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Metformin Side effects/ PCOS Like Ovaries

Started By Patiently Waiting , May 06 2015 08:04 AM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Patiently Waiting

Member
77 posts

Gender:Female
Location:New Brunswick, Canada
Dx:Male Factor
My Clinic:Conceptia

Posted 06 May 2015 - 08:04 AM

Hi All,

My DH and I are anxiously awaiting our first IVF cycle this summer. My Clinic just prescribed Metformin 500 mg a day for the next 6 weeks as my initial blood work came back with slightly elevated insulin. As far as I know I do not have PCOS. I seen a endocrinologist in March who said I am probably pre-determined for PCOS later In life and if I gain weight but I am anxious that we will find I have PCOS ovaries. Wondering if any of you have similar experience? How has/ did it effect your chances of success at IVF and do you find yourself VERY tired on Metformin?? I can bearly keep my eyes open since started, despite getting a good nights rest.

Thanks

PW

Me: 29 ( no children) DH: 36 ( 2 children, aged 10 and 12)

DX: Male Factor

Clinic: Conceptia

March 2014: Vasectomy reversal

September 2015: Vasectomy reversal deemed unsuccessful after many SA. No sperm present at all.

January 2015: Referral to Conceptia

April 1 2015: Consultation at Conceptia.

TX: IVF with ICSI

April 7-9 2015: Initial blood work for DH and remaining blood work for myself.
April 13.15: clinic called. My PPT test came back slightly elevated. Wait for referral to Oncologist. Prior to moving on to Mock Transfer.

April 28,15: Met with Oncologist regarding elevated PPT. Retesting and hoping original test was false positive.

April 28, 15: SA for DH at Conceptia.

April 30, 15: Call from Oncologist office. False Positive for PPT. Thank God!

May 4,15: Cycle on hold. My Insulin came back slightly elevated. Prescribed Metformin for 6 weeks then retest on June 15.

May 8,14: Consult for DH with Urologist who will do the TESA. Urologist agreed to do TESA on DH.

June 15, 15: Re-test insulin levels to determine if we can start cycle.

July 28,15: Mock Transfer

Sept/Oct,15: IVF #1

Aug 22,15: Started BCP

Sept 18, 15: Teaching appointment at clinic

Sept 23,15 Injections

Oct 15,15: DH TESA

Oct 17,15: Egg Retrieval- Left Ovary is to high to retrieve from. 5 eggs from right side.

Oct 18,15: 4 mature eggs ICSI. Only 2 fertilized.

Oct 20,15: 3 day transfer of our only two embryos. ( 8 cell (grade 1) and a 7 cell ( grade 2).

Nov 3, 15: BFN Beta -1

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#2 nicgro

Global 100+
173 posts

Gender:Female
Location:London, ON
Dx:Endometriosis
My Clinic:LHSC

Posted 07 May 2015 - 05:05 PM

Hey PW,

I started metformin...wow...I guess it's been almost 2 years ago now. When I first started it I found I was very nauseous and I really didn't think I would be able to continue taking it. I honestly don't remember if I was tired from it or not. I know in my case, the side effects finally ended up going away and now it doesn't bother me a bit.

I am not really in the same boat as you do. I am confirmed to have PCOS. That being said, I don't think that the metformin has really done anything for me. I lost some weight when I first started on it without changing anything in my diet (that was nice lol), but aside from that nothing has changed and I am yet to be successful in my IVF journey.

Wish you the best of luck and hope the sleepiness subsides

IVF #1

Oct 1, 2014 - 14 eggs retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 5 make it to blast

Oct 6, 2014 - Transfer 1 beautiful 4AA blast and freeze the remaining 4

Oct 15, 2014 - Start bleeding

Oct 17, 2014 - First Beta = 6 I know it's over, clinic is still trying to be positive

Oct 19, 2014 - Second Beta = 2 BFN

Oct 27, 2014 - Laparoscopy for Endo and ovarian cysts

FET #1

Feb 9, 2015 - Transfer 1 blast...clinic can't tell me the quality...isn't that weird?

Feb 22, 2015 - Beta = BFN

April 16, 2015 - Surgery to remove multiple uterine fibroids

Aug 24, 2015 - Take 3 month injection of Lupron Depot to try to help with endo pain/bleeding

Nov 24, 2015 - Take another 3 month injection of Lupron Depot

Feb 24, 2016 - Blood work and ultrasound. Was going to start prepping for FET, but thyroid is very low so need to increase meds before transfer

May 2, 2016 - start Estrace to prepare for FET (FET scheduled for May 18)

FET #2

May 18, 2016 - Transfer 1 blast...again not told what quality it is. Lose one blast in the thaw.

May 31, 2016 - BFN - I ask clinic what is going on and why this isn't working. They schedule me for a biopsy and sono.

June 9, 2016 - Biopsy and Sono performed. They find fibroids in my uterus and book surgery.

June 14, 2016 - Surgery to remove uterine fibroids

FET #3

September 20, 2016 - Transfer our final blast...stick baby stick

October 3, 2016 - BFN. I have never felt so broken in my life. Not sure I can continue on this journey, but must make a decision as just hours after getting my BFN, I get a call from my clinic saying that they made an error with my government funding and if I was going to continue, I must pay everything back!!!

December 8, 2016 - Here we are again! Sono and biopsy to prepare for IVF #2 in January! They see something very small forming in my uterus, not large enough to operate on at this point though.

December 19, 2016 - Start Birth Control to prepare for next cycle.

January 7, 2017 - Have ultrasound done, everything looks good to move forward. Stop BC Pill.

IVF #2

January 23, 2017 - 12 Eggs retrieved, all mature, 7 fertilized

January 28, 2017 - Transfer 1 little 3AB blast, 5 still hanging in there and hope to freeze them tomorrow

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#3 Patiently Waiting

Member
77 posts

Gender:Female
Location:New Brunswick, Canada
Dx:Male Factor
My Clinic:Conceptia

Posted 11 May 2015 - 01:11 PM

Hi Nicgro,

Thanks for the response. I am hoping my side effects will go away soon too. I have only been on Metformin for a week. Here hoping I get a few of the good side effects like weight loss.. haha

Now I am convincing myself the twinges/sharp pain I feel every so often is cysts rapturing... and missed PCOS diagnosis that we wont find until Mock procedure before cycling..Oh the life of infertility! Turns me into a anxious worrisome betty!

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment <3

Me: 29 ( no children) DH: 36 ( 2 children, aged 10 and 12)

DX: Male Factor

Clinic: Conceptia

March 2014: Vasectomy reversal

September 2015: Vasectomy reversal deemed unsuccessful after many SA. No sperm present at all.

January 2015: Referral to Conceptia

April 1 2015: Consultation at Conceptia.

TX: IVF with ICSI

April 7-9 2015: Initial blood work for DH and remaining blood work for myself.
April 13.15: clinic called. My PPT test came back slightly elevated. Wait for referral to Oncologist. Prior to moving on to Mock Transfer.

April 28,15: Met with Oncologist regarding elevated PPT. Retesting and hoping original test was false positive.

April 28, 15: SA for DH at Conceptia.

April 30, 15: Call from Oncologist office. False Positive for PPT. Thank God!

May 4,15: Cycle on hold. My Insulin came back slightly elevated. Prescribed Metformin for 6 weeks then retest on June 15.

May 8,14: Consult for DH with Urologist who will do the TESA. Urologist agreed to do TESA on DH.

June 15, 15: Re-test insulin levels to determine if we can start cycle.

July 28,15: Mock Transfer

Sept/Oct,15: IVF #1

Aug 22,15: Started BCP

Sept 18, 15: Teaching appointment at clinic

Sept 23,15 Injections

Oct 15,15: DH TESA

Oct 17,15: Egg Retrieval- Left Ovary is to high to retrieve from. 5 eggs from right side.

Oct 18,15: 4 mature eggs ICSI. Only 2 fertilized.

Oct 20,15: 3 day transfer of our only two embryos. ( 8 cell (grade 1) and a 7 cell ( grade 2).

Nov 3, 15: BFN Beta -1

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#4 Frannie2012

Global 100+
269 posts

Dx:PCOS

Posted 20 May 2015 - 07:21 AM

Metformin was a game changer for me and I believe it's the reason I got pregnant my first round of IVF. I have confirmed PCOS and elevated insulin levels.

I was always 10-15lbs overweight, despite exercise and eating very healthy . As soon as I started metformin I dropped the excess weight. I also started ovulating more regularly on my own.

I had a bit of nausea the first week on met...but it went away....

Me: 33

DH: 35

TTC since Sept. 2011

Aug. 2012 - DX with PCOS (started metformin)

Aug. 2012 - Oct 2012 - clomid + trigger , timed X2 - BFN

Oct 2012-Jan 2013 - clomid + trigger IUI X3 - BFN

Took a break until the spring to begin IVF -

June 1 - Started BCPs

June 24 - Start stimming....75iu meopur, 75iu puregon

June 27- (moved up to 100iu of puregon)

June 29 (moved up to 150 iu of puregon)

July 1 - scan...6-10 follicles expected on ER day

July 3 - last day of stimming, HCG trigger

July 5 - ER.....8 Retrived, 5 mature, 5 fertilized

July 7 - 5 embryos

July 8 - ET (2, grade 1 embryos transferred), 3 embryos to be frozen (1 - grade 1, 2 - grade 2)

July 22 - BFP!!!

July 24 - Beta repeated - numbers doubling....fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy!!

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#5 Patiently Waiting

Member
77 posts

Gender:Female
Location:New Brunswick, Canada
Dx:Male Factor
My Clinic:Conceptia

Posted 20 May 2015 - 12:29 PM

Thanks Frannie,

I as well have always been 10-15lbs overweight.. despite exercise and healthy lifestyle. I always called it stubborn 15. I am just starting my second week on Met. Its gone from making me feel sick to just making me have no appetite.
This gives me hope that waiting 6 weeks to cycle while taking Met will be worth it!

Me: 29 ( no children) DH: 36 ( 2 children, aged 10 and 12)

DX: Male Factor

Clinic: Conceptia

March 2014: Vasectomy reversal

September 2015: Vasectomy reversal deemed unsuccessful after many SA. No sperm present at all.

January 2015: Referral to Conceptia

April 1 2015: Consultation at Conceptia.

TX: IVF with ICSI

April 7-9 2015: Initial blood work for DH and remaining blood work for myself.
April 13.15: clinic called. My PPT test came back slightly elevated. Wait for referral to Oncologist. Prior to moving on to Mock Transfer.

April 28,15: Met with Oncologist regarding elevated PPT. Retesting and hoping original test was false positive.

April 28, 15: SA for DH at Conceptia.

April 30, 15: Call from Oncologist office. False Positive for PPT. Thank God!

May 4,15: Cycle on hold. My Insulin came back slightly elevated. Prescribed Metformin for 6 weeks then retest on June 15.

May 8,14: Consult for DH with Urologist who will do the TESA. Urologist agreed to do TESA on DH.

June 15, 15: Re-test insulin levels to determine if we can start cycle.

July 28,15: Mock Transfer

Sept/Oct,15: IVF #1

Aug 22,15: Started BCP

Sept 18, 15: Teaching appointment at clinic

Sept 23,15 Injections

Oct 15,15: DH TESA

Oct 17,15: Egg Retrieval- Left Ovary is to high to retrieve from. 5 eggs from right side.

Oct 18,15: 4 mature eggs ICSI. Only 2 fertilized.

Oct 20,15: 3 day transfer of our only two embryos. ( 8 cell (grade 1) and a 7 cell ( grade 2).

Nov 3, 15: BFN Beta -1

Back to top

#6 Frannie2012

Global 100+
269 posts

Dx:PCOS

Posted 20 May 2015 - 02:34 PM

Keep with it.....I find if I eat half my meal and then take the metformin and continue eating the side effects are less...my appetite also decreased. My RE said that was due to stabilized insulin levels....

good luck!!!!