Re: metformin and pregnancy
From: =?iso-8859-2?q?Zalányi Sámuel ?= (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 8 May 2003 23:03:35 +0200
Hi Lara,
What were your presenting symptoms and how have they started, at what age? What is your age and weight?
Your 18 mo of amenorrhoea is not necessarily part of PCOS, it may only be the consequence of taking the pill for so long. (Post pill amenorrheoa).
If your testosterone increased 4X during 6 mo and while on metformin, it is questionable if it is PCOS. Androgens may come from the adrenals as well.
You should have your reproductive hormones and your glucose/insulin balance checked WITHOUT any medication for at least one mo. Ultrasound is also necessary. Dianette or androcur takes only 2 days to clear from your system. Three mo is just rubbish.
For your info
Sam
> Dear Dr Sam
> Thank you for replying with my query.
> I have taken Dianette altogether for about 11 years for PCOS
> During this time I came off Dianette for 2 years and took nothing except
> metformin 1000mg daily plus also thyroxine 150mcg (I am also
> hypothyroid).
> Whilst taking metformin alone 1000mg daily I had NO periods for 18
> months and my testosterone levels became 4 times higher than normal only
> 6 months after stopping Dianette. My acne and hirsutism became SEVERE
> and I put on a lot of weight during this time. After 18 months of hell
> and going to see several specialists, I was told only to be put back
> onto Dianette again! Only this time I had to take Dianette plus Androcur
> (also cyproterone acetate)
> The only trouble I had with Dianette is that it causes SEVERE migraines
> especially around the time of menstruation.
> Also recently while on Dianette I suffered from quite a lot of
> inflammation and bleeding at the neck of the cervix which 3 doctors told
> me was being caused by Dianette.
> I have recently stopped taking Dianette and Androcur and have been put
> on Glucophage (metformin) by the gynae-endocrinologist.
> I started off taking 2000mg glucophage daily for 1 month and have now
> been told to increase to 3000mg daily.
> (1000mg did nothing for me previously and only made all the symptoms
> much worse)
> At present on 3000mg I do feel really nauseous all the time but do not
> actually vomit and sometimes I feel dizzy.
> I hope to conceive - the doctor told me to wait a full 3 months to get
> the Androcur plus Dianette out of the system before trying to conceive.
> I have never had an endocrine 'work-up' as you asked - I have asked my
> doctor - in fact I have requested several doctors to have an insulin
> resistance test but they all say it is not necessary.
> One thing that really stresses me even more is that it is really hard to
> find a good PCOS doctor here in the uk and the treatment is far behind
> that in the usa - so many things are not given here for pcos - I had to
> really struggle and find a doctor who was willing to put me on metformin
> / glucophage.
> Everyone else just puts you on the bcp or if trying to conceive then on
> clomid.
> Could you please give me your valued advice.
> You said 3000mg glucophage is too high - why is that and also what harm
> will it do ?
> My GP said that I must be VERY insulin resistant as any normal person on
> 3000mg metformin would be totally knocked out - I just feel sick.
> Is this true ? Also what are the disadvantages of such a high dose and
> how long can it be taken for ?
> I really want to conceive after the 3 months I have to wait to totally
> free the system of Androcur/Dianette.
> Your helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
> Many thanks
> Lara
>
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