Doctor Frustration

sylmcguigan

I had my first appt. with a specialist back in June as I had not had a period for a year while off birth control, and I was told that based on that and other visible symptoms I likely have PCOS. I went and got blood work done to check my blood sugar levels and my hormones, but I never got a call to let me know the results. I was also told in my first appt. that I would go back again in November for an internal ultrasound and that they wanted to get my husband tested to make sure he was fertile.
I didn't hear a peep from the doctor's office until I called them today and was told that I had an appt. on the 6th. That's nice...when were they planning on letting me know. The doctor's secretary also told me that no ultrasound had been set up and there were no notes on anything to do with my husband. It was listed as a follow-up appt. only. I'm extremely frustrated as it's been almost 6 months to find out results on a blood test, I had to call to find out my appt. and it seems like nothing it being done further to check if I have cysts or not. This is more a vent than anything else, but I just wish things could get done properly around here. If I have to wait another 6 months to go back and "check on things" I'll be mighty pissed as we want to start trying around Feb. and I would like to know what my chances are or if I need any medical help to get things going. *sigh*

awilmeri

Sorry! I'd me mad :devil: Are there any other options in your area?

sylmcguigan

I honestly don't think so. I had to get referred to the doctor I have now, and my family doctor (was the only one remotely close accepting new patients) is pretty equally useless. I'm just frustrated that I'll be trying for a long time knowing that I have something wrong with me and without an easily prescribed medication that could help the situation.
I've lost 23 pounds since my last appt. so they'll likely get me to take another blood test that will take months to get the results from.

Angieh0811

I gave up on doctors ages ago. I was sick of being brushed to the side and they only ever wanted to put me on metformin and birth control which I was on in the past and neither helped me. I started seeing a naturopath 6 months ago and I can't believe how much she has helped. I have high prolactin and she is the one who figured it out not my family doctor. All my family doctor said was hormones are hard to control and I would never lose weight. That just gave me motivation to prove her wrong.

Good Luck!

morgycg

There is no reason it should take months to get the results of blood work. Even if they send it to an outside lab they should have it within a week. However, doctors offices are extremely busy and you cannot rely on your doctor's nurse or PA to automatically call you with the results. You need to be proactive and call them after 1 week if you do not hear back. Then call as much as necessary until you get results. You also have the right to formally request that the doctor mail you a copy of your results.

When you go to your appointment on Nov. 6th, make sure you do not leave before you have scheduled your ultrasound appointment, if they do it in the clinic. Many offices do not do the ultrasound on site and you have to make the appointment on your own with the ultrasound lab. Your doctor just writes the referral for the ultrasound, but they do not actually schedule it, that is on you to follow-up and do it. If you have to go elsewhere for the ultrasound, make sure to get the contact info from your doctor, so you can call the ultrasound lab asap. Hope that helps.

sylmcguigan

I'm going to dig my heels in and get things accomplished at this appt. If I'm just brushed off or told I don't need such and such, I'm going to ask my family doctor to refer me elsewhere.

desilou23

doctors havnt done much for me, they kind of brushed me aside and told me to lose weight. good luck!! let us know how it goes. I also believe i have had pcos since i was in my early teens but doctor barely diagnosed me last year (im 33) and it wasnt even my doctor. i had all of the symptoms over the years but they wouldnt diagnose me because i didnt have any cysts at the time. Now they will diagnose without the cysts.
the only reason i was diagnosed was because I went to the doctors with one of my clients (im a caregiver) and his doctor pulled me to the side, told me i have pcos and i should go to my pcp. i had been trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with me for years.

kellison89

I had bleeding continuously for 3 months and I finally decided to see an OBGYN. Within minutes she told me she suspected PCOS. She prescribed the pill and ordered an ultrasound for me, which I was to schedule by calling the lab. I had an appt the next day and the results within a few days. I had a very large cyst.

She told me to take the pill for three months and have another ultrasound to see if it went away or shrank. It didn't so she recommended surgery. I went ahead with it and have been on the pill now for more than a year.

If I could do it again, I might wait a little more before surgery, but I was really satisfied with her compassion and drive to find an answer for me. Doctors are supposed to CARE for you, not take your copay and never call you. Part of it is your responsibility, but some of the responsibility is with them. I would ask to be referred elsewhere. There are good doctors out there.