where the moon shines

A few posts down, I mentioned having really bad headaches while I was on the pill. The pill is used as some sort of hormone replacement therapy for my PCOS. On my first check up after a month of taking the pill, I told my doctor about the 2-day headache I endured the weekend before and the pain in my breasts too. She did acknowledge that those were known side-effects of the pill and the proceeded to give me tips so I can avoid getting them. We agreed to go through another month with the same pill. If the headaches returned, we’ll change it.

Boy did they come back.

So I went to see the doc again the week before last. She wasn’t in and I had to see a substitute. That was not a good experience. Really. I went to the hospital early (as in 9AM-ish) so I wouldn’t have to wait in a long queue at the Medicard clinic. It took about 3 minutes to get the slip and I proceeded to Dr E’s clinic where I was told that she wasn’t in that day and was in a convention. If I wanted, I could see the substitute or I can wait until the following Monday to see Dr. E. The sub was to come in at 11am til 3pm. Since I was already 4 days into my period that day, I knew that I could not wait until Monday in case the doctor advises me to take the third cycle of pills. I would have to wait for the next month to start on the next cycle. I didn’t want to delay it any further so I decided to see the sub.

Instead of waiting at the clinic, I went to see my nephew attending a Vacation Bible School class in our church right next to the hospital. Promptly at 11, I was back at the clinic but the sub wasn’t there. It took several calls to her clinic, and a full hour, for her to come in. By then, there were three patients waiting and I was very sleepy. I had shift the night before and came straight from work. I was drowsing off at the waiting area!

She sauntered in. Listened to me a bit. Prescribed Metformin for three months. Said to come back for a TVS order after the medication. Wrote up a medical certificate for me (for work). All done in less than five minutes. I didn’t even get her name!

I was happy she took me off the pill (though Alfred ain’t too happy about it, hehe). But I felt that the whole consultation was rushed. Seriously. I don’t doubt that she’s a nice, competent doctor and all, but I waited hours to see her. KWIM?

I felt that way too when I first went to see Dr E – rushed. I thought, maybe it’s because I don’t pay her (the HMO does)? Or maybe it’s because she has too see more patients? But on my second visit, my perception of her changed. She did remember my case and seemed to have been paying attention after all.

Have you had similar experiences with doctors? My OB five years ago was very very nice, even the subs I had to see when she was out. I hadn’t had to see any other doctor on a regular basis aside from my pediatrician Dr. Lopez of St. Luke’s. He and his assistant are very nice people. All the doctors I’ve had to see at the ER are ok too. Eye doctors, Medicard clinic doctors, all ok. I guess I’m just not used to that.

Anyway, I had no intention to rant.

I didn’t purchase Metformin until last week. I am familiar with it because my second OB (the nice one from 5 years ago) prescribed that for me along with pills (which I didn’t have a negative reaction to). I only regularly took it in the prescribed dose yesterday. Bad me.

My mom saw the bag of Metformin yesterday and looked it up on the Internet. Reading what was here gave her a scare, I think. I assured her last night that I took Metformin for three months years ago with no side effects so I should be okay this time around too. I went through the info on the site though and it’s better to just be aware of those, just in case.

Last night and all through this morning, I had a very bad headache. This is the third month it’s been like that. I’ll swing by my doctor’s office tomorrow because I don’t want that again next month. The pill has got to be changed.

I started feeling the headache coming up while I was singing along to the videoke at my aunt and cousin’s birthday bash yesterday, probably at around 4pm. I blamed it on the fact that I hadn’t had a wink of sleep since getting up for work the previous night. I went back and took a dip in the pool and had my little nephews massage my head a bit. The shower after seem to have given me some comfort – but not for long.

The pain became a little stronger on the trip home, specially when I had to sleep at an uncomfortable position, having to share the backseat with three other sleeping boys – AJ 3, Esban 6, and Adam 7.

I had a temporary reprieve from pain when we stopped for a light dinner at McDonald’s and I bought a cooling Starbucks frappuccino next door. I didn’t sleep the rest of the way home, my nephews wanted to sing. It was straight to bed as soon as we arrived home at around
9pm. I didn’t even bother to download the few pictures I managed to take. I woke up several times through the night with the pain really giving me a hard time, and the heat making matters worse. Medication wasn’t something I wanted to resort to at that point, I was determined that sleep was all I needed. But at 6 in the morning – it was just unbearable. My mom said I should just take the meds, or go to the hospital. I took the pain medication and my dad used this massaging contraption on me. There was temporary relief with that, but the pain came back as soon as it stopped. I waited about 15 minutes but the nagging pain was still there. I felt like throwing up and remembered what the ER doctor told me last time: if I threw up, I had to go back and see them. No. So I went back to sleep.

At 10AM, I woke up and the headache was gone. I was still feeling heavy. When I went to the john, I saw a small brownish spot. All that pain for that!

I swear I feel it coming back right now. It’s like it’s lurking. Like the medicine temporarily numbed me to it but it’s still there. It’s not supposed to come back though, the doctor said the medicine has a 24-hour effect. I’ve only had it in my body for a little more than 12 hours.

Please, I don’t want anymore of it.

So I went to see my doctor before coming to work today. As it turned out, I need three cycles of Althea so I started on my second cycle today. I complained about the pain in my breasts which I suspected were side effects of the pill, and she confirmed it. I also told her about the terrible headaches I had the first two days of my menses. As is turns out, though she didn’t directly say it, the headaches may actually be another side effect of the pill.

She gave me tips to avoid the headaches before my next cycle. If the headaches persist, I am to see her again to discontinue the pill. My guess is she’ll have to change it then. I am not looking forward to the boob and head pains

In fairness, the bleeding isn’t as bad as the last two months’. It still flows heavily, but only during the first 2 days really. Yesterday’s and today’s flow seem to be just normal. That really is the main concern.

I also happily reported to her that I’ve lost about 5 pounds since she last saw me. She says she’s looking forward to another 5 off next time I go back. We’ll see.

Which reminds me, I’m not even sure if I’ve managed to keep the 5 off, if they’ve come back, or if I’ve lost a couple more. I have not seen Marie for awhile.

I’ve so far received comments about my PCOS post that have given me more information than I’ve probably received from the doctors I’ve consulted with. Don’t get me wrong though, I have no doubt that all three ob-gyne doctors are professionals and know what they’re doing, I just didn’t have it in me to ask a lot of questions. That would have to change.

First was from PCOS in ConnecTion:

QUOTE from another source: but the condition stems from a disruption in the
monthly reproductive cycle. NOTE: This is not true. Not all women with PCOS have
issues with their cycles. This is a symptom to the underlying cause of insulin
response issues. It is a common symptom but not a necessary one to have
PCOS.

QUOTE: The name polycystic ovary syndrome comes from the appearance of the
ovaries in some women with the disorder — large and studded with numerous cysts
(polycystic).NOTE: This is true based on information from the 1930′s. Today we
know better although the name is stuck. PCOS is also refereed to as Syndrome O

When I thanked her for the information, she responded and even offered to answer any questions I may have. I also found links to her site. From there, I also saw a link to a blogsite for PCOS support: http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php Looks like I’ll be picking up loads of information from on there, so I’ll surely be back.

Jeffrey Dach MD said…

The fundamental problem with PCOS is anovulation and not making progesterone for two weeks every cycle. This lack of progesterone leads to hormonal imbalance in the ovary, causes the ovary to produce testosterone and leads to the irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. This is aggravated by obesity and insulin resistance.Progesterone is missing, therefore replacing it makes sense.

To read more, click here: Understanding PCOS the Hidden Epidemic

So I hopped on over to the site and read about how Birth control pills, which I will be taking in less than a week, also have risk factors. He talked about natural progesterone as a form of treatment, I wonder if that’s available to me? The thing is, do I have the guts to even bring this up to my new doctor?

I saw Dr E again, the same one I went to see yesterday. It was a quick visit today though, in and out in less than 15 minutes.

My CBC numbers were normal so I’m all good now. She ordered the test because I bled profusely on Saturday, and the blood just kept on gushing until yesterday when I finally started taking the meds she prescribed. I first med Dr E on the first Saturday of this year. I went because I’ve been bleeding for about two weeks and was starting to have heavier flow. A TVS was ordered, and thank God for Medicard for covering that too. When I went back to see her the following Monday, my endometrium lining was thin. I don’t exactly know what that implies, but the meds she prescribed depended on the information.

I took Primolut N for 3x a day, for the next 10 days.

I stopped bleeding on the the third day of medication. On the 12th day, I started bleeding again. I was surprised at the time; I was feeling woozy all of a sudden. A trip to the ladies’ room had me seeing red. Dr E confirmed it was expected; the cycle, I mean. Though I bled that day, it wasn’t heavy. Spotting, that’s it. Then this last Saturday, it just flowed.

The 26th was my father’s birthday. We were to have a family lunch over at SteakTown. I was at work and forgot about time, it didn’t help that my cell’s battery was already drained. By 1215, my family was waiting for me in the restaurant and I abruptly decided to just up and leave. Boyf wanted to come, but his shift just started at 9 that morning. I dropped by his station on my out, egging him to take etime and have lunch with us. I knew it wasn’t possible though. While we were talking, him sitting down, me standing in front of him, I felt it. I was wearing cream colored pants and knew it would stain. It was more than what I expected. Blood just dripped right through to my feet. Because the pant legs were quite loose, the blood didn’t stain all over as it travelled through my legs.

I asked boyf to go on personal aux, he quickly informed his boss who seemed to have understood the gravity of our situation and authorized his logout. Meantime, I rushed to the ladies’ room too and tried to tidy up as best I could. Boyf borrowed a blanket for me so I could cover up and escape without too many eyes spying on my situation. I could tell he was worried, heck I was worried too. It was unexpected, but in a way, I knew it was coming.

Boyf took me home and he went back to work. I didn’t join the family at lunch but they did bring home my steak and salad. I did a bit more work before the 4pm deadline, and then went to sleep. I had originally intended to go see Dr E, but I was exhausted and light headed.

3 hours later, my mom woke me up because I was soaking yet again. As I was 3 hours later, and 3 hours after that. I stayed home that night, I couldn’t go to work.

As it turns out, I was supposed to have been put on the pill again for hormone replacement. We’ll start on the next cycle.

Now I’m on Hemostan and I think that’s why the bleeding isn’t as bad anymore. I was actually confident to go out today without fear of seeing red all over again. I will take it for 2 more days and I think the bleeding is supposed to stop. Starting February 9, I will take another cycle of Primolut N, this time twice daily. When I bleed again approximately 2 days after my last Primolut, I will take oral contraceptive pills starting on Day 2 of menses.

I guess the most important thing I heard today from Dr E was this: Mag reduce ka ha. Yung hormone replacement after awhile babalik din yan unless magbawas ka talaga.

I knew that 5.5 years ago. I’ve known all along that the only real solution would be to be fit and healthy. To shed off all the excess baggage. In a way, I didn’t see any OB-GYN for so long beacuse I knew that was it. If I really wanted to be PCOS-free, I must lose the weight.

I’ll have to see my good ol’ friend Marie three times this week…