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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

PCOS - anyone seen a good specialist (London)?

20 replies

minciepie · 03/01/2012 20:10

So, I'm off to see the GP again in a couple of weeks. I've already had scan results which show likely PCOS apparently, now waiting for blood test results.

Assuming these come up as confirming PCOS, can anyone recommend a specialist that I should be referred to? I know a few of you PCO ladies have said you've seen good and not-so-good people and I would be very grateful for some names so I can give my GP a steer if necessary. London area ... please PM me if you don't want to say on here?

I am surrounded by pg friends/newborns and sick of not being updiffed so am hoping there is a specialist out there who can help!

OP posts:

yellowflowers · 03/01/2012 23:56

I saw dr Conway at uch. He harps on about weight so not great if your bmi is high as I felt that he ignored other potential issues blaming it all on weight, but if your bmi is normal then he's good

Original poster

minciepie · 04/01/2012 09:58

thanks very much yellow. Yep my BMI is normal - thanks for the recommendation

OP posts:

cystersledge · 04/01/2012 10:23

Ooh Mincie sounds like I'm a month or so ahead of you in the PCOS process. My blood tests confirmed that I have PCOS and am glucose intolerant. My GP has put me on metformin and told me to carry on ttc for another six months (we had been trying for about four months). I'm normal weight too.

Being a girl of little patience, I am finding this very challenging as I really wanted an immediate fix... but I do feel much better to have an explanation and to be doing something about the underlying problem.

Having said that, I too am living in a sea of preggers ladies and am soooo fed up with my lack of updiffedness!

farfallarocks · 04/01/2012 11:13

I am seeing Michael Dooley on Thurs, will report back but he has a good reputation and seems to be quite into woo and accupunture/diet as opposed to hard core drugs which is an approach I like!

Original poster

minciepie · 04/01/2012 12:06

gosh you're even more impatient than me cyster - we've been ttcing since May and I thought I was acting pretty quickly getting tests done already!

Interesting that you've been put on metformin and are glucose intolerant despite being normal weight, also interesting that your GP has prescribed it without a referral - maybe mine will too, she seems pretty clued up about fertility issues. hope it works for you!

farfalla would be very interested to hear a report back! Acupuncture is something I've been considering (any recommendations on that front also welcome!) I am in two minds as to whether I prefer woo or drugs - basically I just want whatever works the quickest!

OP posts:

crystalglasses · 04/01/2012 12:21

I would ask to see Dr Conway, or his team at UCLH.

Original poster

minciepie · 04/01/2012 15:45

Ok, good, another vote for Dr Conway

thanks all

OP posts:

cystersledge · 05/01/2012 17:02

I had a fair idea that I had PCOS (becuse of a scan a couple of years ago) so it didn't seem to make sense to wait!

Great that you've got a clued up GP and I hope all is well with your blood test results. I'm thinking of giving acupuncture a whirl too - will try pretty much anything!

farfallarocks · 05/01/2012 17:36

I have just been to see Michael Dooley, he was lovely and very reassuring. I cried and he was nice about it and that is always a vote in favour of consultants in my book!

He is going to monitor a cycle for me with some progesterone tests and lining checks and then decide on an action plan if necessary.

minipie · 05/01/2012 17:42

Ooh, that sounds good farfalla. monitoring cycle sounds very helpful. Where is he based?

farfallarocks · 05/01/2012 17:48

He is based both in London and in Devon I think? If you google his name his website comes up.
He only does private work though now (my work insurance paid for it)

minipie · 05/01/2012 17:49

London works, thanks, will google. How on earth did you get work insurance to pay ? I have BUPA through work but thought anything fertility related was off the cards.

farfallarocks · 06/01/2012 16:52

Yes I am afraid I was very naughty and said I wanted to see him for 'irregular menstruation' . They asked me if it was fertility related and I said no.

I don't feel guilty as I have paid for years and it really pisses me off that they don't cover things like this especially as sometimes TTC problems can be what highlights a very real medical problem and should be covered.

I also have a bone to pick as when I asked if they covered investigations for Repeat Mcs they said no as Mcs were a lifestyle choice. I kid you not!!!

There you go, rant over :)

minipie · 06/01/2012 17:39

MCs are a lifestyle choice

Thanks, hmm, wonder if I could do that. Only thing is, my AF is fairly regular... maybe I could get it under acne related (they did pay for some laser treatment ages ago for acne so guess that is not excluded).

minipie · 06/01/2012 17:40

Sorry, forgot to say, v sorry to hear about your MCs. Do you think they are PCOS related? I haven't read anything about link between PCOS and mc (but then I haven't read all that much about it yet).

crystalglasses · 06/01/2012 19:21

I though PCOS meant it was difficult to conceive, not that it was related to mc.

crystalglasses · 06/01/2012 19:22

What does AF stand for? I know it's to do with menstruation but that's all

Popbiscuit · 06/01/2012 19:32

You shouldn't feel guilty for saying that, Farfalla. PCOS has all sorts of health implications: insulin resistance, links to diabetes, endometriosis, not to mention all the physical elements that have a great impact on your mood, self-esteem and emotional well-being. It needs to be taken care of by whatever means necessary, I think.

Mincie there is a great site called "PCOS Diva" that has all sorts of useful information and articles relating to PCOS and you probably know about the website "Soul Cysters". There is also a very good book I have read recently called "The Hormonally Vulnerable Woman" which covers pretty much everything related to hormone issues.

Good Luck

cystersledge · 08/01/2012 10:57

I'm so sorry about you losses Farfalla. Just lost for words about the 'lifestyle choice' comment from your insurers.

Michael Dooley sounds wonderful (and nice, very important) and I hope that he can help you. May I ask how long it took to get an appointment with him? I think having a plan for what I'm going to do if the metformin doesn't help might stop me panicking as the months go by!

farfallarocks · 09/01/2012 09:58

Thanks pop.

cyster it was really quick actually just a couple of weeks and that was because xmas was in the way. He consults in London on a Thursday I believe.

mini you can just say you want to see him for irreugular menstruation even if that is not case. I also have a regular period but THEY don't know that (har har har)

Sadly the risk of MC also goes up with PCOS for various reasons both the initial hormonal balance needed for inplantation, the fact the eggs produced are not of the best quality always and what I have which is impainred fibrogynetic response (clotting issue) which is often correlated with PCOS.

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