Metformin and alcohol?

Re: Metformin and alcohol?

• CML11 member

  October 2014

  I have no answers, but I would call your office and ask them. I don't like to risk it. Good luck!

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• tumbleweed123 member

  October 2014

  jencity9 My old RE told me to be extremely cautious when taking met and drinking.  (She actually got kind of dramatic.) I never drink, and told her that (allergy to alcohol), but she still insisted on explaining that drinking on met is not recommended.  She said one drink would probably be ok, but she would not recommend more than that. I have no first hand experience though, just reporting what my old RE told me.  I'd be curious to hear the experiences of others.  

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• AnonymousNurse member

  October 2014

  *lurking from 3T*

  
  

  Metformin and alcohol together can result in lactic acidosis which can be fatal.  The risk is much higher if you have pre-existing liver/kidney/heart problems.  If you are an otherwise healthy person, 1-2 drinks on occasion should not harm you but make sure to have a conversation with your doctor about this.  From my understanding, it's not super common but it happens enough that it needs to be taken very seriously.  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• jencity9 member

  October 2014

  Thanks for the info! I ultimately chose not to drink and will mention it the next time I see the RE.

  
  

  Me: 32  DH: 33  Married: March 2004
  

  
  

  July 2006: started TTC
  2008: HSG (normal), couple rounds of clomid through gyno
  2008 - 2010: dragging my feet out of fear and procrastination
  October 2010: first consultation with RE, dx PCOS and fibroids (DH slightly low count/motility)
  Oct. 2010 - Dec. 2012:  In DENIAL! avoided the issue because I was scared of surgery
  January 2013: returned to RE, fibroids grew significantly
  February 2013: second HSG, fibroids pushed on tubes which blocked them somewhat
  March 2013: MRI to determine what type of surgery may be necessary
  July 29, 2013: fibroids (5) removed via robotic laparascopy
  August 2013 - Nov 2013 : benched due to recent surgery
  

  
  

  IUI #1, Dec. 24, 2013, BFN 
  

  IUI #2, Jan. 25, 2014, BFN
  IUI #3, Feb. 25, 2014  BFN
  IUI #4 canceled due to lack of response to letrozole
  IUI #4.1 April 28, 2014, BFN
  May 16, 2014: wtf consult, start prepping for IVF in June and add injects for one last IUI in the meantime
  IUI #5 started letrozole and bravelle but canceled after HSG led to new diagnosis
  May 21, 2014: third HSG, tubes blocked, one at the beginning, one hydrosalpinx??
  

  June 11, 2014: consult, approved to move on to IVF because the hydro is not completely blocked therefore allowing fluid to move through slowly rather than backwards
  IVF #1 August 8, 2014 - 3dt of 2 embryos, BFN
  September 17, 2014 - 4th HSG, the right tube is very patent (open!!) dye went straight through this time. Weird!
  October 2, 2014 - started metformin treatment
  November 14, 2014 - blood work, brought A1C down from 5.8 to 5.5
  November 26, 2014 - RE finally back from vaca and reviewed my chart, no more IVFs for rest of calendar year
  December 1, 2014 - Right after Thanksgiving, I called a new clinic and got in right away! Plan for IVF
  December 17, 2014 - ER! 29 retrieved (!!), 16 mature, all 16 fertilized (ICSI)
  IVF #2 December 20, 2014 - 3dt of 3 embryos, BFN
  

  
  We are done with treatment unsuccessfully.
  
  

  
  

  PAIF/SAIF/All Welcome!
  
     
  

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• przemosbabe member

  November 2014

  Well you already decided you weren't going to do it, but I just wanted to add that I have drank on it many times while I wasn't doing fertility treatments and I never had any problems. Nobody ever told me I couldn't drink on it,

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