Willow'sMum

It has been interesting reading about many of your reactions to Metformin. I began taking Glucophage in 2002 for PCOS, and had waited 11 years to receive my diagnosis for it. Until this time, my problems had been written off in my records as 'pain in ovaries, weight gain, poor diet, hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles, etc.' I am glad to hear that many of you didn't have to wait as long as I did for a proper diagnosis. I cannot take Metformin as it makes me itch, in the palms of my hands, feet, etc. The druggist told me that there is a different filler in Metformin that very few are allergic to, and that would be me. So, I have to pay a higher fee for the Glucophage at my pharmacy as I can't take the generic. I have noticed with my Glucophage that at the dose my doctors requested I be on, which is 1500 mg/day that I am terribly nauseated, shaky, dizzy, exhausted, foggy in the mind and usually end up throwing up after one meal or the other each day. I, out of desperation, took it upon myself to lower my dose and found that, for me, I am best on 500 mg/day. I tried just two days ago to bring my dose up again afer so much time on the 500mg and find myself hugging the potty from nausea once again. My husband says that I am the reason that drug manufacturers put the possible side effects on their drugs, this is me. I have noticed that i don't have as much gas on Glucophage, not as much constipation, regular periods, less cramps, less ovarian pain, less bloating and my hair growth has gone down quite significantly. I also take Spironolactone for the hair growth and water weight gain. We have watched my weight and have seen a gain of 20 pounds in a single weekend. I am blessed to have given birth to a beautiful baby girl over two years ago now. I had exercised regularly for a year before I became pregnant, and took a multi and extra folic acid. I also, two months before I conceived was taking 1500 mg. of Glucophage. The ovarian pain I felt in my first month of pregnancy, which at the time I didn't know I was pregnant, was unbearable. I would double over in the middle of the store in unbelievable pain. It felt as if my ovary's were bursting. My OB said that the introduction of new pregnancy hormones was causing my cysts to rupture, to allow the new phase of pregnancy to develop. Anyway, it was very painful!

I just thought I would add a small part of my present health and life situation regarding PCOS. Metformin or Glucophage are cerainly two drugs with great and not-so-great points.

Blessings to you all,

Willow'sMum

nobimbo

Are you taking the Gluc XR (extended release version)?

Linda

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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

Chula

Wow so the itching of the hands is an allergic reaction to Metformin heck there are times that I itch so bad in the palms of my hands that it drives me nuts!!! Yet another learned!!!

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Metformin 1000mg
Lipitor 10mg
Diabetes Type II


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Willow'sMum

I just looked on my bottle and I take the Glucophage tablets, 500mg each. I don't believe it is the extended release. Like I had mentioned, I am supposed to be taking 1500 a day, however for me, that dosage is just far too high and my side effects are just too drastic to try and function as best as I can.

I am glad to hear (not to suffer from the itching, though) that I'm not the only one who had itchy palms with the Metformin, this is quite reassuring as I was wondering if I was the only one who had this. The pharmacists had never heard of this before, but everyone's chemistry is different and I would think that not everyone would react the same way to the fillers in these medications.

Isn't is a daily challenge, some days I feel fantastic, others less than okay. I have found that I have to exercise for my mind, you know, to keep my head clear of my PCOS, and to let some frustrations out. I am thankful that I can exercise, I may not be able to go jogging as of yet, but I am still trying.

Blessings to you all,

Willow'sMum