METFORMIN with non-Diag. Of PCOS (loss mentioned)

kmartinez209 · October 2015

Hello ladies, I recently went to my Dr. Yesterday, I was following up after a loss in September. I have always felt that I fall into a PCOS category, 1. I have short light menstruation, 2. overweight (obease), 3. malasma, 4. loss of hair at scalp by forehead, 5. unwanted chin hairs, 6. can't loose weight for the life of me 7. Undiagnosed Infertility after trying for 10+ Years.

During our IVF over the last few months a Dr at our RE's office mentioned im border line PCOS, but not confirmed. (OMG! What does that mean?!?) it's so frustrating I've been trying to get a confirmation for years, what does it take?!? So I went to my Dr. And asked to be confirmed, he blew me off and told me I really don't need to know till im in my 40's and done with children cause I'll be able to be on BC and can get some relief from it.... WTF! I want a confirmation NOW because I know there's a diet I can follow and foods I can stay away from if I have a confirmed PCOS Diag. But no body wants to give it to me. So I mentioned to Dr im having a hard time loosing weight and RE wanted me to loose some pounds before our 2nd FET come January 2016. Sooooo with out confirmed Diag. Dr RX'ed me "METFORMIN" he mentioned taking it over a 3 month period I should lose some weight, but im at a loss I don't like pills im not too happy about taking something without confirmation and I totally worry about, side effects..... Ladies please I need advise, I need to know some opinions and suggestions from any of you who've taken this pill, any results, pros & cons.... I've seen so many ladies state they were Diag. Im worried about putting drugs in my body I may not need, this is so frustrating :-q :-w

PCOSbaby · October 2015

Did your RE do bw or an u/s?

What was his rationale for providing you with a script for Met?

riveridgional · October 2015

My OB Rx'd me Metformin with one of my Clmoid rounds. He just Rx'd, saying it helps some women ovulate and wouldn't hurt to take it. I did lose about 5 pounds in one month and was literally eating anything I wanted.

bsckgb7 · October 2015

My RE added Metformin because my fasting insulin is high-normal. No other doctor would blink an eye at my levels, because they are still "normal", but you knows REs like levels to be middle of the road. PCOS has not been mentioned to me. Metformin is just an insulin medication.

One of my friends described an RE as "throwing everything at you hoping something sticks".

kmartinez209 · October 2015

@AyeWat I first brought up to him at the start of the visit that I'd like to be tested for PCOS I have many of the symptoms that come with PCOS and I'd like to have a affirmed answer if I have it or not, so I asked to be tested with b/w the androgen levels, prolactin, TSH and glucose intolerance when I mentioned those tests he basically shut me up fast and said they were not necessary since I wasn't going to be treating the PCOS, with BC. So he mentioned that Id do all those tests after 40 once I was done with my child bearing. After that I was frustrated he did my exam and once he sat me up I asked him again. One of the reasons is like to be tested for PCOS is im having a really hard time loosing weight, even when im really trying and our RE would like me to shed a few pounds before our next FET in January. He then told me to try METFORMIN that it will help with the weight loss. I was so frustrated with the whole visit I just left, thought about everything once I was home and decided to call his nurse to speak with her, she messaged him and he again said its not necessary for me to find out if I have PCOS! But it's important to me, I know with PCOS a lot of what you eat can trigger it so I'd like to know for sure not just border line if I have it or not, for 1. To know that im taking this METFORMIN for a reason and for 2. So I know how I can control this PCOS on my own with out the need for BC pills..... I just don't get it!

kmartinez209 · October 2015

@riveridgional How long have you been on it? Did you have side effects? I hate the side effects part of meds they stress me out and make me worry about taking them. Are you still on them? Are you still loosing weight?

bsckgb7 · October 2015

If you think the diet will help, do it. It's not a like a low sugar/low carb diet is a bad thing? I say don't worry about the diagnosis, since you feel like you have it, go ahead and act like you do and do the diet. At worst, nothing will happen. As best, you will loose some weight and help with your symptoms (and then with your FET). Seems like a win-win!!

kmartinez209 · October 2015

@bsckgb7 did you loose weight while taking it? Did you have any bad side effects? Im really worried about that part, the side effects.

kmartinez209 · October 2015

@bsckgb7 Thank you for the kind words do you follow that PCOS diet too? Did you have any bad symptoms while taking it?

bsckgb7 · October 2015

Nope. I had no weight loss, but I am on a low dose. I know several ladies that take it, the main side affect is some gastrointestinal issues, but they resolve after about a week. My friend took it her entire pregnancy. It may have helped prevent GD for her. She did a GD diet during her pregnancy and only gained 15-20 lbs and lost everything very quickly. It can't hurt anything!!

kmartinez209 · October 2015

What kind of gastrointestinal problems @bsckgb7 like diarrhea or gas or all of the above? Is GS gestational diabetes? That's what the dr was saying to me that I should stay on it during pregnancy to prevent diabetes, this is all super scary to me im not good ️will pills at all %-(

bsckgb7 · October 2015

I believe the main side effect is diarrhea. Yes, GD=Gestational Diabetes. I would stay on it if a doctor said that would be better for a baby and could help you get pregnant. I mean I would think of it like your folic acid or your prenatal. Its just another pill to help with pregnancy/baby.

PCOSat25 · October 2015

Hi! I can understand the frustration of having unexplained infertility and wanting an answer but I am a little surprised by the fixation on getting a PCOS diagnosis. Do you perceive that your condition will change at all based on the diagnosis? Or that your treatment with your physician will change? From what you have said your doctor has acknowledged that you may be borderline PCOS so he must already be taking that into consideration with your care. In terms of a diet, that is not something medically prescribed that requires a diagnosis. If you want to, you can research and start the PCOS diet whenever you like. There is no really medical treatment for PCOS. If you are not trying to conceive they recommend remaining on BC to regulate hormones. If you are trying to conceive they use a wide array of stimulant medications to promote ovulation. That's about it. I don't mean to seem critical but o just don't see how getting the do of PCOS would make any change, especially if you physician doesn't even truly believe you have that dx. The PCOS diet is a great guideline for healthy eating that I would recommend wether or not some one had the diagnosis.

HarryPotterandCats · October 2015

I was diagnosed with PCOS in September. I was put on Metformin right away. Started with 500 mg (1 pill) for a week then bunped up to 1000 mgs (2 pills twice a day). I had some nausea and diarehha in the beginning but its gone now. I have notice my appitite has cut down a ton and I have lost 6 pounds without changing anything in my diet or exercise. I am already gluten free because of an allergy.

LoveBulldogs99 · October 2015

Metformin has been shown to improve egg quality, number and decreases the chance of miscarriage during pregnancy. That's why some RE put people on metformin for those reasons. I was not "officially" diagnosed with PCOS but after educating myself of signs and symptoms and gathering some more info from what Drs have told me, I know that I have it. Whether you have been officially diagnosed or not, if you feel that you have it then just say that you do have it. It also turns out that I have a slight insulin tolerance so I was started with 500 mg of metformin once a day, gradually increased every week. Now I take 750 mg x3/day and the one thing you have to avoid is eating too much carbs and sugar cuz otherwise, you will be in the bathroom a lot for number 2. But you see, I was actually the one who suggested metformin to my first RE so when you do a lot of research about what are some of the things out there that could help boost your chance of getting pregnant, you come across all sorts of stuff and there is nothing wrong with suggesting or asking your doctor if you could try it out and Metformin was one of those things I asked for. All in all, I have been on Metformin for over a year. If you are really concerned about taking the medication and your doctor is not very responsive of your concern then maybe it's time to move on to another doctor, if that it an option. Gotta ask yourself, what are you will to do and take in order to accomplish your goal? If you're willing to take shots, why not a pill?

2legbaby · October 2015

Hey @kmartinez209- sounds like you are fighting a losing battle with your RE.

I am not a human medical doctor, but I do have PCOS and I do think it is very important to know if you do have this condition, and especially since it can lead to type II diabetes- find out if you are insulin resistant as well.

I agree with @LoveBulldogs99 and recommend you strongly consider changing REs, your RE is clearly not addressing your concerns and now is putting you on a medication without solid evidence. Metformin will help you lose weight IF you are insulin resistant. It does have other benefits, I am not insulin resistant, but was recently started on it to improve egg quality, but your RE should really have a sound reason why he is prescribing it.

I do second the recommendations about taking a proactive approach by eating a PCOS friendly diet, ideally low carbs/low glycemic index foods- this will help with weight loss regardless of a diagnosis of PCOS.

Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

METFORMIN with non-Diag. Of PCOS (loss mentioned)

Re: METFORMIN with non-Diag. Of PCOS (loss mentioned)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards