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andisue50
andisue50 Posts: 26 Member
Hey ladies,

I've been thinking of finding a healthcare provider of some sore to help me sort through my IBS, PCOS, and Hypothyroid. I'm tired of feeling exhausted and sick all the time! I'm interested in someone who will help me sort through my diet and figure out what my triggers/sensitivities are and I'm also open to trying natural treatments (open but skeptical...) since I feel that my PCP/gyno haven't really given me any guidance.

Here's my question: what kind of providers should I be looking for? I had a friend recommend a place but it seems they mostly just do supplements, etc and do "electrodermal screenings." I'm not sure it's the answer but I don't know where to turn.... Anyone with good experiences with other providers?

Replies

  • stacicali
    stacicali Posts: 137 Member
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    The classic advice is to seek out a reproductive endocrinologist, but I just had a disappointing appointment with one. I've had better luck with an integrative doctor. Google mds in your area who specialize in "integrative medicine." They tend to be more holistic and preventative and will be more likely to test you for sensitivities and recommend supplements as well as prescriptions. The best info that I've come across is www.pcosdiva.com. Just ignore the sales pitches for eating plans if you're not interested, and look for the free expert interviews. Those contain the cutting edge discoveries and treatments for PCOS. Look and see if any of those specialists are near you (probably not but its worth a shot.) I don't want to discourage you, but my experience with doctors has been that they either want me to go on birth control pills or metformin, and that's the extent of their help - except for the integrative medicine dr who also recommended an anti-inflammatory diet and eating less carbs. Good luck!
  • bellaa_x0
    bellaa_x0 Posts: 1,062 Member
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    stacicali wrote: »
    The classic advice is to seek out a reproductive endocrinologist, but I just had a disappointing appointment with one. I've had better luck with an integrative doctor. Google mds in your area who specialize in "integrative medicine." They tend to be more holistic and preventative and will be more likely to test you for sensitivities and recommend supplements as well as prescriptions. The best info that I've come across is www.pcosdiva.com. Just ignore the sales pitches for eating plans if you're not interested, and look for the free expert interviews. Those contain the cutting edge discoveries and treatments for PCOS. Look and see if any of those specialists are near you (probably not but its worth a shot.) I don't want to discourage you, but my experience with doctors has been that they either want me to go on birth control pills or metformin, and that's the extent of their help - except for the integrative medicine dr who also recommended an anti-inflammatory diet and eating less carbs. Good luck!

    the birth control pills suggestion i can understand your frustration (i don't think it solves much), but whats wrong with them wanting you to take metformin? personally, it has really helped me since i started taking it at the end of last year. i see an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid disorders and PCOS.

  • stacicali
    stacicali Posts: 137 Member
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    Nothing's wrong with metformin. I'm on it, too, and it's been of great help. My point is that most doctors can only put you on one of two therapies, and that's all they know to do. They are out of ideas to help you after using those two tools. The original poster is asking for what kind of doctor can help her really feel better by examining her situation and advising with diet, etc. In my experience, an integrative md was the only doctor who helped beyond telling me to just take metformin. She alerted me to the fact that inflammation was a big part of my problem (it's a big part of PCOS - some even speculate that inflammation is the cause) and gave me lifestyle recommendations including eating an anti-inflammatory diet, taking krill oil, and eating more fermented foods. There are absolutely some great endos out there who can help with PCOS, but the five I've seen have not helped me beyond prescribing metformin.
  • andisue50
    andisue50 Posts: 26 Member
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    Thanks, @stacicali! After I posted this, I looked some more and found an integrative medicine center in my area and am going to try them out. @bellaa_x0 I agree there's nothing wrong with the doctors offering metformin or other medical interventions. My problem is that I'm on medications, and while they help some, I'm still not healthy. I have seen a PCP and a RE but they just haven't been able to give me the help I need.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,104 Member
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    I have had good luck with my current endocrinologist, personally, but he seems to be a rare sort. He's also my 3rd endo, and I had two separate OB/GYN's in between there that really didn't have a clue. Between my PCP who as a personal passion about women's health in general - and so stays up to date on all the ins and outs of more natural/supplement based practice - and my endocrinologist who told me that PCOS and women's health issues tend to mask true results on blood lab work, so let's treat symptoms, too, if the treatment suggestions aren't detrimental - and my own research/friends here, I'm finally feeling better, but everyone's PCOS is different, and everyone reacts differently to supplements and everyone lives difference lives.

    For example, while Metformin helps a great number of people, being a person without a gallbladder who already had significant bathroom drama, Metformin was a lesson in bathroom HADES for me, even avoiding most standard triggers.

    I also had bad luck with Inositol, but that was due to extenuating circumstances (I'm 40 and no longer looking to help my fertility, and since I have Pelvic Organ Prolapse, I do better with that condition by fully suppressing my cycles with continuous BCP, and inositol kept trying to fix what it saw as irregular cycles. LOL

    But since I'm hypothyroid, insulin resistant, and have low stomach acid (most hypothyroid are - as it prevents proper absorption and conversion of thyroid hormones and medications) among an annoying bevvy of other conditions, I've had to keep a "running game," adjusting supplements and such as I go...but I'm finally in a place of feeling somewhat normal and more human, etc., and honestly, I'd kind of given up hope on it at that point. While getting more complicated diagnoses is a giant PITA, it helps fine tune treatments more. And honestly, I'm FAR more willing to experiment on myself that my doctors are, but they're always willing to research the WHYS and suggest things to other patients with similar issues...
  • gafford101
    gafford101 Posts: 10 Member
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    andisue50 wrote: »
    Thanks, @stacicali! After I posted this, I looked some more and found an integrative medicine center in my area and am going to try them out. @bellaa_x0 I agree there's nothing wrong with the doctors offering metformin or other medical interventions. My problem is that I'm on medications, and while they help some, I'm still not healthy. I have seen a PCP and a RE but they just haven't been able to give me the help I need.

    You might benefit from seeing a dietitian...good luck