Metfromin - Anyone know anything on this?

[forkeeps251]

Hi all, this is my first time posting on here.

Just got back from the ob-gyn office. Based on history of my cycles the doc suspects I might have PCOS and told me about some options. The first one he mentioned was Metfromin, and the second one was Clomid. He seemed to think that Metfromin was a better option because it didn't have the twin side effect of Clomid. I had thought to go there to get a script for Clomid, but the doc scared me away from it with talks of complications from twins, etc. Not to mention I don't really want twins, just want a single baby girl!!

Does anyone know if Metfromin sways? It is a diabetic drug that can help women with PCOS ovulate. It lowers blood sugar and can also cause you to lose weight (sounds very good except for another side effect of diarrhea...). Based on the weight loss and lower blood sugar I'm guessing it would sway girl, but does anyone have any experience with that?

I haven't gotten a script yet, the doc ordered some blood work and a sonogram. I told a small fib that we had been trying for a few months, when we haven't really been trying THAT hard... that being said, I haven't been on birth control except for a few years out of me and DH's entire relationship... of 14 years, and that has only resulted in two pregnancies. Plus my history with my cycles has them anywhere from 30-50 days. From what I understand 50 is really on the long side. Right now my cycles are around 40ish days, in fact I'm on day 37 right now.

Around Thanksgiving of 2011 I had a breast reduction surgery, and then after that I didn't have another period till September of 2012. I never got it checked out because frankly I didn't miss it that much and I had heard that surgery can mess with your cycle. I finally started up again this past fall and I have had semi regular (as regular as they ever are, meaning 30-50 days) since then.

So all that is to say is that I haven't been diagnosed yet with PCOS although I think that there is probably something going on, and I'm hoping that metfromin is what he prescribes but I haven't do that much research on it yet.

[nuthinbutpink]

Metformin is common in the HT forum. Do you have a normal BMI?

[forkeeps251]

What is the HT forum? My BMI (just had to calc it) is 28.3... so I'm overweight but not obese.

[nuthinbutpink]

Well, losing weight may help a lot. You're on the high end of overweight because 30 is obese. Weight affects fertility dramatically. The High Tech forum where we discuss IVF has people that have been tested for insulin resistance and are PCOS and need metformin BUT by losing weight, you can correct some of what is going on with your cycle.

There are gals there that can chat with you about metformin and PCOS.

[nuthinbutpink]

And a true PCOS diagnosis can really help with the weight-

In fact, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), one of the more common causes of infertility, has been connected to trouble with gaining and subsequently losing weight. In other words, the very thing that is causing fertility problems may also be why you’re having trouble losing weight or maintaining a healthy BMI.

If a PCOS diagnosis is made, treating the PCOS can help with the weight problem. Women with PCOS who have been treated with Glucophage (metformin), an insulin resistance medication used off label in the treatment of PCOS, may have an easier time losing weight while on the drug, than without.

[atomic sagebrush]

Metformin does sway pink!

So does Clomid but it does have the side effect of the twinning.

I really think the best thing for your cycle will be losing weight.
Even as little as 5-10 lbs can make a difference. Have you seen this thread? It will help you sway with PCOS. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gender-swaying-general-discussion/9052-swaying-under-special-circumstances-part-3-pcos.html

[forkeeps251]

Thank you both! I read the link provided and learned a lot... the more I read the more I think I probably have PCOS. I have several of the symptoms, not just the irregular cycles.

I have found it almost impossible to lose weight in the past. I can cut down to 1200 calories a day and add some moderate exercise, and I won't loose much if anything... maybe 1 or 2 lbs a month. It is very discouraging. I had some success with doing low carb for about a week... I lost a bit of weight but then I lost nothing after that and even gained a little back.

I haven't always been this heavy though, before I turned 30 I was about 25 pounds lighter and technically in the healthy weight range. I carry ALL my weight in my stomach. Ugh.

I saw though that there wasn't a diet posted for swaying with PCOS yet. I'm hoping that if I do get on the metfromin I might finally be able to lose some weight... otherwise I don't know that I will be able to.

So, once I do start doing a girl sway diet, from what I understand I need to do mostly fruit, veggies, and whole grains... and don't cut out protein completely. Do I need to get the protein from meat or can it come from other sources? Is it meat that usually sways boy or protein? In other words if I can get adequate protein from something else then would it still help if I gave up meat? So pretty much sticking to the girl diet except instead of a lot of refined carbs, replace those with a mix of whole grains and veggies to get my carbs in, and up the protein a little?

Thanks!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I know, I really mean to get back to that but just haven't had the time yet, I'm really sorry.

We don't KNOW if it's protein vs. meat. Meat has a lot of other nutrients in addition to being a complete protein. My thinking would be, if you have PCOS, egg whites, full fat dairy, and nuts are great options. Beans and soy tends to have a lot of carbs in them and that ~may~ make your blood sugar up. But it's all pretty individual and some people tolerate beans really well, others don't tolerate nuts well - to some extent you need to play it by ear.

DO avoid SKIM dairy with PCOS though, something about skim milk and dairy is really extra bad for blood sugar.