Pcos help needed please

[msunique]

Hi I ave just been to see my doctor to see if we can persuade the pct to fund laser treatment to remove my facial hair, they refused me 2 years ago! Now I have lost nearly 7 stone and this hasn't helped at all we are trying again, however they now want to see photo's which I think is wrong but will do it anyway but my real worry is writing the letter as I am not very good with words and getting the point across clearly, my gp said I need to emphasise the depression side of things and how bad this makes me feel but i don't know how to word this and was hoping someone here can help me please, it needs to be a great letter for them to even look at it, my gp is behind me 100% but the pct need to be convinced.
Thanks x

 

[janie32]

With things like this the only advice i can give is be as precise asyou can, and give lots of information and exampes of ow every aspect of your life is affected, the more detail you can give the better.

 

[msunique]

I know but I just don't know how to word it without seeming like I am a little girl complaining about everything if you know what I mean! I need/want it to sound professional but factual not just well it gets me down the facial hair is unsightly I don't like it I shouldn't have it and after losing nearly 7 stone I hoped it would improve but it hasn't I am 35 years old and have more facial hair than my nan did at 90!! Lol see even that sounds like a child's tantrum x

 

[suepat10]

How about something like:

Dear Sir/Madam

In 2009 my GP requested that you fund laser surgery to remove facial hair caused my PCOS. His/her request was refused. Since then I have undergone bariatric surgery and have lost 7 stone. I had hoped that this would improve my facial hair problem, but unfortunately it has not. I have tried other treatments to solve this eg (list what has been tried) but nothing has worked.
My facial hair is affecting my relationships with other people. I feel that when they are talking to me all they are seeing is the hair and nothing else. I have consciously made the decision to not socialise with other people, and have dropped out of events I have been looking forward to as I feel that my facial hair will be conspicuous.
From the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed I can not get my facial hair out of my mind. The fact it is affecting me so much is making me feel very low. Many times a week I find myself in tears about this.
When I had the bariatric surgery I was so sure that I was going to be able to live a ‘normal’ life – visit places, meet people, enjoying being with others. But I can not do any of these things because of my facial hair. I feel as if the chance to be ‘normal’ is so close but just out of reach.
I know my emotions are affecting people around me. If I am overly-upset I find myself being short tempered with others, and then feeling worse as I feel guilty. I know friends try to avoid talking about physical appearances when I am around which makes everyone feel awkward.
I really would appreciate it if you would please reconsider funding treatment for me. It is difficult to put in to words how distressing having facial hair is to me. There are times when I feel like a ‘2nd class citizen’ and worthless.

I don't know how it is making you feel and have probably 'overstated' but maybe it's a framework you could work on with other's advice

Good luck xx

 

[mightyminx49]

Great draft Suepat, I would use those contexts and in any letter i would be sending for the same thing. Very good!!

 

[londongirl]

I too have PCOS and suffer from facial hair but after surgery decided to get Laser treatment. Only had 2 sessions in 4 months and can already see a huge difference. I sincerly hope you get approved! x

 

[MrsSmith]

What a superb letter; I also have PCOS and was hoping that, if I lose weight after surgery, the horrible facial hair issue would reduce. So, sympathise with you completely and hope you can get the laser treatment xx

 

[BlueDiamond]

Hello There

I have had pcos for over 20 years and when I went too see my laser lady ( Diane Matthews) she told me because of the in balance in hormones with pcos sufferers she could not guarantee that the laser treatment will keep the hair off my face 100%. It may go initially over the course of the treatment, but ( and only sometimes BUT) sometimes it does and can come back because of this hormonal in balance.

I had 2 pay for my laser treatment privately ( not available on the nhs here) which was fine but was totally pee'd off that my facial hair came back within 9 months. Don't wish to put a downer on it does work with some people but not all pcos sufferers can be cured 100%, in my opinion ( for me only of course) I will not be forking out another 1000-1500 quid again for something that is not guaranteed ( as my results have shown) however I do wish you all the best and please let us know how you get on - fight for your rights lady xxxxx

P>S> I was told once I lost weight the facial hair would go and so would my pcos symptoms, but alas they have got worse ( I have lost 7 stone btw)

 

[msunique]

Hi Sue

Thats a fantastic letter thanks very much, sounds much better than I could have done, I will add my own little bits in and see if it works.

Longirl I was approved by the hospital before they said my colouring is perfect for laser, so hopefully like you it will work IF I get approved by the pct,

Mrs Smith I had hoped the facial hair would go but unfortunately for me it hasnt, and reading a few posts on here I think it is quite rare for it to go when the weight goes! but good luck with yours

Bluediamond Glad it worked for you to start with, but I was told it might come back at a later date but no where near as bad as it is now, Thats alot of money to find for it to come back again! Has it come back as bad or could you go to a salon and have treatment on keep on top of it a couple of times a year?

 

[Miss Tickle]

Hi, I paid for laser treatment and it reduced but did not eradicatre my facial hair. I had the 6 treatments they said I'd need and at the 6th one they said 6 was the minimum and it can take another 12! Even then as it's hormonal not guaranteed to be successful. I couldn't afford it and gradually the hair has returned.
I'm wondering if I had regular treatments it would reduce and stay away so had a look at the Boots laser/epilight roller system. I'd need to save up as it £400 plus £40 for replacement cartridges. I'd like to know if anyone has tried it and if it actually works?

 

[MrsSmith]

I've had a very similar experience to yours about 5 years ago now; sadly I'm back to square one again. So would also be v interested to see if anyone has had good results with the home use machines as have contemplated buying one myself, but just way too expensive to risk it not having any effect xx