Hope to submit a PCOS success story soon but have problem with metformin

by Lisa
(Tasmania)

I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS.

For the last 8 years I have undergone all the invasive tests you could imagine however all these tests kept coming up clear, leading to the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Sydrome (IBS).

My periods continued to be extremely irregular. I got to a stage last year where it was about 5-6 months late but all pregnancy tests were coming back negative.

I had changed states and Drs at this stage and my new Dr started doing a number of blood tests and I was finally diagnosed with PCOS. I am 28 years of age and would absolutely love to be a mother, however I nin the past I was studying a double degree and was focused on getting my career set up before becoming a mum - my Dr now saying that I need to start trying because the longer I leave it, the greater the chance of not being successful.

I have gone onto Metformin and have been on this for about 4 months now. I have done some research into this to try and find information about a particular side effect I have been experiencing because the Endocrinologist I saw the other week has never heard of this + none of the literature or websites I have looked at have described this side effect

This story is in hope that someone has experienced similar side effects that I have on this Metformin...Since taking it I have been smelling a particular smell for any cooked food (especially meat).

I experience this smell when I open a fridge, when I walk past a cafe, when I am cooking tea, when I go into a supermarket, when I walk past someone who is eating etc. The only way I can describe this smell is between bore water and burning unleaded petrol (i.e. rotten eggs).

When I go to the toilet it smells like this, when i sweat under the arms it smells like it (only to me).

It has got to a point where in 3 months I have gone from 85 kgs down to 65 kgs because I am only able to eat 1 meal a day (If I am lucky). Good for weight loss but not in a healthy way!

Does anyone else out there have these side effects????

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Editor's comments.

The metformin side effect you describe is not included in our list of metformin side effects. Possibly the odor could be a side effect of your weight loss?

Metformin does, however, cause gastrointestinal problems, which may worsen your IBS symptoms. Ask your doctor about this.

The IBS is worrisome. Irritable bowel syndrome has been linked to a gluten sensitivity. Are you avoiding all gluten grains such as wheat? One of the reasons we do not include gluten grain in our PCOS diet book is that many people unknowingly have a problem consuming gluten.

Eating one meal a day in not healthy. Get some professional help to deal with this problem.

That's a large amount of weight to lose in 3 months. What kind of weight are you losing? Fat? Water? Muscle? You do NOT want to lose muscle weight. Again, you should seek help.

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