how long have you been on Met/Gluc

IHATH433 · 11-20-2003, 07:29 PM

Has anyone been on Met/GLuc for more than 2 years?

I've been on it for 22 months. 6 months ago my dose was increased from 1000mg to 2000mg. My doctor keeps saying I should notice improvement with the excess hair with just being on Met. I would love it if this were true. I had hair beofre that went away with being on the pill. Twice - so I know it is possible.

I'm just worried that it isn't going to work and I'm scared to do electrolysis or laser.

After my dose was increased to 2000mg I noticed a couple more hairs on my chin...but my hormones were messed up prior to the dose increase, and it takes 6 months for those hairs to grow out....so it is probably from then. But, why would my hormones all of a sudden get worse? Also, I've had a couple hairs disappear on my chin as well. Some really really stubborn ones too....but like I said, I have a couple more in new places. Does that mean a success or not? lol Gain some, lose some sort of thing....but, that still gives me hope that a couple did go away!!! So, I'm hoping that since the 1000mg is a very lose dose that it just wasn't enough to effect me - although my hormones did regulate somewhat - I only get bloodwork done every six months so I can't be positive that they were perfect.

So, my question really is, has anyone been on Met for over two years without taking anything else or doing electrolysis or anything like that and had hair improvements?

I would love to hear that you guys had some success!!!

I would have asked this on the Excess Hair message board, but it seems like many of the ladies in there are doing alternative medicine so i thought I'd get better responses for you guys on MEt/Gluc

SheriKCMO · 11-20-2003, 08:18 PM

I'm anxious to read any responses to this great question. I'm sure each of us is different when it comes to the hair issue, though. I've been on metformin for a year now, and I had started to notice a slight decrease in my facial hair growth until this pregnancy started. Now, I'm plucking twice as many, twice as often! That comes with the territory, though, and I hope every one of them falls out when I deliver.
Good luck,
Sheri

christyz · 11-20-2003, 08:32 PM

This is my 27th month on metformin, but I found that while my cholestoral, weight (dropped 27% of my body weight), periods, acne, androgen & testosterone all improved to normal values, my facial hair was the only issue that was not adequately resolved on Met. It can help but since I have had such INCREDIBLE results in every other area, I still consider myself very much a met success.

Can I ask why you fear laser? Met, according to some literature, isn't always the best option for hair, although it has helped some women a lot. I am undergoing laser, and believe me, you have *nothing* to fear...it's permanent and it's amazing!

I have had just 2 laser Tx so far and I can already go about 4 days without shaving...this is down significantly from 2x daily! The clinician says 6-8 Tx are needed and I LOVE doing this for myself. It's so empowering!

I have done EVERYTHING I can do to lower my androgens, and it still wasn't enough, so I owe it to myself for changing my life.

You can read my laser saga so far here:
ChristyZ? How'd the laser treatment go??

Good luck to you!

nobimbo · 11-20-2003, 08:36 PM

I've been on 2000 mg of Met for 27 months. I didn't notice any decrease of excess hair on my face (the only place I have it), but I've had facial hair for about 30 years. Maybe it makes a difference how long the follicles have been stimulated. However, I do know my hormones are now normalized (my testesterone was actually on the low side of normal a few weeks ago when I had bloodwork), and because of that the laser hair removal treatments I started several months ago (I've had 3) are working. 20 years ago I had two years of electrolysis and it didn't do a thing for me; that was when I found out I have PCOS, and I remember the endo saying to me "you have the highest levels of testesterone I've ever seen".

Linda

Bekah1999 · 11-20-2003, 09:24 PM

I've been on Met for two years this upcoming January. My improvements have been around a 10lb weight loss (I'm a thin cyster), more regular periods (prior to Met they were up to five months apart) ranging from 25 to 35 days apart, less acne, overall increase of energy, and less mood swings. The things that have not improved are my facial hair (just a few on my chin and upper lip that I pluck when they come in every week or so), craving for carbs, and lack of ovulation.

My main reasons for taking Met were to feel better overall (used to be a hormonal mess) and ovulate. And I do feel much, much better. Now if only I would ovulate on my own.

shorty1kanobi · 11-21-2003, 12:33 PM

I started met at the end of June, I'm up to 2000 mg now. In the last month, I've seen a difference in my facial hair. At this point, I wax, and I've noticed that there's less for them to take off these days (though I have to be careful that I don't let my mustache go too long). I imagine that waxing will probably be something that I do for a long while yet, but at least I'm not getting as hairy.

IHATH433 · 12-02-2003, 02:40 PM

Which is better - laser or electrolysis?

I'm terrified that this will ruin my skin as I've heard horror stories.
Seriously, I read Christyz's laser stuff and I'm breathing like I just saw a ghost. Don't ask me why...I'm just so nervous about it. I've been just waiting it out hoping that the Met alone will work. Maybe the problem is the hair isn't bad enough yet - and once it is I'll be willing to try anything....

Anway I have a few of questions....

I have hair mainly on my chest and chin. About 10-15 on the chin - about 6 of these are pretty stiff - the others just a darker slighlty more coarse peach fuzz then what I'm used to. In the center of my chest is some pretty coarse hair, a couple coarse ones up under my bra strap (still on the chest, not on the shoulder) the rest are pretty thin and not quite as dark. Sometimes they are hard to see except in a magnifying mirror. But, I can feel them, like a stubble. Currently, I only pluck because it lasts longer. And, I heard this can help prevent hair from getting more coarse.

So, how much of an area does the treatment cover? The whole thing? a few inches? I always thought they could only do a very small section at a time.

I have very very light skin. My natural hair color is a dark blond to light brown. the hair I'd want removed is obviously darker...and somewhat coarse in some areas, but mostly more like arm hair. ( and acutally the same color in most areas too)Would this even work for me?

My skin is very sensitive, and usually extremely dry (oddly enough) will that cause a problem? I don't want to come out of there looking like a freak - and I'm terrified of scarring.

How much $$$ are we talking?
How long is a session?
How many sessions are normal?
How badly does it hurt - I'm a pretty big baby?
After the sessions are done - is the hair completely permanently gone? I've heard stories where it sort of goes in remission then comes back with a vengence....terrifiying.

christyz · 12-02-2003, 03:17 PM

I've never had electrolysis, so I can only speak for laser. Most of the answers differ from place to place, so a consult would be in order to answer your specifics...but here goes.

How much $$$ are we talking?

It depends on the place, but I'm paying about 89.00 (taxes included) per session. I am having my chin and neck done, and they usually charge 89 per area, but since I don't have my whole neck and whole chin, they reduced the price by half. They have also done side burns and a mole on the side of my face for free.

How long is a session?

I am in and out in about 15 mins...maybe 5 of it is the actual laser procedure. The rest is checking growth and putting on gel, moisturizer. and making my next appt.

How many sessions are normal?

I was told 6 to 8 would do the trick for me, but it depends on the courseness of the growth.

How badly does it hurt - I'm a pretty big baby?

My first one hurt, but when she turned down the laser a notch (it was just as effective), it didn't hurt a bit. They can use a gel on your skin that makes it really very bearable.

After the sessions are done - is the hair completely permanently gone? I've heard stories where it sort of goes in remission then comes back with a vengence....terrifiying.

They are gone, provided your hormone levels are normal. I worked before I went for laser to get my male hormone (free androgen and testosterone) into the normal ranges. As long as I continue taking my meds, exercising, moderating my carbs to keeop my insulin under control (living the best lifestyle for my PCOS), the hair removal should be permanent. The only stories I personally have heard about re-growth were when people didn't get their hormones normalized first.

And you mentioned having light skin and course hair..that is the PERFECT combo for laser. Darker skin can have pigment issues and lighter hairs don't absorb the laser as well, making them harder to remove.

Don't be fearful! This has been the most amazing and empowering thing, and I'm only 2 treatments in. I wouldn't trade the results for anything and I'm only about 1/4 through. I can go several days without shaving now and before I was twice a day. This is a wonderful change, and the best is yet to come.

Good luck!

IHATH433 · 12-02-2003, 06:30 PM

Thanks for all those answers. I'm seriously considering it now! I'm sure I'll get over the fear. I think I'll look into here in my area and maybe have a consult.

In your experience, has the hair continued to get worse over the years, or did it just stay the same ever since being put on Metformin?

Mine hasn't gotten any worse. Infact, I do think that it probably has gotten a little better but if it continues to get better, and more finer, then the laser probably won't work as well huh? I better consider that before I wait any longer.

I'm pretty lucky because if I pluck one day I usually can wait a week or so before I have to do it again. I don't shave at all.
Although, I have a lot on my chest...and those are definitely lighter - and take forever to pluck, but not very noticeable - except to me because I'm completely OBSESSED with them lol

I guess a consult would definitely be a good idea....

Thank you so much for your help! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!!!

IHATH433 · 12-02-2003, 06:57 PM

The last time I was at the doctor's, she told me my DHEAS decreased by half...which was good. It had been 600 and now it is 300. My testosterone had been 49, and now it is 30.

Does any know what DHEAS are and what they do? Someone told me they make something like testosterone - so would they cause hair growth? Is it possible that this will help get rid of some of the hair now? or doesn't it matter because of the testosterone being normal? And, if I did laser right now, could the DHEAS effect it? Should I wait to make sure they don't go back up - or doesn't it matter?

Boy - I sure am full of questions today!!!!

christyz · 12-02-2003, 08:48 PM

Quote:

In your experience, has the hair continued to get worse over the years, or did it just stay the same ever since being put on Metformin?

My labs improved like crazy after 2 years on met, but my hair growth seemed worse. I was shaving more often before I started the laser than I was a few years ago.

Quote:

Does any know what DHEAS are and what they do? Someone told me they make something like testosterone - so would they cause hair growth

From: http://www.quackwatch.org/01Quackery...pics/dhea.html

What Is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone, a chemical cousin of testosterone and estrogen. It is made from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, which sit atop each kidney. For the first few years of life, the adrenals make very little DHEA. Around age six or seven, they begin churning it out. Production peaks in the mid-20s, when DHEA is the most abundant hormone in circulation. From one's early '30s on, there's a steady decline in DHEA production, so the average 75-year-old has only 20% of the DHEA in circulation that he or she had 50 years earlier. At all ages, men tend to have higher DHEA levels than women.

By definition, hormones are chemical messengers made in a gland or tissue that start, stop, or otherwise orchestrate activity in some other issue. That makes DHEA a hormone in name only, since no one knows exactly what it does in the body. For years it was thought to be a kind of chemical trash left over from making other hormones. Today, "we still haven't been able to identify any mechanism of action," says Dr. Casson.

In fact, about the only thing that researchers can agree on is that DHEA is easily converted into other hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So my take on this info is that DHEAS can increase androgen and testosterone in the body, but it's the male hormones themselves that cause the hair. Hope I interpreted that correctly.

nobimbo · 12-02-2003, 10:42 PM

My personal experiences with laser are similiar to Christy's, but I just want to add a couple of things. For one, although normalizing your hormones can reduce new hair growth, once the hair follicle is stimulated it is very unlikely it will stop growing without some system for "permanent" hair removal, such as laser or electrolysis. I have had excessive hair growth on my chin (and a few other places on my face, but the chin is the worst) for about 30 years. I only wish laser would have been an option for me early on, before the problem got so bad. And yes, it got progressively worse over time. When I was in my early 20's, I got electrolysis treatments for two years, but the hair just kept growing back. It was then that I went to an endo and got diagnosed with PCOS (Stein-Levanthal syndrome back then).

Your hair growth problem doesn't seem so bad, and you may just want to settle on tweezing once or twice a week. If you are getting your hormones under control, then it is likely you won't get any new growth, but those few hairs that you have will probably continue to keep growing. However, if you get laser treatments (after your hormones are normalized), it will probably work very quickly for you. The Lighsheer Diode is especially good for larger areas, such as the chest, but works well for the chin as well. GentleLase, like Christy is using, is especially good for small surface areas such as the chin. Both have good track records. Results are seen quicker with areas such as the chest, moustache, and side burns than with the chin by the way. Chin hairs seem to be the most stubborn.

I really think that the longer the hair follicles have been stimulated the slower the progress you'll see with laser. So you would be an excellent candidate and would probably see excellent results. Electrolysis has a longer track record, but it is a very slow process, more expensive in the long run, and the worst part (for me at least) is you have to grow out your hairs before having the electrolysis treatment. With laser, you are supposed to shave beforehand. With either type of treatment, tweezing is a no-no, however. You have to wait 6 weeks after tweezing before having your first treatment, and then you can't tweeze at all during the period of time when you are undergoing the treatments. This is because hair has to be present in the follicle (but not visible above the skin) and in the active stage of growth for the laser to work.

Cost for laser treatments vary widely. There are some places that charge $200-$300 per session. Christy got a very good deal, and so did I. My treatments cost $55 a session (for the chin only, but she ends up treating other areas on my face as well for free), but I used a coupon in the paper and got a package deal where I paid for 3 treatments and got 2 free, so $165 for five treatments. I was told I will need approximately 7 treatments. I had my 4th treatment a week and a half ago.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Linda

IHATH433 · 12-03-2003, 12:43 PM

Thanks ladies for the excellent info and advice.

Cristyz - I think you are right about that DHEAS - I read the article you linked in your response. It also said

One reason why such trials are crucial is that DHEA has side effects, some of which may be irreversible. Since DHEA is converted into testosterone, some women who take it grow body or facial hair and, if they are under age 50 or so, can stop menstruating. DHEA has also been shown to decrease levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol in women, and could increase the risk of heart disease, the leading killer of older women. "We have no idea what DHEA might do to the risk of breast cancer," says Dr. Nestler.
Over the past two years, I have come across many cases of heart-rhythym disturbances associated with high-dose use of DHEA and pregnenolone. I reported one such case in a man taking 50 mg per day in the October 1998 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 129, page 588). Other side effects include acne, unwanted hair growth, scalp hair loss, menstrual irregularities, irritability, and aggression. In my opinion, DHEA, androstenedione, or pregnenolone should not be sold over the counter in doses greater than 5 mg.
-- Ray Sahelian, M.D.

for anyone else out there looking for an answer to this. Looks like you interpretted correctly. Thanks for the link - I couldn't find anything that gave any detail on the internet myself.

I think I'll talk to someone in the area and go in for a consult. It will totally suck not being able to tweeze!!! but, luckily right now, I can wear turtlenecks!!!

I really appreciate appreciate everyone's responses. I keep you posted as to what I decide. It's definitely worth looking into - and if it's a great as you say - I man just get my entire body done lol
(Although, that's being a little overly brave I think LOL)