pcos, the ultrasound and going private..........

[frangipan]

OK, I'll try and make this brief..........

Dr suspects PCOS (have severe symptoms)

Referred me to gnae and internal ultrasound,

Dr says this will prob take 3 months, ffs!!!

thinking of finding out the private costs of the ultrasound and consultant gyna'st diagnosis fees.

then going back to GP for treatment.

I have nothing against the NHS (I work for them)

But 3 MONTHS [SHOCK]!!!!!

Anyone got any miracle cures for PCOS or ideas on independant fees that I should expect????

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

frangipan

Nowt against the NHS either (they diagnosed me with PCOS, became a parent as a result of their treatment and waited six months for my initial appointment) but would strongly suggest you do not let your GP try and treat you for this condition. You need a gynae especially if fertility is an issue here - PCOS is way beyond a GPs general remit anyway and specialist help is often needed.

Would think you're looking at minimum £100 for the initial consult and the internal ultrasound (polycystic ovaries can be larger than a normal sixed ovary which is about the size of a walnut. They have a characteristic "ring of pearls" appearance. Polycystic ovaries have multiple cystic follicles; some of these contain hormones, others are dormant and perhaps one may contain an egg. A good ultrasound operator should be able to spot them. The cystic follicles associated with PCO do disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles).

There are no cures for PCOS - miracle or otherwise but it can be controlled. metformin is sometimes offered to women with PCOS particularly if insulin resistance is an issue. The underlying causes of PCOS are not fully understood. Verity is the UK support organisation for PCOSers and would suggest you look at their website which is www.verity-pcos.org.uk. There's lots of info on there and the more info you yourself have re PCOS the better.

Collette Harris has written several books on PCOS and would also suggest you get a hold of these too - she's also done a cookbook for PCOSers as well.

Any other questions just ask

[frangipan]

Wow , you really know your stuff ATM!

Thanks for all th information, I will look on the verity site.

I don't know if this is what happened to you but I had my 2 DS's now nearly 7 and 4, and had some PND after both, only with DS2 seem to havebeen on a constant battle with it. I have nothing to be depressed about but seem to hyper one day and so low the next, the GP said this could be part of PCOS but didn't want to treat it until after the ultrasound(which makes me feel worse).

Also feel like I'm turning into a man, sooo hairy,greasy hair, irregular periods and spotting inbetween, zilch inclination for bedroom fun! Acne and have put on 11 pounds since march despite going to weightwatchers!!!

You sound like you have done alot of research and have your pcos under control, I feel as if my body is controlling me at the moment.......bloody hormones eh?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Wow , you really know your stuff ATM!

Thanks for all th information, I will look on the verity site.

I don't know if this is what happened to you but I had my 2 DS's now nearly 7 and 4, and had some PND after both, only with DS2 seem to havebeen on a constant battle with it. I have nothing to be depressed about but seem to hyper one day and so low the next, the GP said this could be part of PCOS but didn't want to treat it until after the ultrasound(which makes me feel worse).

Also feel like I'm turning into a man, sooo hairy,greasy hair, irregular periods and spotting inbetween, zilch inclination for bedroom fun! Acne and have put on 11 pounds since march despite going to weightwatchers!!!

You sound like you have done alot of research and have your pcos under control, I feel as if my body is controlling me at the moment.......bloody hormones eh?

Hi frangipan,

Still would be inclined not to let your GP try and treat you for this condition. Often specialist help is needed for PCOS cases hence me saying this.

PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it very differently. I was diagnosed with PCOS when trying to conceive. My main problem (and with me this has always been the case) was irregular periods. A blood test showed the characteristic LH/FSH imbalance associated with PCOS (too much luteinising hormone, not enough follicle stimulation hormone). I also had a few stray hairs as well on my chest - again symptomatic of PCOS.

All your current symptoms (particularly the weight gain, skin problems and irregular periods) are to me highly symptomatic of PCOS but would stress you primarily need a medical diagnosis. Hopefully the ultrasound will shed more light - will they do blood tests as well?. Would also get them to check if there is insulin resistance present (again seen in many but not all PCOSers).

I use the pill to keep it all in abeyance but PCOS is still very much around.

APNI (Association for Post Natal illness) are very good to talk to if you haven't already made contact with them. Although depressive symptoms can be sometimes seen in PCOSers it can be due to other factors as well.

I wish you well in getting a diagnosis along with proper help. Keep us posted.

any other questions just ask.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

APNI's website:-

www.apni.org

[frangipan]

sorry I didn't post earlier, took DS's to gullivers kingdom for the day...recommended!

I had a blood test last wednesday, Dr is testing everything apparantley, as I said I need to hurry things up so once the Bank holiday is over I shall try and find out how much its going to cost to sort this independently with a consultant gynaecologist and not the GP..
I'd better start saving, thanks for your help, I wish I had the old me back!

[frangipan]

Ok found private costs of treatment

Internal ultrasound £218.00

Consultants fee £150.00 approx per consultation

Medicines on a private Rx are at the mercy of the pharmacist!

so reckoned approx £700 to get it all diagnosed and treatment started within the next 2 weeks.

OR... I can wait the 3 months for NHS treatment save the money and take us all on a nice holiday hmmmmm