My pcos explanation and why I asked the original question...

OK..this is how it went..

I went to the doctor because I hadnt been getting my af for 4 months at a time. I was obviously very worried so I went with that one thing in my mind. I was so scared. Meanwhile, she found a lump in my breast and had been more concerned with that. She sent me for a breast sonogram which found a small cyst, something my doc says is nothing to worry about..at least not now. Meanwhile, she started me on provera, I took it and got my normal af about 7 days after finishing the prescrip. She wanted me to come back after my next period but I never got it again so I scheduled another appointment.

So I went on Tuesday night. She had sent me for blood workup to test my hormone levels, thyroid and other regular ones. She told me that all is fine except my red blood cell count. It is through the roof and she has no idea why. Now she wants me to go to my regular physician to check that out. Now she sits down with me and tells me that she wants me to start bc pill to regulate me because she is thinking I may have pcos. I ask her if she found anything during the pelvic exam which would lead her to think this and she says no nothing, no abnormalities at all which I didnt understand. She said that after 28 days I should get my period but if I dont, I have to go back to her immediately because then it may be a tubal problem which I really am afraid of to be honest. I ask her what pcos may mean for me and she proceeds to tell me that her sister had a mild case of it and conceived right away after coming off bc and all was fine but that I may need fertility drugs when we are fully ready to start ttc...I thought that was such an extreme answer. I asked her if I should be going for more tests i.e. sonogram, more blood, internal sonogram...and she says no not right now...So now I have to start the pill and pray for af to come in 28 days or else it may be tubal.

I felt very lost with all her responses and I still feel like I know absolutely nothing. I feel that she should have sent me for more tests. I have many symptoms of pcos but apparently no cysts...

So thats my story as of now...

Thanks for all the advice..keep it coming!

I dont really know anything about pcos but she does sound vague on one hand and an alarmist on the other.

Maybe she is doing the wait 28 days and see since it's the easier on you then going through a battery of tests?? I don't know what I am talking about though. You could always try a different doctor, one that gives you more information or at least peace of mind.

Good luck!

Noreen I have been there, done that. Unfortunately, the PCOS diagnosis is not 'exact' like many other medical things often are. A lot of doctors just don't know much about it or what causes it....most of the time, PCO goes undiagnosed in many, many women....so, the fact that your OB was even looking for it is a good sign.

However, if you are not secure in the answers and explainations you were offered, you should see a specialist - a reproductive endocrinologist can give you more precise information about your individual condition (since PCO manifests itself differently in all women).

A pelvic exam wouldn't necessarily show PCO - I don't have cysts either - so the only way I could be diagnosed was by the symptoms I told my doctor about, and the blood work that indicated a severe imbalance in my FSH and LH hormone levels.

Hang in there...you have plenty of 'soul cysters' on this site that can support you and help you learn to live with PCOS.

I agree, see a specialist

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Posted by Claud2001

Noreen I have been there, done that. Unfortunately, the PCOS diagnosis is not 'exact' like many other medical things often are. A lot of doctors just don't know much about it or what causes it....most of the time, PCO goes undiagnosed in many, many women....so, the fact that your OB was even looking for it is a good sign.

However, if you are not secure in the answers and explainations you were offered, you should see a specialist - a reproductive endocrinologist can give you more precise information about your individual condition (since PCO manifests itself differently in all women).

A pelvic exam wouldn't necessarily show PCO - I don't have cysts either - so the only way I could be diagnosed was by the symptoms I told my doctor about, and the blood work that indicated a severe imbalance in my FSH and LH hormone levels.

Hang in there...you have plenty of 'soul cysters' on this site that can support you and help you learn to live with PCOS.

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I could not have said this better. I was undiagnosed for years, even though I kept bringing it up to the gyno I was seeing at the time (he was horrible - long story). Definetly see a specialist. It will help you to feel better, and they will do a more thorough examination and bloodwork.

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Posted by Claud2001



However, if you are not secure in the answers and explainations you were offered, you should see a specialist - a reproductive endocrinologist can give you more precise information about your individual condition (since PCO manifests itself differently in all women).

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Not to be contradictory, but an RE won't see a patient who's not TTC. If you are just trying to get a handle on what's going on with your body, a regular endocrinologist would be a better bet.

Symptoms of PCOS

PCOSLINK

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Posted by JennRenee

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Posted by Claud2001



However, if you are not secure in the answers and explainations you were offered, you should see a specialist - a reproductive endocrinologist can give you more precise information about your individual condition (since PCO manifests itself differently in all women).

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Not to be contradictory, but an RE won't see a patient who's not TTC. If you are just trying to get a handle on what's going on with your body, a regular endocrinologist would be a better bet.

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Whoops - sorry Thanks for clarifying that point!

Thank you all for your kind words and awesome advice! I feel a lot better.

I start the bc pill tomorrow and need to call her a week before I finish to tell her how my body is reacting to it so she can call in the refill. I really hope I get my af on time and it regulates me at least for the time being. I am going to go back to her in July to talk about ttc. I cant wait!!!!