PCOS - chances of GP giving metformin??

[IlanaK]

I have an appointment with my GP on Friday. She is the "good" GP at the surgery and is generally amenable to whatever I ask, but my understanding is that metformin is not actually liscensed for use with PCOS so not sure what she would say when I ask.

The background is that I was diagnosed PCOS by a fertility specialist 7 years ago when ttc my first. I was also told I was insulin resistant. He was going to start clomid on me but asked me to lose weight first. 6 months dieting and i conceived naturally.

When I was ready to have second baby, I dieted again and lost a lot of weight and conceived first try.

Now I want a third but am struggling to lose weight. I don't think I am ovulating as have been having unprotected sex for many many months now (though not specifically ttc so doing it somewhat randomly). My periods are somewhat irregular and I recently had a really really long bleed.

Anyway, I have read up on it and would really like to try metformin to help regulate periods, kick start ovulation and maybe help with the weight loss.

Do I have any hope at all of her prescribing metformin or will I have to battle to see a specialist to get it?

Also, I would love to hear people's experience on metformin.

[llareggub]

I have been prescribed metformin by several GPs. The first was in Wales about 7/8 years ago.

I am now seeing a specialist who prescribed a much higher dose (850mg) x 3. Within a month I was pregnant and I now have a 6 month old son. I was advised to continue taking metformin throughout my pregnancy to reduce the risk if miscarriage, reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and reduce the amount of weight put in during pregnancy. I was monitored by her throughout my pregnancy.

Metformin does work for me, although I still struggle to lose weight. Good luck.

Where are you (roughly) located? There is a PCOS support group here in Warwickshire

[IlanaK]

Thanks for that. I am in central London so not close enough for the support group.

I really haven't bothered much about the PCOS since the diagnosis as I was able to lose weight and get pregnant twice. But I am older now (35) and it is all getting harder.

[llareggub]

i is worth getting it sorted as untreated can lead to diabetes. Have you got the PCOS book by Collette Harris?

[IlanaK]

Actually. I have had that book on my shelf for years and never read it! Maybe I should get around to doing that. I guess I have not been that bothered as it has not affected my life that much (other than weight).

[IlanaK]

Bumping this as I am hoping to get some other people who are on PCOS.

[llareggub]

I find the low gi diet helps. A friend takes agnus castus as a means of controlling her PCOS but I've not tried it.

[princessdolly]

HI this is the first msg I have posted on this site I am 27 years old and was diganosed with PCOS when I was 19 I have been trying to get pregnant for the last 2 years with no luck, I have now started to loose weight so far 1 stone 7lbs and I am hoping that this will help me conceive I have never heared of this drug before can someone please tell me a bit more about it and if it can really work as my doctor just keeps sending me away saying to keep trying it will happen.

[llareggub]

Well done for losing weight. It can be a very slow process with PCOS. Metformin is a drug commonly used for diabetes but has been effective in the treatment of PCOS.

Have a look at metformin

I did see a GP who refused to prescribe it. I swapped to another GP at the same surgery and he was happy to prescribe it. I now see an endocrinologist on a regular basis and she is very interested in the link between diabetes and PCOS.

Metformin was, I think, one of the main factors in my successful pregnancy after nearly 2 years of trying to conceive.

[Firepile]

I have PCOS and have had mixed experience with preparedness to prescribe metformin - my GP and reproductive endocrinologist consultant were both up for prescribing it. However, my consultant endocrinologist (and let's not forget that the scarey number in PCOS is the horrendous metabolic issues, not the infertility, though that's hideous enough) advised against, on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence about the effects of longterm use in people who do not have diabetes.

The result? I do not take metformin. Having said that, I probably would have done to try and conceive had it not transpired that we were going to need IVF with ICSI because of DP's subfertility...

Good luck.

[Firepile]

Princess Dolly, If you have been trying for 2 years and already have a diagnosis of PCOS, you should ask for a referral to your local infertility unit. They'll check you and your partner out and recommend how best to treat you.

PCOS affects different women in different ways, and the best treatment will depend on how your body is working.

[Firepile]

Actually, Princessdolly, your GP should already be on the case. It's not good enough to leave you to it after 2 years...
(realised my teling you "You should" was a bit bossy, even for me. but it does look like you'll be waiting a long time for your GP to get his/ her adct together).

[deuxcheekymonkeys]

I was diagnoised with PCOS in 2005 as had been ttc for 18m. Luckily concieved and DS2 born in 2006. Now we are trying again and I went back to my endocrinologist last week who has confirmed I also have an underactive thyroid as i have struggled to lose weight despite going to gym/eating well I feel like shite most of the time. Are the 2 connected? How can I lose weight?? I also follow low GI diet and haven't heard of this drug either......