Hey ladies, back before I knew I had PCOS, my doctor put me on Amaryl, which I didn't take for very long (didn't feel comfortable taking meds at the time). Later, I got a prescription for Avandia, which I liked. My problem now is the cost, since I dont have insurance. I was thinking about seeing if I could switch back to Amaryl, but I haven't heard any of you PCOS women talk about taking it. Has anyone with PCOS been prescribed this medicine? Thanks!
-Hope
__________________ Me: 25, single, au pair in Israel.
Dx with Type 2 diabetes 6 years ago and with PCOS 3 years ago.
Currently taking 2mg Amaryl and 2000 mg Glucophage, gymnema sylvestre, chromium picolinate, and zinc.
Amaryl stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin, thus lowering blood sugar. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, and Amaryl isn't prescribed for PCOS because it doesn't work to increase insulin sensitivity like Avandia or Metformin. I suggest you ask to be switched to Meformin because it is much cheaper than Avandia. I have diabetes and PCOS, and Met works to control my blood sugar AND my PCOS symptoms. Met also helps with weight loss, while Amaryl causes weight gain. Avandia can also cause weight gain, but not as much as the Amaryl.
Linda
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Amaryl stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin, thus lowering blood sugar. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, and Amaryl isn't prescribed for PCOS because it doesn't work to increase insulin sensitivity like Avandia or Metformin. I suggest you ask to be switched to Meformin because it is much cheaper than Avandia. I have diabetes and PCOS, and Met works to control my blood sugar AND my PCOS symptoms. Met also helps with weight loss, while Amaryl causes weight gain. Avandia can also cause weight gain, but not as much as the Amaryl.
Linda
I agree. Avandia & Amaryl caused me to gain weight & made it impossible for me to lose weight. I've heard it's a pretty common side effect. Met is terrific & very helpful for women w/PCOS.
__________________ Age- 30
Officially diagnosed with PCOS in Feb. 2005. Also have Type 2 Diabetes & Hashimoto's Disease.
Currently taking 2000 mg Metformin, .112 mg Synthroid, 10 mg Lisinopril and 10 mg Lipitor.
Thanks ladies, so much, for your help! I emailed a doctor I saw a while ago, asking for either Actos or Amaryl, and he went with Actos. Then I asked around, and found that Actos was almost as much the Avandia. But then I found a website that has a pharmacy (www.drugstore.com) where the Avandia is cheaper than the dose of Actos I was prescribed, so now I'm going to ask just to go back on the Avandia. I didn't really notice it causing weight gain for me back when I was on it, and I can be really faithful, if I choose, at working out, so I think I will stick with that. I can't handle the potential side effects of metformin. Thanks again!
__________________ Me: 25, single, au pair in Israel.
Dx with Type 2 diabetes 6 years ago and with PCOS 3 years ago.
Currently taking 2mg Amaryl and 2000 mg Glucophage, gymnema sylvestre, chromium picolinate, and zinc.
Amaryl??? 
