P.C.O.S and Metformin (glucophage)

[Lunabeane 2]

Has anyone 's Dr. had reservations about birth control pills because of high blood pressure? My Dr. has refused for seven years to put my on BC because of my BP...and it's being treated.

[MMDLynn 0]

Yes my Dr stated that should my BP move out of the normal range and starts to increase she will take me off the BC pills due to danger of stroke, it's really dangerous. I think she will on my next visit as my ankles and feet are swelling and my PCP says my BP is slightly elevated and he wants to prescribe a low dosage Water pill/BP pill for me and once I start taking it I must come off the BC pills my OB/GYN has me taking.

[Jeni 85 0]

Hi Jeni,

I have PCOS as well and was diagnosed 13 years ago. It took a very long time to find a solution for me. I've been taking Metformin for the past 6 years with slowly increasing dosages first 500 mg once daily now 2000mg daily. I've also increased in weight so it never helped me with the weight loss piece. It didn't do much regarding my monthly cycle either. I've been seeing a new endocrynologist at Northwestern Memorial hospital and she along wit my OB/GYN decided to take a 1-2 punch to address the menstral cycle. I still take the Met 1000 mg am and 1000mg pm as well as birth control pill - Yasmin 28 and I have a regular cycle every month. However, my cycle had been so slow due to excess weight that my OB/GYN had to give me a DC to remove the build up in the lining of my uterus. That's what is causing all of your heavy bleeding/cloting. I was also told NOT to use tampons because they only clog up from the shedding of the lining and you are simply wasting sanitary products. I use the heavy duty pads only and once my system adjusted to the Yasmin 28 pills (90 days) my periods were lighter and no cramping.

If you cannot take BC's you could always do the 10 day cycle of Provera to bring on your cycle monthly. I was on that plan until the Yasmin 28 came on the market and it worked pretty well.

Once you get below 200 you should start seeing a balance in your insulin levels as well as you menstral cycle - they are all tied to the weight. You should see an endocrynologist for all of your PCOS issues and the doctor at NWMH is Andrea Dunaif or Demetria Rupp they are specialist with PCOS. The OB/GYN doesn't really specialize in PCOS it is a glandular disorder and for some reason they have no clue about how to treat it.

I have been thinking about seeing an endocrinologist for the pcos for a while but i was kind of hoping my dr. could take care of it... we will see how it goes...

But i am actually under the 200lb mark and still need to be on the bc... im at 194lb right now

[MMDLynn 0]

That's great congratulations you are doing so well. You really need to see an endo the regular Internal Medicine doctor isn't trained to handle and help you regulate your system once you've been diagnosed with PCOS. Good luck to you, but I wouldn't put it off any longer, you'll only make matters worse and the longer you go without putting your insulin resistance in check due to the PCOS you are going to move to type II diabetes. You have to correct it before it gets too far out of control. The continued weight loss will help, but you need to get it in check now.

[Jeni 85 0]

That's great congratulations you are doing so well. You really need to see an endo the regular Internal Medicine doctor isn't trained to handle and help you regulate your system once you've been diagnosed with PCOS. Good luck to you, but I wouldn't put it off any longer, you'll only make matters worse and the longer you go without putting your insulin resistance in check due to the PCOS you are going to move to type II diabetes. You have to correct it before it gets too far out of control. The continued weight loss will help, but you need to get it in check now.

I actually did a glucose tolerance test and things turned out fine.. My Dr. said they within range.. He said he would like them better because they were borderline.. Hence the Metformin ER 500mg 1 daily...

I know that endocrinologist are more extensively trained to deal with and treat patients with endocrine system disorders like P.C.O.S... But because i already have so many Dr.'s, i plan (hope) that it can be taken care of by my pcp... Now if me and him can't get control of it that i wont hesitate to go to the endocrinologist... But for now we will see how it goes..

Thank you for the recommendation on the endocrinologist.. i will definately look into it..

[rakes4321 0]

I've noticed that there are TONS of people on metformin. My endo had me on that, too, and I couldn't be more than 10 feet from a toilet! No matter the doseage, it TORE me up. He decided to put me on Avandia , which is much less harsh on the system, and I am a happy camper! So, from personal experience, and I have metformin a good chance- 3 months, talk to your doc about Avandia. It is also a very tiny pill, compared to metformin, and it goes down very easy. I don't even have to take Water with it, it's so small. I take one in the am and one in the pm. As far as results, I can't really compare the two. I was on metformin before the band and Avandia like two weeks before surgery. It has made a world of difference for me, maybe it will for you!

Amy

[lafrogura 0]

I've been on Metformin now for 2 months for PCOS. I haven't noticed any difference in my periods, nor have i had any side effects from the Metformin. It is supposed to help with the hormones. The doc also put me on birth control pills so i won't ovulate since it is unbelievably painful to ovulate with PCOS. I thought with PCOS you couldn't ovulate but your ovaries try and it causes pain like you wouldn't believe. I don't know anyone else with PCOS, but has anyone else experienced this kind of pelvic pain during their period? It is absolutely not menstrual cramps, i can deal with cramps. :wink2:

[Jeni 85 0]

I've been on Metformin now for 2 months for PCOS. I haven't noticed any difference in my periods, nor have i had any side effects from the Metformin. It is supposed to help with the hormones. The doc also put me on birth control pills so i won't ovulate since it is unbelievably painful to ovulate with PCOS. I thought with PCOS you couldn't ovulate but your ovaries try and it causes pain like you wouldn't believe. I don't know anyone else with PCOS, but has anyone else experienced this kind of pelvic pain during their period? It is absolutely not menstrual cramps, i can deal with cramps. :thumbup:

I occasionaly have these pains.... its typically only starts on one side and then kind of radiates throught the entire abdomin and you are in bed fr like 3 days, cant eat anything but crackers and Water if your lucky and extreme bloating... (almost feels like somone is stretching your ovary and trying to tear it in half)

Is that the pain your talking about???

[lafrogura 0]

Yes!!!! that is exactly what i'm talking about .. except mine lasts from about 2 days before my cycle, the entire 7 days of my cycle and then for 2 days past my cycle .. almost half the month .. celebrex helps .. aleve helps somewhat also.. but it is crippling for sure !!! :smile:

[MaLiyah30 0]

I was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 1999. I have been taking Glucaphage 500mg 2 times a day for 9 and 1/2 years. My doctor thought that I had PCOS but was later confirmed that I didn't have it. I had lost about 20-30 lbs the first year I started using it. I didn't even know that was one of the side effects until about a year later when my doctor mentioned I had lost weight. He said that was one of the reasons he prescribed it to me. I did experience gas and intestional problems but they tapered off within a few weeks of taking the medication. Someone mention in an earlier post that you have to be off of the medication before having the surgery but my doctor never made me stop taking it. I still continue to take it every day. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeni 85 0]

I started the metformin yesterday.. and so far ive been ok.. Im taking 500mg 1x daily.. The only thing i notice is that i sometimes feel a little weak and lightheaded out of nowhere.. I think my glucose might be dropping a little low sometimes.. i take a small piece of gum, or a sip of juice and im fine..

[Lunabeane 2]

I was fine at 500-1000mgs a day. It was when they tried to transition me to 1500-2000 a day that I was totally incapacitated! Did I mention that I detest glucaphage? LOL

[Jeni 85 0]

I was fine at 500-1000mgs a day. It was when they tried to transition me to 1500-2000 a day that I was totally incapacitated! Did I mention that I detest glucaphage? LOL

My pcp is planning to keep me at this level only because my blood glucose tolerance test wasnt to bad and doesnt require me to be on glucophage.. but he is doing it to see if it helps cotrol the pcos periods and did i mention maybe help me a little with the weight loss:rolleyes:

[MMDLynn 0]

Hi Jen,

I have PCOS and I was put on Metformin as well as BC pills to help regulate my cycle and reduce the symptoms of PCOS (acne, weight gain, etc.).

I've been on this combination 1 full year and it has helped to regulate my cycle better and reduce the acne. It has done absolutely nothing to reduce my weight gain, but I do know of others it has helped in that regard.

[MMDLynn 0]

I'm finally approved!!! This has been a 3 year battle for me with insurance, job changes, etc. Finally I was approved an it only took 4 days.

I'm with Empire BCBS and I met with the surgeon, had the preliminary Psych consult, Nutritionist consult and my primary care Dr. wrote a letter with my current medical stats and his recommendation for the lap band surgery. All paperwork was submitted to the insurance company on Monday (7/14/08) and I was approved today (7/17/08)!!!!

Thanks to Jeni (I must send you gift or something Jeni) - who helped me to locate Dr. Shayani - now with St. James Hospital, IL. He is absolutely fabulous!!! I am in the process of scheduling my band date (some time in Aug I think/hope).

I want to send a big {{{{hugsss}}}} to everyone on this forum. You guys have really helped me through the days, months and years to get me to this point. Many times I just gave up and wanted to walk away from the process but I kept coming back to the boards to read your words of encouragement and now I'll finally be banded. Healthy, happier days are ahead of me and I owe it all to you guys!!! Thanks again, my heart is doing the happy dance!!!!

Lynn:thumbup: