Questions about starting Metformin, new here...

daydreaming · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 10:13 AM

Hello, I usually lurk but I'm new to posting. I was diagnosed with PCOS (blood test) last September, after suffering two pregnancy losses and, after the second miscarriage, annovolutaion. I took Clomid under my OB and got pregnant the first cycle, but miscarried again. My HCG numbers never got very high, and they are calling it a bio-chemical pregnancy.

I had my first RE appointment this past Friday, and she said we have two choices. We can do clomid again. OR we can try Metformin, which she said may take more time to start working, but I will ovulate on my *own*, no risk of multiples, and she said in the past year, there is research to say it may help prevent miscarriage. Since I know Clomid works, but the miscarriages are the problem, I'm thinking of going with the Metformin.

I tested negative for insulin resistance, but she said it still can help. My questions are... what do you all think? Did anyone here get pregnant after taking Metformin, and not need to go onto to Clomid? How long should I try the Metformin before trying Clomid again? She mentioned 3 months. Is that long enough? Also, are there any other advantages to taking Metformin, other than possible help getting pregnant?

I apprepriate any and all feedback. I'm a little nervous to start taking a drug that you need to take everyday like this, but I'm also eager to help my body heal itself if I can. I'm desperate to prevent another miscarriage as well, and clomid is not going to help me with that. Also, I'm hoping it will help me lose some wieght too that I gained after my hormones went out of wack. (gained 20 pounds in one year when I never had trouble with my weigh before)

Thank you!!!

Rachel

babywishes · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 02:32 PM

There are a number of women (most here, I think) that take metformin. I think that most of us took it in conjunction with something like clomid or femara...and I think that is where most of the positive results came from...the combonation of the 2.
Good luck!

marissa's mommy · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 02:33 PM

Hi Rachel....I'm sorry to see you over on this board but glad that you finally have an answer to your m/c. I have had PCOS for a long time but it was never officially diagnosed until after Marissa was born. It took me 6 years to get pg with her only through IVF. This pg took 3 years....the first two years we were trying naturally and taking metformin and then started back with IVF last fall.

I don't have a lot of info for you since my situation is much different but I can tell you that metformin alone never helped me ovulate on my own. I was on it for 6 months with maybe only one cycle occuring. That's when my doc referred me to a specialist again. There are women on here that used metformin and clomid together and had success with that. They are always helpful with information.

The metformin can take some time for your body to get use to and the side effects are not nice but they do go away. It also helps your egg quality and can be helpful in preventing miscarriage. I never lost weight when I was taking it alone but recently found out that I also have a hypothroidism. When I started medication for that I was able to shed some weight (just not enough). In my opinion, it is worth a try for you to take it. If after three months you don't have regular periods, then maybe combine it with clomid. Docs usually recommend staying on metformin until 12 weeks pregnant although some docs will keep their patients on it for the whole pregnancy.

I was also told that having PCOS would put me at potential risk in developing Type II Diabetes later in life (I also had gestational diabetes). For this reason, my doc suggested that I may want to stay on metformin long term and maybe avoid developing diabetes. Sounds good to me. My blood sugar levels, cholestrol, and triglycerides have shown much improvement since I have started metformin.

Sorry for such a long post (it's in my nature I guess). Hope you find the help you are looking for here.

Kricket · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 04:27 PM

I was diagnosised with PCOS this past July and I started Metformin immediately. I had insulin resistant problems and they were hoping if I got that under contril with the Metformin I would be able to get a regular cycle. The first month I was on it I did get a cycle but after that month by body got used to it and I did not get another cycle. In December I went on Provera to force AF and then start a Metformin Clomid combination. I am current in the TWW and hoping for a good out come. I know that Shawn Ann got pregnant I believe on her 4th cycle of the two. I wish you all the luck and home your stay is short and sweet.

daydreaming · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 04:59 PM

All of you are SO helpful! Thank you so much.

This is an unrelated and unimportant question but... anyone know of any met blinkies?

So I can replace my clomid blinkie?

puddin · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 07:37 PM

Hi...I lurk here often and noticed your question. While all of the ladies on this boared are very helpful and very knowledgable.....Met did not help me, it actually hindered me. I have been diagnosed with PCOS 3 years ago and started met right off. I have always had fairly regular cycles, 26-36 long before and after the diagnosis. I was never cyst free while taking Met, for 2 1/2 years, and I never ovulated. The side effects never went away. I stopped the met last Aug. and have had + opks (I never had one before) and CM changes, and BBT began to work for me even though I work night shifts and other +ovulation signs. I just feel you should hear both sides of the table, met works very well for some people, but not all. HTH

daydreaming · #7 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 07:50 PM

Thank you Keri! I really appreciate it.

slp7_02 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2005, 09:22 PM

Hello,
I was diagnosed with PCOS but I am not IR. I have very irregular cycles and I tried up to 150mg of Clomid and my RE wanted to try 200mg which I thought would not work if Clomid was not making me ovulate at all. So, we went backwards and tried Met alone and the first month my cycle became regular and by the 3rd month I had a BFP. So, for me it worked...it takes trial and error to see what works for your body. I did not lose any weight with Met but it did cause upset stomachs and "stinky" BM's

Wish you good luck in your decision!