metformin?

MeowMeow · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 02:28 AM

Why was I not given metformin when she said I have PCOS and prescribed me clomid? I keep reading all over the place that I should have been, and that it could cause miscarriage if not taken when needed. Should I call the RE or see how this first month of clomid goes?

Tkeys · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 04:33 AM

Some doctors are more "old school" with Metformin and don't think of it as a general health problem - they think of it as a fertility issue. So, they believe if Clomid makes you O, then they have dealt with the "problem." A general endocrinologist will usually treat the problem, looking at long-term health, etc., and put you on metformin before anything else.

MeowMeow · #3 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 06:12 AM

wonderful...
I guess I have a bad doctor. I am going to call her and ask her why. I keep reading that if your not put on it, your chances of miscarriage are very high when concieving with clomid. I am going to go completely insane if that happens after all of this. Thanks for answering, I've been obsessing about it all morning.

Tkeys · #4 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 06:15 AM

I don't think it makes your doctor bad, but maybe they don't believe that PCOS is a health problem, just a "fertility" issue, so they think that Clomid IS treating the problem, if that makes sense? But you are right - studies show that there is a higher risk of m/c with PCOS if you are not on metformin, and also long-term, there is a higher rate of diabetes, etc.

MeowMeow · #5 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 07:04 AM

I get what you are saying. I am worried about now and later- very worried about diabetes. I dont need more health issues than I already have! It just bothers me that I might now be getting the best care possible. Thanks

GoofyGirl · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 08:24 AM

I can understand your frustration that your doctor didn't automatically put you on metformin when you were diagnosed with PCOS, but he/she probably didn't give it to you because he/she doesn't feel you need it.

Yes, there is a higher chance of a miscarriage in your 1st trimester of pregnancy when you have PCOS, but there is no conclusive evidence that the metformin really helps prevent a miscarriage. If you are worried about diabetes, then you should be tested for it.

Metformin is still in trial stages for women with PCOS when it comes to helping them get pregnant and other areas of pregnancy. Some doctors do not try metformin right off the bad and some wait to see if the person responds to Clomid alone. Clomid is actually the fertility drug, just in some women the metformin helps it work better.

I can speak from experience. We tried for 6 years to have a baby. I wasn't given metformin until we went in to find out what treatments I could start. The doctor gave me Clomid first and it did nothing for me. He then gave me metformin, which also did nothing. It wasn't until I was accepted into a study for women with PCOS that were trying to get pregnant that I was introduced to the combination of taking both metformin and Clomid. Because it was a study, 1/3 of the patients took Metformin and a placebo, 1/3 took Clomid and a placebo, and the other 1/3 took both the clomid and metformin. My very first cycle I ovulated, it then took 4 cycles for me to get pregnant.

When I went to my OBGYN with my pregnancy and he knew I was taking the metformin, he allowed me to stay on it for my 1st trimester. Did it help, don't know, but I had no problem taking it. I have not taken metformin since.

I would give the clomid a chance to see if it works and if it doesn't then I would talk to your doctor about getting metformin. If your doctor doesn't give it to you and you still feel that you need it then seek another doctor.

Good Luck with TTC!

debbie1 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 01:55 PM

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to post a message to let you know that I went to a RE after TTC with PCOS. I took the metformin and it helped me get pregnant. I stayed on it my entire pregnancy. It helped my body in several ways. I am not taking it now.

Debbie

MeowMeow · #8 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008, 04:26 AM

Thanks you guys. I dont know if the clomid worked or not, the doctors not doing additional tests so there is really no way for me to really know. My chart is insane, the temps... idk what is going on. I am assuming we are going to try this for three months because the RE just said to call the office and they will prescribe more med's if needed if I do not start af by day 30, thus starting all over. Im going in for genetic testing and dh is going to get the s/a, hopefully I will have a chance to ask the doctor some questions. I am just worried about time here. I feel that I am wasting valuable time. I hear most talking about "follie" scans, testing on day such and such... I dont even know what most of even means! My doctor has not mentioned any of this to me. I am wondering if it is because she does not think my situation is serious.. idk. I am just going to not worry about it right now, maybe less worry will be good right now

thanks for your answers, I needed it, lol