Metformin club

[schoolteacher]

Hello ladies, hope you don't mind me joining this already well established thread? Last thursday I wnet to the herts and essex centre to see about ivf and egg sharing. whilst there I found out unexpectedly through and ultrasound that I have pcos. They have put me on metformin. Had my first one yesterday and had the runs and a queasy tunny day (nice!) They have also put me on the pill weirdly to stop me ovulating until it's time for me to start icsi!
Can I ask what everyone is on metformin for? Not really sure what it's for exactly? Helping ovulate but they want me on the pill? helps to control pcos? xx

 

[court.]

Metformin is actually a medication for type 2 diabetes. It really helps you if you have an insulin resistence which most but not all women with PCOS have. Your body is not able to regulate and use the insulin properly which is keeping your hormones from working properly, in turn not ovulating. The doctor's must have seen cysts on your ovaries.

Metformin MAY help you concieve but it is not actually considered a fertility drug. I have seen alot of success stories on Metformin. It is mainly to regulate your periods.

The first week and a half I took it I spent alot of my time in the washroom. Once that was over with I was perfectly fine, the odd time my stomach is upset but very rarely now.

Good luck.

 

[court.]

Maurie, I was told that since I was quite thin before pregnancy I had to get off Metformin as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My OB says that for overweight, obese, and diabetic women, staying on during pregnancy is the right choice because the benefits to the mother way outweigh the risks to the baby. I didn't want to get off because it helps keep me super slim--I've gained 10-12 pounds and am considered of normal weight but to me I feel a little chubby. I turn 11 weeks tomorrow and am very excited that I am getting closer and closer to trimester 2! Keep me updated regarding your progress and I wish you nothing but success!

Redpop just wondering if you were able to concieve on Metformin alone?
What dose were you at?
How long did it take you to get your first period on it?
I've been on it almost a month and no period but alot of PMS symptoms!

Thanks

 

[schoolteacher]

Thank-you court-very well explained! Yeah you could see lots of little shadows on my ovaries-he said that each cycle im 'waking up' lots and lots of eggs instead of just one. x

 

[redpop]

Maurie, I was told that since I was quite thin before pregnancy I had to get off Metformin as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My OB says that for overweight, obese, and diabetic women, staying on during pregnancy is the right choice because the benefits to the mother way outweigh the risks to the baby. I didn't want to get off because it helps keep me super slim--I've gained 10-12 pounds and am considered of normal weight but to me I feel a little chubby. I turn 11 weeks tomorrow and am very excited that I am getting closer and closer to trimester 2! Keep me updated regarding your progress and I wish you nothing but success!

Redpop just wondering if you were able to concieve on Metformin alone?
What dose were you at?
How long did it take you to get your first period on it?
I've been on it almost a month and no period but alot of PMS symptoms!

Thanks

Yes Court, on Metformin alone. I never took anything else. I was taking 500 mgs morning and evening with food--I've heard it doesn't work as well if you don't eat something with the meds. I wouldn't worry too much about your period, though. Although I menstruated more on Metformin than off--I was on for 1-1.5 years--my period was far from regular. My LMP was March 31, 2011 and I am only 11 weeks pregnant--so the dates don't match up. You may never be regular and still get pregnant. That's the goal here so it doesn't really matter that much if your period isn't like clockwork. Before conception, my OB thought I might need acupuncture. In the past I've been very cystic but the good news is now my OB can only see one little cyst on one ovary. Apparently the pregnancy is doing my PCOS well!

 

[Maurie]

Maurie, I was told that since I was quite thin before pregnancy I had to get off Metformin as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My OB says that for overweight, obese, and diabetic women, staying on during pregnancy is the right choice because the benefits to the mother way outweigh the risks to the baby. I didn't want to get off because it helps keep me super slim--I've gained 10-12 pounds and am considered of normal weight but to me I feel a little chubby. I turn 11 weeks tomorrow and am very excited that I am getting closer and closer to trimester 2! Keep me updated regarding your progress and I wish you nothing but success!

Redpop, Thank you for your input and the well wishes. is your pregnancy going well?

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS and my cycles are pretty regular. Between 30-33 days. My doc said that she thought it would be worth a try before more invasive tests are done. I have a follow up in September. I believe that I am out this month. I have my pre-af symptoms, and I am only on CD 23, its odd.

Court, Did AF show her ugly face?

Just curious, Am I the only one without the diagnosis of PCOS and still on met?

 

[redpop]

Maurie, I was told that since I was quite thin before pregnancy I had to get off Metformin as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My OB says that for overweight, obese, and diabetic women, staying on during pregnancy is the right choice because the benefits to the mother way outweigh the risks to the baby. I didn't want to get off because it helps keep me super slim--I've gained 10-12 pounds and am considered of normal weight but to me I feel a little chubby. I turn 11 weeks tomorrow and am very excited that I am getting closer and closer to trimester 2! Keep me updated regarding your progress and I wish you nothing but success!

Redpop, Thank you for your input and the well wishes. is your pregnancy going well?

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS and my cycles are pretty regular. Between 30-33 days. My doc said that she thought it would be worth a try before more invasive tests are done. I have a follow up in September. I believe that I am out this month. I have my pre-af symptoms, and I am only on CD 23, its odd.

Court, Did AF show her ugly face?

Just curious, Am I the only one without the diagnosis of PCOS and still on met?

Thanks, Maurie. Things are going well. I have my 12 week scan on Monday and I am so excited/nervous! It's so hard to sit tight with all the anticipation.

 

[court.]

Maurie- AF did show her ugly face, it was bitter sweet I must say ! I got AF exactly 26 days after starting Metformin I am hopeful for this cycle to work out.

 

[Maurie]

Ladies,
Yesterday AF came.... It was a rough day.

I am loosing hope for this month already.
We started Met a week before my LMP. I thought if it was going to work it would work the first month. I have 2 more months before my follow up appointment.

Does anyone have any hints or anything they used while on met to get their BFP?? I am starting to feel desperate....

 

[Impatient TTC]

Hi Maurie

To give you a bit of hope...

I started met in April. Was on 500mg until early June when I said it's not doing anything so they doubled the dose to 1000mg. Anyway, who knows whether that was the difference, but I got my bfp last week, and I am fairly confident it was the met that did it. I have clomid at the ready (was going to start it once af turned up but clearly it never did). So don't worry if met hasn't worked right away - it took a while with me. Don't want to sound all know-it-all like, just wanted to give you a boost! Just hoping my bean sticks! Good luck!

 

[Maurie]

Impatient TTC,
First Congrats on your BFP!!!!!

Thank you for your support. It is nice to hear that it can take a couple of months. Hopefully we can get ours as well. I had a meltdown in the parking lot of a grocery store with DH. I think he got a little more insight into how difficult it has been for me.

Wish you Lots of luck and Hope the little one is very sticky

 

[erikaducote]

Hope you ladies dont mind me jumping into your thread. I have PCOS and i am going to see about Metformin next Friday. Did it help you? Did it help you conceive? Did it regulate your cycle? Were you insulin resistant?

 

[wantanerd]

I am insulin resistant and it helped me shed the extra weight and I have been on it on and off for ten years now. It regulated my cycles when I was closer to my normal weight.

I have a SIL with PCOS without insulin resistance who conceived only on metformin.

 

[erikaducote]

I am insulin resistant and it helped me shed the extra weight and I have been on it on and off for ten years now. It regulated my cycles when I was closer to my normal weight.

I have a SIL with PCOS without insulin resistance who conceived only on metformin.

Awesome. Im so anxious to see if it works for me. But i am nervous also, bc i heard the side effects were crucial!

 

[wantanerd]

The side effects usually go away after 2-3 weeks. If they really kill you, avoid sugar and carbs.

 

[Maurie]

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS and I am not Insulin resistant. My first month was a failure and I am Kind of hopeful for next month.

Hope this works for you
For all of us!!!

 

[schoolteacher]

hey all! So I have been taking metformin for about a month now. I started off on 500mg now on 1000mg. I'm really struggling with the side effects! I have them really bad! nausea and very bad tummy pain! last night it suddenly got worse and I was in agony. I went to the doctors today just to see about having something for the tummy pain. he gave me some antismasmodics. The doctor suggested changing from slow release to normal release. Which do all of you take? will this really make a difference? -any advice gratefully recieved as im thinking of stopping them all together as im really finding it hard to even get off the sofa at the moment!x

 

[wantanerd]

I have the normal release so I take the pills twice a day. The side effects were only bad for me for about two weeks. Then it was just the occasional problems with it. I did get a flare up with the side effects any time I changed my diet (going low carb for a few weeks, then going off low carb).

 

[ceejie]

hey all! So I have been taking metformin for about a month now. I started off on 500mg now on 1000mg. I'm really struggling with the side effects! I have them really bad! nausea and very bad tummy pain! last night it suddenly got worse and I was in agony. I went to the doctors today just to see about having something for the tummy pain. he gave me some antismasmodics. The doctor suggested changing from slow release to normal release. Which do all of you take? will this really make a difference? -any advice gratefully recieved as im thinking of stopping them all together as im really finding it hard to even get off the sofa at the moment!x

I take the normal release, 3x 500mg pills. I was just switched to 2x 850mg which I just picked up today. I find it takes me about a month to get on the Metformin, but after that I am fine.

This is probably all mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but...A couple tips...
-build up slowly. I started taking 1x 500mg pill for a week, then the next week I took 2 per day. By the end of the month I was up to 4.
-never ever take them on an empty stomach, this will give you instant stomach pains. I forgot to take mine with dinner a couple times and figured I would just take the pill before bed....bad idea, I was up all night with stomach cramps.
-take the pills MID-meal. Eat a bit of food, take your tablet, eat the rest of your food. This was a tip from my pharmacist and it helped a ton.
-avoid sugars and refined/white carbs. I'm sure you've heard this, but I can't stress how important it is. And remember that fruit & fruit juice are very high in sugar (albeit natural sugars, but still sugars), so if you eat a lot of fruit/juice, try to have smaller portions.
-drink lots of water...it will help your body break down, process and absorb the medication and get it into your system. It will also help with any bloated-ness, which is a common side effect.

I first started taking Metformin in February after many anovulatory cycles, and I not only ovulated in March, but also conceived. I unfortunately had a miscarriage in May, but now I am back on the Metformin and hoping it works its magic for me again!

Good luck. I know the side effects are rough, but hang in there, they will pass. And it will all be worth it if it helps you get your BFP!

 

[bebehope]

Hello!
5 years ago I started Metformin(due to PCOS) for the first time before I got pregnant with my daughter. I was taking 2 times a day 500. I remember I had diarrhea and nausea but 2-3 weeks later my body got used it. During my pregnancy I had to take 3 times a day 500 and everything was ok.

5 years later we are trying for a second one...I started again taking metformin 2 times a day and my body freak out!!! So much nausea and severe diarrhea!! I tried to keep taking it so for about a month I had to go to the bathroom all the time and I wasnt taking it when I was at work. One day I even soiled my underwear THANK GOD I was home! I was soooooooooooooooooooooo mad!! I called her (after I showered lol) and she said that I have to visit my endocrinologist to advise me what should do until then I should stop taking them.No kidding!!

Anyway, that means that I'm trying this month without Metformin but Im thinking to go back with 500 once a day and increase very very slow the dosage until I see the specialist.

P.S Always helps eating healthy with this kind of medication...Helps the cycle and reduces side effects.

Good luck girls!!