Posted by Paulette on March 27, 2001, at 19:40:00
In reply to Re: sarafem? New/frustrated w/doc/misdiagnosed?, posted by Mo on March 24, 2001, at 11:45:43
> Hi,
>
> I'm new and would appreciate help from the experts (you!).
>
> Over the last couple of years I've slowly developed symptoms related to my cycles. They include physical ones and social ones. I'm generally a happy person, have a great husband, family, life, etc. and have no reason to complain. My doc, however, has always been the type that doesn't really listen; he just dictates to you what his prescribed program is w/no alternatives. I'm in my mid-40s now and don't need him anymore for his well-known OB skills.
>
> I finally went to him w/complaints after hearing from my friends about the relief they received w/hormones-all women w/in about 5 years of menopause. I had what people told me were textbook symptoms of wacko hormone levels: acne, vaginal dryness, decreased drive, crankiness, etc. Yes, the symptoms were cyclical. I had complained before about things-the dryness for example. Even tho the lab said I had no infection he treated me for one anyway, not offering any other possible explanation, even after I proposed hormone imbalances due to my age.
> >
> > I've had more pronounced symptions the past few months so I saw the doc this week. He asked me what my symptoms were-I told him the above, plus some memory issues and mood swings. Some of the physical ailments he did NOT write down, but he did write all the "social" ones. He then wrote a scrip for Sarafem, said I had pmdd, and ordered a blood test for hormones. I asked if he'd change the scrip if the hormone levels came back funny. He said my hormone levels would NOT be off. There was no thyroid test, no questions about any other health issues (previous bouts w/endometriosis), but he did ask if I had "things" going on in my life "of concern to me". I said no-life was great! (This visit lasted about 4 minutes total!)
> >
> > It was then that I did more research on sarafem and pmdd. It appears to be classified as a psychiatric condition, which I don't think I have;I have many physical symptoms not being addressed. I'm also concerned about the doc's approach....needless to say I think I'll be switching. I think I'm in pre-menopause and need hormones; he quickly says pmdd and your mood will be better. Ok, so what about the other issues?
> >
> > What do you think? I would appreciate ANY comments whatsoever. I'm not filling the scrip until I'm comfortable that I'm on a path I truly should be on. Thank you for any input you may have!
> > MoYes Mo, PMDD is more than just psycosocial problems...I have found that the physical problems related to my PMDD cause the emotional ones to be more severe. If the doctor is not listening...then you should find another...I made mine listen by tracking every single day how I was feeling physically and emotionally..then compared the 2 months side by side to days of my cycle and low and behold am able to calculate the good from the bad and when the good start and when they end. He finally listened to that...you have to be persistant, and find one who cares...
Good luck!
poster:Paulette
thread:3315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/57713.html