I recently left my family doctor to see a gynecologist for my increasing PCOS symptoms. After an ultrasound, they found several cysts on my ovaries and a fibroid in my uterus. No wonder I've been in so much freakin' pain for two weeks! Not to mention the seemingly neverending period...
Anyways, this new gynecologist said she might put me on metformin. I asked if that was the same as glucophage (since years ago my family doctor prescribed glucophage for my diabetes - I did it for a while and then started low-carbing to control my insulin - she never mentioned its use for PCOS) to which she replied - "No." Now I'm on the internet and it looks to me like it's the same thing! What the *&%$? I'm concerned.
I've made an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist (after reading a ton of information about PCOS online), but this doctor is 1 1/2 hours away.
I'm wondering how to see my regular (and local) gynecologist without insulting her that I've decided to see a specialist, too. Does anyone here see both?

Your dr. is wrong. I was prescribed Glucophage, looked it up online and found out the metformin is the generic form. I don't know if there are any differences in the drug, but my Dr. Okayed the generic brand to help with my insulin and PCOS.

I don't know how you can go to both drs. without feeling like insulting one....I haven't reached that in my treatment yet, but I hope someone else can help you out

I don't think that it matters if you insult one of them. You are paying them after all. Now, if you really like this doctor then sit down and talk to him/her and explain your situation. If you really don't like this doctor, well then you aren't out anything.

Metformin and glucophage are the same thing, but you do have to know that there are types of glucophage that are not yet generic and that is what could be refered to. I was on Glucophage XR (I think), and it is not out yet in a generic form, it is a once a day dose, instead of needing to take it twice a day. So besure your Dr. wasn't refering to something like that.
Tanya

So I "shopped" around and got a second opinion (I was able to get in to see my family doctor's gynecologist - I thought that was a pretty good referral!) and learned I also have a baseball sized endometrioma on my right ovary. I'm scheduled for surgery on the 21st. It'll be the open, big incision because they want to remove it whole. I'm pretty scared.

About the original gyno-
To make a long story short - my original gyno read the radiology report and immediately thought cancer - and called me at work on a Friday afternoon to tell me. That was a pretty bad weekend. Turns out while there is a possibility of caner there's actually less than a 3% chance. My family doctor was pretty outraged when she heard how the gyno had overreacted.

I'll keep you guys posted - I'm sure there's someone out there who might find my story helpful.

I do have another question - do we have any conclusive evidence or advice from a doctor that soy products do increase estrogen levels? I keep finding contradicting evidence on the internet and haven't had a chance to check with my doctor. If soy does increase estrogen then I'll be ticked off because for the past two or three years, based upon all the news that soy is so good for you (and I've used it to low-carb and control my diabetes) I've switched over to soy milk exclusively, drink a ton of soy based protein shakes (commercial and "fresh" ones I make at home), soy cereal, soy protein bars, and soy nuts. I thought I was taking care of myself and eating healthy.
Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I am not really sure about the soy..I do know that menopausal women are encouraged to eat soy or take soy supplements to help with their hot flashes..maybe that has something to do with the lack of estrogen so the soy helps that?

You must be scared about your surgery but I am hoping for the best for you. Thank you for telling us your story..you are right you never know if someone else may be going thru the same thing~

Hi,

Saw your question about soy and wanted to let you know that soy DOES contain plant estrogens (phytoestrogen) and that the jury is still out as to whether that can be harmful or not in regular or large quantities. Leslie is right - they do suggest soy for menopause - I remember reading that there is no Japanese word for 'hotflash' so that's something to bear in mind too.

Hope that helps - best wishes with your surgery!
Ang