Re: Glucophage (metformin) and yeast infections
From: K. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 14 Jan 2003 15:30:47 -0600 (CST)
My endocrinologist tested me for diabetes and everything came back
normal. Since your fasting glucose test came back OK, you most likely
don't have diabetes. If you are not seeing an endocrinologist for the
PCOS you might want to try it. He ran me through a huge battery of
bloodwork before putting me on the Glucophage.
The only reason I'm going through the glucophage treatment is because I
have a few symptoms of PCOS (weight problems, excess hair, etc.) He told
me that it would help with me losing weight since I'm hypothyroid as
well. I did have infertility treatments to get pregnant. My history
was very erratic periods and no ovulation. Since having my son, I've
had very regular periods but still no ovulation. Getting pregnant was
not the reason for getting on this med. I told him that if the
infections recurred for the third time I would take myself of the
glucophage. At this point in my life, I'm more concerned with getting
my thyroid regulated.
You are absolutely right about patients being their own doctors. I was
on birth control pills for 8 years. During that time, I had a yeast
infection, bladder or kidney infection constantly. This was the time
before yeast infection meds were over the counter. No doctor was able
to do anything for me. They kept telling me that the birth control
pills were not the cause of my problems. When I got off the pills to
try and get pregnant, all of the infections miraculously went away. That
was a lot of years spent suffering since I subsequently found out that I
had major fertility problems and never needed to be on the pills in the
first place.
Good luck on your tests and keep us posted on the results!
At Mon, 13 Jan 2003, Carolyn wrote:
>
>YES! My mom found this site several months ago when researching PCOS, as
>I had just been diagnosed. I've been on Metformin for 2-3 months now,
>and it seems within 3-4 weeks of taking it, I develop a yeast infection.
>I'd never had one before, so the first time was a bit worry-some. I
>stopped taking all meds (including stuff I take for carpal tunnel pain
>in my hands), and the infection seemed to subside after 4-5 days. I
>started Metformin again, and as before, within 3-4 weeks I developed
>another infection. This happened a total of 3 times.
>
>What's worse is now that I've stopped taking the Metformin for over a
>week this 3rd time, my symptoms of dandruff & incredibly, embarassingly
>dry skin patches on my face have gotten 10 times worse. I didn't even
>leave my apartment this past weekend.
>
>I finally called my doctor, asking if others had similar side effects.
>She was a bit shocked, and said perhaps my "sugar is too high". Then
>she asked if I'd been tested for the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test)
>to verify if in fact I had Diabetes -- she'd NEVER tested me in the
>first place, when I'm pretty certain she should have. The only test
>she'd given me was the Fasting Glucose Test, after having already
>prescribed the Metformin.
>
>She said (and it says so in the medication warnings) that a patient
>should be tested for proper, healthy kidney function before prescribing
>Metformin/Glucophage -- she started writing the prescription, and I
>asked, "Don't you need to test my kidneys?" She said they tested fine. I
>have NO CLUE what "test" she meant here because that was the FIRST time
>I'd ever met her -- her office never conducted any blood or urine tests
>on me, and although I haven't an idea just HOW one would test my kidney
>function, I'm pretty certain she had no actual results pointing to my
>kidneys having been tested. Just goes to show how much we as patients
>have to become our own doctors, our own case-lawyers, following up &
>researching on every little detail, even if we feel it sounds like we're
>asking too many questions & annoying the doctor. ASK! ASK! ASK! It's
>your health, your life.
>
>I won't know for several days if I in fact have Diabetes, but I don't
>seem to have the symptoms listed on WebMD, whereas I have nearly every
>symptom listed for PCOS. I'll update you if I hear any news clarifying
>the issue of YEAST INFECTIONS with Metformin.
>
>--
>==================================
>
>At Mon, 13 Jan 2003, K. wrote:
>>
>>I've been receiving treatment for 10 months for Hashimoto's
>>hypothyroidism. The endocrinologist said that based on my medical
>>history I probably have PCOS as well and put me on Glucophage
>>(metformin). I have tried this medication on three separate occasions
>>and get a horrible yeast infection after about 4 weeks of treatment. The
>>endo says the Glucophage has nothing to do with it. It will not go away
>>until I stop taking the Glucophage. I'm 39, had a successful pregnancy
>>and not looking to get pregnant again but he wants me to stay on it. I
>>take no medications other than Synthroid. Has anyone else had this
>>problem?
>>
>>--
>>K.
>>
--
K.
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