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Why haven't I been offered metformin?

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831 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Tracey78  
#1 ·
HI everyone
Just after a bit of info.

I was diagnosed PCOS about 2 and a half years ago. Told to lose weight etc.
Am now TTC alone, have had one cancelled IUI due to low response to clomid.
Just starting next cycle with 50mg clomid and menopur injections.

Finding it impossible to lose weight, despite eating well, low gi etc.
A friend of mine also PCOS was given metformin by clinic consultant and told that she should have been on it since she was diagnosed, and has lost 6lbs after taking it for a week, with some changes to her diet.
I am convinced that it would help me. But can't understand why I haven't been offered, despite being told by doc and nurses that I need to lose weight (bmi 30).

I have a scan on Monday and will mention it to nurses but suspect I will need to see consultant, ot could I see gp?
Can anyone offer any info/advice? It is really getting me down and making me worry that i'll never conceive.

Thanks
Sarah xx
 
#2 ·
Hi smc81,


I was told there was no point trying iui until I had a regular cycle in which I was ovulating.  When I came off the pill (which ironically I'd been on for years to control the symptoms of PCOS without knowing I had PCOS because the pill masked the main symptom! ::) ) I had no cycle whatsoever for 2 years.  I was given metformin to kick start it, which it did and then I had regular day 21 blood tests to see if I'd ovulated, which I hadn't  ^bigbad^ .  I was then given clomid and regular scans to see if I produced any dominant follicles.  Because I had other endocrine issues I was seeing a consultant who prescribed the metformin, at the time it wasn't licensed in this country for PCOS so maybe that's why the GP wouldn't prescribe :-\  It's definitely worth a second opinion and a bit of foot stamping.  I know metformin is recommended to help with both weight and ovulation.  Hope you get some answers soon.  I remember how horrifically stressful it was thinking I'd never be able to have children.    ^hugme^
Upsyxxx
 
#3 ·
Hi Upsey
Thanks for your message. I've been straight on to clomid, and told that my pcos shouldn't be an issue. Even when the consultant said that I thought he was talking a load of rubbish but didn't say anything. I'm a lot more confident in my knowledge of pcos and my own body now so won't be letting them fob me off again.

The only thing that worries me is that I will have to wait ages to see a consultant, so I'm not sure if it is worth seeing my gp. I wasn't sure if the gp would say that the consultant needs to deal with it as I am getting my other medication prescribed from the clinic.

I hate that everything pcos and ttc related is so complicated, nurses, consultants and gps all seem to say something different!

Sarah x
 
#4 ·
If your consultant hasnt offered you metformin then I suggest you ask for a different one. Thats one of the very first things they prescibe you before any other treatment. Using it long term especially increases your chance of ovulation. Also helps lose weight but you do have to eat a low gi diet. Good luck xx
 
#5 ·
Go back to your GP. I was on metformin for pcos for 5years before we even looked at ivf (no funding & bmi too high for treatment)

I was lucky that my gp was interested in pcos and fertility and recommend merformin as very helpfull. Apparently it improves egg quality too. However it is not licenced for pcos (not worth the drug company putting millions into doing the testing) but usually given to diabetics.

Good luck!