Hi,
I've been on Gluc. XR for a few months after seeing some results with Met, but just having way too many bowel problems.
Well, my dr. was slowly increasing my dose of GlucXR, but at 1500 and 2000 it was just AWFUL! I'm a teacher, and I just CAN'T go to the bathroom anytime I want and stay in there awhile
Anyway, a coworker with PCOS says that she can't do Met or Gluc either, and that her Dr. put her on Actos instead.
When I took the empty sample packet to MY dr. she said, "Well, yes it's a diabetic med, but I know of no studies with Actos, only Met."
The problem is, that I took myself off of all but 500 mg of GlucXR because of the tummy trouble. My symptoms that were better are all back in full force! The other day I tried 1000 mg and got TERRIBLE cramps and diarhea.
What do other PCOS women do who can't tolerate Met? It seems my body is resisting it more than before, and I just can't stand the side effects.
Ive been on Actos for about 3 weeks now
I have to say the side effects are alot less
but I feel i had more progress with the weightloss
while I was on Metformin.
I have been doing some research and also
found out that Actos can cause liver damage and even failure
and also can cause heart failure
My advice would be to go to the same doctor that your coworker
goes too
or see another doctor u know specialises in PCOS
You shouldnt have to do research about meds for your doctor.
Your doctor should be up to date with all the new research on pcos.
Luv Mechxo
__________________ ~ Nothing tastes as good as how thin feels ~
I agree! I am kind of "stuck" as far as my insurance goes as to who I can go to right now.
Heck, I should my doctor the dark patches under my arms and on my neck. I said I thought it was from the PCOS. She agreed, but didn't tell me it had a name, and didn't tell me it was from insulin resistance. I found that out here last night!
Should I be seeing an endocronologist? I've seen several people here mention that.
Your doc is right that there are no studies about Actos use with women with PCOS, but it is becoming a popular alternative to Met for some women. Here is a blurb from a review of research:
The other FDA-approved thiazolidinediones, Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Actos (pioglitazone), provide similar efficacy as Rezulin in the treatment of diabetes and should be equally effective for PCOS. I generally consider them as a second line behind metformin (Glucophage™) for management of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. In my experience they are more effective than metformin for reducing insulin, but do not offer the benefit of weight loss that many using metformin experience. Gastrointestinal side-effects are usually minimal with the "glitazones." While there is no evidence of liver toxicity and pending further safety studies, it has been recommend that all patients taking thiazolidinediones interact closely with their physicians to monitor their liver function.
__________________ 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
HELP! Need info on Actos and PCOS for Dr.!! 
