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Re: HELP! Very confused and discouraged. (Sorry, very long.)
From: Tara (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 30 Apr 2000 21:32:23 -0500 (CDT)
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I live in Green Bay, WI. Is
anyone familiar with a doctor here?
At Sun, 30 Apr 2000, Jennifer wrote:
>
>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.
>>
--
Thank you.
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