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PCOS & Metformin worry (long post, sorry)From: Tia (anonymous@obgyn.net)Sun, 15 Dec 2002 17:11:37 -0600 (CST)
After suffering with centralised weight gain, mild hirsutism and occasional ovary-sited pain for five or six years, I was diagnosed with PCOS last December. My new doctor was the first to pay attention to my lack of periods - I've had probably five periods in the last three years, and when I went to my previous doctor worried about not having had a period for eight months, she told me in a quite matter-of-fact tone, "I don't know what you're complaining about - some girls would be quite happy not to have periods!" I avoided going to the doctor again for three years, until moving to a new part of London. After my diagnosis, in January, I saw a gynaecologist, a PCOS specialist consultant, and in February, on my second visit, I was prescribed with Metformin on a gradually increasing dosage. When my consultant prescribed the Metformin, she mentioned that one of the major side effects is nausea, and since I was ten days away from moving house, she advised me to wait until I'd settled into the new place before beginning the course. Maybe she shouldn't have said that. Since then there has been one excuse after another - always another reason not to start the regime. People coming to stay, weekends away, important meetings. There was never a convenient time to feel nauseous, and this has meant that now, a year after my initial diagnosis, I haven't yet begun the course. I'm scared. I don't know if this is related to the diagnosis, or the illness, or other life stresses, but soon after my initial diagnosis, I suffered my first panic attack, and since then, though I've only had one other, I've been almost constantly anxious about having another one. I worry about being ill and not being able to cope, or not being able to handle my busy work commitments, and the idea of inflicting nausea on myself by taking this medication makes me reticent to even begin. I was all ready to start the medication in May. I talked myself into it, and sat on the edge of the bed with my partner to read the packet insert, and discovered in stern letters that ALCOHOL MUST BE AVOIDED. Now, I don't drink much at all - part of the anxiety/worry thing means that I am not comfortable with being out of control, or feeling ill the next day. I drink probably a couple of pints or glasses of wine a month, maximum. But somehow, the idea of having to avoid alcohol altogether felt so limiting that I was loathe to begin the Metformin. Maybe I was looking for excuses. On a Tuesday in June, I made another attempt. I actually took the half tablet I was supposed to begin with, and I felt horrible. The idea of feeling like that for another month at least, if not the rest of my life, was not very tempting. My partner (who is incredibly supportive) was going away at the end of that week, and I didn't want to be alone and unwell, so I didn't take it again. In August, I had a conversation with a work colleague about the illness. It transpires that she has also had PCOS for ten years, but decided to stop taking the medication a year ago. The side-effect of this, however, was that she has put on a lot of weight and has substantial, noticeable facial hair growth. This panicked me, because it seems to indicate that once you start taking Metformin, that's it, forever. You have to keep taking it because if you decide to stop, all the weight and hair come rushing to overtake you. Forever feels like a long time. Taking something, depending on a drug forever feels like an enormous commitment. Since then, I haven't tried again. The way I see it is that I'm feeling a lot better now - the weight is still there, though I'm going to the gym regularly, and trying to eat sensibly. I have constant battles with dark facial (chin and neck) hair (my tweezers are my best friends, practically) and the anxiety has pretty much completely subsided. It doesn't feel like complete control, but it feels like I'm comfortable at the moment - treading water. I know I should take the Meformin, but I'm scared to upset the delicate equilibrium I've constructed for myself in my lifestyle. I'm 28, and I'm also taking the pill - Microval (p.o.p). I don't want to get pregnant now, but I'd like to have the opportunity to do so eventually. I don't want a gun to my head about reproduction or my health. I want to be well and I want to be able to cope with my path to wellness. I don't like taking drugs in general - even for headaches - and I don't like depending on artificial substances to get through life - and in my mind, this includes Metformin. Will it make me feel completely horrible? How long for? Should I just bite the bullet and do it and feel lousy? When will I start to see results? Will I need to take it forever? Are there any alternatives? I'm embarrassed to go back to my gyno now and say I was too scared to start the course she prescribed for me. It just feels like an awful lot to cope with, and while I'm feeling (mostly) fine and looking (mostly) OK, the temptation is to just ignore it. I just want to be able to cope without making an enormous life changes, or feeling dreadful. Is this silly? Is this normal? I don't know what to do, and I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has. Thanks
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