Re: Frustrated with doctors' lack of knowledge..
From: Janet (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 27 Jul 2003 15:32:36 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Natasha,
First off, CONGRATULATIONS on the 17 pounds lost!! We here know all too
well what an acheivement that is.
If you are unhappy with your gyno, have you considered seeing an
endocrinologist??? PCOS is a hormonal issue, not a reproductive one.
Endocrinologists specialize in this. Unfortunately, so many of us go to
the gyno first because of mentral, or fertility problems. Where there
is an increasing amount of OBGYNs eduactiong themselves on the proper
treatment of PCOS, there are far to many that really dont understand the
how the syndrome works or for that matter what insulin sensitizer do. If
your insurance leaves you stuck with this doctor that obviously falls
into the 2nd group, your gonna have to train him/her yourself. Download
what you can find, highlight the important stuff and take it with you to
the next appointment. No, it's not fair that you have to pay to train
him, but if that's what you gotta do to get help then that's the way it
has to be. You may benifit others as much as yourself.
As for the atkins diet, some people do well on it. It also did nothing
for me. 2 months of almost no carbs, lost 3 pounds and got my blood
sugar dangerouly low. My hands would shake and I could hardly think
straight. Metformin on the other hand got me to drop 40 without hardly
trying. I have lowered my carb intake. But just as important, I try to
avoid the processed carbs when I do have them. I am taking 1700 of met
currently. although if you are loosing weight, you are probably where
you should be, an endo might feel that you could go higher.
--
Janet Heller
At Sun, 27 Jul 2003, Natasha wrote:
>
>Hi again, girls..
>
>I just felt like posting again, as I'm getting increasingly frustrated
>by all the doctors' responses. How can this be? They barely seem to
>know anything about PCOS and how it works. I recently visited a top of
>the line obgyn for the second time, and he told me to take the next 6
>months to lose weight. (Gee, why didn't *I* think of that!?!) This is
>supposed to determine whether or not there is really any hope for me,
>and if I should seriously consider getting my stomach stapled, as has
>been suggested by 2 other doctors besides him. The guidelines that he
>set are roughly: No sweets whatsoever, no carbs at ALL, no eating after
>6PM. Exercise should be done twice a day, once in the morning, and once
>in the evening.
>
>Well.. I'm having a little problem with that. First of all, I have
>been on Atkins (among a thousand other diets), and it didn't work for me
>past the first 2 months (Total time spent on the diet was 1.5 years in
>strict induction phase). I've come off it, but as I've mentioned when
>posting before, I still cut most of my sweets and simple carbs out, and
>am very mindful of the ingredients I utilize. However, I'm really
>hating myself lately for all this weight(256lbs at 5'8), and find that
>the energy to start working out again is proving to be more than
>difficult. Plus, I'm really tired of having doctors look at me as if I
>have no self-control whatsoever. You girls know what I mean.. they
>treat you like it's completely your fault you have PCOS. It's making me
>feel even more embarrassed and uncomfortable about my weight than I
>already am (if that's possible). I know starting to exercise again is
>crucial, but I couldn't take all the bulky muscles I would get every
>time I did any kind of exercise (even from just walking). I'm hoping
>this time might be a little different, as my testosterone levels seem to
>have gone down. It's just I find that going to doctors can be so
>counterproductive.. you get so depressed after the visit, and then it's
>even tougher to find the energy and motivation you need to keep going.
>
>As far as my metformin intake is going, I've been on it something like
>4-5 months (500mg 3x day), but my doc started me off with a large dose,
>and my stomach never quite got used to it. I still have major bloating,
>and other probs. I don't want to lower the doseage though, because I've
>lost a few pounds (about 17 now), and my insulin level has gone down
>from 28.5 to about 22.
>What do you guys think I should do in terms of the metformin? I just
>read that it's considered to be IR if insulin levels are over 10, so
>should I be taking a larger dose to get the insulin down more? What
>about what the obgyn suggested (the diet/exercise routine)?
>
>I'd really welcome any input. Thanks so much for your time in advance.
>
>--
>-Natasha
>
--
Email always welcome
Janet at JanetHeller@msn.com
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