When is it time to see a doctor?
WARNING: This post will mostly about my PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and may not be appropriate for some readers.
So as I have stated previously, last October I was diagnosed with PCOS. In my case, this means I have high levels of testosterone for a woman, have (possibly) multiple cysts on my ovaries, and acne that is hard to control. It also means that when I do decide to start having children, this may be very difficult for me depending on my health and weight. Before going on birth control, my periods were very irregular and now I can predict them to the day and they only last 4-5 days, which is super nice!
When I was diagnosed with PCOS in October, based off of my current symptoms and blood work, the doctor basically said she did not need to do an ultra sound to tell that I had cysts on my ovaries. I recognized that during key parts of my menstrual cycle, I would feel slight discomfort in what would feel like my left ovary. The doctor said that there is really not much they could do about the cysts if she saw them. So, they are just there I guess. She explained that all though she doubted it would happen, I would only want to have them checked out if I was experiencing prolonged pain and discomfort.
For the past couple months, every couple weeks or so, I have been experiencing slightly more intense pain in my "ovarian" region. Am I just spooked now that I know I probably have cysts there? It seemed to first start when I experienced a sensation that made it feel as though my pulse had been amplified. It was freaking me out more than it hurt because it was as if a tiny baby was kicking me in my left ovary. I could not think and had to take a moment to just breathe.
This past week, I can say I experienced real pain in my ovaries for about a day every time I bent over to sit or pick something up. It was as if the fat from my stomach was putting unwanted pressure on my ovary. I tried calling several places that were in my insurance network, but all of them had nothing open for two weeks. So I have yet to make an appointment with a women's doctor.
(By the way, I got a letter from the clinic I had gone to before which is a little ways south from where I live now and the doctor I saw is no longer there.)
The pain went away and now I am back to wondering whether it is even worth me going to see a doctor now. Do any of you ever have that issue where you just cannot decide if what you are feeling is worth going to see the doctor?
I used to be on my parents insurance and never really had to worry about medical bills. Now I am using my companies insurance (the first time on my own) and have a health savings account. I am still kind of trying to get a handle on how everything works, but it has made me more hesitant to see a doctor than it would be normally.
Does anyone else have a health savings account? Do you like it? Should I make an appointment? From what I heard, the most they could do for my ovaries if I cannot take the pain of the cysts would be to remove them surgically, but I also heard that this could put my ovaries in higher risk so I feel that this is not an option.
I am confused because I would want to see a doctor, but I just fear that there is nothing that they will be able to do for me and I will just be wasting my money. What do you think? I kind of want to take a poll on this.
So as I have stated previously, last October I was diagnosed with PCOS. In my case, this means I have high levels of testosterone for a woman, have (possibly) multiple cysts on my ovaries, and acne that is hard to control. It also means that when I do decide to start having children, this may be very difficult for me depending on my health and weight. Before going on birth control, my periods were very irregular and now I can predict them to the day and they only last 4-5 days, which is super nice!
When I was diagnosed with PCOS in October, based off of my current symptoms and blood work, the doctor basically said she did not need to do an ultra sound to tell that I had cysts on my ovaries. I recognized that during key parts of my menstrual cycle, I would feel slight discomfort in what would feel like my left ovary. The doctor said that there is really not much they could do about the cysts if she saw them. So, they are just there I guess. She explained that all though she doubted it would happen, I would only want to have them checked out if I was experiencing prolonged pain and discomfort.
For the past couple months, every couple weeks or so, I have been experiencing slightly more intense pain in my "ovarian" region. Am I just spooked now that I know I probably have cysts there? It seemed to first start when I experienced a sensation that made it feel as though my pulse had been amplified. It was freaking me out more than it hurt because it was as if a tiny baby was kicking me in my left ovary. I could not think and had to take a moment to just breathe.
This past week, I can say I experienced real pain in my ovaries for about a day every time I bent over to sit or pick something up. It was as if the fat from my stomach was putting unwanted pressure on my ovary. I tried calling several places that were in my insurance network, but all of them had nothing open for two weeks. So I have yet to make an appointment with a women's doctor.
(By the way, I got a letter from the clinic I had gone to before which is a little ways south from where I live now and the doctor I saw is no longer there.)
The pain went away and now I am back to wondering whether it is even worth me going to see a doctor now. Do any of you ever have that issue where you just cannot decide if what you are feeling is worth going to see the doctor?
I used to be on my parents insurance and never really had to worry about medical bills. Now I am using my companies insurance (the first time on my own) and have a health savings account. I am still kind of trying to get a handle on how everything works, but it has made me more hesitant to see a doctor than it would be normally.
Does anyone else have a health savings account? Do you like it? Should I make an appointment? From what I heard, the most they could do for my ovaries if I cannot take the pain of the cysts would be to remove them surgically, but I also heard that this could put my ovaries in higher risk so I feel that this is not an option.
I am confused because I would want to see a doctor, but I just fear that there is nothing that they will be able to do for me and I will just be wasting my money. What do you think? I kind of want to take a poll on this.
My advice...See your doctor! Bring a detailed journal of your experience describing the pain like, on a scale of 0-10 how bad is the pain, what seems to make it worse, make it better, is it radiating or pinpoint, dull or sharp, throbbing? constant? intermittent? Good luck, and make an appointment even if it's for two weeks from now. In 2 weeks time, if you don't feel any pain, you could probably go without an appointment.
ReplyDeleteI second what Diane said. Also, I add that after you make the appointment call back often (maybe even daily) to see if there are any cancellations and if they can get you in earlier. Good luck sis! Love ya!
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