing to get a diagnosis, don't let doctors blow you off, research your symptoms, and if a doctor does blow you off or refuses to help you, go find another one. Do whatever it takes. You will be glad you did in the end. Unfortunately most people have this idea that doctors know close to everything and that what they say is always right, and that if there was a need for a test or drug they'd give it and if they don't it means you don't need it, but that is definitely not the case. If you're not satisfied with what a doctor is doing for you, don't hesitate to find another one and get a second or even third or fourth opinion!

As my grandma used to say....there's a reason that doctors are said to "practice" medicine...they're still practicing! LOL!!

AngelD · 08-23-2007, 03:17 AM

Sorry, I didn't see your second post before I posted again. My restrictive diet was basically phase 1 of south beach, where you're taking in almost no carbs or sugars AT ALL. I was absolutely miserable. You're only supposed to be on it for 2 weeks, but the second I went to phase 2 where you introduce a few carbs back into your diet like whole wheat bread, my weight loss stopped DEAD and I even started gaining weight back, so I went back to phase 1....and stayed on it for a LONG time. Not good for you at all....but that has been the only way I have ever been able to lose weight ever in my life.

I walk/jog about 2 miles a day and I weightlift 3 days a week and have been doing that for 6 months now, and before I was active and ate what most would consider a balanced and healthy diet, but even after starting the jogging and weight lifting regimen, I had gained 7 pounds. I shudder to think what I would have gained had I not been doing those things!! So there was definitely a problem.

drama queen · 08-23-2007, 01:20 PM

Congrats on getting somewhere with your diagnosis. As someone who was hoping for one yesterday and was pretty much shut down and told to wait until I'm TTC to be tested for anything, I'm happy for you :o)

AngelD · 08-23-2007, 05:01 PM

Drama queen, I suggest that you go get a second opinion. You should not have to wait until you're TTC to be tested. PCOS and insulin resistance can lead to all kinds of other serious complications, among them heart problems and diabetes. I think it's crazy for a doctor to wait to diagnose something until you're TTC when it can seriously affect you in even more serious ways than just not being able to get pregnant!