The NHS and PCOS

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2003 and since then have been offered a really unpredictable amount of medical care for it in the US. I've been told to just lose weight, I've been put on birth control, I've been put on Metformin, I've been totally untreated and right now I'm on birth control again because it appears that in addition to PCOS I might have adenomyosis, which means it's either take the pill or risk bleeding to death (literally. Almost happened. Twice.)

I've heard many tales of how NHS practitioners approach PCOS patients and only one of them positive. To be honest I haven't heard much positive when it comes to women's healthcare and the NHS. I would like to have babies. Soon. I would like to have some relief from various symptoms. Has anyone had a positive experience with doctors treating PCOS (and healthy pregnancies?)

I'd like to think when I register with a GP (s)he''l listen to my medical history and be willing to either help me handle this, or refer me to someone who can. Any advice on how to approach the situation in a way that might get me taken seriously?

I don't have PCOS, but I do have very large multiple uterine fibroids (my uterus is stretched to the size of a 17 week pregnancy) and I have had excellent care.

I've even found that I see a gyn faster here than in the US. (I think this is mostly because gyns here only see women with real medical problems, not women who are having normal, healthy pregnancies.)

I also had an early miscarriage while here and was treated very well.

In my personal experience, I'd say the NHS is very good when it comes to women's healthcare.

I don't have PCOS, but I do have a family history of cysts and uterine and ovarian cancer and my treatment here in the UK has been excellent.  I am lucky enough to live right next to a walk-in sexual health clinic, so I tend to go there with my questions, but my GP has been great as well. At one point, they were having real difficulty getting a good sample for my cervical screening (pap smear) and my GP was SUPER proactive about getting me on a list for an alternative procedure and scheduled for an ultrasound. Luckily, I was third time lucky with the standard smear and didn't have to rush around to extra appointments, but I felt very well taken care of. And they were WONDERFUL when it came to what may have been a slight panic attack in the office at the mention of "irregular" results, really took their time with me.
As with anything, your experience may vary, but there are excellent doctors out there and I feel very well taken care of here. (not to mention birth control is free! talk about excellent)

I have PCOS, I take Metformin with every meal, I'm on a LO GI diet, & I go to the gym ALOT that's about all the they said they could do for me other than have a hysterectomy!!  Goodluck with your doctor when you go to register & hopefully you will get a great doctor who will listen & be very helpful!!    

Shugga, are you treated by your GP or were you referred to an OB/GYN? I'm also headed to Cambridgeshire, btw.

My friend was diagnosed with PCOS and she was referred to an endocronoligist from her GP. She's getting great care. She's on metformin and was taking orlistat (prescription alli).  She's lost a ton of weight and has regular periods again.  She feels much better. 

Thanks for the info phatbeetle, I'll definitely bring up the idea of an endocrinology referral to the doc.

Shugga, are you treated by your GP or were you referred to an OB/GYN? I'm also headed to Cambridgeshire, btw.

I saw a GP but then was I referred to a Gyno. Angelchrome What part of Cambridgeshire are you moving to?

My friend was diagnosed with PCOS and she was referred to an endocronoligist from her GP. She's getting great care. She's on metformin and was taking orlistat (prescription alli).  She's lost a ton of weight and has regular periods again.  She feels much better. 

When I was finally diagnosed with PCOS I was given Orlistat but it never seemed to work for me so they had me stop taking it. I have lost 67 lbs by doing the LO GI diet, Taking Metformin with every meal it took a while before they got the dosage right of my Metformin for me, I also go to the gym 4 days a week usually 2 1/2 hours per session my gym routine is brutal. My weight loss took a long time but my trainer & Dietitan said the slow & steady way is the best way to maintain my weight loss long term. I do feel sooo much better for losing the weight I have lost & I do have more regular periods for the most part I occasionally miss one here & there but that doesn't happen that often thankfully.

I'll be in Cherry Hinton (a bit SE of Cambridge.)

I've lost 76lbs all by myself working at it slowly for 2 1/2 years. It's slow going but it's staying off, which is what I need.

I have PCOS and was very happy with my treatment.  I just worked with my GP, but got the same stuff here as in the states.  I didn't have any problem getting metformin and birth control.  There were some questions when I got pregnant the first time about if I should stay on the Metformin or not  (I really wanted to as it appears to lower miscarriage risk significantly, my GP was a little nervous), so he consulted with specialists about it, and they agreed I should remain on it during at least the first trimester.  I'm now on my second pregnancy and doing well.

I haven't had as much response to my insulin resistance though.  It was well-understood where I lived in the States.  Here the docs know what it is, but the tests on the NHS in my area aren't really sensitive enough to pick it up.  That's actually when I got my PCOS diagnosis, and where the doc was nervous about prescribing Metformin when he couldn't confirm a diagnosis of insulin resistance, he didn't hesitate to give me the same treatments for PCOS, so I ended up being covered either way.

I'll be in Cherry Hinton (a bit SE of Cambridge.)

I've lost 76lbs all by myself working at it slowly for 2 1/2 years. It's slow going but it's staying off, which is what I need.

Congrats on losing 76lbs!!    

My weight loss has taken me nearly 10 months of going to the gym for 2 1/2 hours per session 4 days a week, the LO GI diet, finally getting the right dosage of Metformin with every meal. I don't work so hubby call the gym my part time job cause I'm there soo much. I'm only allowed 1 cheat day a week an hubby makes sure I don't stray from it either he is my Drill Sergeant lol.     Thankfully he is very supportive!!        

I don't have PCOS, but I do have breast problems (periductal mastitis) and have received excellent care from the breast clinic at our local hospital once I was referred there. (Just FYI, since you mentioned the NHS and women's issues.) I found that they were extremely helpful and kind, I had a severe infection and was seen by a specialist in one week, with weekly appointments with the same specialist until things started to improve (3 weekly appointments overall I have had so far with a follow-up in a month for another ultrasound). I was pleased with the care I received overall.

I have PCOS and have found that the NHS here has been great dealing with
it. I have a thyroid condition that was part of the PCOS and I am on levothyroxine
and I am on birth control to help me have my periods. I talked to my doctor about my PCOS and getting pregnant. And he listened and gave me a few suggestions and said when we were ready to pursue it to let him know and he would advise us. I regularly have a blood test every 3 months for my PCOS/ Thyroid and they have been
very good and attentive at looking at my blood test results and adjusting
my meds accordingly. As the nurse knows we are going to try to get pregnant
next year she has been giving me advice on what I need to prepare and also
telling me what other bloodtests I need. I have found them very helpful. If you go to a doctor here and you don't think that they are right for you or are taking your
situation seriously ask to see another doctor. You have the right to.
Good luck

I know this thread is old but...

has anyone here with PCOS used Dianette?  Did they find it helpful for controlling symptoms?

Thanks
 

I haven't used that particular drug, but was trying other oral contraceptives to help manage cramps, etc.  Unfortunately, I have problems with hormone-related migraines, and so being on the pill made them much worse. 

Are you taking metformin?  I found that after 2-3 months of taking that regularly, my periods were much easier.  Plus, because it's helping control insulin levels, it can also help with weight, if that's a concern.