New to this and already confused/discouraged -

It's scary how DIFFERENT doctors can be - I want to thank all of you who took the time to respond to my 1st thread re: my OBGYN to immediately put me on Clomid -
I took your advice and got a 2nd opinion from another OBGYN, and also went ahead and made myself an appointment with an RE (rec. by my cousin who is also an OBGYN) -

The 2nd OBGYN last nigth told me I absolutely have PCOS (the 1st told me all of my labs, sonos were completely 'normal') She said from looking at my labs (I don't remember which ones) there was a 2:1 ratio that would indicate PCOS -
The 2nd OB wanted to put me on BCP for two cycles to get a period and THEN see the RE .........

I felt a bit better that this one at least gave me some sort of diagnosis and course of treatment, but DH was annoyed b/c he works in the medical field and THINKS of all of these things that I have no clue about - So his question was HOW could she diagnose PCOS from the SAME labs and sono that the 1st OBGYN said were completely normal, why was she putting me back on BCP just to force me to get a period BEFORE sending me to a specialist (RE) and why waste another 2-3 months .........??

So, I called my cousin again for her opinion and she told me to just go to the RE at this point. She said I have sypmtoms indicative of POCS, but others that are completel 'off' (the 13+ years of "regular" cycles before going on BCP for 6 years -) and the fact that I didn't get a period w/ the provera - (She also thinks maybe the 1st OB didn't keep me on the provera long enough) But when I read about PCOS, it's all of the symptoms I've been seeing since Sept when my cycles started getting crazy - weight gain, acne ........

So, I'm not going to take anything until I see the RE on Monday. I'd rather any blood work he runs be totally free of any BCP or Provera or whatever else these OBs want me to take ........

Monday night i'm off to see Dr. Stelling @ RS of NY in Mineola ..........

What do you think ??
Am i doing the right thing? - I'm normally a completely level headed person and I'm a disaster right now.

Sorry this is so long

Message edited 5/6/2008 11:52:58 AM.

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

Firstly, I know how confusing and discouraging this can all be.

I've been told over and over again I have PCOS, I have only some charactoristics of it, but I honestly believe I don't have it. I also was regular my entire life, I went on BCP in 2005 and came off of them a year later when we wanted to TTC. Ever since then I just don't ovulate, and only do if it's medically induced. And even then, I tend to respond very slowly to the meds. I have never had a cyst on my ovaries, I don't have that string of pearls, and my bloodwork was on the boarderline side of normal. My acupuncurist even said to me that I don't seem to respond the way someone with PCOS responds to all the meds.

Do what makes sense to you. If you feel you dont' want to waste 2-3 months then go directly to the RE. Honestly, knowing what I know now and wasting all the time I did, I would do exactly what you are doing by going to the RE.

Message edited 5/6/2008 12:00:25 PM.

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

I'm sorry you are feeling so confused!

The ratio the doctor was referring to was your LH/FSH ratio.
They should normally be 1:1, however a higher LH can be indicative of PCOS.

When were those bloods drawn? If you were about to ovulate, then your LH would be higher.

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

Bloods were done 4/7/08 -
My last period was 1/12/08 .......

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

Marisa, I'm really glad that you took our advice and went to seek a 2nd opinion! I would've done the same thing!
I think you should definitely go straight to the RE... if they don't feel you need an RE, they'll tell you to seek out an OB/GYN and may have some recommendations for you. If you do need an RE, then you didn't waste any time, and believe me, time is precious!!!
It definitely can't hurt to go see an RE. They may put you on provera to bring on a period, and then have you come back in on cycle day 3 to get a baseline bloodwork, so they have figures to compare as you're closer, and then past ovulation (w/ or w/o meds). It'll give them a good starting point.
I'm usually a very level headed person as well, and IF/TTC will make even the most level headed go crazy!!! Just hang in there though, it'll happen. And please don't hesitate to ask us any questions.

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

I absolutely think you are doing the right thing !...Its very easy in this world of IF to second guess every little move we make. At least now you know that you are seeing someone who specializes in this field (Dr. Stelling has been my RE since '05 and we conceived my DS with him then and just got a BFP for #2 also)...I myself have a mild case of PCOS...He is very informative, a little bit of a jokester and will make you feel very comfortable to ask as many questions as you may have...Good Luck !!!

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

You are definitlely doing the right thing! And Dr. Stelling is great!

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

Thank You all SO much - You guys are fabulous !

I'm going on Monday night w/ DH -

And to add to my aggravation, I got my damn period last NIGHT !!!
Of course after 117 days it's like HEY Beyotch - here I am and I'm going to make you feel like hell !!

Hopefully it's gone by Monday, but my cousin insisted I go to Dr. Stelling even if I still have it - in her words "us OBGYNs are not afraid of periods"

Thanks again for alll of your advice - I appreciate your experiences and honesty !

Re: New to this and already confused/discouraged -

I totally agree with your cousin - RE's specialize in this stuff - this is what they are trained in. Ob/gyn's, while they are knowledgeable on fertility issues, it isn't the focus of their practice. If you want the best, and most focused and specialized care, go to the expert.

Good luck!