Hi there
tomatoey
Posts: 5,446 Member
Hi everyone 
I've had a PCOS diagnosis for years. My main symptoms are ovarian cysts and dysmenorrhea. I have had moderate acne (well managed by a great dermatologist) and I'm a bit fuzzy, but it's within bounds of what I'd say is normal for people with my background. Cycles occur on the month (none missed), albeit with some variation in cycle length. I'm not entirely sure I have PCOS, 100%, but my doc just runs the basic tests. And won't discuss the results, just says, "oh you're fine"). And won't refer me to a specialist.
Treatment so far: NSAIDS for pain. No bcp. I hated it when I took it in my 20s. I'm now in a risk category for that, so it's off the table anyway. (Glad about that.) That's all that was offered.
I just got a blood test back with borderline high cholesterol. Family members have high cholesterol - could be genetic, but I'm now wondering if it might be related to the PCOS. If it is, I think it's a good idea to get a bit more proactive about managing this. (Also because I'm not sure, but I think my hair volume has changed for the worse in some areas. I'm vain, so it's mostly that last thing that's motivating this.)
Either way, I think it'd be good to get a better handle on all this. I haven't spent a lot of energy on it because I've wasted my self-advocacy juice on issues that have impacted my life in more obvious ways. I know I'm supposed to follow up with an ultrasound for the cysts, but I keep having to see the doc for other things, and it's just dropped off my radar. The one time I remembered to broach it, she said, "well you know you've got them, what's the point?"
I'm really not happy with her management of this or any of the other things I need to be tracking. (thyroid nodules, arthritis, etc etc). I want a GP who's a better communicator. Mine's the worst for that. She won't even tell me her diagnosis half the time, never mind explaining it. She reads (to herself) whatever report she ordered, and says "take this prescription".
I want someone who's open to discussing treatments and is up on the contemporary science. And is willing to refer if required.
My question to you ladies - especially if you're Canadian - is how do you find a good GP? There's a shortage where I live; most aren't accepting new patients. I can't imagine doing interviews, the way people have talked about here. Is that even done in Canada? Like would a Canadian GP expect that?
I've had a PCOS diagnosis for years. My main symptoms are ovarian cysts and dysmenorrhea. I have had moderate acne (well managed by a great dermatologist) and I'm a bit fuzzy, but it's within bounds of what I'd say is normal for people with my background. Cycles occur on the month (none missed), albeit with some variation in cycle length. I'm not entirely sure I have PCOS, 100%, but my doc just runs the basic tests. And won't discuss the results, just says, "oh you're fine"). And won't refer me to a specialist.
Treatment so far: NSAIDS for pain. No bcp. I hated it when I took it in my 20s. I'm now in a risk category for that, so it's off the table anyway. (Glad about that.) That's all that was offered.
I just got a blood test back with borderline high cholesterol. Family members have high cholesterol - could be genetic, but I'm now wondering if it might be related to the PCOS. If it is, I think it's a good idea to get a bit more proactive about managing this. (Also because I'm not sure, but I think my hair volume has changed for the worse in some areas. I'm vain, so it's mostly that last thing that's motivating this.)
Either way, I think it'd be good to get a better handle on all this. I haven't spent a lot of energy on it because I've wasted my self-advocacy juice on issues that have impacted my life in more obvious ways. I know I'm supposed to follow up with an ultrasound for the cysts, but I keep having to see the doc for other things, and it's just dropped off my radar. The one time I remembered to broach it, she said, "well you know you've got them, what's the point?"
I'm really not happy with her management of this or any of the other things I need to be tracking. (thyroid nodules, arthritis, etc etc). I want a GP who's a better communicator. Mine's the worst for that. She won't even tell me her diagnosis half the time, never mind explaining it. She reads (to herself) whatever report she ordered, and says "take this prescription".
I want someone who's open to discussing treatments and is up on the contemporary science. And is willing to refer if required.
My question to you ladies - especially if you're Canadian - is how do you find a good GP? There's a shortage where I live; most aren't accepting new patients. I can't imagine doing interviews, the way people have talked about here. Is that even done in Canada? Like would a Canadian GP expect that?
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The high cholesterol and thyroid nodules to me indicate a larger issue with possible hypothyroidism? Perhaps the "IN" to get an endocrinologist is to do a low thyroid screening?
To me, it sounds like your GP is either exhausted from jumping through hoops to get treatment for her patients - or is just not knowledgeable enough to see the combined seriousness of symptoms. She might have her hands limited by what tests she can request, and such, too. Of course, she could just be a terrible doctor, but I don't know.
Personally, I would have fired a doctor who refused to explain anything for me or clarify issues, explain test results, etc. That is just incredibly poor care, and even "public health care" does not excuse being treated so badly. I have no ideas to the Canadian specific questions, but I'd ask around in your general area about anyone you know who actually likes his/her doctor, etc.
P.S. Maybe you can file a complaint on this doctor "through the system" to report her. From the outside looking in, she seems to violate the Hippocratic oath, amongst other issues...0
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