Re: PCOS - Where to get Metformin
From: Amanda (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 16 Sep 2001 15:12:51 -0500 (CDT)
Hi Krystyna,
Thanks for your reply, apologies for the delay in replying!
My doctor has referred me to a gynaecologist, however he has a six
months waiting list which I suppose isnt very long after you had to wait
5 years! my dr did adv thought that this gynae is not a 'people' person
and is very strict on weight loss and most of his patients leave his
surgery crying, so that made me feel great!!
I have started on Slim fast which has helped a little with the weight
loss however I do feel very light headed on them, I am not sure if thats
the PCOS or just that I am not eating enough!
I am so glad that I have found this website as finally I am able to find
answers to why I have had a weight problem all my life and why my arms
are so hairy although this condition will never go away, I do feel a
whole lot better being able to talk about it!!
Thank You,
Amanda.
At Mon, 3 Sep 2001, Krystyna wrote:
>
>Hi Amanda,
>
>You really need to get yourself referred to a gynaecologist to be
>prescribed Metformin for PCOS in the UK because your GP will not be
>prepared to take the risk of prescribing it him/herself. Unfortunately
>many gynaecologists in the UK are still not up to date with the
>different treatments available for PCOS although more and more are
>becoming so. If you search through the archives some gynaecologists
>have been recommended by people on this board as being particularly
>sympathetic and open minded and you may find one in your area. Failing
>that if you post a new message stating the area you live in somebody may
>reply with a good specialist. You could then ask your GP to refer you
>either through the NHS (but in my area you could wait 2 years to have a
>first appointment with my particular gynaecologist) or you could ask to
>be referred privately (you would be seen within 2 weeks and have a
>consultation lasting up to 1 hour. Admittedly this does cost about £70
>but having previously been passed from junior registrar to junior
>registrar over the period of 5 years and ending up with nothing other
>than a diagnosis of PCOS and a supply of Provera I wish I hadn't wasted
>the time and effort and just gone privately the first time. Having been
>correctly diagnosed I now see the same consultant on the NHS because it
>is no longer a first appointment. Metformin has been like a miracle to
>me. After having no periods at all for 10 years they now come every 5
>weeks or so. And having a natural period is so different to one brought
>on by Provera!! And so many other symptoms of PCOS have been lessened.
>Don't give up just get yourself referred to somebody who can help you.
>
>feel free to e-mail me privately if you wish.
>
>--
>Krystyna
>
>on Sun, 26 Aug 2001, anonymous wrote:
>>
>>Hello Everyone,
>>
>>I live in the UK and was told I had PCOS just under 2 yrs ago my GP put
>>me back on the pill and said 'it would help if you lost weight, although
>>this will be an uphill struggle', well was he right I have not lost any
>>weight in this time from eating nothing to eating a little, diets dont
>>do a thing. However after finding this website and reading about
>>Metformin, I visited my GP last week and asked to be put on Met as I
>>have mood swings, excess facial hair and obviously the weight thing, my
>>GP said I am depressed and said it is not licensed in the UK for PCOS
>>yet, this is very frustrating!!!!! I feel that I am at the end of my
>>tether with this and am unable to help myself which of course is
>>depressing!!
>>
>>Can anyone advise me where I can obtain Metformin as my GP is unable to
>>assist me with this, I would be grateful for any replies!!
>>
>>Thank You,
>>
>>Amanda.
>
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