PCOS and Metformin

Kay6519

I am newly diagnosed with PCOS and had a few questions for you ladies who have it also. My doctor had mentioned possibly starting Metformin when he called to give me my results, and I was curious to hear how your experience with that medication has been.

I do have insulin resistance and some liver problems (very high ALT levels and NAFLD). My follow-up appointment to discuss treatment options isn't for 3 weeks, so I have been trying to read up on everything so I can be better prepared / more knowledgeable about what to expect when I go in. 

TIA for your comments / sharing your experience.

Worldtravler0522

I have PCOS and take Metformin.  My experience has been pretty good so far.  I have some digestive issues when I eat carb heavy meals but otherwise no problem whatsoever.  I would avoid reading about people's experiences too much because I honestly put off taking mine because of things I read online and I regret putting it off for as long as I did. Good luck! 

harleyquinn0621

Hi! I have not been diagnosed with PCOS but i do take metformin for type 2 diabetes....like world traveler if I eat too many carbs or too much sugar it does cause me digestive issues...also I had some initial digestive issues when I first got on it...but otherwise no other issues...good luck! 

echo+november

Sorry for your new diagnosis. I just got the PCOS diagnosis but my doctor didn't prescribe metformin so I'm not much help.

Worldtravler0522 regarding fear of side effects. The benefit of the rx will likely outweigh any down side. Good luck with your new treatment!

Edit: some of my text got cut off.

beary67

My experience with Metformin has been pretty good. I started out taking one pill at dinner time (750mg) for one week and then increased to two pills.  If I eat a lot of carbs, I do have some digestive issues the next morning. Overall, it has taught me to eat better and I have actually lost weight since starting it!  

Kay6519

@worldtraveler0522 I definitely won't let it scare me off! I know everyone may react differently to medication. 

@beary67 That's great that it helped you lose weight. I'm hoping for a similar effect if that is the med my doctor recommends at our next appointment. Did you have trouble trying to lose weight prior to taking Metformin? I have tried all sorts of healthy diets exercise routines previously and just can't lose weight. I understand that is an unfortunate side effect to PCOS.

blessedmomma88

I have PCOS, and am currently taking Metformin. 
I have had some digestive issues, at the start of taking it, but they have resolved now for the most part. 

beary67

@Kay6519 after stopping BC, I went from 135lbs to 170lbs in just a few months and I could not lose the weight. I had a personal trainer and a nutritionist I was working with, and at most, I lost 5lbs over 2 months of working my butt off. I still had to work to lose weight while on Metformin, but the weight came of much easier for me since I've been on the medicine. 

Worldtravler0522

Like previous posters I lost weight while taking Metformin.  To date I think I've lost 50 pounds. Good luck! 

mrswifeytoad

I LOVE my metformin!!!! Had a little digestive issues right at first, but resolved in a week. (Don't trust a fart!!) Haha

clt2pwm11

@mrswifeytoad haha don't trust a fart!! Ain't that the truth!

I had to ask for controlled release metformin and even with that I've only manage to get up to 1000mg.  It makes me crazy nauseous.

Sunflower5678

I was dx with PCOS and was given the RX metformin 500 mg 3 times a day. I started with 500 mg for a week and then each week I increases my dose.
Once I hit the 3x daily my stomach just couldn't handle it. So I was taken back down to 500 mg  twice daily and it's much more managable.

It has helped me reduce my intake of carbs/sugars because the digestive issues following are not fun. That being said I've been on it for 3 months now, and most digestive issues are no longer a problem and I am down almost 10 pounds. Good luck!  

BecauseLove

I am not diagnosed but had some symptoms of PCOS but not enough...they decided to give me Met anyways. I already have kinda a irb stuff but it made it hyper sensitive like I am always aware where a bathroom is sorta thing.  I haven't lost any weight on it. I have stopped taking it twice while ttc...1 time we didn't have mature follies so I went back on it. The other time we ended up with a CP.