Re: To Kate re:Please, can anyone help me?
From: Kate (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 12 Feb 2001 04:40:22 -0600 (CST)
Hello, thanks for your reply - I'll try to clarify:
I have been on Thyroxine for two years now and my dose is optimised at
200mcg - my GP has agreed to look into the remote possibility that I may
need T3 supplementation but that is unlikely. So the thyroid position
is definitely covered and monitored on a 3 monthly basis.
The endos here humiliated me by telling me that I was fat and ill
becuase I was greedy and lazy. They lost my blood test results, misread
another set of results andthen finally had to admit that, yes, I was
hypo - oops , sorry! They were ghastly to me, reduced me to tears every
time and ignored my pleas for further investigations. Luckily, here is
an alternative endo clinic headed by a much nicer consultant hwo dealt
with my gestational diabetes and I will be going back to them, I think.
My scan is to be repeated by my gynae but this will mean a wait of at
least six weeks, maybe 12. In the meantime, I am not having any
treatment and my life is hell. As I write I am experiencing abdominal
distension and pain with a sick dragging feeling that is almost
unbearable - like my insides are about to collapse out. I can't wear
normal clothes comfortably. My blood tests have already been done but
only for the usual hormones, I don't think he asked for any lipid tests
and I haven't had a GTT.
I can't see the consultant again until my scan is done - I have to make
an appointment for two weeks after the scan so as to allow for the
results to come through.
In the meantime I have to live like this and I can't bear it anymore.
I think I am asking for moral support and self help tips, but I have to
admit to being pretty distraught - this has been going on for two and
half YEARS!!
Thanks again for your advice.
At Sun, 11 Feb 2001, anonymous wrote:
>
>Dear Kate,
>
>like you, i have pcos and i am from the UK. You are quite right that
>you have all the symptoms of PCOS and its so frustrating when you feel
>that you are at a loss. You mention that you have been diagnosed with
>hypothyroidism and now having treatment, for how long? An Underactive
>thyroid clinical symptoms can sometimes present itself similiar to pcos.
>
>For example, the metabolic rate with underactive thryroids are slower so
>weight gain despite whats eaten can occur. The hair can become dry,
>brittle and thin. Menstrual irregularly is common too. Oedema in
>severe cases can also occur. You mention that you are overweight, is
>this with 'fat' or oedema? Along with apathy, fatique, depression can
>also be common indicators of both pcos and low thyroxine levels. If you
>have not taken the thyroxine for that long, it may take a while for it
>to be effective. Also it could mean that you may need the dosage
>increased.
>
>My advice would be
>
>1) revisit your doctor and request a repeat thyroid function test and
>thyroid blood test. At least whatever the outcome, your medication can
>be adjusted accordingly.
>2) I would gather that you already have had fasting blood sugars since
>your doctor is considering putting you on metformin. It might also be
>worth considering to be referred to a dietician or diabetic nurse
>specialist who can advise you on your dietrary requirements and
>management. Request this from your GP.
>3) The fact that your hormone levels were normal 9 months ago, does not
>necessarily mean that they are okay now. Your GP or Specialist could do
>a repeat FSH, LH, Testosterone,oestrogen, prolactin and progesterone.
>4)To treat your acne, apart from a good low carb and well balanced diet,
>has your doctor suggested any topical or medication to treat this?
>5) The fact that you have irregular periods would indicate that you do
>not ovulate regularly if not at all. Maybe your GP could arrange a 7dpo
>progesterone test after when you think you have ovulated. The BCP can
>sometimes be used for those women that do not want to get pregnant but
>to manage and control the cycles somewhat. However the bcp are not
>suitable for all and it tends to mask the symptoms rather than treat
>them.
>6) Heavy periods combined with thryroid disorders can cause possible
>aneamia, so your GP could check your blood count levels too. Folic acid
>or iron tablets supplements may need to be considered.
>7) Altered metabolic rates can effect the absorption of nutrients, so
>sometimes it is necessary to take supplements. Maybe Multi-vitamins may
>help you.
>8) Evening Primrose oil capsules are good for the balances of hormones
>in women. Maybe these may help?
>9) Reduce your salt and sugar in your diet. Too much sodium can cause
>that water retention and bloatedness. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
>This will not only prevent fluid retention but help with the condition
>of your skin.
>10)The fact that you are depressed could be a combination of the medical
>ailments that you are presented with along with the low-self esteem you
>have about yourself. Its important that you try and not feel worthless,
>ashamed and ugly because the lower ebb you feel, the more depressed you
>will become. I know thats easier said than done. You must be at your
>wits end since you have been running around in circles and the doctors
>seem at a loss, but all you want is a diagnosis. Try and think postive
>with the notion that your doctor will probably prescribe metformin for
>you which should help immensley.
>PCOS is a complex syndrome which is why maybe some of your docs have not
>come to a conclusive diagnosis for you.
>
>We can sometimes feel humilated when we seek consultation from the
>specialists when we ask questions that may appear silly or request
>further tests only to be made to feel stupid. You don't mention how
>your specialist humilated you. Even the most experienced consultant
>does not necessarily have all the answers sometimes and there may be
>those very few that won't admit they don't know, primarily since there
>is a conception from the patients point of view that they should know
>all! Sometimes the patient may know more about their body than the doc.
>Try and not let that occasion make you lose confidence. Maybe you could
>request a referral if that is an option?
>
>\you don't have to have cysts sometimes to have PCOS since it is caused
>by imbalances of hormones which you appear to have.
>
>I know i have not given you crystal clear answers but i hope this has
>helped a wee bit and write back anytime if you need more info.
>
>Good luck
>
>At Sun, 11 Feb 2001, Kate wrote:
>>
>>I have all the symptoms of PCOS - hirsutism, horrific weight gain, all
>>my weight on my abdomen (I look 8 months pregnant), insulin resistance
>>(we know because I was a gestational diabetic), lipid problems (I had
>>gallstones), acne, depression, irregular, heavy and painful periods and
>>general, constant abdominal discomfort.
>>
>>But, I have had three children without difficulty (and realise how lucky
>>I am) and no cysts were detected on my ovaries last time I had a scan (2
>>years ago). Nine months ago, when my gynaecologists checked my hormone
>>levels they were normal but he says I am verys ensitive and that
>>'normal' for me might be very low.
>>
>>All my adult life I have suffered from problem periods and erratic
>>weight gain. Although I weigh 230 lbs at 5'6" I go jogging, cycling and
>>walking and I am generally active and a busy mum of three. The latest
>>bout of problems started after no 3 was born and has been truly
>>horrific. the doctors who have been treating me have witnessed the
>>terrible speed at which I put on weight and have also seen me suddenly
>>drop 30lbs (only to have it return and then some). They all agree that
>>there is something wrong with me but they don't seem to know what. If I
>>don't have cysts I don't have PCOS even though I am a textbook case in
>>every other way.
>>
>>If I can't get a diagnosis, what do I do? I don't want to live the rest
>>of my life like this; I feel so ashamed, and so ugly, and so desperate.
>>Does anyone know of a similar case? My gynae says he will put me on
>>Metformin but I don't know if he means only if the tests this time show
>>PCOS.
>>
>>My life is in tatters - I feel terrible, have lost my job and just want
>>to be 'me' again. If anyone has any useful advice I would be so, so
>>grateful. I still exercise but have stopped dieting as it was hopeless
>>and made me so unhappy. Have not really decided what to do about my
>>eating as I don't know what is wrong with me and it amkes no difference
>>what I eat, anyway. Or don't eat!
>>
>>I am posting here from the UK. I have waited two and a half years to
>>get anywhere near a diagnosis and now I am really scared I won't get
>>one. The endocrinologists I saw here humiliated me, then had to admit
>>that they had made mistake - I was hypothyroid. But they didn't look
>>for anything else and so it has been such a slow process. i take
>>Thyroxine now so that problem is coped with.
>>
>>What should I do? Please help.
>>
>>--
>>Katie
>>
--
Katie
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