Once diagnosed with PCOS, how long before given Metformin?
Hi Ladies,
I've read a lot of posts about people who have been diagnosed with PCOS for a few years, but who have only just been prescribed Metformin. Is this because other treatments and drugs are taken initially to see what works for the client, or is it because Metformin is like a last resort (like Accutane for acne)? Is it true that it is still a trial drug in America and that doctors over here are not too sure about it?
If not, just why does it take so long??
Also, once a UK patient has been diagnosed with PCOS, are they able to insist they are given this drug by the recommendation of hundreds of other PCOS sufferers who take it and find it a 'wonder' drug? Would it make it any easier?
Hope I make sense and thanks for reading my post,
Star_light
xxx
P.s. My Gynaecologist appointment is on the 14th of August and I can't wait to be tested and to find out the truth!
I was dg pcos when I was 19 and was put on bcp. It only became an issue again last year when I got married and came off the pill. After six months of no af my gp referred me to a gyn at a local hospital who fortunately has done quite a lot of research into metformin and prefers to use it as a first line of treatment before all the fertility drugs.
He prescribed met to me in February (9 months after stopping bcp) and I got pregnant two and a half months later!
I'm not sure whether you can "insist" they prescribe met but if you go to your app armed with as much info as possible you may be able to persuade your dr to give it a try.
Sorry I can only speak from experience but hope it helps. Good luck! xx
__________________ ttc since May 01
started met 1000mg/day February 02
expecting baby January 2003
Hi! I've been doing a lot of reading in the last day... I was just diagnosed with PCOS yesterday and I spent the afternoon researching and trying to learn as much as I can. From what I have read, Metformin and the other insulin resistance meds are *not* approved for use with PCOS. That's probably why doctors are resistant to prescribing it. But, the insulin resistance meds seem to really work, which suggests the problem is more than the PCOS characteristics that we experience on the surface. It would be amazing if doctor's could find proof of what seems to be the underlying cause of PCOS: insulin resistance. Unfortunately, there isn't proof from the research yet. I hope that day comes sooner, rather than later, though! Personally, I'm going to bring metformin up with my GYN, even though we are ttc and they'll probably just want me to take clomid. DH and I really want to have a baby, but clomid seems like just another surface treatment.
__________________ me(39) dh(35)
- two beautiful children after IVf and every method possible before that
- Still nursing DS at 11 months
- Not sure what happens to my life with PCOS after babies... watch this space
Hiya!
I got dx with pcos in Late febuary and have got my first prescription of mets TODAY!
Theres a good time scale for ya.
__________________ 26 Years old
Married on 06/09/03 to wonderful DH To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
DX Febuary 2002 after miscarriage
TCC for 6 years.........DH very very happy bunny.
Was on 1000mg of Gluc XR +vitex pre natal vitamins but stop taking in 2006 as it was doing nothing for me.
High Blood Pressure and now on drugs for this.
'I am always called a feminist when I exhibit personality traits that differ to that of a doormat,'
My Endo said that Met is only prescribed in the uk for women who have trouble ttc, so as I'm not ttc that's why he's not giving me met.
Also the fact that met hasn't been approved for pcos - but for treating diabeties.
btw - I did say to my Endo that I know lots of people who have used/ are using met - but he said that it wouldn't be the right treatment for me.
Eva
__________________ Age 35, dh 30, married 8 years, one son 5 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"
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Oh right!! So, do you take another type of medication which treats the cause of PCOS or individual ones to treat certain symptoms?
The reason I ask is because I've read that Met is the only drug which treats the cause and so this is why so many PCOS sufferers take it. If so many of these people take it and find it extremely helpful, then why on earth wouldn't it be approved??
If Met IS the only drug to treat the cause of PCOS then I would be extremely upset if I wasn't be able to take it. I don't want to be bothered taking medications for individual symtoms. I would rather be treated for the cause so that all the symptoms would hopefully get better.
If I am wrong and there is another drug, can anyone tell me as I would like to mention it at my next appointment and see what she says!! Thanks ever so much for your replies ladies. It's been really helpful indeed
Star_light
xxx
Last edited by Star_light; 07-31-2002 at 08:10 PM.
Once diagnosed with PCOS, how long before given Metformin? 
