I am new to this site, but already find it incredibly helpful. I was diagnosed in 2002, but had very few symptoms other than an erratic menstrul cycle. I had a little facial hair, but was able to manage it cosmetically, and no other bad symptoms. I maintained a normal weight, but must confess that I was very very strict about my diet in order to do so. A couple years ago my weight started to creep up with no lifestyle or diet change. In the last year, I have gotten darker facial hair, esp on chin, and cycstic acne (on chin only). I also have low thyroid, and am suffering very bad depression and lethargy. I feel really helpless. I have been seeing a naturopath who practices concurrenlty with my ObGyn / specialist, trying to manage the PCOS with diet, herbs and supplements. I suppose this was somewhat successful -- I started ovulating after a few months, and my skin did get a bit better for a while, but now my facial hair is getting worse again, skin keeps flaring up, and I am unable to loose wt. no matter what I do. The naturopath keeps changing a few things, saying it will change, be patient. I have done everything I know to do on the natural route. I had a horrible time on birth control in my teens, which I think made everything worse, so don't want any hormonal intervention.
I am now thinking of trying metformin. I have an appointment with my OBGYN in a couple weeks. I have read a lot about metformin, good and bad, and would love to hear others experiences, especially:
met didnt help me with my hair. It did help with some weight loss, and side effects for me were tiredness. Loss of appetite. But i soon got back to my normal.
eva
I lost weight on Met, too. I also had the infamous diahrreah when I first started it. If you decide to go on it, good luck (and watch your carb in-take to start with to lesson the number of trips you make to the bathroom)!!!
__________________ Me: 26
DH: 30
Married: 5/02
TTC: 12/02
Dx: MFIF, PCOS
Rx: Metformin (started for the second time 11-17-07)
Clomid (Round 1: 11/07)~BFN
Clomid (Round 2: 12/07)~BFN
Clomid (Round 3: 4/08)~BFN
Clomid (Round 4: 5/08)~Starting the pills on 5/8/08
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Hi there. I am new here, too, but wanted to chime in a bit... I have been on Met for 1 month and have lost 10 pounds. My first few weeks I didn't adhere to low carbing as much as I should have, thus the diarrhea was awful! But, now that the Met has really gotten into my system, I have more energy...I am less hungry, have virtually no cravings (which is a first for me!) and the diarrhea has really lessened.
My cycles had been regular for the last 5 years (yes, I kept track!) and all seemed rather normal...minus the continuous plucking of coarse hair on my chin, insomnia for days, unbelievable cravings for sugar, lack of energy, bouts of depression, and the slow and steady gaining of this gosh awful weight. I finally became desperate enough to get help and stop blaming myself for not having enough willpower! I found a great OB-GYN in Scottsdale that referred me to an equally awesome Endocrinologist... and neither of them told me "you just need to lose some weight hun, and all these things will resolve themselves," like my ol family doctor told me years ago. The various lab tests were done and the results all confirmed what their suspicions were... PCOS. Ahhh, finally a little validation for years and years of suffering with something I couldn't put a name to... and didn't even know others had the same problems!
I am going to continue the Met for as long as I need it. I need to lose another 110 pounds... and 70 of that was put on in the last 2 years. Yes, it's been just awful. I can relate to having no change in dietary habits or exercise issues...and the weight just kept piling on. But now, I have help and it's workkkkkkinggggg!!! Yeahhh! Good luck, gf!
Met has helped me. It helped with weight loss and hair. But i also started some major life changes like eating better and such when i started it. It has begun to regulate me after only two months. hope this helps
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I am going to bit the bullet and give it a try. I have tried the natural and alternative therapies, and I am just not getting results I need. Am literally spending thousands on herbs and consultations, and they keep saying it will get better but it does not. I hear you on being told 'just loose some weight'. That's practically impossible when nothing you do makes a difference! I am feeling so depressed at this point, I feel Ihave nothing to loose in trying metformin.
After my post I saw there is a metformin thread, so I'll be checking that regularly, too. Thanks ladies. x.
I have been on Met for just over a week now, only one side effect on day 2. I have been eating pretty healthy, but not always. Had a huge baked potato the other night and no impact. I also upped my dose from 500 to 1000 after 5 days, and still no impact. Hoping the positive impacts show soon...
__________________ Me = 38; DH = 35 10/07 - Married 11/07 - TTC #1 3/08 - HSG & SA all clear; DX PCOS 4/08 - Met ER (mg no s/e; still on) 5/08 8/09- Clomid Waiting for RE doctor, etc. 1/09-8/09 - Femera, trigger, Gonal F, IUI, BFN
I just started MET and today is my 3rd day. I'm only on 500 mg this week, and will go up to 1K next week. So far, I have noticed (sorry to be gross) looser stools in the morning than usual, but nothing uncomfortable or anything. On day one I though I tasted the "metallic taste" they talk about, but I don't know if it was real or just the power of suggestion from having read that! I am also doing Weight Watchers online, which has been great so far. I'm hoping to be ovulating normally soon.... will keep you all posted
I went to a naturopath too a few yrs ago, before I was formally dx'd with PCOS. She felt I had "PCOS-like" symptoms. She had me on some supplements for PCOS. I did start ovulating, lost some weight.... eventually I fell off the wagon with all the supplements, got lazy about taking them. I finally stopped going to the naturopath. This year I changed my insurance to a PPO so I could properly investigate my health concerns with doctors of my choice. I found a great MD (even though I had to pay out of network costs). She took a 90 minute history and revealed years of my medical records. She ordered a battery of tests (23 vials of blood!), ultrasounds, etc... and diagnosed me with PCOS... Anyway I definitely get cystic acne, which is annoying at this age! After 3 weeks on Met, my skin is SO CLEAR. It's wonderful! I just got up to a full dose of 2000 mg this week too. My face is clear AND I'm having my first period in 6 months. GO figure!
__________________
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Me: 33 - just me & the pets Diagnosed with PCOS March 2008 (anovulatory, irregular menses, acne, androgenetic alopecia, iron deficiency anemia - NOT TTC, just want a regular period and clear skin!) Meds: Metformin ER 2000 mg daily (started 3/27/08), Repliva 21/7 (a great iron supplement for people who can't tolerate ferrous sulfate), B12)
Metformin decision Please Help! 
