PCOS Messages for February, 2002: Re: question about anticonvulsants such as Depakote and PCOS (also new to this list) and metformin alternatives

Re: question about anticonvulsants such as Depakote and PCOS (also new to this list) and metformin alternatives

From: julie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 6 Feb 2002 15:24:38 -0600 (CST)

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At Wed, 30 Jan 2002, Belle wrote: >
>I do not understand why you are so upset with your doctor who prescribed
>the Depakote and not the one who prescribed the BCP. The pill also
>decreases glucose metabolism which causes us to have increased insulin
>in order to take care of the glucose. :-)

I think at the time this wasn't as widely known (the BCP issue) - this was over two years ago. Metformin was being given to me in a study and I wasn't aware that women with PCOS even took it on a regular basis outside of studies - in fact, reading about it here made me wonder what I've been missing. To give a little more background, I was put on the pill for PCOS symptom management. But I was also put on the pill by three doctors: my OB/GYN, endocrinologist and my oncologist after I had a low grade ovarian cancer removed (I have one ovary left) because it is supposed to be helpful in being a prophylactic against ovarian cancer. I'd been told since then to get ultrasounds to check on my other ovary for cysts/cancer checkups and get fasting glucose done once per year and since then I have had the tests done but have not had any other advice from the doctors other than getting the bcp prescriptions refilled. I have since moved across country so I am ripe for getting new doctors and finding out what's new in general.

>
>Drug information can be found in a number of sources. You could look up
>information on drugs on the net. Nearly all drugs have prescribing
>information from the manufacturer, PDR, or other drug sites. There are
>also drug books sold in stores that can be of benefit when you are
>attempting to decide if a drug is good for you. You should also feel
>free to ask your doctor if there are any interactions with any of your
>other prescribed medications or OTC drugs. Your doctor should also know
>if the drug s/he is prescribing has the potential to cause problems in
>people who are glucose intolerant.

Yes I always do this but again, at the time none of this information mentioned this in the readily availably literature and I do always ask the doctor about side effects. The question is, how much to trust what he knows. >
>Avandia may work for you but weight gain is a possible side effect to
>it. There have not been any studies that I am aware of that have
>Avandia tested against Glucophage to determine efficacy. Many women
>take the two drugs together. If you are having side effects from the
>Glucophage and you have not been on it for a long time, you may want to
>decrease your dosage until your body becomes accustomed to the
>Glucophage. Increase the dosage by 1/2 or 1/4 of a pill every week
>until you reach your prescribed dosage.
>

I am wondering if considering my side effects it's better to take some glucophage rather than none at all. This will be something I will definitely discuss w/ the repro endo that I have an appt with (upcoming). If a small tolerable dose is better than nothing and the bcp. It's just that I get so very very nauseous on the stuff. Of course, if I end up with diabetes I guess I'll end up having to take it later rather than sooner.

Many thanks for your advice Belle!

--
Julie

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