My doctor will not give me Metformin

[Zakia]

I have been diagnosed with PCOS since 1993 and it has taken a toll on my body and mind. I went on Chinese Herbal meds and got my period on regular basis although it is very painful and I become very emotional. I have also lost weight a total of 45 pounds but my symptoms are not getting better. My endo wants to put me on BCP and I don't want to be put on them because of long term effects and I am thinking about trying to have baby. At the same time I am losing hair and have lots of acne. Any suggestions would greatly help!

[novachick]

Well, metformin's not for everyone---it's not a PCOS "wonder" drug, ya know? Why does your doctor say it's not for you?

[JetSet1982]

Try a different doc at a different clinic. If they both say no metformin for you, there is probably a good reason.

[framin_memories]

I agree w/ previous posts. My RE wouldn't give me met (I tried it with a different dr before). I wasn't insulin resistant so she said it really wouldn't make that big of a difference. I then went o an internal med dr that specializes in PCOS and she said the same thing. I am showing no signs of diabetes or insulin problems, so the met wouldn't be very helpful. There have been a few recent studies that both drs noted show that met may not be as helpful as once thought for women with PCOS.

[jatomzmom]

My doctor wouldn't give me Met b/c she thought I would loose weight on it (I am under weight). I went to an endocrinologist and he said I absolutely needed to be on it, and he gave it to me about a month ago. I have been on birth control until recently, so I will have to wait to the end of this cycle to see if it is helping my cycle. My hair is still shedding really badly though.

[akay777]

Try another doctor! Seriously. I had to fight to get on metformin. I was having zero periods a year. Every once in awhile I would get bleeding that would last weeks and weeks and then I would have to have a D&C. I was on bcp but then developed migraines so had to go off.

I finally found an endocrinologist who had "become a believer" in her own words. She put me on metformin and I now have monthly periods without any other drug intervention. I am not insulin resistant. I am not diabetic. I also want to add that I am confused about any endocrinologist not using metformin because the American Society of Endocrinologist put out a statement a few years back recommending that ALL patients with pcos be given metformin.

Everyone please remember that we are ALL at risk of diabetes with this condition. My current doctor is not an endocrinologist and makes sure I stay on metformin - I am on 2000 mg per day. The plan is to prevent me from getting diabetes in the first place. She routinely checks to see that I am not exhibiting signs. I recently had some numbness in my left leg and she immediately did a blood test for diabetes.

Unless your doctor has a specific reason for you not to be on it (metformin), I would definitely look around for another doctor. I am a perfect example of how it has changed my life. (I was also able to lose some weight afterwards).