I’m now 65, turning 66 in July. I’ve been a medical complex case all my life and typically don’t respond the way is expected to treatment. I joke I’m a frequent flyer in the medical system- Nissen fundoplication, septic and a ruptured stomach, hearing loss, repetitive strain injury, arthritis in my feet, c section, hysterectomy and ovary removal, diabetic, COPD, thyroid issues, etc.
I had polycystic ovaries and found out by chance when an endocrinologist in Victoria told me that my health complaints were because of PCO. I remember being shocked as no one had ever told me I had that. I don’t recall the exact date, but I would have been in my 30s when I found this out. It was in my medical chart, but no one had told me and that was before it was normal to get copies of medical lab work or tests or consultations.
I had one pregnancy after a trial of Prednisone at the University of Alberta. They overdosed me and my breasts grew several sizes after the treatment until they gave me meds, and my ovaries enlarged to grapefruit before the pregnasone left my body. Before, during or after the trial they never told me of potential complications as far as I remember. It was only when I ran into issues and called them, did they then prescribe medications and tell me what to do. I felt blindsided and unprepared. The month following the trial I had my only ovulation and got pregnant. My son is now 38.
My GP convinced me to travel to Vancouver to Dr. Prior as he had sent other patients to her and had had excellent outcomes. I had promised my GP to go on HRT after my hysterectomy (including ovaries removed) in my 30s. I had bled every day for a year before the surgeon agreed to the hysterectomy. He removed a tumor on my left ovary (bone, hair, teeth) at the same time.
My GP couldn’t get the HRT balanced so I came to see Dr. Prior. I remember her telling me that had they dealt with my higher blood sugar, the PCO would have resolved, and I wouldn’t have needed the hysterectomy. She said I could feel angry for the surgery. Honestly, I’ve never looked backwards on the surgery because the bleeding was horrendous. It was a blessing when it stopped. I laughed as I passed on my industrial sized box of menstrual pads to my sister. It was wonderful not having to always have a change of underwear and many tampons/pads with me.
Dr. Prior changed the estrogen and reduced it to half a patch if I recall. She gave me progesterone (300) and made a few other changes. What I recall that was so important is that I could email her and she would tell me what blood tests I should get, and what we should do if the results were x or y. My GP appreciated her guidance.
I remember her advice that I had to stop the estrogen when I turned 50 and I was petrified to change anything. I did the slowest withdrawal of that medication. I haven’t missed it, but I was sure scared to stop it.
Dr. Prior encouraged me to do laser surgery to remove the beard I had. I would never have done that without her advice. For the remaining hairs I still take spironolactone, but now 1 pill, not 2.
I had cataracts grow in a period of 6 months, the equivalent of 20 years growth in my 40s. My GP at the time had me come in every week so he could watch the growth. I participated in CeMCOR’s study and didn’t have the gene / issue that affected eyesight.
I went from feeling like there was always a gerbil inside me, to feeling calm. I started to be able to isolate what and how I was feeling. Instead of just being overwhelmed with feeling horrible.
I eventually had a breast reduction and tummy tuck in my 40s. After the surgery I recognized my body for the first time in years. I may have looked the bride of Frankenstein with all the sutures, but I recognized myself.
When I moved to Ottawa in 2017 my new GP wanted me to stop the progesterone, and I refused. He reduced it from 300 to 100, and I haven’t felt a difference.
I have Dr. Prior’s books and have shared them with friends who have experienced similar menopause issues and point them to the CeMCOR website. It still surprises me how ‘radical’ her advice still is and how many of my female friends don’t fight for their own health.
– Leah GS