christyz

It depends on the person. Some people have hormones that are close to normal and can consider it a short-term aid. But if IR is really high and other factors like family history, genes etc can't be controlled without the drug (like me!), Metformin is perfectly safe long-term. Diabetics have been studied on the drug for decades without any problems, so it is safe long-term.

But it depends on lifestyle and other factors and will require trial and error once hormones are in place to see what dosage will do the trick. For me, since hitting my goal and remaining on a plan to eat to control insulin and consistant exercise, I have been able to keep control my hormones and periods since June 2005 with a dose 1/3 lower than when I was diagnosed. My Dr does bloodwork every 6 months to make sure those numbers stays normalized. He'll continue to base my dosage on how that bloodwork looks.

I am surprised your Dr just took you off cold turkey..that's a pretty old-fashioned way of medicine. Most Dr's lower the dosage slowly and test hormones to see how your body does on a lower dose before they cut you right off.

It can. Diet, sleep, stress etc can all huge factors in periods, so you have to tale a look at your hormone labs and see if your IR is worsening. Bloodwork is really the primary way to see where everything is at.

__________________
Christy

33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!


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Before & Aug 2007

'08: Duathlon and another half?

ladynr

Thank you!Thank you! Thank you! You really answered a lot of my questions! You gave me more info than my doctor did! I was so confused as to why I was even on a diabetic drug. Now thanks to you I know and tell my husband who was just as baffeled as I was. I will definitly be using some of your links to find out even more info on Metformin. Thanks again and good luck!! Nicole

christyz

Glad it was helpful, Nicole. My Dr told me mext to nothing when I went on it too. Knowledge is power.

I added a new link under the question about insurance not covering metformin. I am Canadian so I have never used the service, but people get more info on the link provided.

__________________
Christy

33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!


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Before & Aug 2007

'08: Duathlon and another half?

christyz

Feb 14: Added that new amazing article about the OB GYN who advocates for metformin use as first-line therapy in all women with confirmed PCOS, regardless of fertility.

__________________
Christy

33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!


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Before & Aug 2007

'08: Duathlon and another half?

nourania

Hey Christy,
Great Thread!
I started MET today, 500mgs...I am not Insulin Resistant, but the obgyn gave me the rx to see if it will give me a 'stronger ovulation' and maybe help me lose some weight.. I always have extremely regular periods, I heard somewhere that Met can 'de' regulate me...IS THAT TRUE???
Thanks !
Rani

__________________
-Rania
MARRIED SINCE 07/2001
TTC since 02/2004 - lost a baby 04/2004

BFP! 09/08/06
dx'd MTHFR
emergent cerclage @ 19weeks
My Miracle Baby Girl
Jennah Nour
May 10th 2007 @ 38w5d 6lbs 12oz 19in

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christyz

Just because you tested as non_IR, you may still be. I tested normal to borderline for IR, yet I had all of the symptoms, so my Dr put me on met. It became very clear when it started to help my male hormones that I was IR, just bloodowrk never reflected it.

I've never heard of it making periods irregular..only the opposite. The only way people might talk about lengthening the time between your periods is if you're one of the unlucky women who has frequent and heavy periods. It evens things out that way.

Hope it helps!

__________________
Christy

33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!


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Before & Aug 2007

'08: Duathlon and another half?

nourania

Thanks Christy..
I am sure I will be back with many more questions...thanks for being here
-rani

__________________
-Rania
MARRIED SINCE 07/2001
TTC since 02/2004 - lost a baby 04/2004

BFP! 09/08/06
dx'd MTHFR
emergent cerclage @ 19weeks
My Miracle Baby Girl
Jennah Nour
May 10th 2007 @ 38w5d 6lbs 12oz 19in

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Mikema

I learned a lot!

__________________
Me: 36 DH: 36 DD: 2.5
PCOS/ 3/8/2006
Met 3/9/2006

Need PCOS/IR diet suggestions. I don't know where to start.
I am taking the MET and let me tell you: it has begun its "work".
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Mikema

Afraid of what happens after I am off the Met.

__________________
Me: 36 DH: 36 DD: 2.5
PCOS/ 3/8/2006
Met 3/9/2006

Need PCOS/IR diet suggestions. I don't know where to start.
I am taking the MET and let me tell you: it has begun its "work".
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nourania

hey girls,
I have been on MET (a week tomorrow) 500mgs 2x aday..and no side effects YET...when do they usually kick in??
thanks,
Rani

__________________
-Rania
MARRIED SINCE 07/2001
TTC since 02/2004 - lost a baby 04/2004

BFP! 09/08/06
dx'd MTHFR
emergent cerclage @ 19weeks
My Miracle Baby Girl
Jennah Nour
May 10th 2007 @ 38w5d 6lbs 12oz 19in

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MelodyGrace

I've been on Met ER (extended release) since November and haven't had any side effects!

__________________

paisleystar

Mine kicked in exactly 1 week after I started! Still have them now and it has been almost 4 weeks. I have lost 12 pounds in that time as well.

__________________
paisleystar
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Me-33 DH-36 DS-13.5 DS-12 DD-10
DX: Endometriosis 6/13/05
DX:PCOS 2/13/06
DX: Insulin Resistance 2/13/06
DX: Hypoglycemia 2/13/06

Metformin ER 2000mg

christyz

I was about a week in as well. But I didn't change my diet and know that is why I sufferered..when i started eating to control my insulin my side effects disappeared permanently.

If you eat cleanly and dose up slowly, you'll save yourself a lot of aggrivation.

Good luck!

__________________
Christy

33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt!


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Before & Aug 2007

'08: Duathlon and another half?

allyjam

Thanks for the info Christy!
My situation is a bit odd. I was diagnosed with PCOS since 2000 but only started treating it. I have been put on 500mg per day for two weeks and after that I increase the dosage. I was 110lbs before I started the treatment, also had regular period, no other symptoms of PCOS except infertility. I was told to go on a low carb diet but that has been extremely difficult for me as I have now lost 5 lbs which is really not good for me (I lose weight very easily). I don't want to lose any weight and look too sick. I have been trying to gain weight for years and years, have never been more than 110lbs. I am not comfortable with my size and wish to gain at least up to 120lbs. I used to eat alot of sweet stuff and foods high in carb so I guess it shows now. I have done the bloodwork, HSG, and ultrasound and this is my next step Met. This is my third day, my first day I was very weak and had a bit of diarrhea. Today I am fine. I am learning more and more as I read the messages posted on this site. It helps me a lot. Thank you once again.

cyster17899

Christyz,

I just started taking Met yesterday. Thank you for starting this thread. I have learned so much wonderful information.

__________________
Me: 29/DF: 29
Dx: PCOS 2001
Sx: 40lbs overweight, excess hair, irregular periods, skin tags
Meds: multi vitamin and Metformin (500mgs)
Diet: Low fat, moderate carbs, and moderate protein
Exercise: It's hard, but I try to exercise each day



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“I may not be a 10, but the boys say I clean up good!” -Gretchen Wilson