Very quickly here's an update on what's going on with me.... 

 I had an ultrasound the Thursday before we left for OK. I went in yesterday for my follow up with my doc. He told me that it came back good. No cysts, fibroids, tumors of any kind. But he gave me my referral to Gyno because of the endo and he still believes that I have PCOS even though they found no cysts. (This confuses me but I've heard its possible.)

He also  mentioned that HE would like to put me on Metformin and see if that helps, but that since he is putting in the referral we have to wait and see what the gyno says. Has anyone been on metformin and been helped? Have you lost weight since being on it? (Doc knows how I've been struggling with the weight the past couple of years, how it just popped up and how no matter how hard I try I can't lose it. He said that this could also help.) 

USMC, I have no info on what you're asking, I just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine (we've been friends since we were 6) has trouble losing weight when she's stressed. Seriously, no matter how perfect she eats or how much she works out, she can't lose it if she's stressed out. It's ridiculous and it makes her REALLY upset because she's extremely uncomfortable with herself. Maybe the weight thing is something along those lines. I hope the gyno is able to figure something out (and yay for the doctor actually giving you a referral instead of "everything is normal, you're fine"!!!)

I have been on metformin for about 6 months. As long as I have something to drink, I really don't feel like eating that much. I have lost some weight, but I did hit a plataue so I am starting weight watchers. I am on it to help me conceive.

SJMS, unexplained weight gain is a "symptom" and in my case I went from a 22 in waist and weighing less than 130 to gaining 30 lbs (less than a yr) and 10 inches. I work out about 2.5 hrs total a day (split up into two workouts) six days a week and I am a healthy eater... and I can't lose weight... if I do lose weight it's just a couple of lbs and they come back within a week.

Ladies, do you like the med? Satisfied with it or is there something else that is better to use for PCOS? I'd be extremely happy if I could lose weight but that's not the only reason to take it. Lol

Have you had your thyroid checked as well? I am satisfied with it. I also didn't take it for the weight loss, but it is an added bonus.

Have you had your thyroid checked as well

At least six times. Every time its normal. Every time I go in with a complaint the thyroid is what they check. And there has never been abnormalities.

Metformin is terrible and there isn't even significant evidence that it helps you get pregnant (I was using it for PCOS management and to conceive). I just can't tolerate it and the fertility specialist I was seeing said I could just get off of it. It didn't help regulate my cycles, it didn't help me ovulate, and I did lose weight because I had no appetite whatsoever and everything that when in came out. I am also another "strange PCOS" case who is not overweight so I didn't have that weight to lose!
I cant stand metformin just posting on this forum is making me nauseated.

TheMrs, what other meds have they put you on? I literally was just diagnosed (which I don't even know if I should say that since I haven't seen a gyno just a GP) and there's so much info that my head is spinning. I'm sorry you had such a rough time with the metformin.

I was diagnosed with PCOS about three or four years ago. I started off on Metformin 500mg and I literally had to make a mad dash while in the middle of signing finance papers for new furniture at the store to the bathroom for 20 minutes it was mortifying. I went on the South Beach diet and was even more sick when I got to the point of reintroducing carbs into my diet. I LOVE cereal and it tasted like cardboard to me.
I have taken Provera multiple times to induce and stop my menstrual flow.
I have taken Clomid from 50 up to 200mg.
I have done Gonal F injections
I've pretty much done it all if youre interested in knowing more about any of it
Next step would be IUI or IVF but I think I have med overkill on my body so I'm giving it a break and just taking a fertility vitamin for now that has b vitamins, folic acid, and this herb called vitex which is supposed to be like a natural form of clomid.
The problem for me with metformin was that 500mg was not working and you are supposed to increase your dosage to finally end up with 2000mg. I also switched to metformin ER (extended release) and still had the symptoms all day. My stomach just hurt and I lost my appetite completely and I was nauseated to the point that I just wanted to carry a garbage can around all day and I had diarrhea all the time.
Metformin itself does not make you pregnant it just helps to regulate your cycle so in my opinion it is a waste of time unless you need to lose the weight and you can tolerate it then go ahead because it helps

Don't get scared away by me there are plenty of people I've talked to who have never had a side effect from any of the drugs or had mild tolerable ones. To take metformin properly, you should be on the recommended diet and you are supposed to exercise 30 minutes a day keeping your heart rate up during that time. Metformin acts up more when you eat stuff youre not supposed to..something about the insulin, sugar, etc. Youre supposed to stray away from carbs & sugar.

I've been dealing with this stuff for a while now and read a couple books on it and done as much research as I can so if you have any questions I have no problem telling you everything I know. I have found that when you go to the doctor you are more likely to receive the assistance you want/need when you are informed. Knowing about the situation, what is supposed to happen, and about yourself so you can give the doctor information are all important.

Posted By *usmc*eodwife on 04 Jan 2011 09:32 AM
 Very quickly here's an update on what's going on with me.... 

 I had an ultrasound the Thursday before we left for OK. I went in yesterday for my follow up with my doc. He told me that it came back good. No cysts, fibroids, tumors of any kind. But he gave me my referral to Gyno because of the endo and he still believes that I have PCOS even though they found no cysts. (This confuses me but I've heard its possible.)

He also  mentioned that HE would like to put me on Metformin and see if that helps, but that since he is putting in the referral we have to wait and see what the gyno says. Has anyone been on metformin and been helped? Have you lost weight since being on it? (Doc knows how I've been struggling with the weight the past couple of years, how it just popped up and how no matter how hard I try I can't lose it. He said that this could also help.) 

I have PCOS and no cysts. My gyno explained it to me as it CAN cause cysts, but doesn't always. I'm so glad to hear that they are starting to find out what's going on!

My PCOS is very mild, so I'm not on any meds, especially since we're TTC. My symptons were completely under control with BC.

I've been dealing with this stuff for a while now and read a couple books on it and done as much research as I can so if you have any questions I have no problem telling you everything I know.

I would really appreciate anything you can tell me or any suggestions/resources you can recommend. If it wouldn't be a problem could you PM me some of the info?

I highly doubt that the gyno is going to do a whole lot. I already have two children and we are not looking to get pregnant again. We haven't tried for six years so I don't even know if my ovulation is off, haven't had to think about it. The biggest thing about my cycle is that my period is practically non-existent except for blood clots.

I have PCOS and no cysts. My gyno explained it to me as it CAN cause cysts, but doesn't always. I'm so glad to hear that they are starting to find out what's going on!

I am so glad too! I heard from the gyno clinic this afternoon and I have an appt on the 26th. J was hoping to go, but he'll be away so I have a friend going with me. She has PCOS and has been dealing with the docs here for years so she said she's going to help me get answers. Which is good because every time I look something up I get more info and more confused about everything.

My symptons were completely under control with BC.

This is what I'm afraid they are going to try and use with me, but I can't take BC. My body goes out of whack, in fact I've wondered for years if that is what started a lot of this. IDK if it is but I can't help but think "what if"

Please keep us updated! I'm sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers

I would STRONGLY advise against the use of birth control to keep PCOS under control. Before birth control, I had cycles that were a little longer than usual but at least i had them. After birth control, my cycles were completely thrown off. I would have a period for 2 weeks and then nothing for two months. I would never take birth control pills again.