Anyone happy with Met?

Andiecat46 · 10-22-2008, 12:24 AM

Hi guys. I just got diagnosed with PCOS about 6 weeks ago. I was told to go off the pill so my test results will be more accurate... and next month, when I get my period naturally, I have to get a fasting blood sugar test. I know this is pretty standard. I am pretty sure the doc will put me on Metformin b/c she already mentioned it.

I would love to lose the hair growing on my chin and neck and not have to use Micro-Touch everyday to get rid of it, plus I would love to lose the 24 lbs I have put on in the past 2 years all in my belly..... but it seems that everyone is miserable on Met??? Most of the posts I read have everyone saying that have diarrhea and vomiting and they feel horrible.... I havent heard of anyone saying it's been fine. Has anyone lost weight and lost the hair growth and NOT felt like crap in the process?? :-(

I am nervous b/c I am an elementary school teacher. I am trapped in the classroom with 31 eight year olds all day and the only time I can actually leave to use the bathroom is lunch time. I am so afraid to take the pills if I am going to need the bathroom all the time.... I cant leave my kids... I will get in trouble!! But I know Met is helpful....

Any advice???

kimm · 10-22-2008, 12:33 AM

Hi there -

I can't speak in terms of overall effectiveness since I haven't been on it long, but Fortamet (a brand name extended release metformin) has given me very few side effects.

I've been on 1000 mgs for almost 4 weeks now. A little stomach upset at first, and occasional loose movements in the am, but overall not much bad to report at all.

In fact, I wonder if it's working? I'll know in a few weeks when I will hopefully get some more labs drawn.

Worth asking your doctor about at least. It does cost quite a bit more than generic Metformin (i have to pay about $50 for 1 bottle) but it might be worth it. My sis has been on both and opts for the higher priced Fortamet based on side effect being lessened for her as well.

Hopefully this helps some?

amylynn22 · 10-22-2008, 11:25 AM

I have been on metformin for about 2.5 months now and don't feel like crap at all!

But I do have mild diarrhea...but not everyday. If I do, it's usually just once mid-morning. You'll learn what foods sit well with you and which ones you should stay away from! I stay at home with my son so I didn't have to worry about making it to the bathroom in time, but I totally understand your conerns in the classroom! I have lost 17lbs. without changing anything, though the metformin has made my appetite decrease and somedays I have to remind myself to eat. I have a 16 month old and was having a horrible time getting rid of the belly fat after I had him...still looked like I was 6 months pregnant! The metformin really helped get rid of that. If you do try met, definitely start out with a low does and slowly work your way up. Is there a time (maybe Christmas vacation?) coming up where you get a few days off from teaching where you could try it out and see how your body reacts?

Amy

ms_tara · 10-22-2008, 02:35 PM

I have been on Met for almost 6 months now. Yes, the side effects were bad for a while... The worst was the diarrhea, loss of appetite, mood swings, hair loss, and exhaustion. Once I got my dose adjusted to 2000 mgs, I feel great! I've lost around 10 lbs, I'm ovulating again and I just feel better. My advice is to stick to it and find out what works. It's well worth it!

Milly411 · 10-22-2008, 03:05 PM

Hi I have been on Met for six months and it has done a world of wounders for me. At first the side effects were rough in the begining, I had really bad diarrhea and if I didn't eat enough food I would feel very shaky like I was gonna pass out, but that part was my fault, cause I knew I should have been eating a full meal instead an apple for lunch. As for the diarrhea I no longer had it after about 1 month and when I did have it I was able to time it, so three hours after I took met I would have to go, so I would make sure I was in a place where that was possible!!!

I now rarley ever have side effects from the met and I am taking 1500mg all in the morning, I feel great, I have lost over 17lbs, I have energy to work out, I don't crave greasy food, or carbs that much, and I get AF every month, my last two cycles I even ovulated!!!!!!!!

So I will say that I will take on those side effects any day to have the results that I did. Someone mentioned starting met during a school vacation, I think that my be a great option for you!!!

Best of Luck to you with the met!!!!

Bella Moochie · 10-28-2008, 01:32 PM

I am only on my 5th DAY of Met so I am no pro, but I can tell you that I started off with 500 mg the first 3 days with no side effects at all. I just made sure that I took my pill AFTER eating my largest meal of the day. On day 4, I increased my dose to 1,000 mg per day, 500 mg right after eating breakfast and 500 mg right after eating dinner, with no side effects. So far, I love Met!

I can tell you that I have learned two very important lessons though!

1.) At least for me, even drinking 1/2 of a beer triggered the most horrible GI cramps and "problems". Very painful! (I have read that others have had no problems drinking alcohol on Met and it ends VERY badly for others.

)

2.) There is no "cheating" on your diet with Met! I made tacos and rice for dinner. Did not even use hot sauce and was in horrific pain within 45 minutes. It was not as painful as my reaction to the beer but was not pleasant.

For these two reasons, when it comes to what you eat, and sometimes drink, I have a new name for Met! I call it THE PUNISHER!

There are some good side effects of Met....I'm not nearly as hungry as I used to be and I no longer crave sweets constantly. My food intake has drastically reduced. I hope I lose weight!

Best of luck to you!

DecemberDream · 10-28-2008, 02:23 PM

I took Met, but did not see any results. I have a couple friends how it has helped a great deal though. I took Met will TTC and got pregnant. It's unknown if it helped or not. Good luck, I hope it works for you!!

TTC_Chile · 10-28-2008, 05:41 PM

I've been on and off Met for the last 4 - 5 years, and its great. the first week or so it's horrible getting used to it at first, but once your body gets used to it.. it's fantastic.

the only problem I see is that there is no way you can cheat on any diet while on Met, If I have anything fried or too greasy or too much.. I get this horrible cramps. It's also great for loosing weight and the cravings are minimum now.

If you ask me, use it. Probably if you start on a long weekend or better on a week off, you will get plenty of time to get used to it. And regarding the foods, your body will tell you what's good for you and whats bad.

Hope it goes well!!

Andiecat46 · 10-29-2008, 09:52 PM

thanks everyone for writing back to me. I guess I got discouraged b/c it seemed like all the posts about Met were saying how miserable everyone felt. I have not had my fasting blood sugar test yet (in 2 weeks maybe... whenever I get AF-- I am learning some of the abbreviations! LOL). But I just wonder b/c the doc mentioned Metformin.
I would LOVE to lose weight (about 20 lbs) and have more energy... in addition to not having this hair on my neck... ugh.
I am worried about the fact that the alcohol can make you sick while taking Met. I drink wine on Thursday night while watching Grey's Anatomy and often on Saturdays if I go out with friends.... I am not an alcoholic but man.... I do love my wine... like right now, ROUGH day with the kiddies at work... so, I am having a glass. Do I totally have to give that up if I go on Met???

tradertif · 10-30-2008, 10:37 AM

I'm usually very sensitive to medication, so I was nervous starting on met. But my doctor agreed to starting super small, and building up very slowly. (I'm taking liquid met, so it was easy to do this.) I started at 100mg/day, and added another 100mg every week. So, after 5 weeks, I'm at 500mg. (I'll stay at this level for a while, and then blood test, so we can see what's happening.)

And I've had no side effects at all. (At least, nothing I can tie directly to the met.) It's great!

Mind you, I don't know that 500mg will be enough to do anything....but I do feel a bit better. (The scale refuses to budge though, lol.)

I wish you luck!!

TTC_Chile · 10-30-2008, 06:08 PM

Well, I love to have a glass of wine or beer once in a while, and besides a little losse bowels.. I do not see any problem in drinking a bit or not.
it basically depends on you and how you feel afterwards. my recommendation, just try your limits, and see how much your body can take.. (probably my doctor would kill me for that recomendation.. )

wiynter · 10-31-2008, 12:16 AM

I've been on met for just shy of a year. I was scared stiff to go on it after researching all the side effects, but I was up to my full 2000mg dose in a week and a half with very few problems. I think the 2 worst experiences with it was when I decided to give Taco Bell a whirl, and the night I drank with friends, those two evenings I didn't make it 5 feet from the toidy.

I have lost weight with it, and it stopped my hair loss. It hasn't done much to help the facial and neck hair, but im hoping as the weight loss progresses that might regulate a bit more.

Good luck with it, hopefully you won't experience the bad stuff

Magnoliagirl · 11-04-2008, 04:09 PM

I just took my first dose last night - 1000 mg Met XR and I had absolutely no problems. I ate it half way through a meal (1/2 c baby carrots, 2oz cheese and an apple with a big glass of water).
Everything I've heard says the XR tends to be easier on the tummy so I asked my endo for it but he was going to give me the XR anyway.
Good luck!

myselfsm · 11-05-2008, 12:02 AM

I've been taking it for about 6 months and I do not have any side affects. At the begining if you are concerned about side affects, I would recommend starting it at night. Once you know you are fine then take it at some other time.

Oh, always take it with a meal.