PCOS/Insulin Resistance SupportSupport for us with any of the following: Insulin Resistance, Syndrome X, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or other endocrine disorders.
I saw someone's post about a "scan" but here's the deal...I have always hated going to the dr. I avoided it like the plague, only went to the local "doc in a box" when I had a cold, flu, etc. I'm 25, don't have an OB/GYN, have never been. (Bad, I know...just scared...lol) When I went to the local "doc in a box" for a bladder infection a few weeks ago, it just so happened that the doc on call was a FABULOUS weightloss dr who specializes in metabolic/endocrin/weight loss stuff and after we talked about some things, she handed me her card for her private practice and here I am 3 weeks later, on Phentermine, with insulin resistance, a new diet and 17 lbs. lighter. I feel better since having lost the weight but I still think I may have PCOS. When they did my bloodwork, she said my cholesterol was high, my testosterone was too high and another hormone was too low (started with an "L" I think?) but that I'd have to see an OB/GYN to get tested for PCOS next. I'm pretty sure I have it, I have almost all of the symptoms. What's it like? What do they do? Will I have to go through all of the bloodwork again or since I had it done recently, will they just go off of those results? I heard that they just do an external ultrasound to diagnose it, is that right? What meds will they put me on?! Sorry for all of the questions....
I was diagnosed while trying to conceive... My Hubby & I were trying to start a family and I never got my period... My specialist did an ultrasound, a glucose test... and a lot of blood tests... they told me I have the classic case... but very severe so it was easy for them to find out what is wrong... after my twin girls were born they put me on birth control pill & I will be on them for the rest of my life.
Thanks for the info...ok, so can you describe "lots of blood tests"...I have horrible veins and no one can find them. (I went through 5 labs and 6 phlebotomists and still no luck!) They literally have to do finger sticks and drip the blood into the vials. - Sorry if this grosses anyone out - But, my dr. ordered a lot of blood tests (12) and so I had 3 finger sticks to fill 12 mini vials 1/2 way up, that was the only way they would be able to get the blood from me.
Well I think I had about 4-5 tests to diagnose PCOS with IR...remember I had the classic case so it was easy to diagnose, and I was trying to get pregnany, so I had a ton more tests than that after they figured out what was wrong. I have very tiny veins & they are deep so I know what you are talking about. I had really good nurses though, they usually got me within 3 sticks... they knew if they didn't get a vien by the 3rd try they weren't getting another one!!!!! Good Luck!!! Have a great Holiday!!!
Ok, do you know how long those tests are good for? I know they already have the results of my testerone (it was abnormally high), estrogen (it was ok), progesterone and fasting insulin (I think)....
Ok, do you know how long those tests are good for? I know they already have the results of my testerone (it was abnormally high), estrogen (it was ok), progesterone and fasting insulin (I think)....
I don't really know how long the results are considered valid. I would guess it would depend on your treatment. I know that my dr has tested my cpeptide and a1c several times. I actually plan on asking him to run a full hormone panel so that we know what my levels are currently.
Hi catlady
Dont be scared. Its scarier experiencing the symptoms of pcos than the treatment. I went to 40 doctors and most of them told me it was a motility problem(constipation). I knew it wasnt and i felt I was at deaths dorr i was so ill when I saw yet another doctor and pleaded with him to help me. he referred me to a gyno (although i didnt believe it was a gyno thing) and the gyno thought it was PCOS through my cystic acne, iregular periods and weight gain. The biggest thing was though he thought endometriosis was causing all my pain. I had real pain when doing number 2, felt blocked up and had headaches and cold limbs. I had a laparoscopy and they found endo and lasered it and 2 years later I have a gorgeous daughter and another on the way and am alive again. Believe me, its worth pushing past the fear and going to a gyno, he may change your life like mine did.
I just wanted to add nothing about PCOS, but just a big congratulations on going to the doctor, catlady. I'm really nervous of doctors too, dentists as well, I tend to avoid them for years on end and then slink in whenever I have a problem that a doc-in-a-box can't solve. I spent the week or two up to my first appointment with my new doctor here (it'd been over 2 years in this new city before I got around to getting a doctor) worrying and nervous, so I definitely know how it can be a big deal for us doctor phobic people!
Though, you know, always after I go it ends up being not so bad. I'm just super phobic, I guess. But anyway, congrats for going in!
Thanks guys...I found a GYN specialist in my area who treats nothing but infertility and diagnoses PCOS. Surely she won't think I'm nuts like all of the other horror stories I've heard of people who have to go to dr. after dr. figuring out what's wrong?! I left a message for an appt after I found out my insurance does cover it (yay!) so we'll see. I'm still a little freaked out by the whole thing, I dunno. Something about exposing myself to someone other than my husband just really bothers me. Oh, and btw rabidstoat, yes, I'm the same way about dentists and eye doctors...lol....
How do you get tested/diagnosed w/PCOS?
What's it like? What do they do? Will I have to go through all of the bloodwork again or since I had it done recently, will they just go off of those results? I heard that they just do an external ultrasound to diagnose it, is that right? What meds will they put me on?! Sorry for all of the questions....
Along with the other tests I had, my ultra sound showed the 'classic' "perfect pearl necklace" of cysts around my ovaries....
I left a message for an appt after I found out my insurance does cover it (yay!) so we'll see. I'm still a little freaked out by the whole thing, I dunno. Something about exposing myself to someone other than my husband just really bothers me. 