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Has anyone taken Metformin for PCOS?

61 replies

dalek · 06/05/2010 07:11

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

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kittens · 12/05/2010 10:42

Yes I'm in the south the consultant I was was at St Helier, Sutton.

brimfull · 13/05/2010 10:13

right have booked an appt with GP
fingers crossed!

dalek · 13/05/2010 18:41

I am south ish - I saw a consultant in Hitchin. She also works out of the Lister Hospital. Don't know ifthat is geographically good for you.

Good luck with the GP - be pushy if you need to be

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Nettiespagetti · 14/05/2010 06:35

Good luck with gp ggirl

brimfull · 14/05/2010 17:00

thanks appt not until week after next though
I am near bournemouth so will search for good consultant.

5inthebed · 14/05/2010 17:07

Probably a bit late on this thread, but I took metformin to treat PCOS three years ago, and ended up pregnant without realising it could happen! The Endo that I saw never mentioned it! After having clomid treatment to conceive both DS1 and DS2 I was very surprised to be pregnant again!

I did experience a good weight loss with it during the short time I used it, started in October and came off it in March when I found out I was pregnant and lost 2 stone in that time.

dalek · 14/05/2010 18:41

5inthebed - what happened to your weight when you stopped taking it?

Are you taking anything for your PCOS at the moment?

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5inthebed · 14/05/2010 19:44

Well I put it all back on when I was pg and a little bit extra . Started taking Metormin again after my 6 week check up, but it wasn't working as well as it did the first time around so decided that the stomach cramps just weren't worth the 1/2 lb I was losing every week.

I've managed to lose 3 stone since Jauary though, doing the Cambridge diet, which is a very low cal and GI diet.

Keep thinking about starting metformin again though, I'm on 2000mg when I do use it.

dalek · 17/05/2010 09:12

Hi - I wonder if anyone can help.

I have been taking metformin - starting at 500 mg and moving up to 2000 mg since last tuesday and I feel dreadful. I did have some stomach ache for a couple of days but for the last couple of days i have been feeling sick - woke up last night about 2 am thinking I was going to be sick ( although I wasn't).

Still feeling queasy this morning, and completely knackered.

Did anyone else feel like this and how long does it last?

Also - how long did it take before you saw any results re weight.

TIA

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brimfull · 17/05/2010 19:20

oh bugger dalek -that's not good
are you increasing the dose too fast maybe?
or maybe the slow release one would be better?

dalek · 17/05/2010 19:58

I wodered about that - feeling better today - have taken half the dose - other half after dinner. Fingers crossed it's all ok tonight.

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brimfull · 17/05/2010 20:07

hope it's ok tonight
I am seeing GP on wednesday..hope I don't get nauseous like you

dalek · 17/05/2010 20:52

Good luck for wednesday ggirl - I could just have a bug - hope it's all god for you - fingers crossed. xx

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8rubberduckies · 17/05/2010 21:16

I am very late to this thread but I'm taking Metformin at the moment and have been for a month. Still only on 1000mg a day and having side effects, but have gone down a dress size in that time!

I'm ttc#2 and think I might be ovulating at the moment (not sure if I have been for the last few months due to either no or v. light periods, so fingers crossed!

I think you should go for it, I've heard nothing but good about Metformin's effects on PCOS (apart from the horrendous stomach aches of course )

kittens · 17/05/2010 21:26

Dalek I think you may have increased the dosage too fast I took 500mg for 2 weeks and then increased by 500mg every 2 weeks until I reached my current dose. I also found it better to take it in the middle of a meal rather than at the end - have the pills next to your plate and take one with a drink during your meal. If I take them at the end of the meal I feel quite ill and if I tak ethem before food I end up having to lie down I feel so unwell.

Hope this helps.

brimfull · 19/05/2010 11:15

Just back from my lovely doc.
Have been prescribed metoformin 500mg a day, which seems a minute dose.
I have to start taking it after I have had some bloods done then back to see her and titrate the dosage.
Bloody wish I had done this yrs ago.

brimfull · 19/05/2010 11:16

oh reading back it's not that minute a dose is it?

dalek · 19/05/2010 15:55

Do you think this might be down to the metformin or do you think it sounds like a bug?

I am feeling queasy but worse than that I am absolutely exhausted all the time. I was asleep by 8.30 last night, got up at 7 to do school run etc - back in bed at 10 am, got up at 2.30pm to do second half of school run - still exhausted - I could easily crawl in to bed now but have jobs to do.

Have lost no weight whatsoever.

If this is down to metformin I might have to stop taking it as I can't really function very well.

Ggirl - hope your apppointment went well.

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AxisofEvil · 19/05/2010 16:04

dalek - exhaustion shouldn't be caused by metformin. Sounds more like a bug to me.

brimfull · 19/05/2010 16:49

dalek- sounds awful . I would call your GP and ask if it could be side-effects. It may be worth coming off them to see if it improves your symptoms.

dalek · 19/05/2010 19:35

ggirl - how did you get on with the gp?

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brimfull · 19/05/2010 20:46

She gave me metformin!!
To start with 500mg .
I have to have blood tests monday morning before starting though. Fasting blood glucose/cholesterol/liver+kidney function.
She has given me a months supply so I suppose I will have to go back to get the dose increased.

How are you feeling now?

dalek · 20/05/2010 09:08

Better today thanks. I think it could be a bug as well - have had very full on week end with toddlers so who knows.

I really hope that you get on well with the metformin ggirl. I had the blood tests as well but before I saw the consultant.

Did the gp mention any side effects?

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brimfull · 20/05/2010 09:10

only vaguely mentioned that some people get side effects if they take to large a dose to start with

dalek · 21/05/2010 09:15

Ladies - those of you who have been taking metformin for a while, how long was it before it made a difference to your weight? I seem to be putting weight on!

Also - is there anyone for whom there was no weight loss?

Re the side effects I am finding that if I take the tablets between and hour and 2 hours after eating I don't not feel sick.

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