Has anyone taken Metformin for PCOS?

[dalek]

And how successful has it been in alleviating symptoms? I am seeing an endocronologist on Tuesday. I have had PCOS or about 25 years. Have one dd with help from clomid and ovarian drilling.

Am worried about developing type 2 diabetes. My weight is a real issue and has been for a number of years. Find it very difficult to lose.

Finally decided to go private as my sister said weight must be down to PCOS as I don't eat very differently to her and my other sisters but am MUCH heavier. GP seemed very uninterested.

Any stories, good or bad?

TIA

xx

bump

Anyone?

Hi I take Metformin for PCOS it was diagnosed a few years ago after I was having problems conceiving DD2. It is fantastic - once the dosage was right I lost loads of weight without having to diet, reduced my cholesterol from 9.0 to 4.0 and I fell pregnant with DD2. I did stop for a while after DD2 was born as at the time they didn't recommend you breastfeed while on Metformin (although this has now changed) and the weight came back even though my eating didn't change, but once I started taking it again I managed to lose the weight again.

The only downside is I have a monthly period now where as before I would go 6-9 months between periods!

I would recommend taking the pills with food I have them in the middle of a meal otherwise they can make you fell a bit sick.

Hope this helps.

latest research shows that metformin in itself doesn't help PCOS, but combined with diet (low GI) and (moderate regular) exercise it may help. Top specialists don't use it, but some consultants will prescribe it.
It has some horrid side effects (vomiting and/or diahorrea (sp?)) but if you experiment with before food/after food/while eating that can help, also starting on a very low dose (half a tablet) and building up gradualy - doctors won't often suggest this.

Also look at Verity for help.

My dosage started off as 500Mg twice a day and then was increased to 2x500mg twice a day.

Have you been tested for an underactive thyroid?

Yes I have - the last blood tests I had showed all normal apart from being a little anaemic - am now taking iron tablets.

Kittens - will you have to take it forever? Was it prescribed by your GP or a consultant? Apart from having periods have you had any side effects?

Sorry for all the questions.

bump

It was originally prescribed by the consultant, but the repeat prescription is from my doctor.

Yes I will have to take it forever - as I have an underactive thyroid I do get free prescriptions, it may be worth finding out if you are eligibe.

No side effects, unless I take the pills without eating when they can make you feel a bit queasy.

Kittens - was it given at the first appointment or did you have to have anumber of appointments. Am asking as I am paying for the appointments - have the results of the last blood test to take with me so shouldn't need these.

Thanks for all your replies so far.

Dalek

I saw an NHS consultant who said usually they would do an ultrasound and look for the cysts and then prescribe the metformin, but as my history was classic PCOS and the waiting list for Ultasounds was around 6-9 months he said he would be happy to start me on the meds straight away.

My history is irregular periods pretty much from puberty. Trying to get pregnant for 4 years. My cholesterol was high, and history of type 2 diabetes in the family (my Dad)and my weight which I couldn't shift even with loads of dieting.

I think if they try to send you for an ultrasound ask for the meds while you wait for the results to see if they have any effect on you and to see if you can take them - as they can make you feel a bit nauseous(sp).

Hope this helps.

Hi dalek , I have had pcos since puberty , am now 48.
Since age 39 I have had regular periods which is weird but apparently sometimes happens to pcos sufferers.
I would love to talk to an endocrinologist about my pcos and weight isssues.
I have some success with low carbing but when I get to a certain weight I get stuck .
I take statins for high cholesterol and am also worried about diabetes as my father got type2 in his 50's.

My 18 yr old dd was diagnosed with it when she was 16 but has no treatment for it as her weight is normal and no real other problems except irregular periods.

Did you have to go private because your GP refused a referral?
Kitten did you get a referral from your GP?

My referral was because I went to see my GP when I was TTC DD2. I had DD1 with no problems, but when it came to DD2 I couldn't get pregnant. My GP did blood tests after 2 years of me badgering him and found my underactive thyroid - I was put on meds for this. My weight didn't come down and my periods didn't regulate either, at each blood test my cholesterol was high and as I was TTC I couldn't take any meds for it. After another year of me hassling him, he eventually referred me to the endocrinologist who at the first appointment said I was a classic case of PCOS. Once the metformin does was right (2 appointments later) my periods returned and I became pregnant. After I had DD2 I saw the consultant once more and he signed me off.

ggirl I meant to add my niece has PCOS without the weight gain - she is a tiny size 6-8! She had problems TTC, in the end she went to a Homeopath and it seemed to work for her as she became pregnant.

I'm on metformin 1500mg per day. Have been TTC#2 for the past 2 years without success. Saw GP and he has prescribed Met. This month have experienced a lot of pelvic discomfort so will be interested to see if ovulation has started again.

If you haven't managed to conceive why has your GP not done anything further? Metformin is the first step - if it doesn't work usually the dose is increased and then the next step is usually to prescibe Clomid or other fertility drugs. That is what the consultant I saw told me is the usual course taken.

Thanks Kittens
interesting about homeopathy

kittens -is your weight at normal now?

Yes I was - after researching it myself as a treatment I found a sympathetic GP who would prescribe it for PCOS...it was like a miracle drug for me, I lost 2.5 stone in 10 weeks on it. I was advised to follow a very low carb diet when I went on it as carbs can exacerbate the stomach issues Metformin can cause - that definitely helped! Then started TTC and got pregnant just about immediately.
Interestingly my DS is 7 months old and my PCOS symptoms are now non existent which given that I have struggled with it since I was about 15 (am now 35) is amazing!

they do say pregnany can kill or cure it.
My mum had all the symptoms but went on to have 4 children in quick succession.
Mine got worse after dd who was conceived with clomid.

ggirl - yes I have decided to go private as our surgery seem to have a policy of not prescribing metformin for PCOS.

My brother in law is a GP and he recommended that I ask for it. He says that he is always happy to refer people who ask.

Since I had my dd 10 years ago my periods have stabilised but weight is still an issue, still have very greasy skin, am still quite hairy - am having laser treatment but therapist said that due to PCOS I will have to have continue , although less frequently, probably forever. However despite not using contraception in that time, except for a few months a few years ago, I have not fallen pregnant again. I think I still have PCOS!

ggirl - I would recommend that you ask your referral from your GP - they can only say no!

Thank you for all of your replies ladies - it has been very useful.

My appointment is this morning - will let you know how it goes.

My weight is normal (not a waif but a sensible size 10/12) - I don't follow any particular diet, but do eat sensibly - not chips every night!

My symptoms got worse after my first pregnancy and certainly I found I could not lose the baby weight which had piled on.

Once I started taking metformin my weight just dropped off, like zgaze it was like the best slimming pill ever. Your weight will also cause problems TTC so with the weight loss and the return of a regular period it made TTC alot easier.

When I went to see my GP I was 37/38 so there was an urgency to get pregnant again soon as I was getting older.

I'll ask my neice about the homeopathy and post what she took (it won't be till next wekk though).

Saw the Consultant this morning - she was lovely.

Have been put on Metformin, starting at 500mg going up to 2000 mg.

Also am taking iron tablets. Have raised cholesterol, not too bad, and slightly raised blood pressure. Am also going to see a dietician about diet and swtching to low Gi.

Thanks for all of your support ladies - it has been lovely.

I have been on metformin (500mg 3x a day) for about 6 years now. It is a wonder drug in many respects - weight loss, "normal" cycles, decreased hair growth but it can cause ridiculous diarrhoea (sp??). It is crucial you take the tablet with food and even then it can still cause diarrhoea. My GP has recently changed me on to the slow release metformin which has helped a huge amount. I would request the slow release tablets for sure.

I would second what AnnieBeansMum said make sure you do take it with your meal. I found having the pills next to my plate and taking them in the middle of my meal works the best.

Dalek - really pleased you got the metformin, hope it works for you as well as iit did for me.

thanks dalek and kittens. Great news Dalek hope the tablets help. Your'e not in the south are you?
I really want to try and get a referral .
My BP is also bordering on the high side.

Good to hear your experiences thanks.

Hmm took metformin when trying to conceive DS now 3.5 through ivf in the end! But never been back on it, wonder if it would help me now but far as I know no other medical problems. Hmm