not sure if Met will help

jap · 07-22-2008, 09:21 PM

hi,

i was diagnosed with PCOS last summer by an endocrinologist. he's one of the doctors that doesn't really treat it unless you're TTC, so all i've been on is a BCP which has helped regulate my periods.
i talked to him about going on Metformin because I am very overweight and have high insulin levels. the second time i mentioned it, he said I lost more weight on my own (but that was also because I spent a couple of months in India, and went to the gym almost everyday). since then, I haven't actually lost much weight, even though I have been working out.

I'm seeing my regular doctor this Friday, and she would most likely prescribe Metformin if I asked. I'm just trying to figure out if it's really worth it. I would probably have to come up with some arguments for why it would help.

What do you guys think? Is the metformin worth the side effects? I'm not a fan of taking pills in general either, but I can get used to it. and most of the excess weight on me is the typical stomach centered, along with the upper arms. I'm 19, and one of the arguments the endo. had against Metformin was that it would be hard to get off of it, and there's no way to figure out how long I should be on it. This guy doesn't make much sense to me, but I wasn't really sure what to say to that....isn't deciding the length of treatment his job? I haven't gone back to him since late last year, so he might be different now.

Sorry my post is kind of all over the place, kind of symbolic of my life I think. haha.
I would really appreciate your comments.
Thanks!
=)

mahjab · 07-22-2008, 09:47 PM

Metformin seems a lot safer to me than birth control pills....and it's more sensible too since it sounds like your PCOS includes insulin resistence. If your insulin is wacky, then your other hormones are wacky so it makes sense to start off with treating the root of the problem (insulin). Whereas birth control just masks your symptoms.

AmyC · 07-23-2008, 10:17 AM

I took BCP, but after 3-4 months even they would stop working for me.

I just asked my GP to give me met and he had no problem with it.
IR was my main problem.
After about 7-8 months straight of 2000 mg of met my body is working on its own. Normal cycles, ovulation, and losing and keeping weight off.
Seriously, this is the best I've felt in over 5 years.