Unable to get Metformin prescribed in Australia?

TG · 02-18-2005, 10:02 AM

I think I need to try metformin badly.

I am 24, nearly bald, and am about 40kg overweight....and I am having a very hard time loosing it.

Diabetes is also a major problem in my family - 3 people are already insulin dependent and another is Type 2. My doctor has not tested me but he said he's certain I would be insulin resistant as most PCOSers are.

So I am staring down the barrel at near certain diabetes in my future and they can't do anything to help me. In Australia, apparently there's no indication to prescribe Metformin for anything other than Type 2 (and sometimes as a supplement to Type 1 diabetes).

They are unable to prescribe that type of drug to anyone that hasn't actually got Type 2 already - 'not until after the horse has bolted' (docs words). Is there anything I can do? Is anyone on here from Australia - will your doctors prescribe it for you? Where abouts do you live if you do get it prescribed? The doctor first mentioned the possibility of prescribing it to me, but is very hesitant to due to possible legal ramifications, which I can understand, but if there was another doc that would initially prescribe it, he would oversee treatment still (he's been really good actually). He was also talking about another new drug, began with an 'A' I think, that apparently keeps blood sugar/insulin? at a particular level, no matter how much sugar you throw at it - but again, not for PCOS.

I am trying desperately to loose some more weight, but I am having serious scalp hair loss issues that they are trying to stabilise with various anti-androgen medications, but I have read that this insulin resistence problem is the root of all our PCOS problems. Are there any herbal/alternative things worth trying? I was told Chromium was ok for helping to regulate blood sugar - but the chemist thinks it will interact with my Spironolactane so I have to wait until I see doc again.

Thanks
TG

Jopet · 02-19-2005, 12:57 AM

Hi, I live in Nth Qld and I was prescribed met to treat PCOS I think you will find that alot of us aussie's are using met to treat it.
Maybe other's will respond with their experiences.

TickledPink · 02-19-2005, 01:04 AM

can you try another doc! I am in Canada and had to go to 3 different doc's to get it!

Good luck!

Roses · 02-19-2005, 03:36 AM

You might want to check out the thread in the Aussie / Kiwi forum titled 'Recommend a Doctor' or something. Are you seeing a GP or an Endo? Maybe you need to get a referral to an Endo?

Sorry, I am not on met, but I am pretty sure that docs are able to prescribe it.

Good luck.

Brooke

Hayles · 02-19-2005, 03:44 AM

I live in victoria & I have been prescribed met from 4 diff drs three bing gyns & one my gp to treat the pcos it's pretty standard I would try another dr good luck with it

Sammie · 02-19-2005, 04:04 AM

I live in South East QLD, and was given met for my IR.

I would find a new doc, or an endo, maybe they would be more willing to help.

Serene Tamborine Mummy · 02-19-2005, 06:51 AM

I live on the Gold Coast and the Endo at the public hospital prescribed it for me. I haven't talked to other specialist about it. But I did have to doctor shop for awhile before I found one with compassion/understanding of PCOS.
Good luck.
Donna.

Roobie · 02-19-2005, 08:07 AM

Hi TG and welcome to soulcysters.
With limited Dr choices in my area, I found it hard to get Met prescribed because my current Dr thinks a bit like yours. I asked her for a simple blood test called a glucose tolerance test, which showed 'impaired glucose tolerance'. With the test results, and other pcos symptoms, a gyn prescribed Met to me at first. Now my Doctor gives me the repeats but we disagree on upping the dose.

If you don't mind me recommending a book, it might be helpful to you. It's called The New Glucose Revolution - Managing Pcos (by Brand-Miller, Farid & Marsh published by Hodder). It explained how Met was traditionally used in Type 2, but more recently has been found helpful for pcos. The book might also give you some ideas for controlling those blood sugar/insulin issues with it's Low GI eating suggestions.

I agree, you may have to shop around for a new Doctor if you can. Good Luck with your treatment.
Rhon xx

CottonsMum · 02-19-2005, 09:17 AM

my Fertility Specalist put me on Met. I am borderline Type II Diabetes, but he still put me on it.

I will never forget the first few times I took it though. It made me so sick. It is worth it though and it does work.

Best of luck and let us know how you go.

Tanya

wombat woman · 02-20-2005, 11:06 PM

I asked my Gyno for it after finding this site and he reluctantly started me on 1000mg (he tried to force the Atkins diet on me instead) he also told me he had ONE other PCOS patient using Met and it seemed to be helping her a little????. Later my RE upped the dose to 2000mg. I would ask for a referral to either an Endo or a good Gyno as most GPs have no idea. Yes the S/E start out awfully but for most it gets better.

Good luck, and don't take no for an answer, arm yourself with info and give it to the doc if need be.

Cheers,
Karen

crazygirl · 02-20-2005, 11:33 PM

I'm from Melb and my Gyno presecribed me Met when I was taking Clomid no problem

TG · 02-21-2005, 03:14 AM

Thanks for your replies. I have been seeing an Endo for over 2 years now - she initially diagnosed the PCOS, although my GP sent me to her coz he suspected it.

The only thing they put me on was Androcur. Then my Endo went overseas a year ago and has not yet come back as scheduled....may not be back till July or even later now. There has been a male Endo taking her place, and I felt my first visit to him was a waste of time - the second late last year was a bit more informative....they decided to take me off the Androcur as it was affecting my liver and I was taking ever-decreasing doses.

They ahve put me on Aldactone now....the endo mentioned Metformin as a passing statement, but didn't offer it. And it turns out he only mentioned it because my GP had written him a letter regarding it and me. I was not as knowledgeable on the Insulin resistance thing then so I didn't pursue it. I'm going to ask my GP for Glucose Tolerance test when I see him in 3 weeks - and it should be ready for my next appointment with Endo 3 weeks or so after that. We'll see what he says, it'll determine whether I ask my GP for a different Endo - but hopefully its ok because it takes so long to get to see these people!!!

Serene Tamborine Mummy · 02-21-2005, 08:49 AM

TG - sounds like you have a plan. Good luck.
Donna.

Ren · 02-24-2005, 10:15 PM

Your gyno recommended Atkins? Mine told me flat out not to do it. He recommended low carb, but thinks Atkins is a load of ****. (his words not mine) My mum wants me to try Metmorfin, but I'm (slowly) losing the weight with exercise and (somewhat) healthy eating.

miranda1977 · 02-25-2005, 11:52 PM

Hi,

I've been on metformin since 1998, initially prescribed by my GP after seeing an endo. I took all the info from the web (research etc), printed it out and took it with me. Since then I have moved towns (now in Brisbane) and whenever I need a script for it I just say "I am on this for PCOS" and they just hand it over, no questions asked. Some with Spiro.

I think the "A" drug mentioned is Actos. Again, I've had this prescribed to me by an endo, even though it is not yet typically used for PCOS patients. I'm no longer on it because it didn't work well for me.

I'd suggest an endo who is attached to one of the University's or specialises in PCOS, they have no qualms about prescribing met, or other drugs that may be used to help PCOS.

Which city are you near? If in Brisbane, the girls on this log have some good Drs they could refer to.

Cheers,
Miranda