Re: ady To Cry
From: sally (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 2 Oct 2002 19:26:38 -0500 (CDT)
Hi,
you really should be seen by an endocrinologist who is knowledgable.
PCOS blood test results can all be in the normal range, however, it is
that pattern of results within the normal range that is important - some
may be at the high end of normal and some may be at the low end and the
values for different homrones needs to be looked at in ratio.
The first dr. I saw did all the right blood tests but upon getting the
results said it was all normal (and they were - nearly all) within
normal range or only just outside. When I finally saw an
endocrinologist, she looked at the pattern of results and said I had
'classic' pcos pattern.
The other thing is that we are all different in terms of how our
hormones affect us. What is normal for one person may well be high for
another. PCOS does not need to be diagnosed just on blood test, it can
also be diagnosed on symptoms (as long as other causes have been
excluded).
Yes, I know what you mean about the facial hair. My dermatologist said
the other day that I was lucky I don't have much facial hair, and that
what I do have is all blonde. But she didn't realise that I religiously
pluck anything black every day. Now if she could see my bikini line
(and she might - cause I am considering lasar hair removal) which is
definitely 'hairy-man-like'(she might be sympathetic. She also said I
was not so fat, so maybe I don't have PCOS - hah! - she doesn't know how
hard I worked just to be cuddly. Or the gym people who have been asking
me why I am not losing weight when I work out so intensively and
'surely' I must be lying about how much I eat (maybe I am kidding myself
and eat in my sleep!).
Sorry, back on topic, I always get a bit carried away.....
I would do whatever it takes (including cry - if your doc would respond
to that) to get to a good endocrinologist, and also bring yourt doc some
info on met, and ask him to let you trial it for at least 6 months.....
Best wishes,
--
Sally
At Wed, 2 Oct 2002, Amelie wrote:
>
>Yeah, I didn't think it was fat, but I am definitely more bloated than
>before I started on them.
>
>I may very well be depressed from medications. I have had two different
>kinds in the past week, you are likely right. I told 'em I'd give it a
>shot, and I am. It's just hard...
>
>I'll wait. Everyone I have talked to said I don't need to get "really"
>serious until I want to conceive. I kind of understand that, and I kind
>of don't. I am a very proactive person, so it is very hard for me to
>sit and wait and see.
>
>Also, my doctor said it was a diagnosis of exclusion. Apparently he has
>checked for every other reason??? What do I say to him, "Hi Doc, you may
>want to test me for _______"? I don't know what to ask anymore. I mean,
>EVERYTHING is normal. Except my cholesterol levels. Tell me what to
>say, as this is very baffling and new to me.
>
>But the low carbs make me feel a little bit better, so at least I can
>stick to that.
>
>And the yasmin, I will use until I can't stand it any longer. I will
>also start billing my kaiser doc for my feminine hygiene products.
>
>Much love and many thanks,
>Amelie
>
>At Wed, 2 Oct 2002, Kimberly wrote:
>>
>>Just want to add that not only can new BCP's cause spotting etc. It is
>>often very normal to be mildly depressed the first one or two months as
>>your body adjusts. I'm a freak if I change pills - so give yourself
>>some time to even out. Even if it looks like everything is hopeless and
>>frustrating, it might just be made worse by the new horomones in your
>>system. the provera may have caused some depression as well.
>>
>>Sorry, but your dr. sounds like a well-meaning idiot. You should be
>>getting more aggressive help or testing for such a severe situation.
>>There is a really good chance that the Yasmin will help you - at LEAST
>>he's giving you a BCP that is geared towards PCOS. If it doesn't help
>>you, you need to get REALLY serious about what is going on. YOu simply
>>can't and shouldn't have to live this way in the year 2002. If they can
>>preform heart transplants, there ought to be a way to lessen the load
>>your 'periods' are causing you. It just sounds as if you have a really
>>conservative dr. - so give him a try, but if it doesn't work, do all
>>you can to get more aggressive treatment. Also, there should be no
>>reason you should have to feel bad for crying in the dr.s office. Sure,
>>some dr.'s can't handle it, but it's a part of their jobs - so you
>>shouldn't feel bad because your dr. is insecure! I've cried tons of
>>tears at my dr.s. It's almost a nervous reaction when I feel frustrated
>>or angry. Anyway, it should have been a sign to your dr. just how much
>>you are suffering rather than a sign of emotional weekness or some crazy
>>'woman' depression. Men. ;( Also, I don't have a lick of body/facial
>>hair anywhere (well, hardly a lick!) and I present PCOS symptoms
>>classically in all other ways...so please listen to yourself and the
>>info you read and don't put your entire health into the hands of a man
>>who obviously isn't totally fit to take on PCOS.
>>
>>Are you sure you had all the proper tests preformed to diagnose PCOS -
>>and any other conditions that may be causeing your symptoms? Do some
>>research and double check your tests. There is a lot of controversy
>>over which tests need to be performed and how they should be
>>interpreted. But actually there is a proper way, most dr.s just aren't
>>aware. Many dr.s tell you your blood tests are fine, but they have not
>>actually even preformed the 3 hour glucose tolerance test or checked
>>insulin levels during the test!
>>
>>Well, hope the Yasmin works for you soon. If it doesn't, there is
>>probably something else going on besides PCOS. And that will be
>>important to find out - so don't give up (no matter how depressed you
>>get, or bad you feel)as the side effects will diminish after 2 - 3
>>months...then at least you will have a better idea of where you need to
>>go from here. If the Yasmin works, thank God - if it doesn't, try to
>>get a new dr., or better educate the one you have if that's your only
>>option.
>>
>>Oh, also wanted to mention that it will be normal to have fluctuating
>>weight on a low carb diet - as any increase in carbs will cause an
>>initial gain of 2 - 5 lbs. Carbs need water to be processed, and so
>>your body will retain it if necessary. Also, going on the pill and
>>having so many horomone issues will also undoubtedly cause water
>>retention/water loss just as it's normal to swell the week before or
>>during a normal cycle. So...don't fret just yet. Your body needs to
>>adjust to all this stuff - and all low-carbers need to know that the
>>first several pounds they lose are just water, and can be regained just
>>as quickly as they were lost. (as there is actually no physical way
>>your body could gain 2 lbs of fat in two or three days unless you were
>>eating an absolutely astronomical amount of food).
>>
>>Good luck.
>>Kimberly
>>
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