Metformin Question when Not TCC Yet!

Alchik · 03-15-2005, 07:00 PM

Hi,
I'm not TCC yet, however, I would like to get my cycles under control. I don't have a lot of PCOS sympoms, however I do have very thin hair, and very irregualr peroids. My doc said that my hormone levels are "normal", but she never gave me the exact numbers. I asked her to put me on metformin and she was very apprehensive, since I am not TCC.
Does anyone know if there are any side effects for think cysters? and if their symptoms are worse or better after metformin.
I just wish the docs wouldn't blow me just because I'n not TCC.

stark tjej · 03-16-2005, 05:10 AM

Hi. My doctor said taking Met for having PCOS is like a retirement plan - you take it for the long term and do it consistently and the benefits are reduced heart attack incidence with age (for PCOS women without treatment they are equal to men).
I'm 5'7" and about 140, and my doctor didn't hesitate to prescribe it (we're not ttc yet either). My doctor also explained to me that it is very important to have regular cycles because of cancer risks later in life - the endometrium is meant to be shed often, and if it isn't, there can be troubles.
It isn't fun to start on met, though, at least it wasn't for me. Felt really crappy the first couple of weeks. Much better since (started in November 04).
Hope that helps.

meganbethsmith · 03-17-2005, 04:24 PM

Similar experience as Stark Tjej, my specialist said you can be on it for a long time and it's the best thing, esp. for thin cysters that won't benefit from losing weight. I should mention that my primary doctor wouldn't give me Met when I asked, she is completely ignorant when it comes to PCOS. So I guess what I'm saying is maybe try to find a specialist or get a second opinion?

I'm not TTC but wasn't getting AF at all. My side effects on Met were bad at first - diarrhea, then the complete 360 degree opposite. But the weight gain/bloating has started to go down a bit. Also, I started noticing that my mood is improving too. If you get severe side effects and live in the U.S., there is the extended release version of Met that a lot of people seem to like.

Good luck!

Goldilocks · 03-17-2005, 05:13 PM

Hi there,

I'm thin (BMI 19.4 so technically a little underweight) and on Met. I have lost 2kg in three months on it as it has surpressed my appetite and so I'm having to be careful to make sure I eat enough as I don't want to lose more weight and have the doc take me off met.

I have noticed a big improvement in my skin which was v.oily and now I get the odd zit but nothing major. Too soon to tell about hair etc but I have had cycles between 24 and 30 days on Met with 5-6 day periods. Without met it was anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months with really long periods (up to 3 weeks approx.).

My doc and specialist originally wouldn't prescribe it for me and I have to send jurnal articles etc demonstrating that met could be effective in thin women. I just ahd my follow up appointment with the specialist and he was surprised by the benefit I had already seen

Goldilocks

Alchik · 03-17-2005, 05:57 PM

Goldilocks,
Thank you very much for your reply. I am really looking forward to going to se my doc now adn I will tell her that i HAVE to have the Met. By any chance, do you know where I can find similar articles so I can bring them to her to make sure the prescribes the MET for me. I already decided that if she doesn't do it, I will have to order it online from Canada or mexico, but I am very afraid to this without medical supervision.

Goldilocks · 03-24-2005, 12:35 AM

Hi

I've copied the list I sent to my doctor below and I also included this one which was especially relevant but not available on the web: Viewpoints on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Clinical Research from Endocrine News Volume 29, Number 4 - August 2004 (http://www.endo-society.org/news/end...oints-PCOS.cfm).

Good luck!

Goldilocks

Baillargeon JP, Jakubowicz DJ, Iuorno MJ, Jakubowicz S, Nestler JE. Effects of metformin and rosiglitazone, alone and in combination, in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal indices of insulin sensitivity. Fertil Steril. 2004 Oct; 82(4):893-902.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=15482765

Ehrmann, David A.., M.D.; Rychlik, Daniel, M.D. Pharmacologic Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Semin Reprod Med 21(3):277-283, 2003.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

Elter K, Imir G, Durmusoglu F. Clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of metformin added to ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate in non-obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled study. Hum Reprod. 2002 Jul; 17(7):1729-37.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=12093831

Maciel GA, Soares Junior JM, Alves da Motta EL, Abi Haidar M, de Lima GR, Baracat EC. Nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome respond better than obese women to treatment with metformin. Fertil Steril. 2004 Feb; 81(2):355-60.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=14967373

Morin-Papunen L, Vauhkonen I, Koivunen R, Ruokonen A, Martikainen H, Tapanainen JS. Metformin versus ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate in the treatment of nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Jan;88(1):148-56.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=12519844

Naci K. Kuscu, MD, and Faik M. Koyuncu, MD. Insulin and Oral Antidiabetic Agents for Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Medscape General Medicine 4(4), 2002.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ. Lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome respond to insulin reduction with decreases in ovarian P450c17 alpha activity and serum androgens. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Dec; 82(12):4075-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...t_uids=9398716

Wang A, Li M, Lu C Role of hyperinsulinemia in pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome and treatment by reduction of insulin secretion. Chung Hua Fu Chan Ko Tsa Chih 1998 Dec; 33(12):731-4
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

Alchik · 03-24-2005, 11:17 AM

Goldilocks,
Thank you so much for this info.
Now I know what to give to my doc.

thank you very much.

Alchik · 03-30-2005, 06:47 PM

Goldilocks,
I wanted tot hank you very much for the articles.
I had my Dr. app yesterday and I mentioned to her that I was interested in taking Metformin. She was really skeptical about it since I'm not TCC yet. She pointed out my "normal" blood results, although she forgot to mention that my LH:FSH level is 1:2. She was very surprised when I pointed it out to her. So then I gave her the articles that you gave me, and TADA!!!!!!!!!! I got my Met prescription!
I have to take 500mg for one week and then increase it to 1000 next week.
I just wanted to thank you so much for those articles. Also this board is so helpful, so much info to convince your doc to give you the treatment you think you need.
I feel really lucky to have so many wonderful people to talk to.
Again,
Thank you very much.

Goldilocks · 04-22-2005, 01:07 AM

My pleasure! I'm glad you got the prescription. I got my first set of blood test results back after being on met for 4 months and I defiantly ovulated last cycle and my hormone levels are all normal! It is still early days but I'm thrilled that something is working and I don't have to go back on the pill!

Alchik · 04-25-2005, 06:52 PM

Hi Goldilocks,
This is my 4th week on Met and hopefully I will ovulate this cycle. Last cycle I did not ovulate according to my 21st day p4 test, although Fertility Friend seemes to think that I did on CD 38. Weird. I hope that this cycle will be shorter.
How long did it take for you to stabalize you AF?