How To Cope Seeing A Dr About 'private' Issues?

[anonymous]

I had an internal ultrasound when I was diagnosed at 14 years old, I had surgery to remove a cyst at 16 years old, then had another internal ultrasound about 4 years ago before my PTSD was an issue, before I was diagnosed with PTSD. I also had an ultrasound late last year, but this was not an internal ultrasound. These PTSD issues have only developed within the past 18months-2 years.

I see an endocronologist (I think that's how you spell it) and I have yearly appointments to see him, but that doesn't involve a physical examination, just a check up on weight, cm's, blood results etc.

I was severely overweight and have worked hard to get my weight down, I'm by no means skinny now, but a lot healthier than I was. Yes, the low carb diet is what I've been told to do, as well as strength and resistance training to bring down the insulin levels. I was on the Diabex for a few years in the beginning, but after consultation with the Endo, he agreed this was not needed anymore as I was managing with the diet/excercise regime.

The pill is not for 'birth control', it is to help the symptoms of pcos. I get severe cramps, so much so that I am literally in bed the first 2 days. I've never been asked to have a physical exam for birth control, as far as I was aware, you dont need to have a physical exam.

My issue is not seeing the Dr, that is fine, I see her regularly for other issues. The issue for me is the chance that she will want to do a physical exam.

 

[piratelady]

I am in the same boat as you, I am on birth control to control the PCOS symptoms. I hope they are able to help you without having to do an exam. I am glad you were able to do so much for your PCOS by reducing your weight. I have not been able to get that under control and my symptoms get steadily worse. I hope your appointment goes/went well. Take care :hug:

 

[anonymous]

Oh piratelady, it is a never ending battle with pcos, I really feel for you. I am still classed as 'overweight' and don't think I will ever be able to get under that mark. It doesn't matter how much i excercise or watch what I eat, the weight doesn't budge. Another symptom of pcos. I've been the same weight for years.

I really hope things get better for you. It is a problem not a lot of people talk about, they just think we are overweight and lazy. Not at all the case..

 

[anonymous]

Ok, I went, I survived. She took bloods, referred me for ultrasound. I told her I was not having an internal one. She said that's fine, internals are more effective, but would be able to pick up on anything with just a normal ultrasound. Even the thought of having that done scares me. She wanted to take a sample of the leakage but I said I wasn't comfortable. She gave me the jar to do it myself. She was very good about the whole thing. I'm glad my T was able to speak to her.

I feel like I have been in a dissociated state ever since. I did not sleep last night. I am exhausted. The appointment was fine. I think I handled it well. There was not a lot of anxiety or anything. But I feel like I have been 'floating' ever since. It's odd..

Thank you all again for your support. If it turns out to be hormone imbalance, treatment is medication. I mentioned the natural supplements I had been taking and she said depending if it was indeed a hormone imbalance, one of the supplements I could still take while having normal medication, but the other I would have to stop as it interferes with the normal medication.

 

[kers]

I am so glad she was respectful of your wishes! The dissociation is understandable--you were probably panicked long before you got there, then added the stress of the visit--it'll take time to come back to yourself.

 

[p-no]

Good to hear you did it! Give yourself a lot of rest. Allow yourself to mend from this. :)

 

[KP the nut]

(((HUGS))), well done to you for going and seeing her.

Now take time to rest and recover. I love the sound of your spa bath (KP is slightly green with envy :rolleyes:)

 

[anonymous]

Thank you both for the encouragement. It really means a lot to me :) I'm feeling very fragile at the moment, so thank you for the hugs. I do love my spa bath, I am very lucky. I saw my T last night. It was not good. I dissocciated the whole time, I couldn't concentrate. It was strange. But, today is a new day. Tomorrow will be better :)

 

[Springer80]

Hi Anon,

Glad you were able to negotiate a basically acceptable scenario for yourself and enlist others to set it up with you!! :tup: Sorry your therapy session didn't go well but then having energy to talk and think after pushing yourself through must have been a step too far. More baths!!

I've been reading alot aout the relationship between mind, body image and health. Very interesting. I had severe (hospitalised) abdominal pain a number of years ago. I literally despised being a girl, I felt fatally flawed and unable to protect myself. I ended up with a adrenal gland problems and a floating (dislodged) kidney.

Just wondered if you ever are able to talk specifically with your T about how you feel about your body? I've done it and it's not necessary to talk about events at all just the resulting sensation and your feeling toward it.

Just a thought.....Glad you got through it and it's over for now. :)

 

[anonymous]

Hi Springer, yes, I've been doing a bit of reading lately about the connection between the mind and the body. Quite interesting how a bit of anxiety can affect your whole body or vice versa.

I emailed my T about hating the fact that I am a woman, how I try and deny my...whats the word...femininity? I hate the color pink, i hate romance or girly movies, i hate dresses, I hate anything that represents being a woman. I hate my body because it has been contaminated. I think she said we are going to discuss this once my health is all sorted. Thank you for your support :)

 

[Springer80]

how I try and deny my...femininity?...I hate anything that represents being a woman. I hate my body because it has been contaminated. I think she said we are going to discuss this once my health is all sorted. Thank you for your support :)

Hi Anon,

That's quite alright (the support I mean), it's nice ain't it to be there for others!! ;) I find it a bit funny that your therapist is going to discuss it ONCE your health is sorted. Obviously you can only get through these things in stages but how you think and feel toward your bdy is your health. I don't mean in how the west interprets eastern philosophy as some mystic thing, I mean literally. Your thoughts generate emotions, which stimulate your senses and nervous system which produce chemicals which alfter you metabolism etc etc.

Anyway, It takes time. I wrote in my diary the first day I ever looked in the mirror and didn't deny but rather felt some warmth toward the femininity I finally acknowledged in the mirror. I was 29 and had endured 17 years of suppressing all manner of emotion, thought, word, impulse and action. It takes it's toll.

Maybe you/we should start a thread on body image and health.

 

[Lucycat]

Hi Anon,
I too have PCOS and am taking the pill to help that. I too take pills every day so that I don't bleed at all. I too have - in the past before diagnosed with PTSD- had internal ultrasounds and know how unpleasant they are.

I have had episodes of leaking breasts due to hormonal imbalances. Your blood tests will likely show an increase in Prolactin. This is a part of PCOS but can also be a side effect of some psychiatric medication, so the combination increases the risks.

If they start getting shitty, cysts can also induce the production of the hormones themselves.

You are right to get it sorted. Very right to get it done on your terms, and I suspect will very soon be wondering why you were so worried. I am very glad that your T was on the ball to notice your discomfort.

Best wishes, and well done for starting this thread.