Metformin-Gynae app-Fed up-xxx

[ZM203]

Hi- Had PCOS for about 10 years, usual horrible symptoms managed by dianette pill. Since being refused this pill 5 months ago I am still awaiting a period since stopping! ive now gone 4 months with no period. Went to GP (insert swear word here) had to beg for metformin and a gynae referral. I'm waiting on this.

Has metformin worked for ladies here?

Was there any blood tests I should ask for?

I don't want children at present but I'm scared I wont be able to in future

Felt like ive been ran over by a bus since stopping the pill

[Hols969]

Why cant you take it ? I am on yasmin which is similar. Metformin should only be used if you are insulin resistant otherwise it doesn't help (apart from give you the sh*ts!)

There is no reason why you wont be able to have children, it is really rare not to just because of pcos.

You must make sure you have 4 periods a year as it is important to keep your uterus healthy (don't let your GP fob you off!)

[ZM203 in reply to Hols969]

Apparently dianette is one of the most high risk for blood clots and other problems especially as I've been on it for approx. 10 years. Any pill has those risks after so long I suppose. I don't even know if I am insulin resistant but the metformin has definitely helped my sweet cravings and reduced my appetite. I haven't had any stomach upsets just the nausea which has gone now. This is the fear I have about not having a period I had a smear last year and I have to go back every year for one apparently due to mild dyskaryosis. I just want a period!!! surely there are drugs to stimulate a period? I have my gynae consultant appointment next week first time in my life. I hope they do an ultrasound and some bloods I have no idea where my body is at currently! my GP is patronising, doesn't listen to me and I had to demand a gynae referral (he didn't think I needed one even after I explained all of my sysmptoms!) I am a nurse myself its a shame I have had to research, diagnose and recommend services by myself otherwise I would be left!

[Hols969 in reply to ZM203]

I've been on and off the pill for 30 years !! I am now 47 and at that time when they query me regularly about being on it, but I have said that I would rather take the small risk of issues and have a relatively pcos free life than coming off it and they are quite happy with it. Obviously was off it when trying for a family.

There are drugs to stimulate a period one is called provera, I think the other is called norithstone or something like that. Your GP should be suggesting this especially after your last smear really, some ladies have been told aren't they lucky not to have periods !!

I always worry when ladies get re-tested to be honest - Gp's do not seem to realise that the cysts (which are follicles really) come and go and are only a symptom. I know a few ladies that were diagnosed by scan, got scanned again a few years later and told they don't have pcos and then it starts all over again trying to be diagnosed again.

Ideally an endocrinologist is more what you want as they are hormone experts and gynae is a 'fanny' expert and its really the hormones that need to be battled. Make sure you look at the NICE guidelines before you go so you know what you should expect from the NHS with regard to pcos as sadly too often ladies are fobbed off with 'come back when you want children' but we have increased risks of heart disease and diabetes if pcos is not tackled early.

Well done for being a bit forceful with your GP - some are shocking really (some are excellent though, sadly not yours).

Good luck, write everything you can think of that you want to ask, remember tho the specialist is more a 'fanny' one rather than 'hormone' one so if you don't get help ask to be referred to an endo as pcos is their area.

[ZM203 in reply to Hols969]

Thank You! yes that is exactly the experience I have had! he was useless just suggesting go back on the pill and "whats your issues then if you don't want children?" idiot. He refused referring me to endocrinologist and also to do any blood tests. Ive got my check lisr=t ready and I have done some reading. Its just so annoying it seems to be a condition that GPs arnt interested in from my experience. thanks for your reply! How did your family planning go were you successful and was it difficult?

[Hols969]

It took 3 years to have Noah and I wont say it was a breeze, Jim had sperm issues too, we conceived Noah via IUI (13% success rate) and only have the one as I couldn't do the fertility route again tbh. Make sure you look at the NICE guidelines and even print them out so you can show your GP as they do frequently just fob you off.

Good luck, let me know how your appointment goes!!

[ZM203]

Yes i will do thank you!