Well, she thinks I have PCOS

[californiacasey]

Hi Ladies,
Well I went to my gyn appointment yesterday. I was armed with all my research and questions. After sitting in the exam room for a half hour the nurse-practioner finally came in. She said “So, what makes you think you have PC?”. I then started to explain my symptoms and how I’ve been treating them and how I heard about PCOS and how everything made sense…she was kindof chuckling to herself (when she asked me the question). I was a little puzzled, thinking my concerns were going to be laughed away. Then she said that because of the irregular periods, the facial hair and looking at me (ie the excess weight) that she thought there was a good chance that I have PCOS (or PC as she called it).
I don’t know if she was “laughing” because I was self-diagnosing or because I am right on…I really don’t know. But she let me ask questions and she made some suggestions. She wants me to lose weight (yeah that’s what I’ve been trying to do) She was kindof supportive of low carb eating (but more interested in portion control and Weight Watchers) She thinks I need some support because I “have a lot to lose”.
Then she ordered a battery of tests. But (and have you ladies heard of this?) she wanted me to be in my third day of my period and to come in on that day for the blood tests….so since we don’t know when my next period will be she prescribed provera and then when that’s done I’ll start birth control pills to start regulating my hormones. I asked her about the insulin resistance, but she kindof blew that off. Once I get the blood tests, then I’ll ask more about that. They’re doing like 8 tests for hormones and cholesterol and glucose.
It was good to hear that my self-diagnosis is correct and I’m so glad to be on the way to correcting this. She said the facial hair/acne may or may not go away but to continue treating them.
For those of you on met, did you test in a certain way that indicated your were insulin resistant? If I am in ketosis at the time of testing, how would that skew a test. Would they think I needed MORE insulin, instead of less? Did you ask your doctors for met or did they just prescribe it?

[2big4mysize]

:hug

not on met or any of that but your 3rd day stuff sounds right abd they will know from your glucose level in your blood and the amount of insulin present if it is in proportion or not.
Jut keep eating your Atkins correctly as that will help your insulin resistance get better and that is what this is really about isn't it? getting you better.

Happy low carbing.

[californiacasey]

Thanks for your advice 2Big.
I have been struggling with the eating for the past week. I don't know why Im struggling, because the carbs make me feel TERRIBLE. I'm on it today though. The 3rd day thing sounded a little weird to me, but that's fine. I think I'm going to start the provera on Thursday.....

[lowcarbing4ever]

Just my 2 pennies....she doesn't sound that supportive to me. You tell her that you are losing weight and how; she tries to switch you to something more "mainstream" like WW or low fat. Then you talk to her about insulin resistance and she blows you off. Insulin resistance is not something to blow off. Many, many PCOS'rs have IR and some don't find out till way into it that they had IR because their doctor didn't want to take the time to do the testing for it because they are lazy. I personally would be concerned how she just disregarded your concerns and made your mind up for you and her total demeanor. I can't tell you how many docs I went thru for my diagnosis and treatment because of the same attitude and lack of respect I got.

You were a great patient; you came armed and prepared with questions and did what you should have done as a patient. She should have been excited at the idea of a patient taking charge of their own care and instead, she seemed to be mocking you, as you doing her job. Don't be afraid to find another doctor who has your best interest at heart and puts your mind and concerns at ease. I don't think this woman does. As for the BCP's regulating your hormones, staying on Atkins, losing weight and exercising does more wonders for regulating your hormones than they do and with less complications or problems. I would try sticking to Atkins first before using BCP's. Just my thoughts. :hug

[2big4mysize]

sorry didn't explain that well for you. if you are on a certain day in your cycle then they know where a noral range for all female hormones is for that day of the cycle and can compare you to normal. all levels fluctuate during the cycle and you can be normal and have a high estrogen one day a nd a low another.

the eating is an emotional release and your doctor Brain trying to fix you up with foods it knows from past experiences with those foods makes you feel better when you are feeling like this. try some exercise or distraction and the emotional carb cravings should pass.

[californiacasey]

You're probably right

lowcarbing4ever - you're probably right that she's not really all that supportive. I finally went in today to go over the results of my blood work. The nurse practioner told me that no I didn't have PCOS. I started crying. What was causing all of my symptoms then? We talked through some things and she referred me to the doctor in the office. The docotr was wonderful and supportive. I told her that I've lost 10 pounds in 5 months (and she cheered me on) (not that the nurse practioner wasn't nice) but anyway I asked the doctor to explain the diagnosis a little more. And she said that according to my lab results I don’t have PCOS, but then she said that clinically I do have PCOS. So basically, I have all the symptoms, missing/irregular periods, facial hair, weight issues, acne, etc. So basically I do have PCOS but my lab results don’t show that. I asked the np which end of normal did I test on…she said normal is normal….
Ok, so anyway they’ve got me on bc pills and spironolatone to help stop the facial hair and suppress the androgens. The doc then talked with me about my exercise and eating habits and did I have issues with different things. It was good and she gave me some good advice.
But this is the part that’s making me cry, She said it would be much harder for “someone like me” to lose weight. I’ve already been feeling and experiencing that, but it was so disheartening to know that like she said I’m going to have to work harder at this than most people. I thought I already was….Battling weight and hormones is so difficult.
So that’s my story, although I don’t have “laboratory PCOS” I have “clinical PCOS” and they are treating me for it.
I soooo feel for all the rest of you women that are dealing with this “thing”. This is so hard and affects everything. I’m so glad that I could come and post all this and get it out. I’ve been crying on and off all day….most be hormones (isn’t that ironic)

[maribelle]

http://www.obgyn.net/pcos/pcos.asp

http://www.obgyn.net/cfm/pcos.cfm

http://pcos.net/

[2big4mysize]

:hug so you have clinical PCOS and now are getting treatment for it which is what you needed anyway so why the crying?

One thing you will need to be monitored for is your thyroid function. BC causes an increase in protein binding sites in the blood and this causes your T4 to be high in your blood levels but not availible for cellular use so you will need a free T4 and T3 testing too.

Hang in there and keep working your Atkins. the Atkins will help the PCOS symptoms too. We have had many folk getting preggo on Atkins who didn't think they could according to their doctors.

Happy low carbing.