Metformin

Susan Davina · 04-28-2002, 05:49 PM

Is metformin available in the UK? I am confused because my doctor says it can only be given to diabetics in this country but I am hearing of people with insulin resistance, not diabetes, who are taking it.
I am very insulin resistant and crave carbs like you wouldnt believe - I have heard that met can help with this, so how do I go about finding it? I am not particulalry overweight but am on dianette which I think bloats me, and would like to find an alternative that will help control my symptoms and help me be able to conceive when the time comes. Should I be looking for met?!

persian_n · 04-28-2002, 06:18 PM

please believe me Metformin is available in the Uk for PCOS but it is not licensed to treat PCOS ladies. But you can get it though it is quite hard to get the Doc to prescribe it to you , Why dont you post where you are ( what area you come from) and maybe someone who has managed to get Met can tell you who there Doc is.

I am in Uxbridge.
Try and get a referal to an endocrinologist they are more lickly to prescribe it. but if you can find a PCOS freindly doctor it will make it easier.

Hope this helps

Kind regards
Nikki

------------------
Me 27
Hubby 34
Diagnosed for 7 years
TTC 6 years
3 miscarriages in the 1st year of marriage
Ovarian Drilling 1998
Acctively TTC 2 years
1500mg Metformin
M/C 04/2002 ( 4th one)

[This message has been edited by persian_n (edited 04-29-2002).]

Eva34 · 04-28-2002, 06:54 PM

Hello

I was told that a gp can't prescribe met, but that an Endo CAN prescribe met - and then your gp can give repeat prescriptions. So, a gp can only give met with a letter from a Endo at the Hospital.

Hope this helps

Eva

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Age 34, dh 29, married 7 years, one son 4 years old

DX pcos Jan 2001
DX ibs Dec 1999
Dx LOCAH Sept 2001
Hidradentis Suppurativa
(lumps)
Cervical Ectropion
Raised blood pressure
High Cholesterol
Loads of meds - too many to mention!!

"She is buffeted by the waves but she does not sink"

persian_n · 04-29-2002, 07:57 AM

You are correct about the Gp only been able to give you a repeat after an Endo has prescibed it. But ( and I think I was just lucky) my fertility specialist told me about Met and that I might be a candidate but I had to wait 8 mnths for the next app so I researched it on the net and printed all the info I could find took it to my GP and basically turned on the water works and told him what I heard and that no matter what the risk was I wanted to try it,,,, after about a half and hours app he did and I have gotten a repeat ever since.

A month after my GP prescribed it I got an appointment for an Endo and when I saw her I told her how I got me and she just told me to carry on with met and she was pleased with my results so far.

As I said it is possible just darn difficult to get it.....

Kindest regards
Nikki

------------------
Me 27
Hubby 34
Diagnosed for 7 years
TTC 6 years
3 miscarriages in the 1st year of marriage
Ovarian Drilling 1998
Acctively TTC 2 years
1500mg Metformin
M/C 04/2002 ( 4th one)

Susan Davina · 04-29-2002, 09:06 AM

Thanks for the info,
I am in north/central london - somebody must know of a pcos friendly doctor there!
Excuse my ignorance, but what is an endocrinologist? And can met be given to people who arent overweight?

Alison · 04-29-2002, 09:10 AM

Hi Susan,

I was given Met by my gynae, so it's definitely available to people who aren't diabetic. I just think it depends whether your consultant has read the research or not!

love

Alison
xxxx

EmmaE · 04-29-2002, 09:28 AM

I too have been prescribed Metformin by my consultant. My GP hands out the repeat prescriptions although they do get a bit confused and ask me to do 'diabetic' blood tests every now and again (which all come back as normal of course)

An alternative pill to Dianette is Yasmin which has only just become available here in the last week or so. Don't know much about it myself though as I'm ttc.

Emma

HeathHog · 04-29-2002, 09:54 AM

Just to clear up some mistunderstanding here metformin CAN be prescribed by a GP although most of them are unwilling to prescribe it . My friend was pxed it by her GP before she had even been referred to the gynae. I think a lot of them are unwilling to prescribe it but hopefully now that an article has appeared in the BMJ basically saying that met Seems to work as a treatment for PCOS more of them will be willing to px it

------------------
Heather

age 28
Married Oct 97
TTC since Sept 98
Dx Oct 2000 PCOS & Hypothyroid
Metformin prescribed Jan 2002

From 'The House at Pooh Corner':

"He said that you should select an aspiration that is appealing without regard to the constraints of current reality." Owl peered sternly at Pooh, seeing that he still had a puzzled expression on his face. "Pay attention, Pooh. And you too, Eeyore. He said think about what you like best. Don't worry now whether achieving it might not be practical."

Feel Free to E-mail me heather@hoggatt.co.uk

[This message has been edited by HeathHog (edited 04-29-2002).]

Sue M · 04-29-2002, 10:07 AM

Susan,

At my last GP appointment she said that if my ultrasound supported the diagnosis then there was a drug called Metformin that I could take. My doc said she'd prescribed it for people with diabetes before but not for people with PCOS and that she'd prefer to refer me to an endocrinologist (a specialist in the endocrine (hormonal) system) who would be able to prescribe it. She mentioned that it may help me with my weight loss, but even if it stabilises things I'll be grateful.

Depending on how long the refereal takes (I've had to wait 6 months for a specialist appointment on the NHS before now) I may consider going private, at least for the initial consultation so I can get the first prescription. Bupa have Endocrinologists in some of their hospitals and it's about £100 - £200 for the appointment. Expensive I know, but it could mean the difference between 6 months of insanity and sanity for me and my other half!

My ultrasound found cysts on my ovaries and so I need to see the doc, but due to a new appointment system, it's going to be more difficult to get to see her than it would probably be to see a specialist!

We in the UK seem to be a bit behind the US in our treatment of PCOS. I always take plenty of printouts from various websites as evidence to my appointments. My doc says that PCOS is a 'buzzy' diagnosis at the moment which is good as it means that more money is being poured in for research. Hopefully more doctors will become familiar with PCOS and start helping women rather than telling them it's in their head and that they should go and lose weight!

Keep pushing and eventually we'll all get there!

Sue
xxx

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If you lose hope you lose everything.

hampshire hog · 05-01-2002, 09:27 AM

hi ladies!

just wanted to add my bit!

i am on metformin, and was prescibed it by my gp..at the surgery!
i have not seen any sort of specialist..since 1994!
i took a magzine clipping about metformin,to see her...she was reluctant to prescibe it...but took some blood..told be to come back, in 10 days...she done her research...and the following appointment she prescibed it!!

thanks

gina

Charlotte · 05-02-2002, 09:30 AM

Just a quick note to say, yes, you can be prescribed metformin if you are not overweight. I'm slim, and I was prescribed metformin by my gynaecologist (at Exeter Hospital). I'm very pleased with the results so far, two regular periods when I don't have any periods usually.

Ask your GP to refer you.

Charlotte.

------------------
TTC #1 since Nov 2000
Thin cyster
Always had irregular periods/no periods
DX PCOS June 2001
Tried clomid up to 200mgs and I'm clomid resistant

Now trying metformin 1500mgs

persian_n · 05-02-2002, 12:03 PM

I have to disagree with you I asked My endo (who I saw after having it prescibed by my GP) why so many people battle to get Metformin prescibed and she said that firstly it is not licenced for the PCOS treatment but they still prescribe it, then she will considder it if you are overweight as it helps with the weight issue in some women and also want to conceive, as one of the side effects listed on the slip in the box is pregnancy...

A lot of Ladies struggle with weight problems thank to PCOS and sometimes met is the main answer for them,

just my two cents worth

------------------
Me 27
Hubby 34
Diagnosed for 7 years
TTC 6 years
3 miscarriages in the 1st year of marriage
Ovarian Drilling 1998
Acctively TTC 2 years
1500mg Metformin
M/C 04/2002 ( 4th one)

frizz100 · 05-02-2002, 02:54 PM

Hi Susan,

I wish you all the best in your quest for Mets, it is possible but just plain hard work trying to get it sometimes...

In regard to the above post from Charlotte, not picking but Met is also used to help us big girl loss weight, so def is prescribed to those overweight and all being well I hope to start shortly after my little'n arrives and I finish b'feeding..
Take care and good luck
Frizz
x

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When I look into the future, it's so bright it burns my eyes**

May you never miss a rainbow or a sunset because you are looking down!!

29 yrs old
DH #5yrs
PCOS- symptoms over 10years
Excess hair
Over weight
V High Testosterone
Mood swings
AF x1 per 1 1/2 yrs - now 2x 1yr - first AF 6yrs old

1st Clomid 50mg ended 23/2/02 - fingers crossed.
Next Endo 19/3/02 100mg Clomid if not PG
***First round worked PG 21/3/02- Endo to confirm due date
EDD 22 Nov 02 - MY EED 26 Nov 02

(*(*(*( Baby Dust to you all)*)*)*)

katherine6780 · 05-02-2002, 05:28 PM

FAO: Sue M

6 Months ?????
Is that the standard waiting time to get an appointment with a specialist on the NHS ??
My doctor is about to do a referal for me, hoped it wouldn't take that long.

Katherine

tory · 05-03-2002, 06:00 AM

I waited three months for my NHS appointment.. not TOO long, I suppose.

GPs can prescribe Met.. but you're right, many will hesitate to do so without the back up of a Gynae.

I have a great Gynae in London - Mr. Kelleher at Guy's Hospital. In fact, the entire clinic there seems open to using Met - and I'm not overweight or IR either!

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Diagnosed since last December, on Metformin and Dianette.
Four year relationship with the fabulous Tom. (a medical student!)
Aged 23.