Ghost- Metformin

[karenthescorpio]

I was put on Metformin when I started my 2nd IVF cycle (which resulted in this pregnancy). I'm currently 5w3d and yesterday they found two sacs at my u/s As soon as my beta was positive my RE said to stop taking it. This alarmed me b/c he told me when i started it I would probably stay on it during pregnancy. I asked him three times about this via my nurse and each time he says to stop taking it. From the research I've read about PCOS (I only have a mild case) it helps reduce miscarriages and control insulin, which gets nuts during pregnancy. I really want to start it again b/c I feel I am being put at greater risk without it. I read that is doesn't hurt anything if you don't need it but helps it you do.

[dys24]

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I too have PCOS and was on Metformin which resulted in my BFP, my RE had me go off it at my 7w u/s when we seen the h/b he said i dont need to take it anymore he said research shows no positives when you take it past seeing the h/b. My ob/gyn was surprised that he had me stop it but said i can do whatever I want - it wont do any harm. I decided to listen to my RE since i felt like he knew more about infertility than my ob. I had a perfect DD 2 months ago

BTW congrats on your BFP I wish you a healthy pregnancy!

[Ghost]

I was put on Metformin when I started my 2nd IVF cycle (which resulted in this pregnancy). I'm currently 5w3d and yesterday they found two sacs at my u/s As soon as my beta was positive my RE said to stop taking it. This alarmed me b/c he told me when i started it I would probably stay on it during pregnancy. I asked him three times about this via my nurse and each time he says to stop taking it. From the research I've read about PCOS (I only have a mild case) it helps reduce miscarriages and control insulin, which gets nuts during pregnancy. I really want to start it again b/c I feel I am being put at greater risk without it. I read that is doesn't hurt anything if you don't need it but helps it you do.

Whether it's right for you is up to your physician. I can tell you it's class B, which means there is no significant evidence of harm to the fetus in human or animal studies. There are some studies concluding it reduces miscarriage rates, but there are not yet enough studies of the well-designed type (prospective randomized trials) to be convincing. It does seem to reduce OHSS risk, but you are beyond that point anyway.

However, since you are clearly uncomfortable with your physician's decision, you may want to get a 2nd opinion, and perhaps change physicians if you are more comfortable with another.

I think this new board supports links, so here's a link to the latest Cochrane review of metformin for PCO patients:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1937 ... dinalpos=5

[karenthescorpio]

DYS24- Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm not comformtable starting it without my RE saying ok, but I just have this gut feeling I need it. Gut feelings are there for a reason. I don't know what to do. I was thinking to get a blood glucose monitor to check my levels throughout the day and then report it back to me RE. I have a HUGE history of family diabetes and when I was 20 lbs heavier I was insulin resistant. Since losing weight and eating better my tests have been in the normal range. But now I'm pregnant and I just feel great concern my insulin resistance will return. I haven't seen the HB yet...going to RE on Sunday for a 2nd u/s to make sure there is a yolk sac in each sac. I'm on pins and needles but optimistic all will be ok. I know my embies are genetically normal b/c we did PGD on all 23 sets of the chromosomes. So I"m hopeful this will stick!

Ghost- Thank you for the link and feedback. It's worrisome to disagree with my physician. I'm not comfortable with taking it since he said not to, but I have this gut feeling I need it. I also had a family history of clotting and wanted to be tested for it and thank goodness I did b/c I have the MTHFR mutation on one gene and he started me in megadoses of folic acid. I just think there is something to your gut feelings. I'm also slightly PCOS.

[dys24]

I believe that you can get a free meter on http://www.myfreestyle.com thats the meter i used when i was pregnant. its really easy to use. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when i was around 16wks but i never required insulin only slight diet changes at first and then when i started eating healthy the gestational diabetes went away, and actually my sugars levels were getting low after my 24th week of pregnancy it was weird lol but I agree with you follow your instinct and do what you feel is right. You can always go to a diabetic specialist and they can tell you more if continuing with metformin will be beneficial for you or not, i think they specialize more on that topic.

[rikirees]

My high risk OB says my metformin is a MUST to control my insulin, especially with twins. Even on the metformin I am having blood sugar issues, but nothing yet to cause me to be put on insulin.
Good luck!