Does Metformin work?

Hopeful20 · 10-29-2009, 12:30 AM

Hi, I'm new to this site and this is my first post. I’m 27 years old and my husband and I are trying to conceive for the first time. I went off birth control in February and I’ve only had my period twice since then. I got it a few weeks after going off the pill and not again until July. I thought maybe it was due to stress (we were planning our wedding at the time) and also because I had been on the pill for over 10 years. I also thought it could be that my body needed more time to get back into it’s normal rhythm, but I haven’t had a period since July! I decided it was time to switch from my family physician office to an OBGYN’s office. After doing an ultrasound my new OBGYN believes I have PCOS. She hasn't done any blood work, but my irregular/absent periods and sudden weight gain (in a few months I gained 20 lbs after going off the pill) makes her feel strongly that’s what I have. My ultrasound also showed signs of PCOS. She told me there's no test to determine if someone has it, but based off my symptoms she thinks I do.

That being said… she put me on Metformin a little over a month ago because we're trying to get pregnant and she wanted to try Met before trying a fertility drug. She started me out taking 1 pill a day and then gradually increasing my dose to 3 pills daily. I had some minor side effects at first, but nothing as bad as some I’ve read on here. My biggest issue has been constipation and heart burn, but that has gotten better the longer I’m on it. I’ve also lost 10 lbs since being on it and I still have more to go! However, I’m starting to get worried because I’ve been on Met for about 6 weeks and still have not gotten a period yet. Is that normal, or should I be concerned??? I’m afraid Met won’t work and my husband and I are going to have a really hard time conceiving. It's beginning to take a toll on me emotionally and I'm starting to get worried. The hardest part is not knowing when I'm ovulating (if at all). My doctor wants me to come back in December after being on Met for 3 months to see if it's helped. I know I may be a little inpatient, but it's so depressing not having a normal cycle!!!

If anyone has any advice or input -- please help! I need some hopeful thoughts right now!

LivebyGrace · 10-29-2009, 09:41 AM

Metformin can do wonderful things. I went on metformin when I was dx'd in May and worked my way up to 1700mg. I lost the weight I gained after going off BCPs (a lot like your situation), my cycles went from 60+ days to 38ish, acne decreased, my ravenous appetite had calmed considerably, etc. I'm pretty sure I'm insulin resistant so metformin is perfect for me. The big thing was that I ovulated my first cycle completely on metformin and every cycle since. Well, DH and I have been TTC #1 for a year now, 5ish months since dx, and yesterday I got my BFP! So it can do wonderful things, but you got to wait and see how you respond to it. Everybody's different. But I hope that gives you some hope.

Hopeful20 · 10-29-2009, 11:37 AM

Thank you! I feel a lot better now. I know I have to be patient, but it's so hard when I see all my friends getting pregnant so easily. I'm sure you know what I mean! I'm glad Metformin has worked for you and it's very exciting you're expecting your first baby! Congratulations!

That definitely gives me hope! I've noticed a lot of positive changes with my body since being on Met, so I hope it regulates my cycles too.

I just have one more question... How long did it take you to ovulate or have your first cycle after going on Metformin? Weeks, or months?

LivebyGrace · 10-29-2009, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the congrats! Now to answer your question. I finished my last cycle that I didn't take metformin on the whole time about a week after I started taking it (but it was due to come because at that point I was having 60+ day somewhat regular, but annovulatory cycles). My first full cycle on metformin I am pretty sure I ovulated (I did basal body temping) and I know ovulated in every one after that. My cycles after metformin have been between 38-45 days but this last one was shorter - I ovulated on CD 19.

I'm glad to hear metformin has been doing some good things for you. I hope it gets your cycles going and gets you ovulating. But if it doesn't don't give up hope. There are so many options out there after metformin. But I know very well that the waiting can be rough. Hang in there! Baby dust to you!!!!

klyann · 10-29-2009, 09:13 PM

I just started Met on Oct 1st. I've lost 11 pounds - pretty much all the weight that I had gained after BCP. You'll notice from my chart in my siggy too that I O'd on CD 20. Testing tomorrow, so I'll let you know how well Met worked.

I started off right away on 2000 mg. 2 pills twice a day. I'm under the supervision of an Endocrinologist due to my thyroid disease too.

Texchichere · 10-31-2009, 01:04 PM

I hate it...

Texchichere · 10-31-2009, 01:05 PM

it makes me soo sick to my tummy right before i start my period

abacalvarywife · 11-01-2009, 01:01 AM

Hopeful20, are you charting your temps? That would help you determine whether you ovulate and when. Good luck with the met, I just got put on it too, not enjoying the side effects, but praying it works!

Hopeful20 · 11-03-2009, 01:16 PM

I just bought a basil thermometer at CVS and I've been using it for the past 3 days. I'm wondering if it's working though... for some reason it doesn't beep to let me know when it reached my temp. I have to take it out of my mouth and then it beeps. Is that normal? It's CVS brand, so maybe I should buy a better one. Do you have one you recommend? Is it effective to use even if I haven't gotten my period since July?

klyann · 11-04-2009, 02:15 AM

How long are you leaving it in your mouth? Mine can take up to 5 minutes to register sometimes. I got mine from Target (target brand) a year ago and I haven't changed the batteries yet. If you haven't had a period since July you should talk to your doctor about inducing it and starting a new cycle. You really don't want to go longer than 60 days.

AnnieClark · 11-04-2009, 03:55 PM

i have been on 500mg of metformin for a while but my RE just upped me to 1500mg per day (one pill each meal) - - - did you guys gradually ease up or just start the full dose immediately? I'm sort of scared to do it all at once for S/E - - - just curious about your experiences...

mip1500 · 11-05-2009, 02:33 AM

EASE UP for SURE!!!!! Take a LONG time if you can.... will really help with S/E - at least that has been the case for me the 4 diff times I've gone on it and I've read that for a lot others too.

Hopeful... I threw out my CVS basal body temp and got the one at target because it was taking FOREVER

I just can't remember if I had to take it out of my mouth for it to beep.

I'm on day 188 of this cycle... .started Met end of July - up to 1500mg daily and have been for a while now.... obviously Met has NEVER given me ovulation or AF... but that's just me... and this is the last chance we are giving it because the side effects take a lot out of my life.

Hopeful20 · 11-05-2009, 12:52 PM

Klyann- I still haven't gotten my period since July, but I've only been on Met less than 2 months. I've read that it could take up to 3 months for it to start working. My obgyn wants to see me again in mid December (3 month mark) to see if it's helping. I did have some light cramps last night so I'm wondering if it's coming.

Annieclark- DEFINITELY ease in to it! I started out taking 1 pill daily for 2 weeks, then 2 pills daily for 2 weeks and then I started 3 pills daily (my current dose). Everyone seems to have different side effects. My experience was that I had headaches in the beginning then once I started 3 pills daily I had some constipation and heartburn, but it went away after a week or two. I still get some of those 3 symptoms, but they've gotten much better. Just be patient! Good luck!

Mip1500- I'll try the basil therm. from Target - thank you! How long did it take you to get your period on Met?

Does anyone have any advice for other things I could be taking or doing to help with ovulation? Herbs, etc?

AnnieClark · 11-05-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeful20

Annieclark- DEFINITELY ease in to it! I started out taking 1 pill daily for 2 weeks, then 2 pills daily for 2 weeks and then I started 3 pills daily (my current dose). Everyone seems to have different side effects. My experience was that I had headaches in the beginning then once I started 3 pills daily I had some constipation and heartburn, but it went away after a week or two. I still get some of those 3 symptoms, but they've gotten much better. Just be patient! Good luck!

yeah... constipation doesn't seem to be my problem...

i've been on 500mg daily for almost a year and just increased to 1000mg (two times a day) and am supposed to go up to 1500mg per day... but even with the addition of the one pill, wow - - i'm hoping after my body adjusts, the s/e will improve... that's funny that it can cause two people completely opposite side effects... weird
thanks for the advice ladies!

mip1500 · 11-05-2009, 08:44 PM

I was on 1500mg (non XR) for 10 mos and no AF. I was then on 2000mg XR for 4 mos and no AF. I was then on only 1000mg XR for 3 mos and no AF - along with 50mg Spiro. I then was on nothing for 10 mos and of course still no AF. Now I've been on 1500mg for 3 mos (after spending a month going from 0mg to 1500mg) and still no AF. sorry my news/history SUCKS for you guys being so hopeful BUT I know it works for so many so that's why I'm still TRYING to be patient. but I'm drinking oodles of parsley tea now starting today to try and make this happen.