Re: To Kate re:Please, can anyone help me?
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 12 Feb 2001 18:10:37 -0600 (CST)
Dear Kate,
the fact that you have lost confidence in yourself through your past
experience, has made you have low esteem of how you look now, you are
right. It is important that our body image is appealing to us or
certainly attractive or acceptable to others to make us feel comfortable
about ourselves.
I have heard wonderful feedback with regard to Metformin so please
perservere with this. Also prozac which reaps its benefits can cause
those side effects like any drug. It also can impair intestinal
absorbsion of food, hence why there can be some small degree of
interactions. HOWEVER, the fact that you have suffered depression, the
prozac should continue to be taken to prevent your depression or
symptoms.
It normally can take two weeks for results to be processed from
consultant to GP although it is normaly less through direct links with
hospital and consultant whereby the results will be relayed to first and
at a quicker rate.
Our body image is so important in how we look and are percieved by
others! If you have had bad experiences particularly by those we have
trusted and had faith with, hence the specialist, and when they or one
acts in a manner which is a) totally unexpected or b) with no regard to
feelings, thoughts and emotions of others....then it is only natural
that then, we start to have doubts about our own self-esteem and
confidence about oursleves as we will with those that we seek help
from!!!!
I don't think that you will have to suffer this forever, i think that
with such bad experiences in the past that has been endured by you, have
made you lose confidence with yourself and the medical professionals
that can't make a conclusive diagnosis. The endocrine system can be
very complex and because so many disorders have close synergie or
symptoms, why then it is sometimes so difficult for those to initially
make an exact diagnosis!!!
I am lucky, i don't have the common indicators of PCOS, i am only 8.5
stone, 5foot 2 inches and go to the gym Most days, SIZE 10/12.i don't
have that much facial hair, only that slight hairness, but who does
not?.BUT i am ttc which is a real sod since my periods are so irregulaR
AND NOTHIG HAS HAPPENED!!!!.....Yes, my hubby and myself are ttc.
Sometimes i don't know which is the less of the two evils....knowing too
much about medical or if i should be a lay person and know too
little!!!!.sometimes the more you know the more paranoid you become and
try and go one step ahead. I think sometimes, ignorance is bliss in the
appropriate sense!!!!
anyway, please don't feel bad about yourslef on how you look.i know, i
know, we all have perceptions about ourself or how those others percieve
us.......but TRY and think about what is good about yourself11111!!!!!!!
There must be something positive
Anyway, i wish you luck and write any time if you have more questions or
need more advice!
Teke care,
>
>Apparently, it takes radiography two weeks to get the confirmed results
>to the consultant. I recently had a brain scan (just in case) as I
>started to have real killer migraines. It took two weeks for the
>results to go to the GP. If they will be able to see cysts on my
>ovaries, they won't tell me - a senior radiographer has to look at and
>confirm the scan results.
>
>Re: the pain during my cycle (I'm about mid cycle but suspect it's
>anovulatory) - this is something with which I have coped all my life and
>this I can deal with. It is the way I look that really distresses me -
>the pain brings me down even further, but it is the fat and the bloating
>that upset me the most. Clothes are a nightmare!
>
>I am taking Prozac for the depression - stopped about four months ago
>then felt appalling, so I am back on it. I just want my body back under
>my control - will metformin do this for me or am I facing this battle
>forever?
>
>Do you happen to know what adult onset adrenal hyperplasia is and how it
>presents? I have heard this mentioned, like hypothyroidism, as an
>alternative possible cause of the symptoms I am experiencing. What
>terrifies me most is no diagnosis therefore no treatment, even though my
>doctors currently agree with me in saying that there must be something
>worng.
>
>Your comments have been really helpful. I take it you are trying for a
>baby and I wish you the very best of luck. In that respect, I do
>consider myself extremely fortunate, although I now think I know why my
>pregnancies have been so difficult.
>
>At Mon, 12 Feb 2001, anonymous wrote:
>>
>>Dear Kate,
>>
>>i would make another visit with your GP and get him/her to pursue your
>>situation and hopefully he/she will liase with the hospital for an
>>urgent referral to get the scan brought forward AND since you are in a
>>great degree of discomfort.
>>Its appalling that your Specialist treated you with utter disrespect and
>>accusations. Sometimes this is pure ignorance and arrogance. I am sure
>>this has left you with those emotional scars which has undermined your
>>confidence!
>>Put that experience behind you now and hopefully your gynae will be more
>>sympathetic and have better interpersonal skills.
>>
>>The fact that you are experiencing pain means that all is not right with
>>your body systems. Pain is a natural reponse for a 'warning sign' or
>>indications of something going on.
>>
>>Your abdominal pain could be muscular, it may not. You may want to
>>consult your doctor about strengthing your back and abdominal muscles
>>through exercise since muscle fatique and weaknesses could cause some
>>discomfort. However the pain could be due to ovarian cysts that were
>>not early detected.
>>The most important thing is how to manage your pain control maybe during
>>the time you have to wait for that scan.
>>
>>Sometimes we patients have no options but to persevere to get anywhere.
>>
>>Maybe i am slightly lucky since i am a Registered Nurse but even though
>>pcos is new to me, i suppose it helps to have underpinning knowledge of
>>medical terminology, formalities etc and so i hopefully know what
>>questions to ask!
>>But like you, i initially felt at a loss. I was told by a doctor who
>>called me back re blood results that all were normal. Imagine my
>>suprise when i actually had an appointment with my GP to be told that
>>with my first blood results i had a raised prolactin and low
>>progesterone and my second repeat bloods showed the prolactin was still
>>high and progesterone was low. It was not until my first appointment
>>with my gynae that i found that my second blood results were normal
>>apart from progesterone being still low. The next thing was that i was
>>told both my LH and FSH was normal but then was told to have reapeat
>>since the samples were not taken during the right time of my cycle. Then
>>my husbands semen analysis, he was told everything was okay apart from a
>>FEW slow motility ones. Again it was not until we had our Gynae visit
>>to be told not only did i possibly have PCOS from scan findings but my
>>husbands semen infact showed only 13% good molity sperm when they like
>>to see 40%..........so like you i or we feel so misinformed since we are
>>having conflicting results given to us!!!
>>
>>Regarding your abdominal distention, avoid too much high fibre diets if
>>you can as that can cause some bloatedness. It may help. Its the pain
>>thar really has to be controlles probably why you feel so depressed.
>>
>>Have you tried any complementary therapies? I am a strong believer in
>>holistic alternatives and i am having reflexology at the moment which
>>has helped immensley. Through my own stressful time with PCOS and ttc,
>>whereby my periods used to be so heavy and irregular. they are now
>>shorter in length and lighter and i only have small cramping feelings
>>during menses. Also it has helped try and uplift my spirits more than
>>anything. I know some people may not be able to afford it or its not
>>their preference but sometimes for others it does help even alittle.
>>
>>You are NOT greedy or NOT being greedy making you fat. If you were you
>>would not of gone to see your doctor with your weight problem and other
>>ailments in the first place, would you? Those unkind comments, you have
>>to think yes okay it was cruel but equally it was untrue. And anyway
>>you had the last laugh because you knew you were right and they had to
>>eventually admit their wrong doings!!!
>>
>>I am suprised that asked you to come back two weeks after the scan with
>>the results. If they are doing the same scan as i had, they could tell
>>striaght away.
>>
>>Think that this time your new endo clinic will be better than your
>>last!!!!
>>
>>Write back anytime if you want to chat more, i'll listen.
>>
>>Take care
>>At Mon, 12 Feb 2001, Kate wrote:
>>>
>>>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 and then 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, there is
>>>an alternative endo clinic headed by a much nicer consultant who 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
>>>
>--
>Katie
>
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