[melissamarie247]

Hi Everyone,
I am still somewhat new to these boards but I have to say I really LOVE how there is a board for support. I have been on Yaz since I was 16/17. I got off the pill a year ago (when I was 22) when me and my husband decided to TTC. I kept gaining weight and breaking out in weird places and I just could not take it anymore. I have put on 50 pounds and went from size 7pants to 13 in less than a year. It took a month to get an appointment and I went to the military doctor. She ran a blood test for thyroid after I told her I had family members with PCOS and I was pretty sure I had it since I had 3 periods in one year. She ignored me and when I got my next appointment with her another month later she told me she had no magic pill for me. Well, after another month and a half of nothing getting better and finally getting so tired of my body not working right for me I made a formal complaint to the Army. They sent me to a German doctor. (I am living in Germany now). This new German doctor is great! He said yes he thinks I am right. He said the blood work he did came back with my hormone levels consistant with a PCOS diagnosis but he is going to take blood two more times within one month to measure changing levels and then on the 29th he is doing an internal ultrasound to actually see what is going on inside. His English is decent but it really helps to hear from the English speakers here to really know more of what is going on. Most of my information has come from the internet here. He said he will probably put me on a pre-diabetes medicine.. (metformin) and then monitor to see how it helps. I love that he is paying attention to me, though and willing to help. I go to him in two days to finally get the perscription and I am excited about getting this journey I've been on kick started. We are so ready to be parents. I want nothing more than to be a mommy. My husband might be deploying again for 9 months in March, so I hope I can get pregnant before. We do also want to have a second child close in age. Has anyone done this? Well, I kind of wrote out my whole story but I really hope I can get PG soon! Maybe even some of you could share your stories?

[*Manda*]

Hi Melissa

I'm Amanda (24) and DH is Adam(30). We have been TTC for 2 years with PCOS. I just recently lost 30 pounds and have had one 32 day cycle since then. I'm waiting to see if I'm about to O in the next few days currently. Metformin is a great tool for PCOS. It hasn't really helped me have normal cycles but it did help me lose weight which is why I had a cycle. I'm glad that this new doctor has been able to help you and I hope continues to listen to your concerns. Metformin can have a lot of side effects but it is a lot of times worth it for the results we get.

GL and can't wait to get to know you

[-Brandy-]

Welcome Melissa, I was recently (mid-December)diagnosed with PCOS as well and have been put on Metformin. One tip I received which I am passing on to you is to make sure the dr prescribes Metformin ER, not the normal Metformin. Metformin ER is extended release and has less impact on your digestive system. I am sure you have read on the internet, Metformin can really cause an upset digestive system and it seems the ER kind is much more gentle on your system. I only had a couple days that things weren't quite right and then I got back to normal. Also, my dr suggested taking the meds when I knew I was home for the evening, that way if your stomach is upset you are not out and about. I take mine right before bed, and that seems to work for me- just make sure you have some food in your stomach when you take them.

[~* Natasha *~]

I'm Natasha, one of the co-hosts of this board. I look forward to getting to know you better!
I'm glad that you have found a Dr that is willing to listen and is wanting to help!
Sometimes that battle is the hardest to overcome. I totally agree that for some, Met is the miracle drug that really helps things get in line. For others of us, we need a little extra assistance other than the Met, but that is most definately a great start!

Oh and yes, the ER formulation of Met tends to have less s/e than the regular kind. I'm now on the regular only after having about 2 years of being symptom-free on the ER form.

Good luck and I, too, look forward to getting to know you!

[melissamarie247]

I am so happy to hear from you all. Thanks for your support. I hope being in Germany I can get the variations that I can look up in English online... but I will do my best. I am just happy to get the attention I need for now. My next appointment is tomorrow.. Hopefully we get the ball rolling and can get PG before they spring another deployment on us early and unexpected.

[melissamarie247]

So, here is an update... I got put on 500mg metformin twice a day and he will check back in 4 weeks. He also said there is a surgery where they do it laposropicly (sp?) and they burn off the cysts and it helps for up to 18 months but that would be kind of pointless if my husband might be getting deployed in March. He said he will try to have me PG by the end of February if possible.. if not, then when he comes back he might want to do the surgery to give me best chances. Fingers crossed.

[-Brandy-]

Sounds like you are off to a good start for sure, did they have the Metformin ER?

[melissamarie247]

no they did not. The pharmacy I had to go to, though didnt speak much English. I just took the prescription and went with it. However, regular metformin should be fine as long as I never take it on an empty stomach. I heard nightmares about that. Hopefully this brings results.