What To Do When You Are Misdiagnosed?

Hi, I have posted on here before because I was confused and upset about being diagnosed with PCOS because all I had were cysts and missed period of 3 months...which I had also recently went off of BCP's. I have been so upset and something deep inside of me kept telling me that I didn't have PCOS, so I went to another ob/gyn not a nurse practitioner as before and she didn't think I had it either. My vaginal ultrasound was normal, and my bloodwork was normal showing no signs of pcos. I am so angry and upset about being misdiagnosed with something I knew I didn't have, and now...although relieved...I don't know what to do about the months and months of mental anguish I suffered from thinking I had this disease...What would you do?

I'm very glad you got a second opinion. Being told you have PCOS is pretty scary since you're usually told up front that you'll probably have trouble getting pregnant (if you don't already know that), so I'm happy for you that you don't have it.

On what grounds did your first doctor make this diagnosis? Did s/he do any testing? Were you being treated for it? If no harm was done to your health, I would be angry but I wouldn't pursue a malpractice suit. Doctors make mistakes and a second opinion is always a good idea, but a mistake like that shouldn't go unnoticed. I would write a letter to whoever could influence this first doctor to be more careful--the head of the clinic or hospital, your HMO or insurance company, whoever is in charge. When I was first diagnosed with PCOS (which in my case was a correct diagnosis), the doctor did no testing and told me I didn't need to worry about it! Turned out I had high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and insulin resistance. All of those things are interconnected with my PCOS, the doctor should have checked for them, and he didn't. He didn't even test my hormone levels. I wrote a complaint letter to the head of the clinic and they held a meeting to reprimand the doctor.

you can possibly sue if you like. That what medical malpractice lawsuits are for.

Be grateful. You're not going one way or the other with it. You could be bleeding heavily all day for months or you could be bleeding not at all and worrying. Your mood could be swinging coz of the testosterone and stuff. But it's not, is it?

Don't be angry you DO NOT have it. Be happy.

Lots of people are misdiagnosed all the time. Medicine is a science, not at all perfect. You can't and shouldn't waste your time being so upset, it's not going to do you any good. I believe the large majority of health professionals are out to help you the best they can. They just can't always be right the first time, unfortunately. They are constantly learning just like the rest of us.

Maybe you should see a psychologist for some good talk therapy to work through the anger you are feeling and be able to forgive the first doctor you saw and move past it.

I totally know how you feel, I was misdiagnosed with a condition for years and was furious when I found out what I really had. Furious because I had been misdiagnosed and mismedicated by six different doctors over 5 years. As soon as I forgave them and concentrated on what I could do about the problem now that I had a correct diagnosis, I felt a million times better. Good luck to you!

Been there and I'm happy to say that I can have children and got two. I was told at the age of 16 that I couldn't have children. I lead a life of loneliness and not wanting to get married until I met the man I'm married to. For years I thought I couldn't have children, until I concieved my wedding night. Yes I was misdiagnosed, and heck I couldn't do much as I wanted to sue for the years of lonelness, pain, and anguise I had to suffer because of this male Dr may he be resting in peace, e passed on of cancer 8 yrs before I got married. Doctors can misdiagnose, they're human but I do strongly believe in getting a second opinion for everything. I'm glad that you're fine, thats the important thing, secondly I'd seek legal advice for action. good luck