How I Became A Lab Rat

Among the most disturbing symptom of PCOS is weight gain. Many women struggle with the loss of self-confidence because of the change in their appearance. When I got diagnosed, my doctor prescribed an oral contraceptive pill — Diane 35 (Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol). The purpose of the pill was to regulate my hormones. She said that minimal weight gain is expected but it shouldn’t be too bothersome.

After only a few weeks, I already gained a noticeable amount of weight. But I didn’t want to give up too easily because I wanted to at least see some results. After only a few months, my doctor wanted to check whether there was some progress with my treatment. The results came out the same and the distinct “string of pearls” could still be visualized through ultrasound. I was partly glad that there was no remarkable change with the size of my ovaries, but I was also disturbed that the problem still persisted.

Since I was already dealing with some other symptoms of PCOS, I wasn’t too happy with the added weight. Some women don’t have weight issues while on this pill. They even prefer Diane-35 because they like its effect on their skin. But it was a totally different story on my part. The excess weight was such that I had to rethink whether I really wanted to keep taking the pill. I talked to my doctor and she said that some women actually wait out for the time when they want to conceive to begin therapy. However, she clearly pointed out that it was my choice and that my main problem may be infertility.

Because my periods were still regular, I assumed that it was just PCO or polycystic ovaries without the syndrome yet. Hence, I focused more on losing the excess weight. While it took me only three months to gain more than 30 lbs, it took me more than a year to lose the excess weight. There were times that I would lose 10 lbs, but I can effortlessly gain it back in such a short time.

After my pregnancy, another doctor put me on EVRA (Norelgestromin/Ethinyl Estradiol) – a transdermal contraceptive patch. Knowing that I had a very difficult pregnancy, she was partly concerned that I would have another baby too soon. Although she knew about my PCOS, she went ahead and prescribed it to me. I again gained weight with EVRA so I consulted another doctor.

My new doctor prescribed me with Yasmin (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol) with the hope of controlling my symptoms. She said that EVRA had the highest concentration of hormone which explained my weight gain. With Yasmin, she said that it is very unlikely that it will cause significant weight gain. But yet again, I proved her wrong because my weight gain persisted.

Looking back, I totally regret that I haven’t been too involved in my treatment. PCOS is not common and doctors may have different treatment approaches. If you know the kind of medication being prescribed, you can make choices because in the end, it is your body that will respond to the treatment. While doctors only want to treat your condition, there are just times that they need the expertise and the experience to handle your condition.

For so long, I have been searching for an OB-ENDOCRINOLOGIST who can help me with my treatment. But so far, I haven’t found any. Having family members in the medical field, I know that it is an ambitious specialty. But PCOS is also a difficult disorder to treat, and you really need the right treatment approach for you to see the results.

My OB may not have that particular specialty, but I have faith in her experience. I have made my mark during the first and succeeding consultations because I had too many questions to ask. I also have a “lifeline” with the OB from my hometown because I also seek her opinion. If you have PCOS, go ahead and list down your queries before you seek consultation. When you are aware about your treatment, maybe you won’t feel like another lab rat.

Common Diagnostic Tests For PCOS

If there’s one thing that I regret the most about my journey with PCOS, it’s the time when I did not seek any treatment. I guess I wrongly assumed that PCOS would just go away after pregnancy. Without treatment, my hormones totally went crazy. I gained weight so easily, and I also noticed that I always had these nagging cravings with anything sweet and high in carbohydrates. I guess that was my body’s way of telling me that there is something terribly wrong.

When I came in for a consultation, my doctor immediately ordered some tests. It is important to understand the basic tests because along with your symptoms, the values are vital in diagnosing PCOS. In my case, it took some time before my doctor diagnosed me with the syndrome. And it was even at a later time that I found out about my insulin resistance because I assumed that I only needed very basic tests. If you know more about your options, it may help with early diagnosis and treatment. Here are the imaging tests that were initially ordered to me:

- Transabdominal Ultrasound – Before the test is done, you will be asked to drink water to fill up your bladder. The test will not be conducted if your bladder is not adequately filled up. A good indicator is the feeling that you badly need to go to the bathroom. This test utilizes sound waves to make a picture of the organs and structures in the area particularly the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. To do this, a doctor will move the transducer back and forth in your pelvic area. You will only feel a slight pressure and the coldness of the gel used as a lubricant.

- Transvaginal Ultrasound – You will be asked to empty your bladder before the test. A transducer or a probe is then covered with a condom and gel before it is inserted in the vagina. Once the probe is inside, the computer will receive sound waves so that an image can be created. Aside from viewing reproductive organs, it can also show the lining of the uterus. This test is commonly ordered if the doctor suspects ovarian cysts, ovarian tumors, pelvic infection, and other related conditions. Only a small portion of the transducer is inserted so the discomfort is very minimal.

Since PCOS women are predisposed to developing diabetes, most doctors will routinely check your blood glucose levels. My fasting blood sugar level would always come out normal and I wasn’t really alarmed even if my body would always trigger me to eat. When my doctor ordered for an OGTT or an oral glucose tolerance test, that’s when I found out that I had values twice to that of what is considered normal. These are the blood tests that may also be ordered by your doctor:

- Fasting Blood Glucose Test – This test is ordered to determine the amount of glucose in the blood. The preparation entails that you need to fast on an 8 or 10 hour interval or depending on the facility. You are not supposed to drink or eat anything during the fasting period because it may yield inaccurate results. It is only after blood extraction that you are allowed to eat.

- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test – This test is common during pregnancy but it is primarily ordered to check how your body breaks down sugar in your blood. You will be asked to fast for 12 hours before the test. Once you arrive at the laboratory, you will have your first blood extraction. You will then be asked to drink a sweet liquid with a measured amount of glucose. Your succeeding extractions will be collected at timed intervals of 1, 2 and 3 hours after ingesting the glucose preparation. While waiting for your extractions, you are still not allowed to eat or drink anything. Be very careful with rising or moving around because you may feel dizzy.

These are only the common tests that are ordered by doctors to rule out a diagnosis of PCOS. I am still in the process of looking around for facilities that offer testing for hormones and other blood components that are expected to rise with PCOS. If you know any facility that offers the other tests, I would be more than happy if you can share the information with me.

How I Found The Right Doctor For PCOS

Many women love shopping and the mere thought of an upcoming sale can be exhilirating for some women. But there are also some instances when shopping is not at all enjoyable. When you have PCOS and you want answers, it can get quite frustrating to look around for the right doctor. While doctor shopping is a term that is most often used by individuals with an addiction, it’s a totally different story on my case. I didn’t go around to get a prescription. I had to see various specialists because I could not find a doctor who understood what I was going through.

Since PCOS is a condition that requires lifestyle changes, I felt that I needed a doctor who can understand my struggles and at the same time recommend new treatment approaches. My first doctor was my mom’s colleague and friend. She was like a second mom to me and she helped me cope especially during the initial stages. Sadly, I had to bid her farewell because I had to relocate elsewhere with my family.

After the move, it was hard for me to find a doctor who can help me out with my PCOS. Somehow I missed the warm reception that my reliable OB-GYNE gave me in my hometown. Here in the big city, I had consultations that lasted for a mere two minutes only. And to think that I waited a good two hours for that appointment. I honestly could not believe that doctor visits have also become commercialized lately.

The doctor just said — so it’s still PCOS. You need to take your meds and you need to be watchful of what you eat. Please come back next month so we can monitor your progress. And that was pretty much what I got from her after two hours of waiting! It was impossible to ask her questions because she kept talking like a recording and I just didn’t have any chance. The consultation was long done before I realized that it was, and I didn’t bother to come back because I felt that she had no time for me.

I also had a doctor who was quite insensitive. Since she was quite accommodating, I tried to keep my appointments and I tried my best to follow her advice. But I always dread the time when I had to check my weight on the scale because she would say something like this – “You should be exercising and eating right if you don’t want to weigh 300 lbs.” I know that I’m far from that number but her remark just shows that she’s really not familiar with the weight loss struggles of many PCOS women. If only she knew that I spent at least two hours in the gym for five days a week, and ate only salads for the past month. It’s just totally heartbreaking.

I was able to visit a couple more doctors before I finally found a doctor who understood. When she checks to see that my weight is still the same since my last visit, she would tell me that she understood and she knows that I have been working hard. She said that there are plenty of other women like me who are struggling with weight loss. When I lost a couple of pounds due to my crazy dieting, she said that I had to take it easy because gradual weight loss is healthier as compared to crash dieting. Finally, I found somebody that I look forward to seeing each time I have a check-up!

Finding the right doctor is crucial in the management of PCOS. While certain medications are indispensable in the treatment of the syndrome, a healthy doctor-patient relationship is also vital in the success of a treatment. I had my share of “doctor shopping”, but now I feel relieved knowing that I am finally in good hands.