I haven't started yet, but after reading all the messages I'm scared to! Has anyone started out taking 1/2 of the 500 mg pill for a few days first? Or should I just dive right in and get it over with? It seems like from what I read that people's side effects are milder when increasing the dose slowly, so how about starting with an even smaller dose to get used to that? I'm not in a hurry, so I thought I'd try it, then go up 250 every week.
__________________ Whitney, 33
After soy, Femara, Follistim, an ectopic pregnancy, and IVF, FINALLY BFP 8/08 -- twins -- but lost baby B at 7 weeks Preterm labor at 25 weeks... baby boy is here safely at 36w3d!
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Yep, I started on 250mg (even though my doctor said 500mg)...and I have been increasing by 250mg each time. Like you, I really wanted to avoid side effects. I'm so glad I started low, I still had a few little s/e but I think it would of been a lot worse if I was increasing by 500mg!
If you're not in a hurry I would recommend it from my experience.
I just started taking Met a week ago. I am a hypochondriac and I have a terrible stomach. I was absolutely terrified to start it. I was sure I was going to be horribly ill. I started taking 500mg the first week and increased to 1000mg just today and I really haven't had any side effects at all! The very first night I took it I had a slight bit of cramping and was afraid I was going to have to end up in the bathroom, but nothing happened and I've been completely fine this entire time. Obviously it has a lot to do with the person. I make sure to take mine with my dinner, right in the middle of it so I eat half of my dinner before and the rest after. I also have been careful not to eat too many bad carbs, as I've heard they can make you sick while on Met. Best of luck, whatever you decide.
__________________ Carrie To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Me (27) Frank, DH (27) DD, Sarah, born 03/04/07 (injectibles worked for me!)
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Carrie, l'm glad you haven't had any problems...I remember reading your posts before you started taking Met and how worried you were (I felt the same way!).
I would second the carb advice. I had pasta lastnight and today I have tummy cramps...
I started at 500 about 2 weeks ago- and for me the side effects are still kicking my butt... I'm supposed to up the dosage every 2 weeks until im at 1500. I definetly wouldn't recommend diving right in... unless you have the time to be permanently attached to the toilet!! good luck!
__________________ Jodi-23 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH Scott-33
Diagnosed with PCOS Jan 2006
Glucophage 500mg 2X per day
~Who knew getting a regular period would be exciting?
~Not TTC, but not trying NOT to either!
Whitney,
This is how I started my Metformin Dosage:
First three days: 1/2 pill once a day w/ Breakfast (250mgs a day total)
Next three days: 1/2 pill w/ Breakfast and 1/2 pill with Lunch (500mgs a day total)
Next three days: 1/2 pill w/ each meal (750mgs a day total)
Next three days: 1 pill w/Breakfast, 1/2 pill w/Lunch, 1/2 pill w/Dinner (1,000mgs a day total)
Next three days: 1 pill w/Breakfast, one pill w/ Lunch, 1/2 pill w/ Dinner (1,250mgs a day total)
Next three days: 1 pill with each meal (1500mgs a day).
Later on I moved up to 2000mgs a day
I have never had any negative side effects.
__________________ Allison
I have to exercise in the morning, before my brain figures out what the hell I am actually doing To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. . Traditional PCOS - Anovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance
Medications and Supps listed on my profile.
I jumped right in and started 1500mg right away..Although the dr "forgot" to tell me how bad the s/e were..(jerk)but looking back I look at it like":taking a bandaid off..It hurts like hell ripping it quick..however In the long run you get "over" it quicker" But you gotta do what's best for you.....Kim
I just started met this weekend and was extremely worried about taking it as I was afraid of the side effects. I am a perpetual worrier, but then I just decided to take the met and not worry about it and told myself its not worth it to worry about something that you don't know for sure will even happen.
I now realize the side effects are so different for everyone. I started at 850 mg a day, will take that dose for a week and then go up to 1700mg a day. This is my third day taking 850 mg and so far I haven't had any side effects. Maybe they haven't kicked in yet, but so far I feel completely normal. I take my pill in the morning...I usually have a bowl of whole grain cereal, some yogurt, and some milk and have taken the pill right in the middle of everything as other posters have said.
I was so scared to start met, but then somehow I just made myself do it..we are TTC so that helps a little too, knowing that this may help us have a child.
Good luck! I hope met is as helpful for you as it is for some of the others I've read about on this board!
I appreciate all your comments. I'm still waiting for my prescription to arrive in the mail (I guess that's good -- I can splurge on sweets on Valentine's Day!), and will probably start it this weekend. I will let you all know how it goes! Thank you for all the advice!
__________________ Whitney, 33
After soy, Femara, Follistim, an ectopic pregnancy, and IVF, FINALLY BFP 8/08 -- twins -- but lost baby B at 7 weeks Preterm labor at 25 weeks... baby boy is here safely at 36w3d!
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I started at 250 mg (half pill) as well and upped it as I felt better. It took almost 3 weeks to finally be ready to go to one full pill. I just started 750 mg Sunday and my stomach hurts every day. Not much more than that. I just generally feel ill. I started Glucophage 1-1-06 so I am moving very slowly. Good luck!
__________________ Me-29 Dh-32 DD-7 DS-2
DX: PCOS & MF (varicocele)
Destiny was born August 14, 2002 after 2 cycles of injectables with IUI's.
Preston was born June 13, 2007 after 5 cycles of injectables with 4 IUI's, 2 fresh IVF's with one loss and a FET that was finally successful.
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My gyn said to take the met with my dinner at night at first - i have been taking half an 850mg tablet - she said do that for four nights, and providing i am relatively ok on it, then take 1 tablet for seven nights, then two a day - one at lunch and one at dinner. not sure exactly why its better to take it at night, but i started two days ago and so far i have had minimal side effects!
i am trying to follow the insulin resistance diet (as i read that lots of you particularly christy have found it has helped you a lot to settle on the metformin) - so far ive been linking protein with any carbs i eat, trying to avoid refined carbs and sugar, not having any alcohol - just keeping my fingers crossed i'll be ok as i increase the dosage. also my gyn said lots of exercise is key - i was running four times a week and playing hockey... until i hurt my ankle a couple of weeks ago but now its basically better i am starting again - ran for thirty mins yesterday. so i'm hoping with the exercise, diet etc i'll be ok and hope my hormones will be under control soon. ive had enough of being a mad crazy woman when my hormones go crazy feeling like i have very bad PMT 90% of the time! have also changed my anti-d's from prozac to citalopram(celexa) - really hoping they'll help but dont want to get my hopes up too much cos everything ive tried so far - dianette etc has not helped/ made things worse and when i was younger all the things i was given including roaccutane for my acne were horrible... anyway thats enuf for now. going to try to stay positive!
good luck to all of u starting as well!
__________________ Tinks "Be nice to everyone u meet, they may be fighting a battle u know nothing about."
"A smile is the prettiest thing u can wear," but " a true friend is someone who sees the pain in ur eyes while everyone else believes the smile on ur face."
"Letting go doesn't mean giving up, it means accepting some things weren't meant to be."
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Anyone start at 250 mg to avoid side effects? 
