Re: Information wanted
From: cat (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 23 Jan 2002 18:03:23 -0600 (CST)
Hi Sonia, I'm in the UK too and I'm sorry to say that that vast majority
of doctors here don't know much about pcos!
The current theory is that pcos is caused by insulin resistance, which
also causes weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and
diabetes.
It sounds to me like you have a classic case of pcos, especially as you
had elevated androgens in a blood test. Did your doctor not say
anything about that, or try to find out why? If not I would definitely
change doctors!
You need to get some blood tests, for testosterone, LH, FSH, fasting
insulin, fasting glucose, glucose tolerance test, and probably some
others that I have forgotten about! You should also have an ultrasound
test to look at your ovaries.
The best treatment for pcos is the drug metformin (glucophage), because
it treats the insulin resistance which is the underlying cause of pcos.
However you will probably have to fight to get it in the uk unless you
are lucky and happen to get one of the good doctors that knows all the
latest info about pcos. Most uk doctors will tell you to go on the
contraceptive pill, which will give you periods and mask some of the
symptoms like hairiness, but can make the insulin resistance worse.
A good web site to read that tells you all about what tests to get,
different treatments etc is http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos.html
Hope that helps a bit,
Good luck!
--
Cat xxx
At Mon, 21 Jan 2002, Sonia wrote:
>
>I hope you don't mind me posting here, but I had to tell someone who
>knows.
>My name is Sonia and I'm now 26 years old, and I am from the UK, and
>don't know which way to turn.
>
>Tonight whilst watching a tv consumer programme on health, the featured
>this PCOS thing, I felt like they were describing me ! I have
>irregegular painful periods, excessive weight gain, seasonal alopecia,
>excess body hair, and once when I was in so much pain that my mother
>took me to the doctor, the doctor examined me and said " There is
>nothing we can do for you, you have bleeding ovaries that is caused by a
>ruptured cyst, just rest in bed for a few days...agony was not the word,
>but I've been through it several times since.
>He also said on my last visit that because it has happened so many
>times, I may well not be able to have children. A couple of years ago,
>I had a blood test and was told that I have too many male hormones in my
>blood but that was the least of my problems as I had and still have
>Multiple Allergy Syndrome. I have always been a 'hairy monster' from
>when I was a child, and weight gain was in stops and starts, but more
>recently my weight has skyrocketed, particularly on my back and abdomen,
>I'm often lethargic and depressed too, and I get spots on a regular
>basis, and my mother's side of the family has a history of high blood
>pressure, and diabetes.
>
>With all your experience, do you think I could have this PCOS ??? If so
>what other symptoms are there ??? And what treatment is there ??? My
>doctor is a totally unsympathetic and useless...ahem...so how do I find
>a doctor who has heard and knows what they are treating ??? My mind is
>realing at the moment. It's only been about 2 hours since I saw the
>programme, and I have so many questions. If you can help, because my
>Doctor doesn't know anything ( didn't even know what St Johns Wort, or
>Witchhazel was ! ), then please advise me. Thank you in advance.
>Peace, Love, and Happiness, Always
>Sonia
>
>--
>my email : iwillreplytoyou@hotmail.com
>
![[ PCOS Discussion Forums ]](../../images/pcos_at_obgyn.gif)