Wellness

[chickadee]

On 3/27/2014 chrystaltree said:

Your doctor doesn't listen to you and dismisses your concerns......and yet....he's still your doctor? Why?

He mostly dismisses "womens" stuff. I have a few doctors since I have several chronic conditions, so it is really frustrating going to the primary care doctor for something else. I'm not sure if he's just passing the buck to one of my other doctors - assuming that what I'm describing is part of what's normal for the arthritis, or the diabetes, pcos, asthma, tmj, etc, or a womans thing like PMS.

This dismissing of vague symptoms has gotten worse now that I'm older and things are "to be expected" for women my age. Sometimes I do feel like a hypochondriac when I go in and mention things like flushing or just "feeling weird" or sometimes "floaty" or "prickly". Or other bizarre things and I leave there feeling like a lunatic. I'm sure my chart reads "cuckoo for cocoa puffs". I wonder if that is an official diagnostic code?

Which is why coming here helped, because I could ask about others actual experience with hot flashes and now I know that, NO, what I'm experiencing are not normal hot flashes (to be dismissed by my doctor as normal for my age). So yes I'm going to follow up with my endocrinologist about it.

I wish I knew more people in my area who could actually recommend a good primary doctor. I'm kind of homebound in real life, so I'm not connected to people to give me good references. I guess that's the main reason I haven't changed doctors...no idea where to start.

[thrifty]

It might be Erythromelalgia. I get it on my face, the palms of my hands and the bottom of both feet. Where these areas heat up, turn red and stay that way for hours. There is no cure but certain pain meds or meds that are normally for bi-polar or depression can help. Those type of meds have been proven to help with chronic pain. Good luck. It took me years of seeing specialists before anyone knew what was causing it. There is no nerve test or blood test for this, that is why it can take so long to find anyone in the med world that knows what is going on with your body.

[gacat123]

I am having good luck with a young woman doctor, general family medicine. She is easy to talk with about anything and she takes me quite seriously. I see her about every six months whether I want to or not to keep my cholesterol levels/medication in check. I would find another doctor if this one was not working out. The doctor works for you and with you!

I have a nice quiet box fan right by my side of the bed which has helped a lot.

Hope you are able to find out what is going on and get to feeling better soon.

CAT

[wagirl]

Find a new doctor----someone who deals with womens issues and if you can afford it or your insurance will cover it, find an intergrative dr or naturopath. My DD has PCOS so I know what you are going thru altho she is in her mid 30's. And let me just say this----no symptoms relating to peri menopause or menopause is weird. We are all different and symptoms are going to be different. Make some calls and maybe even interview a few drs. Use Google too. Good luck!!

[jlkz]

If a doctor doesn't listen and then get clarification on your symptom, test for other possibilities, and most importantly, ask what is going on around you,then YOU NÉED another doctor. I wish you could find one like mine--she's phenomenal.

[ninjasmom]

I have had the worst peri and meno! All kinds of weird symptoms.Thank goodness it is almost over.I got the most help from a pyche nurse practioner.She is so kind and went throught the same things i did. There are so many symtoms and they are different for everyone.I use an otc progesterone cream at night and that has helped a lot.Also I am on a low dose antidepressive.You may also consider your vitamin d levels.

I take 75 mg effexor.single dose progesterine cream and 1000 units of vit d.After MUCH trial and error I am feeling pretty ""normal "" thses days.

Good Luck.It can be a difficult time.

[tends2dogs]

Did these hot flashes begin when you discontinued the natural progesterone? If you have elevated levels of estrogen and it isn't being balanced with the progesterone anymore, this could be the cause of them. It does sound as though you need a thorough check up and that you are going to do that. As far as a PCP, I would ask everyone that I know and trust who they go to and what their experience is. If people are happy with their doctor, PA, etc., they should be happy to share this with you.

All the best to you.

[nlwilliams]

Everyone's experience is different, if you have questions you really need to see your doctor. Good luck.

[Annabellethecat66]

I agree that you need a new Dr. When you get a new Dr you will think, "Hummm! This is the way it should be".

However, you should also get your thyroid checked. A lot of people don't realize that hot flashes amd menopause doesn't start overnight. It is a gradual thing over a period of time.

There are several things (I doubt that it's just one problem) that you could have going on. A good Dr will work with you until the two of you come up for a course of treatment (it might only be a life style change).

Please don't let anyone (especially a Dr) just convince you it's all in your head. I have always taught my daughters that it's their body. They live in it. Listen to your body and do what YOU think is best. In the end that's what matters. No one is inside but you.

My Endochronologist (sp) tells me that there are actually around 38% of women who have some type of thyroid issues. Most of them never even know it.

An example of this is I have to have 1/2 of my thyroid removed. My daughter will have 1/2 of her thyroid removed next month. My other daughter will eventually have to have some part of her's removed.

This same daughter has friends who (2 of them) have had operations on their thyroid. See what I mean about the thyroid?

[ChynnaBlue]

"I tried mentioning it to my doctor the last time I was there, but he just dismissed it. He's good at that, so I feel really dumb mentioning anything to him anymore. "

You absolutely need to find a new doctor. Was this a primary care physician or an 0B/GYN? I'd go see the 0B/GYN if you think it's perimenopause. Male doctors are more likely to disregard a woman's worries (nothing against male doctors, that's just a fact - even some female doctors do it), so I would look for a female doctor.

I recently had a male doctor try to mansplain birth control pill drug interactions to me, even thought I was in for a sinus infection and had already told him I was not currently using the birth control pill. Even if I had been, I'm pretty sure that I've had a lot more experience with birth control pills than he has, given that I'm a 44 year old woman who has never been pregnant and he was a 30-something man.

Also, seriously QVC forums, why is the accepted abbreviation for obstetrician not allowed?? I had to use a zero.