Prescribed Metformin but don't have PCOS...

[Mrs P]

Hi ladies,

My FS has prescribed metformin for me, but I don't have PCO or PCOS. He basically said that he didn't think it would do me any harm, and possibly may be of 'some' assistance.
(For relevance, I don't appear to O and am starting 1st IVF cycle in Jan 09 after failing to respond to OI).

Has this happened to anyone else?

I haven't started taking it yet as I was on hoildays overseas the last 2 weeks and didn't want to take it then. But I'm going to start tomorrow.
I'm thinking of taking it with dinner - should I take it just before a meal?

I didn't really have a chance to ask the FS much about it as he had just told me I needed IVF and I was kinda in shock (was assuming we'd just try OI again so hadn't prepared myself for it!).

Mrs P

[butterfly_warrior]

I'm running short on time this morning...

But definitely take it with a meal (preferably a low-fat, low-carb meal) to reduce the impact on your digestive system.

Definitely start on a low dosage and work up slowly to the full dose your doctor has prescribed.

I have heard of it being used to help improve egg quality during IVF even without PCOS or insulin resistance.

BW

[belle75]

Hi Mrs P,
I was shocked the first time I was told I had PCOS. Even though I had suspected something was wrong, it's hard to hear it finally from someone else. I couldn't get my head around it for months! Am finally coming to terms with it and realising it's not the end of the world as I had imagined!! I'm assuming it's the same for you - being told that you need IVF. Look at it this way - it's just another way of getting you closer to your bubba. Wishing you success and sending lots of

Oh, and with the metformin, as BW had said, there is evidence it will help with the IVF and reduce chances of mc. You will get least side effects (diarrhoea, nausea, stomach upset) if you take it with a meal. dinner is a good time. I found that I suffered more if my food had more sugar, carbohydrates or fat in it. The side effects lasted the first few days at each dose increase. I was prescribed 850mg twice a day. I started with half a 850mg tablet daily for 3 days and added half a tablet every 3 days (or until my side effects with that dose stopped) until I got to my max.

Good luck and looking forward to hearing your good news soon.

[Mrs P]

Thanks for the replies. I'm only on the 500mg dose once a day (slow release). Took the first dose yesterday and the second dose tonight with dinner, so far no side effects. I think it's a fairly low dose so that's probably a good thing. Fingers crossed it helps egg production

[butterfly_warrior]

Slow release metformin tends to give a lot less side effects than the regular stuff.

I hope you continue to be side-effect free!

BW

[{sarah}]

My sister doesn't have PCOS either, but is on Metformin for insulin resistance, maybe it's something like that?

[belle75]

Glad you're not getting the SE's. Goodluck. It has helped me ovulate.

[tk1999]

I started Metformin in Oct - same dose as Mrs P - 500mg once a day, I take it at night I have it with food ie I eat half of something and then have the tablet then finish the food. I had side effects for the first week or two but they have gone now. My Gynae said to continue with the dose until I see him again in January.

I was prescribed Metformin due to PCOS and to hopefully help with ovulation as I had an Implanon in and don't know if I will ovulate just yet.

[*Belle*]

Hi there

I was on Metformin for insulin resistance and also to prevent miscarriage, I took it in total for 6 months, in conjuction with Clomid for 4months of the 6 months and concieved and took it for the first 7 weeks of pregnancy to prevent miscarriage to stabilise my progesterone and it worked! Totally agree take it with food and preferably low carb.