gaining weight on met???????

mysticblue002 · 04-30-2003, 09:51 AM

hey i have been on met for almost a month and i have gained atleast 8 pounds and i don't know what is up! i hate this and to top it off i have not had my af in a month and a half but i was regular before met! what's up with that? does anyone know what is up?

thanks jenn

christyz · 04-30-2003, 12:45 PM

It's not likely that the drug has been in your system long enough to really start helping. For me it was 3 mos before I began getting periods and over a year before I saw any significant weight loss, loss of that round PCOS face and improvement in my acne. If you are like me, your hormones have been so out of whack, that it will take time to get them straightened out.

If after another 3 to 5 months, you still aren't seeing anything significant, you should get your Dr to test your chem levels and see if they have improved on the drug...that is the only sure way to know if met is working. Weight loss is not the reason to be on met, it's just a happy side effect to being healthy!

Also, make sure you are combining met with LOW CARB diet and exercise. That will help to lower your insulin level faster and will help with weight loss.

Good Luck!

Tonya-inGA · 05-01-2003, 11:50 AM

Jenn,
I am experiencing the same thing. I have been taking Met for approx 7 weeks. The first week I lost 3 lbs. I was so happy!! Between working out at the gym and spending the other part of my day in the restroom, it's no wonder I lost so quickly! Other than the diarrhea, I felt good and then I started to feel so tired. I am like chronically tired now.
I started my period 2 weeks after starting Met. It lasted 3 weeks.
I was so tired that I reduced my dose back down to 1 pill a day after dinner. I started to feel better. This week I have increased my dose to 1 pill 2x a day and am feeling extremely tired again.
I stepped on the scale and I not only have gained back the 3 lbs, but 6 more on top of that!!! How can that be????
I haven't been to the gym or watching my diet as much as I should, but a 10 lb weight gain in a matter of weeks in ridiculous!!
I am ready to stop taking Met, but everyone says it takes a few months to see results. I'm at a cross roads right now and am not sure what to do.
I was really hoping this medicine was going to be the answer.
My Dr says it is helpful for 50% of those who take it. Am I a part of the unlucky 50%??? UGH!! SO frustrating!!

christyz · 05-01-2003, 12:39 PM

Tonya, the weight loss was probably due to having the runs, not due to the drug. I suspect the period was just a coincidence because this drug has to build up in your system enough to start lowering chem levels.

STAY ON THE MET and give it AT LEAST 6 MONTHS to start working before you quit. If you quit prematurely, you are cheating yourself out of a drug that could really help your hormone levels down the road. You have to have the foresight to see LONG TERM and focus on HEALTH...not just weight loss. If you are on met just to lose weight, then you are on it for the wrong reasons. Put your hormones back in order and your weight will take care of itself.

Good luck!

sweeterthenmost · 05-01-2003, 01:45 PM

I have to absolutely agree with Christyz on this one.

While met (Gluc) CAN promote weightloss, it is really just a happy side benefit. There are more important reasons to be taking this med and a few weeks really isn't giving it a chance to do its job. (Operative word here is CAN) I have been on Gluc for 4 years now and though it only took a few days for me to see results (lower blood sugar readings), I am taking it for completely different reasons than most of you are AND the benefits of weightloss did not start until I decided I needed to eat healthier and start exercising regularly.

The first and foremost reasons that most docs prescribe met are for insulin resistance, diabetic reasons, or in my case, both.

Also we all have to understand that while met can (and many times does) help with weightloss, its not going to do that for u until it begins to stabalize ur insulin levels. Also we all hold some responsability in our journey to weightloss and health. If u are taking met, continue eating as u were before, and not exercising, u really are defeating the purpose of what u are taking the met for. Reasearch is proving more and more that low-carb eating and exercising are important factors in insulin re-sensatization and weightloss even if met has been prescribed.

One of the things that really irks me is Doc's who prescribe met and give the patient the illusion that it is a magic pill - pop the pill and miracle of miracles you loose weight!! It just doesn't happen that way.

Be patient and be committed to your health

All the best of luck

Tonya-inGA · 05-01-2003, 01:47 PM

Christy,

I also suspect the weight-loss was due to the chronic diarrhea, but lets face it, anyone that is struggling with weight loss is joyous when the scale moves in the downward direction. I am NOT on Metformin for weightloss purposes only. My HEALTH is my number 1 concern and percisely the reason that I have finally sought out medical attention from an Endocrinologist and have come to this board for education and support.

Although, weight loss goes hand in hand with HEALTH for me. I am hoping that Metformin is going to not only help get my levels where they need to be, but also allow the weight to come off while I excercise and "diet".

I DO NOT supsect the period was a coincidence as I only have a period in the Sept-Jan time frame and it has been that way for years and this year was no exception. I do believe the Metformin brought the period on for me as does my Endocrinologist.

I do have the foresight to see LONG TERM and am focused on my HEALTH, my struggle right now is that I have a reoccurring question in my head- Is this the right medication for ME?? I so want to believe that and that is why I have continued to struggle on this medication for the last 7 weeks. But I am also sensible enough to weigh the evidence and understand that this medicine is not a miracle drug and is NOT right for everyone. I am chronically tired and have been since the first week of starting this medication. Getting out of bed is now a struggle 7 days a week. I am more achy than I have ever been in my life, I struggle through the day with keeping my eyes open and dashing to the toilet. I am a single mother with a career outside of the home. I am an Engineer and need to be able to think with a clear head, so far, for the last 7 weeks my mind has been very foggy and my ability to concentrate has been remarkably diminished. I need to be able to care for my 4 yr old with a clear head also. It's very hard when I am so tired that all I can think about is getting into the bed. These are the things that are on my mind. It's hard to believe that this medicine is right for me when so many other things seem to be going so wrong. Not to mentioned that I have gained 6 lbs in a matter of weeks. Weight gain for me just exaserbates all of the other PCOS symptoms that I struggle with. How do I remain commited to this medication with all of these negitive side-effects? I don't want to cheat myself out of the benefits this medication will bring I would just like to know how long I have to suffer before it gets better??

sweeterthenmost · 05-01-2003, 01:59 PM

Tonya
How much met are u taking?
Are u taking any supplements with it?
What is ur diet like?
I know ur fatigue is impairing to u, but are u exercising any at all? If so how often and what?
When u sleep at night, is it restful? or are u up and down...(some report this as an initial se to met...)
Do u take any other meds?
When u increased ur dosage did u suffer from the digestive problems again? Are u still?

some of the answers to these questions might help to evaluate ur situation.

christyz · 05-01-2003, 03:37 PM

Quote:

How do I remain commited to this medication with all of these negitive side-effects?

By knowing that the side effects do pass, and that by exercising and low carbing to help lower insulin levels faster, helping the drug do it's job. You have to take the pain to get the gain, and it's only been 7 weeks, which is not a long enough trial period to get an indication of the benefits. Like depression drugs that take 3 months to build up in your system, Met takes time to start significantly lowering chem levels, Stopping before 6 months is like quitting a race before you warm up your muscles.

Quote:

I don't want to cheat myself out of the benefits this medication will bring I would just like to know how long I have to suffer before it gets better??

I had side effects for 10 months, and I still suffer from the odd day of GI trouble, but I had side effects for a significant period. It was 13 months before I started seeing a discernable difference in my body and chem work, but I stayed on it with the belief that i was doing this one thing in my life for me. I'm really glad I was patient.

Like "sweeter" said, there are a lot of factors that affect the things we are discussing...sleep, exercise, diet, dosage etc. Your Dr needs to be aware of what you are feeling, but some of your symtpoms are new to me...I know more about met than my endocrinologist and I have never heard some of these complaints in association to met. You should let your Dr know what is going on to rule out other factors.

Good Luck!

misty23 · 05-01-2003, 03:59 PM

I got put on met forever ago! Back in 98! Back then, there wasn't as much information out there as there is now about it. When I got put on it, it was more for experimentation. I really had no expectations because the reason I was given for being on it, was to prevent me from getting diabetes in the future. Prolonged over working of your pancreous can cause it to shut down early or have extreme negative side effects. I didn't even know it could help with weight loss!! I did hate it at first thought because of the diahrea....although over time, have figured out which foods cause the indigestion and diahrea the most. I did know that it could help me to get my cycles back and then hopefully some day get PG easier. None of this happend for me though. Its been almost 6 years since I have been on it, and it took me 4 years to get my period on my own!! I gained an extra 60 pounds in the first 4 years of me being on it! My insulin levels however, were in the normal range..coming down from 50-4. I was NOT following low carb diet or a diet of any kind unless you call a see food diet a diet LOL. Anyhow, I finally starting doing Atkins diet and the weight FELL OFF...and I think the met did help with that a lot. Met has always helped me with my cravings! But anyhow, once doing met and atkins together, I lost 125 pounds, got my periods on my own and have been able to concieve. I really think the key to successful weight loss on met is following a diet...not ness a diet such as atkins, but something that is very healthy for you. Good luck! Stick to it.

sweeterthenmost · 05-01-2003, 04:11 PM

Misty
Loved ur story
Especially the "see food diet" I think alot of us with PCOS and IR follow that diet much too long! lol

BTW congrats on the pregnancy, hope things are progressing well for u! yikes..... June is just around the corner!

Best of luck

misty23 · 05-01-2003, 04:31 PM

Thanks so much sweeterthenmost, and yes AHHHH june is RIGHT around the corner!
Anyhow, aren't the cravings th WORST?? I think I could eat anything with sugar and starch in it for the rest of my life! If they say, its not good for you, then its my fav. food

Candace · 05-02-2003, 01:53 AM

I switched to the Glucophage XR because on the regular I had NO energy. My thinking is that I have problems with the insulin rise upon eating. So...when I don't eat anything or much I found that I was really feeling miserable. Also, I take the meds in the a.m. otherwise I can count myself up all night. I have soooo much energy now but it took AT LEAST 6 months on this drug to stablize the hormones. I would have the brain fog with eating anything with carbs, including a half of piece of bread!
I don't have that anymore. Be patient....if you can. You should feel better soon. I thought I should feel better instantly too, but I know I was really sick for several years before I sought help. My doctor said your hormones took a while to get this out of whack and it will take a while to get them straightened out. Whatever your decision good luck.

Candace
Age 36
2 children ages 7 and 8
Married 16 years
Glucopahge XR 2000 mgs 2 years
Yasmin BCP 2 years
Diagnosed with PCOS at age 21 annovulatory, acne, a little hair, rediagnosed at 34 with all symptoms including weight gain
I have changed my diet considerably cutting out refined carbs and sugars and feel like a new person!

mysticblue002 · 05-02-2003, 02:30 PM

hey girls! i realize it takes a while and am not gonna stop taking it just because i gained a few pounds i was just wondering why because i have been the same weight for 4 years and now all the sudden it went up. i do not have ir so thats not what i am on it for my insulin levles are fine he put me on it as a trial for 3 months to see if it helped with other symptoms i have and well it has when i can remember to take the dang things lol. i do feel tired alot but i know i stress myself out too much and thats my own fault not the meds and no i do not work out or eat exactly as i should right now so i guess i have me to blame. its just really hard to do all this alone i mean i have the computer and all but to have someone in person helping eachother get through this is way easier and i have no support here. my mom thinks this is a joke and my hubby as sweet as he is about it all is one of those guys who works from dusk till dawn and needs his sleep so he can't really go do any of this with me. i am tryin my best to do what i can alone but it's very hard.

Tonya-inGA · 05-02-2003, 03:49 PM

How much met are u taking? I am now taking 1 500mg pill 2x a day
Are u taking any supplements with it? I starting taking a one-a-day vitamin w/ calcium & iron, five days ago.
What is ur diet like? Not as good as it should be. I am working on the lower carb deal, but have a long way to go.
I know ur fatigue is impairing to u, but are u exercising any at all? If so how often and what? Up unitl I started my period and
started feeling extremely tired all the time not to mention the flow was so heavy, I was going to the gym 4 times a week. strength training every other day and cardio everyday for 35 mins. I had started that a month before starting the meds. I am now walking 2.5 miles at night.
This is the second week. I have only walked twice this week though. So it is a start, but not where I want it to be either. "Babysteps" is what I keep telling myself. I had always worked out regularly, I used to be in the Air Force, so I am no stranger to excercise. Up until I got PG with my son I was running 2.5 miles a day, every day to maintain my weight. That was four years ago and I really miss it and want to work back up to that and exceed it.
When u sleep at night, is it restful? or are u up and down...(some report this as an initial se to met...) I noticed that I do toss & turn more on met, and have very vivid dreams, but the restlessness isn't every night.
Do u take any other meds? I take a vitamin and Zyrtec for allergies.
When u increased ur dosage did u suffer from the digestive problems again? Are u still? Yes.I was up to 2 pills- 2x a day and couldn't take the gastro problems so I went back down to 1 pill a day and this week increased to 2 pills a day. I will stay here for another week and then try to include one more pill. Since reducing the dose back down it hasn't been nearly as bad, but it has been there.

Sweeter & Christy, Thanks for the questions. I appreciate all of your support and for responding to me. Especially since this wasn't even my inital thread. I am in the early phases of my journey to better health and sometimes it is over-whelming. The support I find here has been terrific. At first I have to be honest, I felt like Christy was challenging the way I was feeling and I felt like my feelings were being dismissed as not valid. I think fatigue can cause a person to be extra sensitive

But I printed out the thread and took it home with me and read it, re-read it and thought about it. I think the comments and questions were thought provoking and today I feel like it was good to feel challenged. I feel better about it and have decided to continue this medication and hang in there. I am still bothered by the fact that I have gained 6 lbs so rapidly b/c that is just not common for me and it seems to be caused by the meds, but maybe that is a wake-up call for me to become more commited to my excercise program and my new way of eating(I hesitate to use the word diet) I have no idea if this all makes sense. I guess it's just my way of thanking you all for not just giving me a "vanilla" response, instead you all were very honest and in turn I was able to re-evaluate my thoughts and the way I have been handling my situation.
Thanks again.

How much met are u taking? I am now taking 1 500mg pill 2x a day How much met are u taking? I am now taking 1 500mg pill 2x a day Not as good as it should be. I am working on the lower carb deal, but have a long way to go. Up unitl I started my period and I noticed that I do toss & turn more on met, and have very vivid dreams, but the restlessness isn't every night. I take a vitamin and Zyrtec for allergies. Yes.I was up to 2 pills- 2x a day and couldn't take the gastro problems so I went back down to 1 pill a day and this week increased to 2 pills a day. I will stay here for another week and then try to include one more pill. Since reducing the dose back down it hasn't been nearly as bad, but it has been there.

christyz · 05-02-2003, 05:54 PM

Quote:

well it has when i can remember to take the dang things lol. i do feel tired alot but i know i stress myself out too much and thats my own fault not the meds and no i do not work out or eat exactly as i should right now so i guess i have me to blame.

The thread is not about BLAME, sweetie. All of this is hard work, and these changes have to be gradual or they won't stick. *Do* try to be more consistent taking the drug..set an alarm or whatever you have to do. The more pills you miss at the beginning, the harder it is to start lowering chem levels.

I'm sorry you haven't got better support...my husband has been absolutely incredible and I couldn't have been as strong without him. I hope you can find the concern you need here.