Re: Need Advice please !?!
From: cat (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 28 Nov 2002 08:26:18 -0600 (CST)
Hi Sonia, don't worry, there is no need for an internal examination to
diagnose pcos. I'm in the UK too, and its a shame that most doctors
here don't know much about pcos!
The main way to diagnose it is by blood tests, for testosterone, LH,
FSH, DHEAS, androstenedione, prolactin and fasting glucose and insulin.
The doctor should also test your thyroid function and rule out cushing's
disease.
You could also have an ultrasound test to look at the ovaries, but this
doesn't have to be internal, it's just on your tummy like if you're
pregnant.
Don't let you doctor bully you into an internal examination if you don't
want it. Ask her to do the blood tests first, they are the most
important. I'm diagnosed with pcos and never had an internal
examination.
Good luck with everything!
Cat
At Tue, 26 Nov 2002, Sonia wrote:
>
>I am in the UK, and have a problem. I think I may have PCOS, I have
>always been very hairy, and have had hair loss on the scalp. I am
>excessively overweight, and have always had irregular, very painful
>periods, and little abcesses all over my body.
>
>Lately things have got a lot worse. My periods are worse, my hair is
>growing so fast on my face that I'm using a facial hair removal cream
>every two weeks and plucking in between, and in the past three months I
>have put on nearly 2 and a half stone, pulling me up to 18 and a half
>stone - as I suffer from Arthritis in my ankle joints, this is not what
>I need, so my mobility is effected, and it's not like my diet has
>changed, and I certainly don't eat crisps and sweets all the time.
>
>With all this in mind, I went to see my GP. I told her my symptoms and
>here's where the problem really lies. She said that I need an internal
>exam, and a smear test before anything further is done. There is no way
>I want, or can have one. I am very upset about it. She said I need to
>have 10 clear days after my period has stopped, but that was three weeks
>ago and I'm still waiting for it to stop anyway ! But I am scared stiff.
>I'm 27 years old with major self esteem issues, and have never even had
>a boyfriend, never mind had an affair, and therefore I am still a
>virgin. I told this to my GP and she didn't listen, and said that it's
>nothing to worry about as she can deal with that, it's not a problem,
>and explained how. I feel actually quite nauseaus at the thought, and
>filled with total dread. But she insists that it is the only way to
>preceed, and cannot do so until an internal exam is complete.
>
>I have looked into changing doctors, but no one is available a for a
>further 8 months, and I am really at the end of my tether now, and my
>health is suffering due to my weight gain.
>
>Is there another way to diagnose ??? Is there anything I can do to help
>myself ??? I need advice desperately. I feel like I am going to peices
>here.
>
>Kind Regards
>Sonia
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