Pregnant + PCOS - stopping metformin. What would you do?

[belle75]

I have PCOS + insulin resistance. Conceived DD1 after taking metformin. I am now pregnant (5wks) with my second. I've been taking metformin 850mg twice a day for 8 months now. Problem is, my ob wants me to cut down the dose to 850mg once a day and stop at 12 weeks. My insulin levels without metformin is all over the place and I am worried that my IR will be worse in pregnancy after eating all that bread I also had GD with my first pregnancy.

With DD1, I took the full dose till 12 weeks then slowly reduced and stopped at 14 weeks. After reading all the stories about mc on stopping metformin, I am terrified! I have already used a few boxes of preg tests because I am paranoid something bad might happen I haven't had the courage to reduce the dose yet. Have my first ob appoint in 3 weeks. I don't know if i can bring this up with him. I know I am being a little paranoid. What would you do? HELP!!!

ps: Sorry for rambling on like that. just had to get it all out in black and white. Thanks for listening!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Im another who has PCOS plus insulin resistance and my levels evened out when i was pregnant. I had no issues at all, same with my SIL who also had an insulin resistance. Maybe you could ask for your levels to be monitored and talk further about staying on the metformin if needed. It is safe to have it during pregnancy so i dont know why your OB would want you to stop.

[Artechim]

Why do you need to come off the Metformin? If it is controlling your levels isn't that a good thing? I know they prefer injectable insulin during pregnancy in Aus, but Metformin has been used for GD as drug of choice in South Africa for over 20 years without ill effect.

Are you eating a good low GI diet? I know it is hard, especially if you have been hit with morning sickness.

[belle75]

LMS - when did you stop the met?
Artechim - don't know if I have GDM yet (only 5 wks preg). I am more concerned about the higher rate of mc when stopping met in first trimester. Technically I'm not stopping, but I'm concerned that halving the dose before 12wks may make my IR worse and possible mc???

[minniemouse]

With my first pregnancy I stayed on metformin all the way through and was fine, with the second I got gestational diabetes at 26 weeks and had to go onto insulin then.

Since then I have had 4 miscarriages and I don't why, I have been on metformin just the same for those 4 as the first 2, anyway my point is my drs were happy for me to stay on it as long as possible to try & reduce the need for insulin in the pregnancy

Good luck, I wouldn't stop

[Liz]

I have PCO, so not quite the same. But I was on metformin for my 1st and 3rd pregnancies in order to conceive. I stopped taking it both times at 12 weeks.

[RhiChiChi]

I would wean slowly off it during the majority of your pg - a friend of mine did that & she had a full term healthy baby.

[ElleJay]

I've got the same as you (PCOS and insulin resistance) and my gyno (who's the one who prescribed me with Metformin) told me to stop taking mine as soon as I got a positive test (thank goodness it only took 2 cycles for us on Metformin)
I'm not much help, but if your not sure, just ask your ob why he wants you on them till 12wk (I was also on progesterone pessaries until 12wks)

Sorry, I'm not much help


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - even though I should be cleaning

[belle75]

Thank you girls. It helps to know people have been in a similar situation before and their outcomes. I have decided to stay on the dosage for now and taper off slowly after 12 weeks. I feel I have enough to worry about and don't want to jeopardise this pregnancy in any way.I think I'll be more at ease that way.

[butterfly_warrior]

I had one FS tell me to stop as soon as I was pregnant, another tell me to take it until at least 12 weeks, an OB who was happy for me to take it and a GP I could convince to keep prescribing on the advice of the FS who said to keep taking it...

It could be coincidence, but my first miscarriage coincided with reducing the dose of metformin. Not stopping it, just reducing it. I was paranoid. I didn't start reducing the dose until I was 17 weeks and didn't stop taking it until I could feel regular movement. I was a bit paranoid, though.

[pearshaker]

hey there

I have PCOS and Type 2 Diabetes.

From what i've learnt from my OB and endocrinologist - metform is safe all the way through pregnancy. I'm at 13 weeks now and most likely have to go on insulin sometime in the near future and my endocrinologist has even upped my medication to combat the blood sugar levels.

If you're worried about what your OB is saying, perhaps consult a specialist endocrinologist.

Good luck :-)

[belle75]

Hi pearshaker,
I stopped metformin at 13 wks and bubs is now at 24wk and all good. I think I was really paranoid Have to have my GTT soon at 27wks and will find out f I have GD. All that chocolate can't be helping Good luck with your pregnancy xx