Working in modern day medicine, I have become disenchanted with the way chronic and complicated cases are handled. As a woman working on her healing journey with PCOS, I feel like there is a better way.
There are a lot of things I have seen, but even with my working knowledge, I have even been treated in a similar way.
Have you ever been told to take a medication just because of your diagnosis?
I know I have! I was told to get back onto birth control.
I had regular cycles. I was told that because I had PCOS, it would be a good idea to get back on them.
This was 1 year post pregnancy and we were planning to have more children at that time. I was not educated on why it would be important, and my lab results did not show a need for it.
Maybe you have had this one happen to you too...my physician wanted to up a medication strength.
It was based on my weight...again post pregnancy. I had labs taken, but at no point were the labs considered in the decision making process. Had the lab results reflected the need for this, I would have complied.
To me, this sounds like textbook protocols. Last time I checked...which I can attest to as something that happens with orthopedic injuries...we are all made different. There is not one cookie cutter approach that works on all people.
After receiving my lab results, I knew I had to start doing my own homework on my PCOS!
Here are some more thoughts on the Bandage Approach…
My PCOS was not just an inherited condition I would have to live with for the rest of my life. I did not have to allow it to progress and become worse over time.
I did not need to be on these masking agents just to keep my symptoms at bay.
It was something that I could work on. I could make improvements by better understanding my body, what supports it, what hinders it, and how to get it to and beyond the wellness line.
Thereby improving my quality of life and becoming less symptomatic or even asymptomatic (being asymptomatic does not mean I am healed...I can go right back into the condition by going back to my old lifestyle).
Health is something that I hold a great value in. Something that we all deserve. It is something that many of us do not realize we can have.
It is simple to achieve, but it is not necessarily easy. I promise you, the alternate path is well worth taking. Your quality of life is waiting for you!
Allow me the opportunity to support you along the way. Here is a way to grab my free guide on how I Thrive with PCOS.
You are in the driver’s seat and should always be allowed to rip the bandage off when your body truly thrives!
You are worthy,
Terra
I see this a lot. Today it really triggered me when I saw another Cyster practically crying in her post today.
A patient asking for help, struggling with a painful symptom and she was being made to feel horrible about it. In what world did all of those letters after a name give someone the power to belittle and mistreat someone!
The gold standard for all issues cycle related is the birth control pill or some form of cycle control through shots and inserted items. If that is your jam, by all means do the thing you feel comfortable with. What I struggle with is when someone would like other options.
Also at what point does it become okay to not only tell the patient that the doctor that diagnosed her was an idiot and has them on the wrong course of action. All without reviewing the testing that was done and truly listening to the patient about her concern. To top it all off, no testing was done on this patient!!!
As someone with letters after her name, I know for a fact that there is more than one approach to all things medical. However, many of us are limited by how we are trained, taught, and have experienced.
Our limited scope does not incline us to make someone feel bad because we do not understand it. That also does not mean that we get to be nasty about it.
Wishing you health with grace and ease,
Terra
When did working in the medical field cease to be a service and become an absolute approach? Did everyone’s bodies suddenly become the same?
I had a similar experience once when I saw my new Endocrinologist...I loved my old one, but he left the office I was going to. She told me I either needed to take the Metformin or she could not help me. At least she was honest, but was nasty about it. So needless to say I have not been back.
Now we are all human and maybe sometimes our physicians are overworked, stressed, and working in a way that they are personally struggling. I believe that is an option too.
I know I have had those days too. I have made mistakes in my years of practicing sports medicine. Which is why I am thankful for coworkers that are able to put fresh eyes on a situation.
What I am not okay with is making people feel like they are crazy or stupid.
I write this so that if any of my other Cysters out there (or anyone as a matter of fact) are struggling to be heard by their physician, please know that you are allowed to feel comfortable with the care offered to you. You deserve options. You deserve to understand the risks. You deserve to be heard.
If you go through this, know that I feel for you and this is not okay. If you have a friend or family member go through this, listen to them. Let them air it all out. Then let them know that it is okay for them to seek out other options. Even if you do not agree with them on how they feel.
We are all entitled to medical treatment that fits our comfort level. Nothing should be forced on us...period!
