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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Weight loss with PCOS / low dose metformin

4 replies

PaddleBoardingMomma · 01/06/2022 12:28

Hello folks!

BMI of 30, have been dieting my entire adult life! I calorie count, I cut majority of carbs (still have whole grain oats) and I walk 4-5 miles a day and do open water swimming when I can, two flying kids to run around after too!

I was diagnosed PCOS 15 years ago but paid little attention to it, wasn't offered any help or told much about it, just sent from the endocrinologist on my merry way. Didn't struggle to conceive (by some miracle) so I haven't paid it much mind.

Recently struggling with tiredness, weird cycles and went to the GP, I mentioned I just can't seem to shift much weight, that I felt I was at some sort of disadvantage I didn't know about because the numbers didn't add up and she was quick to tell me "well that's because of the pcos!"

I had no idea it had an impact, I've spent 15 years miserable thinking I was just useless and this led to some pretty deep seated disordered eating.

Anyway I'm waiting for a referral back to endo, and have been started on metformin. Only 500mg a day. I've educated myself on PCOS and have tailored my diet to match the advice.

Does anyone here have PCOS and have you successfully lost weight? Any tips? Did metformin help?

Many thanks for reading :)

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 01/06/2022 12:36

Hello. I am now 41. I was diagnosed with pcos in my early twenties but like you, sent on my way. Married dh age 26 and started ttc. Nothing happened and I was fobbed off for years, not entitled to fertility treatment as he already had a child. However I got 30 and my weight had crept up, I was almost 4 stones overweight. So I started a diet (slim fast) and started power walking. The weight fell off, but then I read about metformin being useful to help the symptoms of pcos and asked my Dr about it. He agreed to let me try. My weight loss had stalled, but once I started the metformin, I lost another stone and my periods became regular for the first time in my life. Then 6 months later I was pregnant. So for me it worked miracles. However I know many try it and are put off by the gastro side effects. If you ask for it, try to get the slow release version. The stomach issues do get better though. It basically gives you wind and diarrhoea, but it's worse when you eat unhealthy food I found.
Good luck I hope it improves things for you!

Original poster
PaddleBoardingMomma · 01/06/2022 12:41

TheVolturi · 01/06/2022 12:36

Hello. I am now 41. I was diagnosed with pcos in my early twenties but like you, sent on my way. Married dh age 26 and started ttc. Nothing happened and I was fobbed off for years, not entitled to fertility treatment as he already had a child. However I got 30 and my weight had crept up, I was almost 4 stones overweight. So I started a diet (slim fast) and started power walking. The weight fell off, but then I read about metformin being useful to help the symptoms of pcos and asked my Dr about it. He agreed to let me try. My weight loss had stalled, but once I started the metformin, I lost another stone and my periods became regular for the first time in my life. Then 6 months later I was pregnant. So for me it worked miracles. However I know many try it and are put off by the gastro side effects. If you ask for it, try to get the slow release version. The stomach issues do get better though. It basically gives you wind and diarrhoea, but it's worse when you eat unhealthy food I found.
Good luck I hope it improves things for you!

Thanks so much for replying, and I'm so happy your story has a lovely ending with you managing to have your babies!

I have been on the metformin 2 weeks now and thankfully no side effects yet, I'm hoping they would have happened by now and I've managed to somehow dodge them! It's only 500mg though, may I ask what you take?

And also, if you don't mind sharing, could you let me know how often / how far with the power walking and what your average day of food looked/looks like?

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 01/06/2022 21:30

Yes I was on 500mg twice a day. I think you've definitely swerved the side effects! They're usually the worst at the start so you are lucky!
I lost the weight with slim fast, I had one for breakfast, one for lunch and a normal dinner. I had a cereal bar mid morning and a banana in the afternoon, and I drank green tea! I power walked for a minimum of 20 mins a day but I mostly did it twice a day. I felt so much better.
Since I've had my kids I have weirdly been healthier weight wise anyway. I run now every other day and I try not to eat rubbish, but I don't deny myself anything. My youngest is 5 and I remember when I had my scans when pregnant with her, I asked the sonographer is she could see how my ovaries looked. She said she would not have known I had pcos if I had not mentioned it. So I think things can change over time. I'm actually the lightest I've been for almost 20 years now.
I really hope the metformin works for you, I remember saying to dh, why on earth is it not offered to women when they are diagnosed with pcos!

TheVolturi · 01/06/2022 21:32

And by normal dinner I mean, basically whatever I fancied really. Not diet food but just whatever, but I made sure it wasn't a crazy amount. Just a healthy normal plate of food.

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