PCOS and Metformin??

I'm going to work on a post, soon and see if I can get the mods to possibly pin it, or find *somewhere* to put it, as I've seen a lot of women posting recently about PCOS, and with Metformin, or other PCOS related questions. It's after 1am, so I don't have time to do a through post tonight, but I will be glad to answer what I can. :happy:

First, the Metformin in and of itself isn't going to help you lose weight. It's not like Phentermine, or any of the other weight loss drugs designed to help speed up your metabolism or curb your appetite. HOWEVER, if you struggling with IR (Insulin Resistance) along with PCOS, which MANY women do, Metformin/Metformin ER can be a lifesaver for us! You didn't mention any other symptoms other than the lack of a period for 50 days, and then throwing up after having your coffee- but that mirrors what I was struggling with right after I was diagnosed. My hair was beginning to thin, and I got to the point where I ended up losing so much that I relied on clip on hair, had skin tags, was sleeping roughly 16 hours a day, and was STILL exhausted. It didn't matter how much or little I ate, I gained on average 5lbs a month. My insulin levels were through the roof, estrogen levels were almost non-existent, and my testosterone levels were sky high.

It was a trial and error process, but the treatment that worked for me, and that to this day, I am still on, is Byetta (5mcg injection twice a day), and 1500mgs of Metformin ER. The Byetta helps my body to only produce the insulin that my body needs, and stops it when I don't need any more. Then, the Metformin ER, makes my body absorb the insulin that was produced, and continues to work for 24 hours, allowing my body to properly metabolize food. By following a lower carbohydrate diet (no, I didn't cut anything out, I still eat whatever I want, just correct/smaller portions), and getting moderate exercise, I've lost 177lbs over an 8/9 year period.

These medications are NOT without side effects as others have mentioned. There are times I have been violently ill with both Byetta and Metformin ER. I have thrown up, dealt with severe bloating, nausea, gas, upset stomach, and frequent diarrhea. Once your body adjusts to these medications, things aren't so bad. Does it still happen from time to time? Absolutely. If I eat something my body doesn't "like" so to speak, I'll know about it. If I eat "too much' so to speak, I'm going to pay for it, and I know it. I will be sick. It takes discipline, there are no two ways about it. I know when I'm sick, I did it to myself.

I don't take any type of hormonal birth control, or any hormones. I attempted to take birth control twice, but my body can't tolerate it. It messes with the chemicals in my brain, and made me severely depressed. I stopped both times when the feelings reached hopelessness and despair.

Know, there definitely is hope for getting pregnant with PCOS. I got pregnant at 29, and gave birth to my daughter at age 30. She was full term and healthy. Many cysters have had success with conceiving even though they struggle with PCOS, be it naturally, with the aid of fertility drugs, or treatments. We've come a long way!

Right now, you're taking the first step, and doing the best thing possible by being the healthiest you, possible! If you have any questions, I'll be glad to help out!

Uh, you tried, but you got it all wrong.
T2 Diabetic, I have just gone off my Byetta (10mcg x 2 daily) and have reduced my Metformin from 2000mg daily to 1000mg daily. That said, lets cover what Byetta REALLY does. Byetta, also known as "lizard spit" (as it comes from an enzyme from the gila monster) is designed to slow your digestion down so that consumed carbohydrates are broken down at a much slower rate and therefore, the sugar is released into your system slow enough to enable a malfunctioning pancreas to handle the load. Metformin is designed to do two things. First, it is a kidney protective medication, as diabetics usually end up with renal issues. Second, it sensitizes the bodies ability to utilize insulin, in that it helps the insulin bind with the sugars and be taken into the muscle more efficiently.

Metformin has been prescribed to patients with PCOS (yes, I have been diagnosed ) in that it made them less insulin resistant and therefore seemed to increase infertility. It is NOT a weight loss miracle, nor should it be something that you should strive to be on. I am working hard to even further reduce my dose in hopes of not needing it at all. No pill is going to do the job that you need to do...which is, I am assuming, lose weight and get healthy. This is best done through good clean eating and lots and lots of exercise.

If you are T2 diabetic, and you find yourself on these overprescribed medications, then let me help with a thought. I have gone off all these medications, have perfect labs (actually, doc says, "incredible lab reports"), great blood pressure, and have dropped 57 pounds since May 2014. I did it on a Low Carb High Fat diet. I am healthier now than I have been since I was 25 years old (now 49 yrs old). I ride my bike hard almost every day, eat low carb (get most of my carbs from mounds and mounds of green leafy veggies....and the occasional nibble of my hubbies ice cream), nuts, seeds, and my favorite (a big ole spoonful of no sugar added peanut butter).

I know you were trying to help, but you gotta know your facts a little better before confusing people on here. Many are impressionable to input and do not do their research. This young lady would be better to ensure that she is within normal weight limits, eats low carb (50g or less per day), checks her sugars with a test kit, exercises religiously, and keeps away from junk foods. That is likely to get her where she is looking to get, then to open a bottle and take a pill.

I have cysts, excess body hair on my arms, legs, toes, and stomach. I get horrible acne and carry most of my weight in my stomach. Irregular periods, thinning hair,Patches of skin on the neck, breasts, and thighs that are thick and dark brown, depression and anxiety