Just started Metformin

[BonnieRose16]

Monday was my first day on Metformin after being diagnosed with PCOS a week ago. I got super sick Monday morning after taking it. The pharmicist and Dr both told me that may happen so I was prepared and went into work a little late. He told me that I could choose to take it 1x per day if it did bother me, for a week, and then move up to 2x per day. So I took it last night (knowing I could prob handle the stomach pain better at home) and will continue a night treatment for the rest of this week. I will start trying 2 doses a day once I feel better after taking it.

Anyone else taking Metformim? Has it helped you with your weight loss? He said it may help me to lose faster. He was also very pleased that I was doing Atkins. He said he has had several of his patients "Cured" of diabetes, PCOS and IR from Atkins. I have both IR and PCOS.

[flpooh19701]

Re: Just started Metformin

I took metformin for a year or two or maybe three lol. Can't remember for sure. The only problem I had was diarrhea when I first started taking it. That went away and I had no other problems with it. Unfortunately, I can not attribute it to any weight loss. I was hoping it would. As long as I follow atkins I do not have to take it. If I ever stop eating this way I will have to go back on it. I have PCOS and IR as well. I would be very wary of anyone saying you can cure your PCOS with metformin. It helps with the symptoms however I still continually suffered from painful cysts. Atkins has helped me tremendously with the IR ( I know longer need to take the metformin) I do however still get cysts on my ovaries.

[BonnieRose16]

Re: Just started Metformin

I'm sorry I must have worded that wrong. He didn't say the Metformin could cure me of the PCOS, he said that eating Atkins could quote on quote cure me of it as in relieve me of the symptoms...

As far as I understand it, the metformin at the moment is to see if we can make me ovulate and have a regular cycle. BC pill didn't do that for me... but that was before we knew I had PCOS. I don't have any active cysts. I just ahve everything else that goes along with it.

[flpooh19701]

Re: Just started Metformin

I wish I had found my endo when I was trying to get pregnant to try the metformin at that time. I'm making an assumption that you may be trying to get pregnant since you are trying to ovulate. I tried for years to get pregnant. Tried fertility meds etc. Didn't work. I gave up. However, I started ATkins... dropped 25 lb and SURPRISE!! I was pregnant! So if indeed you are trying to get pregnant don't get discouraged. It can happen. Atkins did it for me! I'm very thankful for this WOE. My youngest (the one I was trying for) is going to be 8 in september! Just wanted to share

[BonnieRose16]

Re: Just started Metformin

Right now we are at that point of if it happens, it happens! We wouldn't start actually trying trying for another year, but seeming how our baby will be a miracle baby (since at the moment I am not fertile) if it happened before then, we would be excited beyond belief!

Today is day 4 on metformin. I am feeling fine most of the time. Sometimes, I get a tummy ache, but mostly it's just the bathroom problems...

Thanks for the encouragement!!!! Believe me, I need it!!!

[aidinmom]

Re: Just started Metformin

Loved reading your post, made me feel like Im not the only one...I did the whole metformin thing, and I am planning on starting it again soon. I have an appointment with they gyno this month. While reading you posting I think my ovaries shriveled...I forgot about the whole pregnancy thing. I have a ten year old son (he was a blessing). Keep letting us know how you are doing. This is a really nice online community. Good luck.

[BonnieRose16]

Re: Just started Metformin

been on metformin for 2 weeks now. I still get some diarreah problems from it, but not as much as before. Dr said just keep hydrated and keep going. Since I don't have the cramping I was having I should be okay as long as I drink all of my water (plus some on problem days)

[Carb Addict]

Re: Just started Metformin

My honey just got back in touch with an old girlfriend and she had a baby girl 8 months ago. She is 45. He then asked me if I was tempted to have another and I declined. I know my limits. That being said, I believe in miracles! You never know what is in store for you ! I hope it all the best!

[hidingbeauty]

Re: Just started Metformin

Hi , I have been on Metformin since April of 06' and I lost 45 pounds the first 6 months without any dieting. I also have PCOS and have had surgeries to remove cysts, I still get cysts but not as big. The metformin makes you very sick but it's something I deal with to keep the weight off. I started on 500 mg a day and moved to 2000 mg a day within 2 months...when you get to 2000 mg a day is when you really don't eat much and when you do eat you go directly for the bathroom.... I know a few people that have tried it but did not think the effects were worth it. I however do. I went from a size 24 to a size 18.... 2 years later unfortunately I am used to the Metformin, and haved stopped losing weight SO I just started Atkins Yesterday to lose another 50 pounds

[aidinmom]

Re: Just started Metformin

I started metformin four days ago, only one per day to start. I did wake up in the middle of the night with stomach cramps and then had some pretty bad d......ea. I can't wait to see if this is going to help with the weight loss.

[PiscesDreamer]

Re: Just started Metformin

I took Metformin back in January 08 for a couple months for PCOS and exerienced stomach discomfort. It was enough that I stopped taking the med, and when I went in to see my Endo, I told her about my issue and she prescribed me the name brand. She said that people who have problems with Metformin sometimes do better on the name brand. Unfortunately, I never even got the new perscription filled and do not know the name off the top of my head. My advice to anyone who keeps experiencing unwanted side effects would be to visit with your Dr.

Hope this helps!

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Just started Metformin

I know this thread hasn't been active for a while - and while I do not have PCOS, I DO have Insulin Resistance and I've been on Metformin for a year.

Last year, when I first started taking it, I do believe it helped me lose weight, but I was also doing the weight watchers CORE program (all non-processed foods, including whole grains). And I lost 20 pounds with that and exercise! But then I stopped dieting and stopped exercising and gained back 15 pounds...

I too have had the horrid diarreah from this pill - however I really do attribute that side effect to eating high carb meals. I've only been on Atkins now for 5 days but I've not had ONE bout of diarreah since and I feel FANTASTIC!!!

I'm really hoping, now that I'm actually listening to my doc and DOING atkins - along with my metformin - that the met will help me lose more weight, as that was one of the reasons she put me on the pills in the first place (and, of course, to help regulate my sugar)...

[lady_buttmunch]

Re: Just started Metformin

I am a Metformin User..... I was actually diagosed with PCOS in 07. My Endocronologist put me on Metformin to help me ovulate... she also told me to go on a "Low Carb Diet" and the pills may help me with the weight loss. Well, I did the Metformin with no diet and didnt lose a darn thing... I beleive I was even hungrier. So I sort of came on and off, cuz I would actualkly get headahces too. Well, I started IVF in 08 so they put me on a low dose of Metformin wich I took religously with treatment and still no weightloiss and still no PG. Well, My Edocron has put me back on Metformin and uped it to 2000 mgs a day v. the 1000mg... and I started taking them religously for about 2 weeks now... and I have had diarreah everyday now. I drink all my water... and when I eat I am in the bathroom like 30 minutes later.
And even though I must admit I cheated on my Atkins last week but not all the time and beleive me aI am noty happy about it. ( ihad a bowl of spaghetti, a bowl of ice cream, some chips a few cookies, some pizza - twice, oh yeah and 2 hotdogs with fries.) not on the same day just a little buit here and there... I swore I was so mad at myself and I though for sure I gained at least 10 pounds... well, I still lost 4 poounds this week. Well, I am back on track now... no more cheats! But I figure maybe the Metformin had soemthign to do with the weightloss. Well, I had my breakfast about an hour ago and now I am off to the bathroom.

[OneSixtyFive]

Re: Just started Metformin

I just recently started back Metformin 1000 mg twice a day...but restarting i had to take 500mg a night for about 4 nights, now I am up to 1000 a night for the next 2 nights and then I will start taking 1000mg twice daily... I have some stomach issues but nothing too terrible..I slept thru the worst part of it..But excited to get back on met and atkins..im hoping the combination will melt the weight away!!

[signgirl79]

Re: Just started Metformin

I have PCOS as well. Tried the 1500 mg of regular Metformin for a year but couldn't get into a consistent cycle with it because it made me so sick. I felt like I had the flu, would get sweaty, diarrehea, and nausea too. I just recently went back to my Endo and started on 1000 mg of Metformin XR (Extended Release) and am doing great with it. However, now that I'm not nauseaous I am eating more and fell out of my Atkins diet. :-( I had lost 30 lbs....just gained 7 back in like two weeks from eathing things I shouldn't. I know as a woman with a PCOS I can't eat carbs like everyone else does and maintain my weight. It's so frustrating! Even if I eat two slices of bread in a week it's like I gain 5 lbs overnight. Ridiculous!