Advice for a 19 year old with PCOS in the UK

[mixedemotions1971]

My partners daughter has PCOS and I really don't think she is getting the help she needs. Metformin is making her very sick and has severe diarrhoea. Her weightloss just isn't happening. Any advice would really be appreciated

[Always_Hurting]

Morning, I just saw your comment on my daily email and wanted to say, to tell her to ask her GP for the slow release metformin if that’s not what she’s currently taking. It can make a difference with the diarrhoea so worth a try.

I’ve had all the issues with pcos for over 10 year and had to really research and tell the doctors what needed to be done test and medication wise. I recently trialled not taking the metformin so see if it was worth still taking and my excess hair growth became even worse so I started taking it again within a week so it does help certain symptoms.

If she’s had all the blood tests and scans, has she seen an endocrinologist? When I saw the consultant for that he prescribed spironolactone (I didn’t notice any benefit and wanted to conceive so it’s not for everyone) but may be worth a go for her.

Sorry not much help but hopefully some.

Best wishes, R.

[Whabley]

Metformin doesn’t work for so many people. It certainly doesn’t for me. I was on it for months and I just felt so poorly, couldn’t leave the house in case I needed the toilet. I stopped taking it. There are lots of studies that show that the supplement Myo-Inositol works in a similar way to Metformin but without all the side effects. You have to buy it yourself but I have seen a real change.

[Samtinks]

iv been following healthy pcos on TikTok of all places. I have found more information on TikTok than my GP. Iv started with my supplements and making changes to my diet. The guy on the website has given me hope and I finally feel in control.

[J_Poly in reply to Samtinks]

I agree! It’s funny how digital and social media has proven to be more useful than the healthcare providers, which is a shame because I really do commend those within the medical field. I just think PCOS is just one of those things which hasn’t had much research into it , which is why healthcare providers can’t do or say much either.

I started a PCOS community (Polycyster) because of the lack of support available and although it’s not kicked off fully yet, I do hope it’s something which can prove valuable for those with PCOS!