[Electrawoman]

Okay. See, now reading that lists just makes my confusion greater. You say that just ONE of these symptoms means you can be diagnosed with PCOS.

Now assuming that someone has just one of the following symptoms, how can a doctor know for sure that this "symptom" is from PCOS or from something else?

For example, let's say my only symptom is increased menses. Now I can pretty safely assume that there are many diseases and problems that can cause this symptom. So, tests should be done to rule out the majority of them before a diagnosis is made. But, according to your website (and others I have seen), this one symptom could mean PCOS!

In my case, the doctor said (without even examining me), "I think you have PCOS but I will confirm that diagnosis with an US". Okay. This tells me that PCOS is a REAL disorder and not some trashcan guess. It can be proven with tests! I could assume logically that if the US comes out okay, the diagnosis is NOT confirmed. Cool. Makes sense.

Well no, scratch that! According to the vast diagnosis criteria of the illusive PCOS, the tests mean nothing. It comes out normal, but the diagnosis stands! Why even bother to do the ultrasound, then? The glucose comes out normal but the diagnosis is PCOS anyway. Why bother to check it then?

I understand what you are saying, HS, about the possibility for this to get worse and the possible eventuality of a person developing ALL of these symptoms, but from what I have seen, there is really NO WAY to confirm PCOS with a true scientific diagnostic tests. Do you see what I am saying?

To me, a disease needs to be proven. I am not saying that women don't suffer from the symptoms of whatever it may be but isn't it convenient for our healthcare professionals to have ONE handy little disease that covers at least 15 symptoms! Wow, my doctor can just start printing up prescription pads for glucophage now, because the next 100 women who walk into her office will fit at least one of these symptoms!

You mentioned, HS, in a previous post that there is an ACTUAL TREATMENT for PCOS (and it is Glucophage, not BCPs). How can it possibly help you to take a diabetic med if you are not diabetic or IR? This seems like it would be REALLY BAD for your precious body!

None of this makes sense to me. (And my frustration is not directed at anyone here, BTW. I just want to hear some intelligent talk about what we REALLY think is going on here.) My comments are directed toward the medical profession and the Church of the Holy Healthcare System, that makes us trust automatically what doctors tell us. I want to be honest with myself and encourage you all to do the same.

I am not willing to simply accept what she tells me, with no proof.

I lived for YEARS with another SYNDROME which turned out to be a crock of crap and a convenient way for my doctor to get me out of his office without admitting he didn't know what was wrong with me (Fibromyalgia, BTW). That diagnosis was more about saving his ego than about treating me with dignity and respect.

I don't have Fibromyalgia and I never did! I was miserable for YEARS becase I thought I had this horrible debilitating muscle disorder. I didn't do what I wanted to do because I was afraid I was far too fragile to dance or run or play.

Then, 8 or 9 years into it and quite by accident, I found out the real problem was that I wasn't sleeping properly. Surprise! After treatment for sleep disorder, I was miraculously HEALED from the so-called "syndrome" that pained me, depressed me, gave me headaches, dysmennorhea, cognitive disorders, parasthesia, problems with my equilibrium, chest pain, dizziness, itchy skin, restless legs, allergies, frequent urination, swollen extremeties, insomnia dry mouth, urinary tract infections, facial pain, chemical and sensory sensitivity and TMJ, screwed up my bowels, kept me from walking around, worried me into anxiety attacks and about 500 other symptoms of FMS that every individual in America would "have" if a doctor decided that were the case.

I just don't want to be scammed again, that's all.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Peace,
Betty