Do the pros outweigh the cons?

KJB · 11-26-2002, 01:13 PM

Hi everyone i'm a tad confussed and in need of some enlightening.

Yesterday i had a doctors appointment to discuss my pelvic ultrasound results and PCOS symptoms (trouble losing weight despite exercise and diet, spots, hair where it shouldn't be, fatigue, greasy skin and periods that disappear for months on end).

Anyway my ultrasound showed "bulky ovaries with several layers of peripheral follicules" and my doctor is talking about putting me on Metformin following my blood tests which are on thursday.

I have no idea what this is and which of my symptoms it would help (my mum is on Metformin for her diabetes which is even more confussing). All of the side effects i've read from previous posts don't sound good. Any info to shine a bit of light on my now dark and confussed mind will be gratefully appreciated.

Thanx in advance

Kirsten x

Also how do you add stuff to appear by your name (ie photos details etc?)

nmricci · 11-26-2002, 01:25 PM

I have been on Met. for 2 months now and the first month was hell with the side effects. For most they are in the bathroom constantly. I had really bad pains in my stomach and felt sick all the time, couldn't eat, didn't want to eat, so on and so forth. But, all of this went away. My husband and I are trying to have a baby so it is all worth it to me. If you are overweight this will help you loose weight and the other systoms go away to mininmize as well from what I understand. I really don't have many systoms other than no periods. I am not overweight and I don't have excess hair or bad acne.

There are some articles on the website that I suggest you read so some research so that you can make an informed decision.

If you have questions feel free to email me any time. I know this can all be so confusing and frustrating. Good Luck and my thoughts are with you

KJB · 11-26-2002, 01:45 PM

Thanx

Will look at the articles. Good luck ttc i'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Kirsten

Summer-girl · 11-26-2002, 03:21 PM

The side effects are worth it to me! After 6 full cycles on met, I still experience horrible diarreah...but the little one that I have one the way MORE than makes up for the discomfort! In addition I have lost some much needed weight, my periods regulated, and my acne has improved. Truthfully, the improvements were worth the side effects even before I got pregnant - the baby is just the crown jewel!

Good luck!

Bee · 11-26-2002, 03:25 PM

Hi KJB!

It's great that your Dr is giving you Metformin! PCOS stems from an insulin intolerance. When you eat, your food turns into sugar. Insulin is produced to help get that sugar into your cells to make energy. Well with insulin resistance, your body's insulin doesn't work so good in getting that sugar into your cells. So then your body produces even more insulin to try and force the sugar in. This is insulin resistance.

Not all women with PCOS have IR show up in tests, so Dr's will prescribe it because it has shown to be effective in treating PCOS.

Insulin is the key to our hormones also. When there is an insulin problem, it will affect the rest of your hormones.

Metformin will give your body a little push to work better. The very first thing I noticed was my acne disappeared.

Cysts are formed from an imbalance of hormones. Your body tries to mature eggs by making water around the egg. The egg will die and leave a cyst in it's wake.

Since I have been on Met, I have started ovulating and getting AF. I haven't lost any weight, but it's because I still failed to diet and exercise. I started a diet 2 weeks ago though, but I need to get on the ball and exercise.

For me Metformin has been a godsend miracle drug! I'm trying to get pregnant also, but I would like to stay on Met for as long as possible because it just makes me feel better in general.

Oh and my hormones are more normal now on Met. My Dr says if I lose some weight, my hormones will become even more normal because I'm still having long cycles (about 40 day cycles).

HTH! And good luck on Met! Remember to start out slow and take it during your meals!

Bee

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hampshire hog · 11-26-2002, 05:42 PM

hi
i went on met in january this year, and within the first 2 months i lost about 1 1/2 stone, id been having electroylsis for about a year on my lip and chin, and seemed to go about every two weeks, i have only been twice since january.
my period showed after 6 months of starting met(even though i was only taking 1000mg a day) i was meant to take the recommended dose of 1500mg, but didnt eat breakfast, and its best to take pill with/after food, to minimize the side effects.
i concieved on that cycle and im 22weeks pregnant.

i was originally scared to take met, cos of the side effects etc...but i wouldnt be in the situation, im in today, if it wasnt for met. id previously had clomid, and ovarian drilling 7-8 years ago, didnt do anything for me!
i didnt have any of the side effects that the others seem to get.lucky i guess

im still on met, only 500mg, and intend to stay on it, throughout my pregnancy!!

good luck to you

gina

btw: im not insulin restitent, and my blood sugar levels were elevated but still "normal"

hampshire hog · 11-26-2002, 05:44 PM

i also wanted to say, that when i had an u/s at 5w4d, my ovaries were normal(no cysts).....and continuing met during pregnancy, reduces the risk of miscarriage dramatically, and also cuts down the risk of gestational diabetes!!

gina

KJB · 11-27-2002, 07:08 AM

Thanks for all the info, i feel a lot happy and clearer about things now. Will let you know what happens following tomorrows blood tests and will no doubt be in need of more advice in the not too distant future!

Thanks again

Love Kirsten x