Doctors appointment questions...(long)

Rebecca527 · 06-27-2004, 10:20 AM

I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and I'm getting kind of nervous about it. I don't know why. It's a new doctor...one that was highly recommended to me by a friend who also has PCOS. She said he is amazing with his PCOS patients and will work toward whatever goal I have in mind for my treatment. That's encouraging, but for some reason I'm still nervous. It's going to be a full out gyno visit plus discussing the PCOS issues...maybe that's the reason I'm nervous. I have a lot of questions for him...maybe you all can help me collect my thoughts a bit before I take them to him. First and foremost, I want to go on metformin, but I'm really freaked out about all the side effects I've heard about. Has anyone been on met and glucophage, and are the side effects different with each one? Also, I've been reconsidering going back on the pill (this is a hard decision for me, since I've been so adamant about not wanting to screw up my fertility any further, but my boyfriend and I both agree that we're not ready quite yet for a little one to arrive, and there's an issue with us using condoms. To be honest, it's difficult for us to use them because he's a little small in that department, and they de-sensitize him so much that neither one of us can enjoy it, and he's so worried about them coming off [it did happen] that it totally kills the mood. He's really good at 'getting out' before his big finish so to speak, but with me wanting to go on met, I don't want to take any chances. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I did get pregnant, we know we are going to get married, and both want children, and would be thrilled about it...but we want to wait until we get married before we try.). Is there a BCP that's best for us with PCOS to take, and can that be taken with met/glucophage? Are there contraindications between the two meds? Also, for anyone taking Vitex: have you discussed this with your doctor, and can that be taken with met and BCP's? I know there's a lot of questions here, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

prunepie · 06-28-2004, 02:05 AM

this is my only advice as far as met/gluc and the pill..

imo i would get on met/gluc and give it at least 6 months to see how your hormones change while being on the med.

if you are on the pill..when you get blood tests...you wont be as able to accurately see if its the met that is lowering your adrogen hormones....or if its the bcps...do you see what i mean???

its good now to get baseline blood tests...do met/gluc for 3 months..retest..3 more months if you are going to up the dose... retest... if things have gone the way they should being on the drug and your cycles and hormones are stablized..add the pill to the met/gluc and retest the hormones in a few months again.

also the pill can make insulin resistance worse in many cyters..so for some..it kind of defeats the purpose of met a bit.

trust me..i understand about the condom deal. sigh. i did the pill for a few months with bf..bu the whole time i felt like i just shouldnt mess with my hormones and insulin..since they arent optimal yet. i hate condoms with a vengeace.

but it is true... please be careful bc you :can: start ovulating on met and gluc..so if you dont wanna get pg right now...its time for h is willy to find a better condom lol

i hope this helps..also go to the newbies start here section, up above at the top of the site..i think there is a whole list of what blood tests shoudl be run.and dont forget to get an actual insulin level..not just glucose!!

good luck i hope this helps!!!!!

ps.. the recommened dose for met/gluc is 1500 mgs...most start at 500..and work up slowly ... oxoxo jenn

RamblinRose · 06-28-2004, 02:55 AM

Well, I can't answer the questions on the meds, but if you have issues about using condoms (I always hated them too and probably screwed myself up being on the pill so long) but there are other things you can do w/out being on the pill. How about a diaphram? Or some other thing like the sponge (dont' know if they still have the sponge). That's all I can think of, but a diaphram may be the answer if you want to avoid condoms and BCP's. Good luck, I hope the Dr's appt goes well, let us know how it works out!