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Original poster

Chances of being prescribed metformin??

28 replies

urghhhhh33 · 30/01/2022 17:23

Has anyone got experience of being prescribed metformin for pcos?
I was on it around 6 years ago due to fertility issues but it was a fertility specialist that prescribed it. Since having my dc my periods are basically non existent, I have constant pcos pain and have been really struggling with my weight. I am hoping to ask the drs to put me back on it but I don't know if they will prescribe it if I am not ttc?

OP posts:
Ilovemycar77 · 30/01/2022 17:24

My MIL has this for her type 2 diabetes alongside various other things

CharlotteRose90 · 30/01/2022 17:32

You don’t need to be actively trying to be prescribed it. My friend was prescribed it at 18 when diagnosed due to her weight and I was offered it a few years ago for my pcos. Neither of us were trying.

JarvisCockersRightEyebrow · 30/01/2022 17:50

I was prescribed it without a fuss by my GP in 2019 for suspected PCOS, it was her suggestion. It made me stupidly ill though, I just couldn’t function on it. Wasn’t worth it at all. Eventually I regulated my cycles more naturally by loosing just over a stone and taking inositol and soy isoflavones last year. First cycle of soy resulted in the conception of my now 34 week pregnancy!

JarvisCockersRightEyebrow · 30/01/2022 17:51

Just seen you’re NOT ttc! That’ll teach me to read better, sorry!

Original poster
urghhhhh33 · 30/01/2022 17:54

@JarvisCockersRightEyebrow

I was prescribed it without a fuss by my GP in 2019 for suspected PCOS, it was her suggestion. It made me stupidly ill though, I just couldn’t function on it. Wasn’t worth it at all. Eventually I regulated my cycles more naturally by loosing just over a stone and taking inositol and soy isoflavones last year. First cycle of soy resulted in the conception of my now 34 week pregnancy!
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Yes it did make me I'll for a while when I was last prescribed it which is putting me off a bit but my weight is now getting out of control and my cycles are non existent so I'm hoping I could get used to it again!
OP posts:
ChocolatePotCafe · 30/01/2022 17:58

I was prescribed it recently for PCOS. Had to dig my heels in a bit but my GP isn’t overly supportive. Now I’ve got it on repeat and take twice a day. Good luck Smile

Original poster
urghhhhh33 · 30/01/2022 18:05

@ChocolatePotCafe

I was prescribed it recently for PCOS. Had to dig my heels in a bit but my GP isn’t overly supportive. Now I’ve got it on repeat and take twice a day. Good luck Smile
Have you had many side effects?
OP posts:
maddening · 30/01/2022 18:15

It has to be an endocrinologist that puts you back on it these days I think, the GPs seem v reluctant, look up the nice guidelines for pcos.

Proudboomer · 30/01/2022 18:31

I have had PSOC but am now past menopause.
I take metformin for diabetics and the side effects are very few but some do suffer diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you want to take if to try to control your weight it is not the best option as the average weight loss over a year when prescribed for PCOS is only around 6 lbs but being overweight does makes PCOS worse. I was given Clovid when I was TTC and then after I managed to have children the only thing that helped was losing weight. I took orlisat for a while which helped as if you eat fats the results are unpleasant to say the least but I came off it when my bmi came down to the normal range.
I now take metformin for type 2 diabetics and yes I am losing weight on it but I am also eating very low carb and no sugar so I would lose the weight anyway. I don’t have a lot of extra weight but I do have that menopause belly fat that is hard to shift but now being diabetic I have no choice if I want to keep my blood sugars under control.
As side issue is when I was diagnosed the diabetic nurse told me that women who have PCOS have a higher risk of diabetes so if you are carrying extra weight now it is a good time to try to get to a healthy weight as being diabetic is no joke and food is pretty restricted on what you can eat.

ChocolatePotCafe · 30/01/2022 18:41

@urghhhhh33 sometimes it upsets my stomach but I take a probiotic and that seems to help. Not sure if I’ve lost any weight as don’t weigh myself. Periods still rare as hen’s teeth but it’s early days. I would say make sure you take it after food and possibly start taking it in a week where you don’t have many plans so can easily dash to the loo but you might find that it’s not too bad.

igotdemons · 30/01/2022 18:51

I’ve been taking metformin for PCOS for years, was prescribed by my GP. I didn’t get on with it at first but then I asked to be switched to the slow release version and I’ve been fine with that ever since. I take 2 tablets (500mg each) once a day after my biggest meal. I also take inositol (which also has chromium in, great for balancing blood sugar) and saw palmetto, which definitely helps with slowing the excess hair growth down.

FinallyFree2022 · 30/01/2022 18:51

I had it about 15 years ago for pcos. Wasn't TTC but knew I would be in future. I was very slim at the time and it took a visit to consultant to get it.

To say I had bad gastric side effects is an understatement. Felt soo soo nauseated. Took me months to build up to a full dose but it did give me regular cycle for first time ever and I got pregnant with my first child a few years later quickly.

maddening · 30/01/2022 19:22

For me I was on it for years for pcos, then I came off it at 17weeks pg as per consultant advice and stayed off for years as was by ds, then when I went back to ask to go back on the said the guidance has changed, so if you are already on cool, if not there will requirements to meet.

GuidingSpirit · 30/01/2022 19:30

Yes, i took it for a year before we were TTC, stayed on it whilst TTC (which took another 9 months plus 3 cycles of letrozole) and came off when 15 wks pregnant after consultant appt. My endocrinologist recommended i go back on it after i finish breastfeeding - i have an appt in march (9 months post partum) so im hoping to go back on it at that point. No side effects as long as i always took it with food.

My experience of GPs and PCOS has been pretty poor (i was only diagnosed after seeing a locum GP who had some experience in PCOS and recognised it straight away after years of irregular periods and struggling with my weight) so if you can get referred to an endocrinologist, i would really recommend it.

Lancrelady80 · 30/01/2022 19:35

Can I ask what the benefits of being on it are? Was diagnosed 20 years ago but basically told enjoy lack of periods (seriously, years without them) and come back for IVF if you want kids.

So I've just been trundling on, had ivf and one child as a result, 2nd child was a surprise. But still struggle with weight, hair and awful skin.

I read about metformin but don't know if it would actually help with any of that? Is it worth an attempt to get a GP to prescribe?

Bonkerz · 30/01/2022 19:36

My daughter is just 16 and diagnosed 6 months ago and put on metformin. It's the only drug being used for her PCOS.

Bonkerz · 30/01/2022 19:38

Just to add for my daughter it's been miracle drug. She's gone from no period for 12 months to being monthly again and she's lost 6kg in weight.

Original poster
urghhhhh33 · 30/01/2022 19:45

Thank you for all the comments. I will try and get a go appt and if I don't get anywhere I will definitely be making an appt with an endocrinologist.
One of the main reasons I want to try it again is because the dr wants to keep giving me hormone tablets to bring on a period because they never come naturally but I react really badly to every hormone they've tried me on

OP posts:
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 30/01/2022 19:46

I know someone who is on it for PCOS. You can also get it prescribed online through an online pharmacy.

Toolsand · 30/01/2022 23:17

Oh my gosh, this post is so timely for me. I’ve been hunting for info on PCOS on here, but it’s all mainly related to fertility... which is irrelevant to me.

I was diagnosed 15 years ago. Have struggled with weight all adult life. Now obese and have been on strict calorie controlled diet and physically active, but have not lost a single pound.

The GP said nothing they can do since I have migraines and can’t be prescribed Yasmin. Which used to help with symptoms pre-children.

I have had an op for ovarian cyst, have lots of cysts on ovaries. Never been offered any referrals to specialists.

I’m desperate... please help! I’m still dieting but I feel pretty down about it all.

If I go back to my GP what do I ask for?

HiJenny35 · 31/01/2022 01:17

I got pregnant twice on it and some losses. Never fell without it. However it made me sooooo ill. I lost weight because everything was going straight through me and the stomach aches were dreadful. I never managed to get better on it despite being on it for a long time.

Nowayoutonlydown · 31/01/2022 03:44

I've found my only barrier to getting metformin was my weight, so depends on how much your weight has spiralled I'd say,
Bmi above 35 they flatly refused.

I hope they give you it OP

Yesthatscorrect · 31/01/2022 08:29

I've been on it for 6 years, first for ttc with pcos and then no one took it off me and it really helped with my pcos symptoms. Just before Christmas my gp rang and told me to stop taking it! No consultation just no more prescriptions for it. I rang back and said I would have a liver and kidney test to check if its having any impact on me. We are waiting for the results now.

I've already put a stone on since coming off it. I so hope I can go back on it. This was with restricting my diet to 1350 calories a day.

Original poster
urghhhhh33 · 31/01/2022 10:50

Just to update, spoke to the Gp and they agreed it would be best for me to go back on metformin so I am starting it tomorrow

OP posts:
Yesthatscorrect · 31/01/2022 14:15

That's great news for you!