Drugs to manage PCOS symptoms when TTC and pregnant

[Kari]

Hi everyone,

I’m 35 and have PCOS – have been taking androcur and Diane for years (maybe about 7) to manage bad acne. I don’t want to experience such bad skin again as it made me so miserable that I didn’t want to leave the house. But, at 35 I am beginning to panic about having a child – especially as there is no man on the scene! I was hoping though to at least get off the androcur (can harm babies) and onto another drug that would manage this symptoms and also be useful to conception (if I get the chance). What has your experience of metformin been like? Does it manage the symptoms of PCOS (specifically bad skin)? I also am about 10kg heavier than I’d like to be.

I’ve seen that BlueGin has recommended a doctor in Melbourne. (Dr James Mackenzie Talbot) Can you be referred through a GP or would I have to go to Jean Halles or similar (have been there once before and doctor told me to lose weight – haven’t done so unfortunately) and didn’t advise much else.

Any advice gratefully received. (Also if others have felt the rising panic of wanting a child but not being in a relationship - what did you do?)

Kari

[spinky]

Hey,

I too have PCOS. I am also about 10kg heavier than I would like. I have been on 1 metformin tab a day for about 6 months. There are nasty side affects, but it settles down after awhile. I have found that my skin has cleared up quite a bit. With the weight side of things, I have always had to watch what I eat for my whole life as I gain weight easily. I have lost a few kgs while taking metformin, but I find that since I have been taking it, I havn't gained any weight, and I have been a bit more relaxed about eating, and not had to eat like a rabbit to maintain it.

Good Luck!

[Kari]

Thanks Spinky. What are the side effects?

[harmony]

Kari,
I've done some research for ttc (trying to conceive) May thread...on Vitex Chaste Berry Extract. It is a herb, is 100% safe and gentle and after centuries there has being no known or documented side effects and can help a women regain balance of hormornes and any fluctuations during the monthly cycle. It has helped women with PCOS; acne related to hormones, PMS and everything from conceiving, increasing breastmilk to menopause...

there is also a thread or two or three(you may have to dig deeper than the intial page on this entire thread maybe page 2 or 3) on Vitex.

Personally, with wanting or even thinking about your future conception I wouldn't be looking to be taking "more pharmecutical drugs" no matter how safe someone says they are they are still drugs and still could carry risk to eggs, blastocyst, embyo and fetus...would you risk it??

:: at least, look into Vitex Chaste Berry Extract:: at least it's herbal, and it's safe and does work.

[spinky]

I used vitex for 12 months before taking metformin. I found it did nothing. I had been taking metformin for 1 month and my period returned, and is now regular. Side effects can be uspet tummy, nausea, dizzy. It varies person to person. Vitex may help with regulating cycles, but if you are insulin resistant (side effect of PCOS) metformin reduces your blood sugar, which helps to lose and maintain healthy weight and help prevent diabettes, and help get hormone levels back to normal. I have been told by my GP to stop taking metformin once I find out I am pregnant. I have read that some Drs tell patients to continue taking it, as it can help prevent miscarriage.

[ttc bub#1]

hi kari i have just been diagnosed with pcos and have the same problem with acne:gloomy: it was so bad i couldnt even go out the house with out make up and a hat but i know this sounds cliche but proactiv is like the beat within about a week it started to work:smiliedance: and its been a month and a half and all my acne is gone trust me u dont need to use pills or anything t worked for me and it can work for u too its only like 80$ for two months trust me i put all my friends on it give it a go all the best :smiliedance:

[lizzymcfizzy]

hi there. I've been on metformin for 8 months now and I love it. I've lost almost 10 kilos! For years I couldn't loose weight but since I found I have pcos and been put on the metformin, things have been great.

When you first start taking it you can get dirroreah but if you slowly increase the dose as your body gets used to it, it goes away over a few weeks.

There has been research to see if metformin can increase your chances of fertility and it seems to show it helps. I also do light exercise once a week.

It might help you to see a dietician and learn about what foods are best for someone with psoc as we have insulin resistance. Metformin helps your body take in insulin like a normal person but eating the right foods helps it along.

As for the acne, I've always had it and havent seen much of a chance between when I was on the pill compared to now, if anything its better than what it used to be. I find the salicylate products to work great - garnier's anti-spot sos pen works wonders! I just bought olay moisturiser with salicylate in it too to try it out.


You might want to search for pcos in the forums for more info, its been discussed a fair bit and I've learnt alot from here :)

best of luck!

[lisa ann]

Hi there. I too have PCOS ,as well as hypothyroidism. I have all the symptoms except migraines. I live in US, but I hope I can give support to anyone who needs it. Took me 5yrs to conceive with fertility drugs, had two miscarriages then healthy girl, 2 yrs later drugs didn't work had an ovarian wedge resection where they remove half of each ovary, had B/G twins lost boy to heart abnormally after 18 hrs. 3yrs later used IVF had B/G twins in 11/04. I used progestrone to maintain preg. after 2nd miscarriage. Doctor is putting me back on Metformin (never lost weight, but maintained), birthcontrol and will also add something else for weight lose once twins are weaned from nursing. PCOS can also lead to low milk supply, but with work I nursed 1st for 11 mo, 2nd for 14 mo, still nursing twins. I also have a cousin who had no other symptoms but weight gain who was diagnosed as well. (She gained 80 lbs at 21 6 mo. prior to her wedding- doctor told her she wasn't 18 any more and would have to watch weight. Luckily I had already been thru all that so she was able to get the right help) Again, I hope I can lend support to anyone who needs it.

[BlueGin]

Hi Kari, though in a different life and skin situation to you (so no real help there) :hugs: I can tell you that my GP referred me to Dr Mac; my friend was with him and very happy and my ob sucked so I found a nice GP and said "I want Dr MAC!" and he kindly referred me :D

Good luck XOX

[Jules16]

Hi Ladies. I have a girlfriend who had a really bad case of PCOS and started seeing a chinese herbalist/acupuncturist. Two years later the doctors are amazed at the results and she fell pg the first month after her wedding.

[Vespera]

If you are worried you may want to invest the time and money into seeing a Naturopth, one of my friends has PCOS and the naturopath was able to give her a natural remedy for this whilst still aiding conception. I'm not sure what she is on as the natrupath also said it would be different for each person depending on the other things you have going on.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:

[Vespera]

Oops almost forgot here is some info on acupuncture and PCOS for you

http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/accupuncture.html

[BlueGin]

Thanks for the tip and site Vespera, great info!