I'm afraid to take Metformin

mjdpuz · 07-10-2007, 09:35 AM

Hi, my name is Christina and I have just recently been dx w/ PCOS. I have had a suspicion about this for yrs, but my old dr wasn't convinced. New OB/GYN confimed dx about 6 mos ago and I have kind of been in denial. I filled a rx for Metformin and took only 1 dose. I am really afraid to take. I don't take any other rx meds and am wondering if I should exhaust natural options first. My GTT was wnl. Are there any long term studies on this medication, b/c I'm sure once you start taking, stopping would only bring back s/s. I need to just get motivated w/ my diet and exercise and put 100% effort in instead of 50%. I would love to hear some success stories either with or without Metformin therapy. Thanks for reading, I would appreciate some responses.

cassondraragan · 07-10-2007, 09:42 AM

You should of course do what you feel you should do. However, I just want to say the Metformin has changed my life! Granted, everyone (and their bodies) are different. But after 10 years of up 50 lbs down 50 lbs etc, of feeling exhausted, of depression, of horrible carb cravings, I am finally in control of my body. I have actually thought, "wow, this must be what normal people feel like!" But, if you don't think you will be able to be compliant with the meds (taking it faithfully) then I personally don't think you should go in that direction untill you are ready. Just do more and more research about PCOS until you feel confident that your decisions are right for you!

flyfisher · 07-10-2007, 11:41 AM

Hello Christina, you've come to the right website for help. There is a thread for alternative ways of treating PCOS. For me, metformin has done a lot. I haven't lost any weight yet, but I have maintained the weight that I lost before metformin. It has helped with controlling and reducing AF, thankgoodness. It has helped with controlling my bloodsugar, somewhat. It has helped with the hair situation. I too don't like to take medications and I have never been one to take medications for anything until the last year or two. I felt this was the best way for me to get my life back from PCOS. Don't be afraid of it, there are a lot of good things about met. But there are also some not so good things about met. The side effects will haunt you for a while and will flare up every now and then when you eat something you shouldn't. You just have to figure out what triggers it for you. I hope you find the answers you are looking for and find whats best for you and your body. It took the metformin about 4 to 5 months to see what it would do for me and I was happy with it. I cried when the doctor cut my dosage and added januvia. I was afraid everything would come back and it did. So he increased the dosage again and it is starting to work again. good luck and I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

mjdpuz · 07-10-2007, 05:12 PM

Thank you Cassandra for your personal story and encouragement. It is definately about living your life differently along w/ the meds. Even w/ my degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition I still find it hard to "do the right thing", but I will keep plugging away. It's comforting to know there are other women out there that feel the way I do and have overcome obstacles successfully.
Christina -34
mom to Joey -6 and Danny -4
www.christinapuz.fourpointwellness.com

autumnleaves · 07-10-2007, 09:06 PM

Diet and exercise can/will work for some but not all. Metformin has been around a long time. It is one of the diabetic medications that has been around the longest. I do take it and it helped me to get pregnant, reduce my levels. Didnt ovulate on it nor did I get af but that was because of my testosterone. It is a hard decision to make but you could always try it and see how it goes.

tikvah · 07-11-2007, 04:45 PM

Hi, I would say don't be afraid to give it a try. I have been avoiding going on Met for 3 years, because of all the side effects I heard about. But now my diabetes is totally out of control, and just Avandia alone isn't working. I started Met last week and have had hardly any side effects. I am so wishing I'd done this a long time ago, and then maybe I wouldn't be having diabetic neuropathy in my feet at age 25.

Corvidae · 07-11-2007, 05:32 PM

Met was hard for me to get used to, and even after being on it a year it still causes the odd problem on rare occasion, but it's made a real difference in my life. I feel better and have a more positive outlook.

When you start taking met limit your intake of raw vegetables and fruits. Cooked veg and fruits don't seem to cause a problem. If you do eat raw fruit and veg do so with a meal that has protein and grains. Gradually add your salads and raw veg back in when you are starting to get used to the met. It took me a few months and there are still a few odd things I find it best not to eat... like cucumber and iceberg lettuce... but I can live without them quite happily.

For me starting slowly just seemed to prolong getting used to Met so I took a couple of weeks off of work just so I could get through the worst part. Keep to it and you'll get over the side effects faster. Even skipping one dose can be a problem for some people.

And always take it with a meal. I found starting the day with a bowl of bran cereal also helped keep the side effects to a minimum. Bran is just as good for slowing down what's going to fast as it is for speeding up what's going to slow.

Be brave and committed and you'll do fine.

Mya · 07-11-2007, 10:14 PM

i just started back on it ... right now i am 1000mgs ... next week, moving to 1500mgs .... so far i (last 3wks) i have only had about 3x where i had to run to the bathroom ... otherwise it's been ok .... i started with 500mgs at night that way if i had side effects i'd be at home ...

TRISHWALLACE · 07-13-2007, 08:35 AM

When my doctor first gave me met I waited like 5 days to take it and after talking to Kyl who was a godsend to me really...well I tried it and thought aww I have lived with this illness for 12 years and this will not help me....Thus far....I have lost 13 pounds in two weeks my AF is due tommorow and I am assured by my body already that her plane will arrive just in time lol...the only complaint I had was just having to remember to take a pill...this medication has really helped motivate me in ways I have never been motivated...I walk 2 miles a day fast walking and I eat vegetables and lean meats....I eat alot of peanut butter and crackers and I have had no side effects at all really!! when I started met like almost 3 weeks ago I weighed 171 and now I am down to 158!!! That had never been possible for me before and I craved sweets so much I was constantly inhaling chocolate. The only complaint I have besides just having to remember a pill is this will be my first AF and I am really bad moody and could take someones head off (figure of speech PMS UGH) anyways if you decide to take it I wish you the best dont let all the horror stories scare you and if you get a chance to chat talk to Kyl she can answer so many questions......I owe her a big thank you for explaining this disease and its effects on my body things my doctor never even explained to me!!!!! BEST OF LUCK!!

onelittlesnowflake · 07-15-2007, 08:10 PM

I was so excited to get the MET, i had heard such great things about it, I started taking it 6/4/07 and immediately had stomach issues, diarreah, etc. However, after the first two weeks it ceased a little then started again after the third week when I up'd my dosage another 500 mg. In exactly one month i got my first menes in 7 months! I think it's a miracle drug, at least for now....Still hoping I ovulate this month and we can be on our way to our first child. I wish you the best of luck in your decision, I know it's hard, I hate taking med's too, but seriously, this has been a gift!