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Re: HELP! Very confused and discouraged. (Sorry, very long.)
From: Jennifer (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 30 Apr 2000 12:08:24 -0500 (CDT)
My goodness, Tara, I'm so sorry to hear about the painful
ordeal you are going through.
You didn't mention where you live; I suggest you post that and ask if
anyone knows a good doctor in your area.
>From the other symptoms you've described, it does sound like you might
have PCOS, but you are unlikely to get a diagnosis or even any sympathy
from the doctors you have been seeing so far.
I don't have any information about the actual cyst- it has not happened
to me (yet). But as you have seen from reading the board, many women do
treat PCOS with glucophage and birth control pills, plus spironolactone
for other
symptoms.
I think first priority for you should be to find a doctor who is
helpful, caring, and open minded.
Once you have a doctor on your side, you will be able to pursue a
diagnosis and treatment.
Jennifer
At Sun, 30 Apr 2000, Tara wrote:
>
>In 1996, I saw a doctor for pains I started having in my left side
>around my ovary. After a pelvic exam and an ultra sound, I was referred
>to a OB/GYN to see what could be done.
>
>I was then given a running prescription for Tylenol with codine for the
>pain. I was literally yelled at for asking if I'd be able to have
>children. I was also told, since I wasn't planning on starting a family
>any time soon, if I took birth control it would get rid of the cyst and
>solve all of my problems.
>
>Once I started taking the pill, I started spotting and after about a
>week, went back to the OB/GYN. I was told that they would do surgery
>since the bleeding "wasn't convenient" for me. This was June 1996.
>
>By September, I was again experiencing pain in the same area. I went to
>a different PCP because of new insurance. We did another ultra sound
>and found that the cyst was back and I was "bleeding into it." Again, I
>was told that birth control would be the answer to my prayers. Not so.
>The pain continued and I started feeling like I just wanted them to rip
>out the offending ovary and be done with it.
>
>With another insurance change, I started seeing a different OB/GYN last
>April. He concluded that the pain in my left side had nothing to do
>with my ovary and that I probably had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He
>prescribed a medication that was supposed to help with the pain and told
>me to cut back on my caffine. If these things worked, it was IBS.
>
>In January this year, I started missing periods. I really hadn't missed
>any up to this point. Sometimes it was late, but I didn't completely
>miss. I went to my (yet again new) PCP for a pregnancy test and it was
>negative. I was told to wait two weeks and if I still hadn't gotten it,
>come back and they would look at other options.
>
>In the mean time, I was missing work because the pain (which has never
>left to this point) is getting so bad I can hardly walk. They do
>another pelvic exam along with every other swab, culture, and smear you
>can imagine. They eventually decide to have another ultra sound which
>tells me what I already knew. I have a cyst on my left ovary.
>
>They send me back to the OB/GYN I saw last April and I literally get
>into an argument with him. In the middle of verbally abusing me, he
>tells me to undress from the waist down and he'll do yet another pelvic
>exam. (As if they aren't humiliating and degrading enough to begin
>with.)
>
>He insists the pain is not being caused by the ovary or the cyst or at
>least if it is, the birth control will take care of it. He basically
>tells me that if I don't take the pills for at least three months to see
>what happens, he can't or won't help me.
>
>Now, after having side effects from the pill I start looking up the side
>effects that other women have experienced and find out about PCOS. This
>the first time that PCOS is ever mentioned to me.
>
>Does it sound to anyone like I may have PCOS? I have several of the
>symptoms described by the women in this forum. I've been over weight
>all of my life. Head hair loss. Excessive hair on my chin, arms, and
>legs. Acne breakouts no matter what time of the month. And this
>horrible nagging pain.
>
>Any input will be greatly appreciated. I'm at my wit's end. Please
>respond to my posting or EMail me directly. I also appreciate you
>taking the time to read my horribly long story. The worst part for me
>is that the story isn't over yet.
>
>--
>Thank you.
>
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