PCOS, Overweight and Metformin? Anybody?

[kit603]

Hi Ladies,

I know that everybody is different but was just wondering if anybody who is in, or has been in, a similar position to myself might be able to offer me a little bit of support and advice.

My partner and I are considering ourselves as "TTC" but i'm not having periods at all and according to my GP i'm not ovulating either. My GP also diagnosed me with PCOS and referred me to a Gynecologist for treatment. I went to see the Gynecologist last night and she was absolutely awful and has just left me feeling like having PCOS is all my fault because i'm overweight and that I'm not trying hard enough to shift the weight (read my journal for more info). Nevertheless, she prescribed me Metformin and has referred me to see a dietician. I took my first tablet last night and already i've had quite painful stomach cramps - apparantly this is quite common?

Back to the weight issue... I know that I am overweight - in the last 18 months i've actually put on 5 stone and now have a BMI of 34. However, I don't understand what I did that caused me to put on weight so rapidly: my diet, if not healthier, is exactly the same and, if anything, I exercise more than I did before. As soon as I noticed myself putting on weight I tried to control my diet better - I started eating smaller portions of healthier foods. But, the weight just kept coming.

I carried on trying to "diet" from January to July but I just kept putting weight on and eventually gave up At this point, when I just ate whatever I wanted, my weight actually stopped going up and stayed the same?! I've since started trying to diet again, by eating small portions of healthier foods and doing more exercise and some months I find that I lose a few lbs and some months I still put weight on even though I don't do anything differently?! I can't seem to shift more than a lb per week no matter what I do, although its usually more of putting the weight on IO think. Lol.

My Gynecologist is referring me to a dietician which I hope will help but when the Gynecologist asked what exercise I do and I said swimming and gym once a week she said well I obviously don't care about my weight that much because if I wanted to loose it that badly i'd be there everyday for at least 2 hrs until the excess weight was gone... Am I just lazy or does she have too much free time?!



I just feel so depressed right now, and I feel like nothing i'm doing is going to make any difference to my weight or my attempts at trying to conceive.

 

[ashleycat]

I'm 10cm shorter than you but weigh the same (actually a kg more, but why draw lines in the sand?). I have PCOS (I am pretty sure, have never had a formal diagnosis) but I get my period regularly.

Like, I know you're overweight, but you're far better than me, and I get my period so it's not all about that. I get mine every 25-27 days. I get the EWCM, my OPKs are a bit funny though (they go from only showing the control line to showing a test line aswell, but it never gets as dark as the control line). I think I might be ovulating though because I noticed the past two cycles I have had sore breasts which points to progesterone (I think!!!).

I have been given metformin before. It gave me a bit of a sore tummy. I think I took it as a license to eat whatever I pleased though because a whole heap of forums were talking about it as though it was some sort of miracle weight loss pill. I started going to the gym and taking it twice a day, and managed to put on 6kgs over 5 months. The doctor said he'd never seen anything like it before

I do eat too much crap though. I'm always eating fast food, chocolate, cake, anything really. My weight is my own fault, and as much as I want to shift it there seems to be something in my head that isn't translating that into action. I am currently on my 8th month on tcc - I am doing this with donor sperm so it's a bit harder but them the breaks.

Hopefully this time I get a positive. Currently just started the tww.

I suppose that wasn't very helpful, but I think them blaming everything on your weight is unfair, as I'm fatter and get mine every month.

 

[kit603]

I'm 10cm shorter than you but weigh the same.

I might be being dumb... but how do you know my heigt? Lol.

I have been given metformin before. It gave me a bit of a sore tummy. I think I took it as a license to eat whatever I pleased though because a whole heap of forums were talking about it as though it was some sort of miracle weight loss pill. I started going to the gym and taking it twice a day, and managed to put on 6kgs over 5 months. The doctor said he'd never seen anything like it before

I do eat too much crap though. I'm always eating fast food, chocolate, cake, anything really. My weight is my own fault, and as much as I want to shift it there seems to be something in my head that isn't translating that into action.

Hopefully the sore tummy goes away for me after a while because I really want this to work out. I want to get my periods back so that I can start ovulating and TTC properly. I know that Metformin can cause weightloss but i'm not viewing it as a wonder drug I know that I need to lose weight on my own - i'm just really struggling because i've been trying to diet healthily for some time.

I suppose that wasn't very helpful, but I think them blaming everything on your weight is unfair, as I'm fatter and get mine every month.

To be honest, I think the woman I saw just had a thing about fat people. As soon as I walked in she was looking me up and down and you could tell that she didn't believe a word I said about going to the gym and eating healthily.

When I said I went to the gym once a week for 2 hours and go swimming once a week for 2 hours she wrote in my notes that I do "occasional light exercise". When I said that I do eat chips and crisps and cake but that I do it in moderation and as part of a balanced diet she wrote down "eats a lot of fatty foods". So I really couldn't win. When I said that I'm a catalogue distributor and deliver and collect 250 catalogues a week she wrote down "employment involves light exercise".

 

[HoneyWright]

Hiya

I know just how you feel I had a very similar experience last year with my FS. He refused to any test or give me any meds as I was overweight, he ven drew a diagram and wrote FAT and kept tapping it!!

Anyway I got metformin from my GP and it really helped. You will get cramps but these got better quickly for me and mainly came back if i had fatty foods.

I am hoping to go to a private clinic as I was so upset about my FS appointment and i refuse to go back.

Hope the metformin works.
Sarah

 

[kit603]

Hiya

I know just how you feel I had a very similar experience last year with my FS. He refused to any test or give me any meds as I was overweight, he ven drew a diagram and wrote FAT and kept tapping it!!

Anyway I got metformin from my GP and it really helped. You will get cramps but these got better quickly for me and mainly came back if i had fatty foods.

I am hoping to go to a private clinic as I was so upset about my FS appointment and i refuse to go back.

Hope the metformin works.
Sarah

Thanks hun

I think the treatment some doctors dish out is just awful, if you read my journal you can see that some of the things I mentionned here were just the tip of the iceberg I hope that you get better luck at a private clinic, just hang in there.

 

[snagglepat]

Hi,

I'm in the same boat, absolutely and utterly. Out of the blue when I was about 25 I started putting on weight despite making no change to my reasonably fit and healthy lifestyle. After a couple of years I got my PCOS diagnosis - my periods had pretty much stopped by that point too, or were only every 3-4 months with no ovulation. I eventually got prescribed Metformin and had gut ache like you, but also saw it as a chance to change things so I upped my excercise by going to the gym 3 times a week and walking faster for the bus. I also stopped eating any junk food and reduced my portions a little, but I still had the odd desert etc - just in moderation. I lost 3 stone in 6 months, started ovulating in that time and then got pregnant! Result!

I'm now heavier than I was before I started on the met last time - I ballooned in pregnancy. I've been on it 3 months and it's slower going this time. I've only lost about 10lbs so far, but even so, it's going the right way and I have started ovulating again.

Bear with the Metformin. The side effects do ease over time and you'll probably find there are certain foods that trigger the reaction and you can then avoid them. First time I took it it was anything very fatty. This time that's been fine but wheat has made me really nauseous, so I've cut it out. I know others who have a reaction to alcohol or sugar. We're all different, but it does usually ease with time.

Good luck!

Gina. x

 

[kit603]

Hi,

I'm in the same boat, absolutely and utterly. Out of the blue when I was about 25 I started putting on weight despite making no change to my reasonably fit and healthy lifestyle. After a couple of years I got my PCOS diagnosis - my periods had pretty much stopped by that point too, or were only every 3-4 months with no ovulation. I eventually got prescribed Metformin and had gut ache like you, but also saw it as a chance to change things so I upped my excercise by going to the gym 3 times a week and walking faster for the bus. I also stopped eating any junk food and reduced my portions a little, but I still had the odd desert etc - just in moderation. I lost 3 stone in 6 months, started ovulating in that time and then got pregnant! Result!

I'm now heavier than I was before I started on the met last time - I ballooned in pregnancy. I've been on it 3 months and it's slower going this time. I've only lost about 10lbs so far, but even so, it's going the right way and I have started ovulating again.

Bear with the Metformin. The side effects do ease over time and you'll probably find there are certain foods that trigger the reaction and you can then avoid them. First time I took it it was anything very fatty. This time that's been fine but wheat has made me really nauseous, so I've cut it out. I know others who have a reaction to alcohol or sugar. We're all different, but it does usually ease with time.

Good luck!

Gina. x

Thank you hun, that's quite a reassuring story. The side effects of the Metformin have calmed down a lot now - I still have the stomach pains quite badly, but not as badly as before. I've upped my exercise and pretty much stopped eating fatty foods at all now... still no weight change yet... in fact i've put a lb on.

 

[Naaxi]

My GP also diagnosed me with PCOS and is in the process of referring me to a Gynecologist, she hasn't gotten back to me though. A friend of mine who is overweight went on Metformin and she conceived, and recommended I go on it as well, only said that she had to constantly snack to keep her blood sugars elevated, seeing as Metformin is actually for diabetics. I haven't much more information on that- as for the weight, I find myself gaining a lot as well, I've read it comes with the territory of PCOS and so I am TRYING to stay fit but that's not the easiest as we are low on funds as well and eating healthy tends to be more costly than eating poorly. Bleh. Really, I am just letting you know that you are definitely not alone! We can work through all this! It will happen for us! PMA!

 

[kit603]

My GP also diagnosed me with PCOS and is in the process of referring me to a Gynecologist, she hasn't gotten back to me though. A friend of mine who is overweight went on Metformin and she conceived, and recommended I go on it as well, only said that she had to constantly snack to keep her blood sugars elevated, seeing as Metformin is actually for diabetics. I haven't much more information on that- as for the weight, I find myself gaining a lot as well, I've read it comes with the territory of PCOS and so I am TRYING to stay fit but that's not the easiest as we are low on funds as well and eating healthy tends to be more costly than eating poorly. Bleh. Really, I am just letting you know that you are definitely not alone! We can work through all this! It will happen for us! PMA!

Thanks hun x I know that Metformin is mainly used to treat diabetes, but my GP and Gynecologist have both said that I shouldn't be snacking and that I should be avoiding fatty foods, too many carbs and too much sugar... Lol. I swear they tell us all something different!

I totally understand what you mean about being on a budget... it costs me £4.80 a time to go to the gym and its so much more expensive to buy healthy food in comparison to some frozen chips and things like that.

Good luck with your appointment x

 

[Manchester_Lu]

Just a quick question, did you get prescribed Metformin from your GP or gynecologist?

I was mis-diagnosed with PCOS because of lack of period and dramatic weight increase for me (2 stone in about 8 months)

I've now been referred to a fertility clinic due to TTC but no luck and no periods. My weight is still bothering me though. Ever since being reffered I decided to go on quite a strict diet with few treats however I've put on weight, not lost anything.

It's this worrying trend which is making me panic about when it's going to stop. I'm not hugely overweight but a lot more than I was and as we're TTC I want to keep a check on my weight.

I'm just wondering whether I could go back to my GP just about my weight and get help with that even though I've been referred to the fertility clinic????

 

[kit603]

Just a quick question, did you get prescribed Metformin from your GP or gynecologist?

My Gynecologist, but i'll be seeing my GP for the repeat prescriptions (only get 28 days worth at a time). My GP diagnosed me with PCOS and suggested that Clomid or Metformin would probably be the next step but referred me to a Gynecologist first who did all the prescribing.

I'm just wondering whether I could go back to my GP just about my weight and get help with that even though I've been referred to the fertility clinic??? ?

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to hun. My gynecologist has actually referred me to a dietician, maybe you could get something similiar? I'm now seeing my GP once a month (for repeat prescriptions/check up), will be seeing dietician soon and gynecologist again in 6 months.

 

[snagglepat]

The dietician sounds like a good plan Manchester_Lu. Maybe see if you can get a referral to one? I've found that my constant weight gain has diminished since going on the metformin. I've lost 10lb in 3 months on it, but that has been with a big reduction in portion size and removal of wheat (it was making me nauseous), plus an increase in excercise.

Naaxi, it's interesting what your friend said. I've found that I don't need to snack as much on the Metformin. Before I'd get a real blood sugar dip by mid-morning and have to snack just to feel well. Now it's all much more stable and three meals a day keeps me going just fine. Maybe I'm just lucky and metformin suits me really well (although the nausea was horrid until I realised it was a reaction to wheat and cut it out).

Icidentally, you really don't have to pay to exercise. We're pretty broke right now so I've just upped the free stuff. I now walk a 1.2 mile circuit every day at a good pace with the dog instead of a brief amble up the street. He's happier and I'm sure it's helping my weight loss. It's not so nice now the nights are drawing in and it's colder but needs must! I'm not going to shift this weight unless I work at it. I have also considered starting running - easier to consider now its dark of an evening so I'd be less visible wobbling along and putting cracks in the paving slabs. If you search for 'Bupa' and 'running' their web site has a running programme that complete beginners can follow. I keep meaning to start it. I haven't yet but I have a friend who followed it and dropped two dress sizes. All you need is a stop watch so you can run for 1 minute then walk for 2 etc. My watch already has one on it which is handy, but you can pick them up for a couple of pounds from ebay.

Gina. x

 

[Manchester_Lu]

Well I have a day off work on Friday so I think I might make an appointment to see the GP then and ask about Metformin.

They've been weighing me for 4/5 years now so they can clearly see how my weight has shot up and what is normal for me.

My periods have bee linked to my weight for so long now (I gain weight, my periods stop) so I'm surprised that they haven't offered this to me before referring me off for expensive fertility treatment.

 

[kit603]

Well I have a day off work on Friday so I think I might make an appointment to see the GP then and ask about Metformin.

They've been weighing me for 4/5 years now so they can clearly see how my weight has shot up and what is normal for me.

My periods have bee linked to my weight for so long now (I gain weight, my periods stop) so I'm surprised that they haven't offered this to me before referring me off for expensive fertility treatment.

They won't prescribe you Meformin just because you've gained weight because its not a weightloss medication. Its usually prescribed to treat diabetes, but it can help in the case of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It just so happens that weightloss is a possible side effect but not everyone who takes Meformin even experiences weightloss. If you treat it as though its a miracle weightloss drug you'll probably be disappointed hun.

I don't mean to sound snappy, i'm just saying

 

[Manchester_Lu]

Oh no, I know this. What I'm saying is that my weight gain is very much linked to my hormone imbalance which was part of the reason why I was diagnosed initially with PCOS.

My weight has gone up despite being on a strict calorie controlled diet so I'd like my GP to support me in balancing my hormones out and hopefully this will help stop me feeling totally out of control of my own body.

 

[kit603]

Oh no, I know this. What I'm saying is that my weight gain is very much linked to my hormone imbalance which was part of the reason why I was diagnosed initially with PCOS.

My weight has gone up despite being on a strict calorie controlled diet so I'd like my GP to support me in balancing my hormones out and hopefully this will help stop me feeling totally out of control of my own body.

You should talk to your GP about it I know that they don't tend to prescribe it in certain circumstances so that could be it. Good luck hun x Didn't mean to come across so condescending before, just don't want you to be disappointed. Its just that i've seen a lot of people (on this forum and elsewhere) talk about Meformin like it'll make them lose tons of weight without changing anything in diet/exercise and that's not the case.

Like I said though, good luck

 

[Manchester_Lu]

Oh no not at all, I'll take any advice!

It's not neccessarily the weight issue that's bothering me, it's more the fact of what it is a symptom of. I was tested for diabetes in the early stages but the result was clear so that's good.

Hopefully I'll get some sort of support from my GP instead of feeling like I'm going through this on my own.

Got an appointment at the fertility clinic on 1st December but I want to make sure that I've got all bases covered by then.

 

[kit603]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Just hang in there hun and hopefully you'll feel better soon I hope that your GP/the fertility clinic has some good news for you

 

[Blue12]

I just got prescribed metformin and my doc said that she has done extensive research in metformin and weight loss and that in most cases it does NOT cause weight loss. While I am hoping I will be one of those lucky ones, I am completely renovating my eating and exercising. Weight loss is the best prescription for pcos.

Best wishes everyone!

 

[kit603]

I just got prescribed metformin and my doc said that she has done extensive research in metformin and weight loss and that in most cases it does NOT cause weight loss. While I am hoping I will be one of those lucky ones, I am completely renovating my eating and exercising. Weight loss is the best prescription for pcos.

Best wishes everyone!

I've been on Metformin a couple of weeks and there's been no change to my weight as yet. In fact, i've kept up going to the gym and tried to eat even healthier and i've actually put weight on