[JillW]

My RE plans to put me on Metformin. Now, she didn't say anything about PCOS, but everything I've read said it's given to women with PCOS. Does anyone here not have PCOS but is on it?

From what I've read on the internet, I show a LOT of the symptoms of having PCOS.

Ugh, I just hope the metformin works.

[Shasta18]

Originally Posted by JillW

My RE plans to put me on Metformin. Now, she didn't say anything about PCOS, but everything I've read said it's given to women with PCOS. Does anyone here not have PCOS but is on it?

From what I've read on the internet, I show a LOT of the symptoms of having PCOS.

Ugh, I just hope the metformin works.

Hi Jill,
I was diagnosed with lean PCOS when I went to my first visit with my RE. She said that oftentimes a woman can have PCOS but the diagnosis is sometimes missed if the woman is thin. She said that (in her opinion) if someone has any 2 of the 3 following symptoms that she considers them to be PCOS: irregular periods, polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (have you had an ultrasound???), or excessive male-type hair growth. I had the first 2 signs only. So, she then put me on Metformin, even though I'm not insulin-resistant - which lots of PCOS'ers are - to increase the egg quality, just in case.

Are you comfortable calling your RE and asking why they have you on the Metformin? Maybe they think you have an atypical form of PCOS, which would be important to know - especially since PCOS'ers have other health risks that they should def be aware of. Hope this helps and that you'll have good success with this cycle!

[JillW]

Thank you so much for replying!

I have 2 pages of questions written down to ask at my next appointment (on Friday). It's with a different RE, so I'm a little nervous (the one I've been seeing is at the end of a pregnancy and is coming in less and less).

I was so overwhelmed when we got the results of our tests that I just sat there and cried. I didn't know what to say.

I'm not overweight, but I have put on several pounds over the past year and a half.

I have the first 2 symptoms you described too.

I've had irregular periods for as long as I can remember. I didn't pay attention to my cycle before I was sexually active, but I always had a period every month. While on BC pills, I would get a period every month but it would never start when it was supposed to. Sometimes it would come the week before, sometimes the week after.. I never knew.

Yes, I've had a pelvic ultrasound. They found a very large cyst (according to the tech who did it) on my left ovary. I'm going back tomorrow for a second ultrasound to check on it.

I don't really know where I'm going with all of this.. I know I need to be patient and wait till my appt on Friday, but it's so hard not knowing anything. I feel lost.

[Shasta18]

Originally Posted by JillW

Thank you so much for replying!

I have 2 pages of questions written down to ask at my next appointment (on Friday). It's with a different RE, so I'm a little nervous (the one I've been seeing is at the end of a pregnancy and is coming in less and less).

I was so overwhelmed when we got the results of our tests that I just sat there and cried. I didn't know what to say.

I'm not overweight, but I have put on several pounds over the past year and a half.

I have the first 2 symptoms you described too.

I've had irregular periods for as long as I can remember. I didn't pay attention to my cycle before I was sexually active, but I always had a period every month. While on BC pills, I would get a period every month but it would never start when it was supposed to. Sometimes it would come the week before, sometimes the week after.. I never knew.

Yes, I've had a pelvic ultrasound. They found a very large cyst (according to the tech who did it) on my left ovary. I'm going back tomorrow for a second ultrasound to check on it.

I don't really know where I'm going with all of this.. I know I need to be patient and wait till my appt on Friday, but it's so hard not knowing anything. I feel lost.

Hi Jill,
I'm sorry you're having such a time with all this. Hopefully this cyst on your ovary isn't anything to worry about, and especially that it won't hold up any treatments for you. I noticed you also have a right blocked tube, like me. I would definitely be asking about PCOS on Friday - that's great that you've made a list!

Keep your chin up...it's so hard when all these things take such a long time, and then sometimes they don't work. I totally understand the long road bit of it. We're here for you! Let us know how it goes on Friday!

[JillW]

Thanks Shasta

I'm sure I'll be on here on Friday asking questions. I had my pelvic u/s today. The tech said she didn't see anything on my left ovary, so I'm hoping when the doctor's look at it they will say everything's good! I had some pain in that area a few days back, perhaps it ruptured.

Did they ever determine what was causing your right tube to be blocked? My RE said they'd go in and look, but they haven't told me to schedule the surgery yet. Hopefully I'll get the go ahead to do that on Friday.

Thanks again for the encouragement, it's so easy to get down and out about this stuff..

[Shasta18]

That's great that your ultrasound turned out ok! It's very common to have a cyst disappear suddenly because they rupture. So, that is good news!

There was never a good explanation for why my right tube was blocked. I had an emergency diagnostic laparoscopy 13 years ago for a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst on the right side, and I suppose it could be blocked from scarring from that or the surgery. I've also always wondered if I might have endometriosis, since my periods are so very painful, and that can cause scarring too. My RE offered me a diagnostic lap to investigate this when I first started with him, but we decided to go straight to IVF since our sperm count was a little low and ovulation never was predictable. So it's still a bit of a mystery, hopefully this FET cycle works and we won't have to worry about it.

Good luck on Friday! Hope they have some great answers and options for you! Keep us posted!

[tclemence2]

I am on metformin for pcos. Did they take your insulin level? Just wondering. I am only seeing a arnp because of lack of insurance and finances, her daugter has pcos, so she has done alot of research. Just a warning metformin gave me alot of stomach problems. Keep pepto or Immodium handy lol! God's blessings upon you and for a !

[club616gal]

Jill,
My RE diagnosed me with PCOS earlier this year, but after this round of IVF drugs, I think he is beginning to doubt himself. I am slightly overweight by about 30 pounds and have abnormal cycles, and have diagnosed anovulatory. After 2 iui's with , my re decideded to tell me that maybe I was borderline pcos. This IVF cycle #1, he put me on a pcos long protocol with bcp, lupron, follistim, pio. I only produced 8 eggs, probably due to the lupron dosage. My RE was suprised that I did not respond the way he thought and now I may not have PCOS.
Go figure!

Anyway, I wanted to tell you that they put many women on it to help naturally produce ovulation in people who do not ovulate on a regular basis. Apparently, by reducing your insulin level, it fools your body into making you ovulate if you dont. Hope this helps you!

[gemdandy420]

Jill,

I have been on Metformin for over 6 months and it has not helped me at all. I have PCOS and I am not IR, but my dr put me on it anyways to help restore periods which has not happened and to work better with the clomid, which is also not working for me and I will most likely have to move on to injectibles to get pg. Good luck and hopefully it will work for you, I know it does work just not for everyone or maybe I need a stronger dose than 1000mg per day, the normal is 1500mg per day if you are IR.

Gloria