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Well doesn't this sound familiar?
ambergem1969
Posts: 224 Member
https://washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/for-half-her-life-doctors-told-her-to-lose-weight-but-something-else-was-going-on/2016/05/16/f8afdec2-f8da-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html?tid=sm_tw
I'm a bit shocked she was diagnosed so late since I diagnosed her in the first paragraph! Nice to see a plug for low carb too...
I'm a bit shocked she was diagnosed so late since I diagnosed her in the first paragraph! Nice to see a plug for low carb too...
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oh that poor woman. Damn, that really made me cry!0
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I'm not. Even with an existing PCOS diagnosis, I've had to fight tooth and nail to get support from doctors, even the very doctor that diagnosed me to begin with! Even getting blood tests was like pulling teeth without pain meds.
There's a person in the comment section who keeps using the "she's just a lazy glutton" BS, and unfortunately, they are not in the minority, even if people aren't outright saying it. What those jerkoffs fail to realize is that yes, if we happen upon the right combination of diet, drugs, supplements, etc, we will lose weight, but it takes finding that right combination, and it isn't just "eat less, move more." The subject of that article got relatively lucky and has been able to shed over 50lbs just by going on Metformin and switching to Paleo. Some of us haven't been that lucky and have to go to even further extremes.
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Dragonwolf wrote: »Some of us haven't been that lucky and have to go to even further extremes.
Its such a pernicious and frustrating condition to have. I never had issues getting tested (benefits of being in Canada maybe) but I did have an OB GYN give me the "just lose weight " line...and then put me on Clomid (one of the worst things you can do with PCOS). It wasn't until I was sent to an endo that I got the right testing.
In the end I was super lucky and have never needed meds, as weight loss does seem to do the trick for me (and more important I seem to be able to lose weight without additional help), but I know so many women who have struggled for a long time to find solutions.
I guess what surprised me is that her symptoms seemed pretty clearly PCOS and it wouldn't have taken a long google search to self-diagnose. Maybe some part of the story is missing here?
Some of the comments are horrendous...as always.
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I refused to even read the comments. What I hate is that so many of these conditions are co-morbids. I don't know which came first, and I don't know which's treatment should be my priority, but it too me until 35 - 36 to start receiving treatment for my PCOS, despite being put on BCP in my mid-teens... I never have "all" the main symptoms, so I'm difficult to diagnose, in addition to the mess that is PCOS... It doesn't surprise me at all. Much like most mental issues, taking 10-15 years to get properly diagnosed seems to be the standard around here. That's why I'm thrilled that we have such "group think" resources as boards like this.0
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ambergem1969 wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »Some of us haven't been that lucky and have to go to even further extremes.
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I guess what surprised me is that her symptoms seemed pretty clearly PCOS and it wouldn't have taken a long google search to self-diagnose. Maybe some part of the story is missing here?
Oh trust me, google searching and self-diagnosis doesn't change a f*cking thing in the medical world, except to earn you the label of Irritating Patient. I knew my brain was broken when I was 13. Got my hands on a DSM-IV when I was 16, read nearly the whole thing, and self-diagnosed (accurately) my condition of Bipolar disorder then. Met my husband and gained access to the internet through his college at 17, researched more, before I went to the first doctor. And was told that "children don't get Bipolar, you don't want to have that anyway." Took 9 more years and several doctors to finally get a proper diagnosis, and I honestly think if I hadn't been 29 weeks pregnant and at that time a danger to myself and to the baby, I probably would have been blown off once more, as a hysterical pregnant woman. The doctor who listened to me and saw it for what it was saved my life and my son's life, but how many years were wasted in there that I could have been so much better. Jesus help me, it still pisses me off.7 -
ambergem1969 wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »Some of us haven't been that lucky and have to go to even further extremes.
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I guess what surprised me is that her symptoms seemed pretty clearly PCOS and it wouldn't have taken a long google search to self-diagnose. Maybe some part of the story is missing here?
Oh trust me, google searching and self-diagnosis doesn't change a f*cking thing in the medical world, except to earn you the label of Irritating Patient. I knew my brain was broken when I was 13. Got my hands on a DSM-IV when I was 16, read nearly the whole thing, and self-diagnosed (accurately) my condition of Bipolar disorder then. Met my husband and gained access to the internet through his college at 17, researched more, before I went to the first doctor. And was told that "children don't get Bipolar, you don't want to have that anyway." Took 9 more years and several doctors to finally get a proper diagnosis, and I honestly think if I hadn't been 29 weeks pregnant and at that time a danger to myself and to the baby, I probably would have been blown off once more, as a hysterical pregnant woman. The doctor who listened to me and saw it for what it was saved my life and my son's life, but how many years were wasted in there that I could have been so much better. Jesus help me, it still pisses me off.
That would have pissed me off too.
I'm pissed off on everyone's behalf who's experienced this same thing. I've had to go 10 rounds with the med establishment, and am still dealing with their lack of "care" in healthcare, with my children.
I have bipolar moments and have had 2 long manic episodes that almost ruined my life, but I'm "not bipolar." So says a psychiatrist who spent 5 whole minutes with me. So 2 episodes later... and I now have a lithium supplement in the cabinet I bought myself, and guess what works to bring me down when I'm feeling the stirrings of that BS? No help from "doctors" that's for sure. Pffft.
I'm an Irritating Patient. And I'm proud. Yes it must be irritating when someone actually expects you to perform your job to the best of your ability.
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baconslave wrote: »ambergem1969 wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »Some of us haven't been that lucky and have to go to even further extremes.
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I guess what surprised me is that her symptoms seemed pretty clearly PCOS and it wouldn't have taken a long google search to self-diagnose. Maybe some part of the story is missing here?
Oh trust me, google searching and self-diagnosis doesn't change a f*cking thing in the medical world, except to earn you the label of Irritating Patient. I knew my brain was broken when I was 13. Got my hands on a DSM-IV when I was 16, read nearly the whole thing, and self-diagnosed (accurately) my condition of Bipolar disorder then. Met my husband and gained access to the internet through his college at 17, researched more, before I went to the first doctor. And was told that "children don't get Bipolar, you don't want to have that anyway." Took 9 more years and several doctors to finally get a proper diagnosis, and I honestly think if I hadn't been 29 weeks pregnant and at that time a danger to myself and to the baby, I probably would have been blown off once more, as a hysterical pregnant woman. The doctor who listened to me and saw it for what it was saved my life and my son's life, but how many years were wasted in there that I could have been so much better. Jesus help me, it still pisses me off.
That would have pissed me off too.
I'm pissed off on everyone's behalf who's experienced this same thing. I've had to go 10 rounds with the med establishment, and am still dealing with their lack of "care" in healthcare, with my children.
I have bipolar moments and have had 2 long manic episodes that almost ruined my life, but I'm "not bipolar." So says a psychiatrist who spent 5 whole minutes with me. So 2 episodes later... and I now have a lithium supplement in the cabinet I bought myself, and guess what works to bring me down when I'm feeling the stirrings of that BS? No help from "doctors" that's for sure. Pffft.
I'm an Irritating Patient. And I'm proud. Yes it must be irritating when someone actually expects you to perform your job to the best of your ability.
Both of your stories took me back 40 years when my back pain was keeping me from sleeping. I had a doctor tell me I was just faking it. Having not sleep more than an hour or two at a time for six weeks it was a good thing I did not have access to a ball bat, etc. A couple years later a doctor stuck with me and through test determined it was Ankylosing Spondylitis. Just knowing what it was helped so much.
I think over time especially with the internet many people can figure out what is going on with themselves and often manage their own case. No doctor can ever know how we feel on the inside the way we do. I have learned so much from reading about treatments used in Europe and Asia for common health issues. Over time things often can "click". I do not know what will or will not work for others but I know what does or does not work for me. As my health recovers due to my WOE it is requiring that I rethink treatments because my needs are really changing and for the better.
I could not read the article because I have already read my free limits for the month from at source.0 -
That is a sad story. I had similar experiences with two of my autoimmune diseases. I finally diagnosed one in my late thirties after first seeing the doctor about it around age 8, and the second one I figured out too, and had a decade ago but my doctors insisted that my labs were normal. I saw my records and they lied - my labs were just not abnormal enough for them.
I'm an irritating patient too. My last doctor actually told me to stop reading so much after I requested a medication change when what I was on wasn't working. He refused so I left and found a doctor who would prescribe it. I was right.... again. Or it was an excellent placebo effect. Either way, I am now happy. LOL3 -
As a Registered Nurse, and Irritating Patient, I am witnessing both sides of this coin! I know this was me too! It's been blamed on hormones, and genetics, forever! I'm sure there have been many missed opportunities for appropriate treatment.
The medical establishment has given over healthcare to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies! I think most doctors are now realizing the outcome, but have no recourse to take it back! Limiting the ability to always do the best thing for their patients (doesn't make it right, but is a true thing). The physician has to want to learn about what they are treating, and don't always desire (have time) to do the research to properly do so, making them reluctant to even diagnose certain disorders that they know nothing about. Why they can't just say so, and let us move on to someone who is knowledgeable is beyond me.4
This discussion has been closed.