Advice on Dealing with Doctors

TowerClimbersWife · November 2014

Hi All,

I'm feeling let down by my health care providers after my recent MC experience. I know that they cannot do anything to prevent a MC, but I do not feel I got the care and attention that was warranted, even though I let them know about my concerns and requests.

Rewind almost a year I chose a new OBGYN office to go to. I went to them with hormone tests from a naturopath doctor I had seen a few months prior. The testing showed I have naturally low progesterone. She diagnosed me with Estrogen Dominance. A diagnosis of Estrogen Dominance is somewhat controversial in "regular" doctor circles. I had a family doctor who was on board with the diagnosis and suggested progesterone cream during the second half of my cycle. Wow did it help!! I had some fairly severe symptoms that troubled me and the cream helped alleviate them. When I went to the new OB office the doctor there completely dismissed the progesterone levels and said she was not concerned with them and to not use the cream. I continued to use it regardless of her opinion because it helped me feel better.

Coming back into the present... When I found out I had a + test I called right away. I asked about my progesterone levels an the receptionist said she would have a nurse call me. By the time I heard from the nurse I had been experiencing bleeding. The nurse ordered blood work. I asked about progesterone and she said they don't test for progesterone automatically. WTF? I made note of my test results that I provided to the Dr. during my last appointment and she dismissed the concern. Through two blood draws my hCG levels increased so that was great. By the time the third draw came around they had dropped and I was having heavy bleeding. At no point did the nurse order a progesterone level check even though I requested it. They said they don't test any hormones other than hCG unless there has been 3 miscarriages.

Here is my issue. There a total of 2 OBGYN options in my area. I already KNOW I have a low progesterone issue, but the family doctor I saw who agrees with my diagnosis is no longer working in family practice and is not doing any OB work. He is doing a holistic practice, which I can go to and pay out of pocket. I'm sure he will do hormone testing for me, but I'm unsure that any of the OB offices will respect the results and treat me accordingly.

Though I'm sure that no one has had my exact experience, I'm interested in hearing about how you were able to advocate for yourself through TTGP & Pregnancy. At this point I don't know what more I can do to get these women to take my concerns seriously before I have multiple miscarriages. I understand that if I were a typical healthy person that my office sees miscarriage as a somewhat normal and not a super noteworthy medical event, but I KNOW I have other issues going on and am trying to be proactive, but no doctors are taking the information I have seriously and none are willing to help me be preventative.

Thanks in advance!

Edit for clarity.

flyoffeve · November 2014

I have no advice. Just wanted to offer my experience that my OB will not do any further testing on me until [if] I have a third mc. I know I have vitamin deficiencies in vitamins D and B12.

When you say there are 2 offices are you referring to this new one and the holistic one? That is a decision only you can make, however, I understand your frustration with this new office. It does seem to be standard practice to just test beta levels and go. I learned more on this board than I ever did from the OB- it was just blood test and go.

Also, I realize it was not intentional or malicious, but your comment about a mc being somewhat normal in a typical healthy woman hurt.

Edit: words

Charmndmom · November 2014

I am so sorry to hear that. I am at an OBGYN that automatically checks it, and to be honest, I think goes a little overboard with prescribing progesterone injections. However, at least they check from the beginning. One should not have to wait until one has MC to get good care! Every baby is precious. Sadly, we still lost our little one, so it might have had nothing to do with your progesterone levels. I know that the lab at my OB (Pope Paul the VI Institute in Omaha) takes samples that are mailed in from all over the country. They are one of the few out there that really take seriously low progesterone levels. You could have your sample sent to here in the future if you doctor refuses to take them still next time around!

TowerClimbersWife · November 2014

flyoffeve said:
Also, I realize it was not intentional or malicious, but your comment about a mc being somewhat normal in a typical healthy woman hurt.
Edit: words

Thanks for calling attention to that. I'll make an edit. I wasn't saying that I think it is normal, I was more meaning that OBGYN offices seem to take the attitude that miscarriage is considered normal due to the statistics that many women experience them. I'll make the change.

Nikolie93 · November 2014

I had the same experience as flyoffeve whereas my OB didn't recommend I see a specialist after my 2nd MC. She stated that specialists are normally seen after 3 or even 4 MC's. Of course I felt that more could have been done, especially since I just had my 3rd. I got no special testing done after my 1st or 2nd.

I know that it's frustrating and I know that you want to get answers as soon as possible but it just doesn't seem like they do much until 3+ because they are so common.

I have no experience with holistic medicine so I am not sure if your OB would take those results into consideration.

I am sorry *hug*

KingLED · November 2014

Was your progesterone checked at 7dpo when you were told you had a problem?

I'm sorry you're not feeling confident in your doctors right now. I would definitely try a little harder to advocate for yourself with your OB and let them know that you really would like it to be checked early next time. Unfortunately a lot of OBs aren't convinced that progesterone levels alone are a problem a lot of times. It takes some pressure. Good luck.

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