I'm new here and just wanted to say hello. I just got back from the doctor today - I've had menstrual irregularities and pain for as long as I can remember and my new endo doc just diagnosed me with PCOS. I'm a vegetarian, non-smoker, non-drinker and try to avoid meds (and "go natural") as much as possible. I'm also hypothyroid and have been on synthroid for the past year. Not by choice, by necessity!
Well, my doctor wants to start me on metformin and I am sooo scared. I've read nothing but horror stories and even my doctor mentioned I may experience stomach upset and diarrhea. I thought ok, no problem, until I went online.
My periods average 45-50 days apart, this month I went 60 days without one. I'm not trying to get pregnant or anything but I would like to regulate my cycle. I haven't experienced any excess hair growth or weight gain (maybe a couple lbs?)
Is it worth it to go on the metformin? I already have food sensitivity and gastro probs at times, which I control by watching my diet and taking probiotics. From what I've read the side effects of metformin - stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, overall sick-feeling is unbearable. And it takes months to decrease?
How long does this really go on for, how many of you experienced this and is it really that terrible.
Thank you so much for any input...I have a feeling I'll be on this site a lot now.
First, welcome. Second, metformin is different for everyone. My doctor advised that I start it on a Friday night, so I had a couple of days to adjust before I had to go back to work. Every time I upped the amount I did the same thing. I usually had a couple of days where I had a big gas bubble in my stomach. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. I went from 500mg to 1000mg to 1500mg over 3 weeks' time. I only had problems adjusting at 1500mg. I missed one day of work. I would start small and not go up until you feel comfortable with the amount you are currently on. There is a large sticky in the Met part of the forum with how people have coped with the different side effects. You have to use common sense and stay away from bad foods. The rest is trial and error. For instance, I have no problems with eggs, but I can't eat restaurant salads anymore. Immodium can be helpful to get you over the adjustment bumps, but I rarely needed it. My thought is to try it. Start very slowly and increase very slowly. If you absolutely cannot tolerate it, you'll learn very quickly. Good luck!
Thank you for your replies. I guess I'll have to try it to see how I react. Fortunately, I work from home so I have easy access to to a bathroom!! I'll buy some immodium ahead of time just to be safe! As far as the food issues, did those go away or can you still not eat certain foods?
Carey(31) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Paul(43)
Married 7-25-02
PCOS Diagnosed Nov 02'
Bi Polar Diagnosed Feb 08'
Current meds~ Lithium&Celexa
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I have trouble digesting milk/dairy - so I stick to soy, which I prefer anyway! Anything greasy, sometimes problems with wheat or anything acidic like tomatoes or orange juice. I've learned to avoid certain foods and sometimes have anxiety when eating out because I'm so nervous about getting sick. It's more difficult when eating out because you can't monitor the ingredients as easily as you can at home.
I'm no glutten for punishment so if this metformin is going to make me sick as a dog (similar to my food sensitivity) I'm not sure I'm brave enough. If I start treatment and I start noticing symptoms day 1, I don't think I can make it through 2-3 weeks of it.
Are there ANY other meds that some of you would recommend, other than metformin. I'm very new to all this, so what are the long-term effects of living with PCOS without treatment? I've read that some soulcysters have gone 1 year without a period...I've never gone that long. I usually average 2 months or so.
Welcome to SC! I don't know much about Metformin because I've never been on it, and I don't know much about any other meds or natural things to take to help with af. However, if you stopped at a good health store that sells vitamins and tinctures, they should be able to help you. Also, I've read about someone else using npc (natural progesterone cream) and vitex (also know as chasteberry) to help with af and O. Again, I don't know a lot about these things because I've personally never used them, but maybe you'd like to check them out. HTH!
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dx 5/5/05
BFP 7/19/05....missed m/c 9/05
BFP (clomid 50mg + trigger + IUI) - 4/30/06!
Twin boys born @ 33wks... 29 days in the NICU
BFP (clomid 25mg + trigger + IUI) - 12/19/08!
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Like a lot of people have said every one reacts differently on Met. The bad thing about not treating your pcos symptoms is that you could develop cysts on your ovaries that may affect your fertility later when and if you do want to have a baby. If you haven't gained much weight that's great! Maybe you won't, but if you do that's where the Met will help. Also, some people on Met see there cycles going to normal. The hormone imbalance can sometimes be because of the insulin resistance. Once that gets leveled out sometimes everything else levels out as well.
I just started Met a week agao. I was at 500mg and now to 1000mgs. So far not one side effect. You've got to do what's right for you though. Since you are close to a bathroom it might not hurt to try it. One doesn't solve problems with out taking a leap right! HOpefully this helps some!
don't be scared! I was in your position for the last three months. After losing 5lbs already I'm starting to relax and see that the medicine might just be working! I also starte on the Yasmin (the pill) so that when I do want to get prego it'll help when I go off.
__________________ Leigh(28)DH(35) Married 12-28-07 TTC#1-June 2008 Cycle 1-Natural cycle, No O, BFN Cycle 2-Femara, trigger, O, BFN Cycle 3-Natural cycle, O, BFN Cycle 4-Natural cycle, O, BFP, didn't know/m/c 9 month break for testing, laproscopy (all normal) Cycle 5-Femara, trigger, O, BFP! 8/17 (m/c) 8/27 Cycle 6-Natural cycle, O, BFN Cycle 7-Femara, trigger, O, 2ww To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Met is different for everybody. I didn't experience the diahrrea or stomach upset unless I ate greasy fatty foods or a lot of salad.
I always take my met at the same time everyday with a meal.
Take a look at the metformin forum--there is a ton of info there!!
I also lost weight and my cycles became regular on met.
Welcome to SC!!!
New here and scared silly 
welcome 
