Insulin Resistance, and Why Met Helps - Page 3

cranberry77 · 04-15-2004, 05:31 PM

hi all...

i am still waiting to hear my test results so i'm not sure if i am IR yet, but i am on Met (500mg/daily) and the side effects i'm having are similar. is that normal? i am having fatique, major munchies (wondering if that has to do with the dip in the blood sugar?), and major mood swings that include paranoia. are those more symptoms of PCOS or from the met?

but the initial posting was very helpful, thanks kybluegrass (tracey?) it made alot of sense. i'll be checking out the IR diet book soon. thanks for all your wonderful insight.

*HeartlessAngel* · 05-15-2004, 03:31 AM

I was just diagonosed with hyperinsulimenia and I am going to be going on Metformin (now I know what it is!). I will definitely let you all know what happens with me with the Metformin and hopefully it'll work. I went from a size 8/10 to a 22/24 in the past 2 and a half years. My husband and I have been trying to having a baby but no luck, that is how I found out I have PCOS.

Thank you for such wonderful information. I think I will be picking up the Insulin Resistance Diet book to see how I can fit that in with my lifestyle!

~Katelyn

oreosmama · 05-15-2004, 02:56 PM

Katelyn: I know what you mean about gaining weight and not knowing what is going on. I met my husband in 2000, I weighed 125#'s, needless to say I needed to gain a few pounds. I am married to him now, and my weight is over 155#'s! I blame most of my weight gain on Actos and effexor. I took Actos (another IR drug) for several years and I am still taking Effexor for Anxiety and moods! Now I am taking 1250mg of Metformin and trying to cut down on the carbs and sugars. Being IR, we shouldn't have sugar anyway, but the carbs...I do miss! I just increased my dose of Metformin from 1000 to 1250 yesterday, so far so good. My goal is 1500 in a couple of weeks! I have been TTC for about a year now, with no luck. I took bunches of rounds of clomid and the RE said it is not working. So we are trying met. I have NEVER had a non medicated period. So...we shall see if Met can get my cycles fixed and I can ovulate and get pregnant!

God willing, and in HIS PERFECT TIME! I have FAITH!

Monica

luchu · 07-25-2004, 12:41 PM

hi..you have all been very informative thank you! my problem is...my doctor...the only thing he told me when i asked if i should be changing my diet in any way is that i had to eat low fat..my cholesterol was up a bit. he never said anything about eating less sugar or low carbs or anything other than low fat. i am 140 lbs and 5'4". the metformin made me very nauseated in the beginning but now i am fine. i only had one bad experience with it, i ate choc cake and onion rings then took my pill at suppertime...i thought i would die. i was bloated like a 9 month preg woman and in extreme pain, then the dreaded diarrhea kicked in. now i take one pill in the morning and 2 pills at night but i dont take it with supper i switched to before bedtime after the bad experience. my body does crave sweets a lot and i try to resist. i started taking met on may 12 so i suppose it is too soon for a miracle but last cycle did lessen down to day 31 and i felt ovary action before normal ovulation time. again this cycle(day 9 right now), i am feeling an odd twinge in my right side so not sure if that is a sign of impending ovulation or cysts again, time will tell i guess. i am starting to ramble so that is enough for now. thank you again

christyz · 07-27-2004, 03:31 PM

Luchu: Have you ever heard of "the Insulin resistance Diet"? It is a way of eating that helps to control your insulin and also watches fat intake.

I went on it in Jan '03, and my cholesterol labs were still elevated,
Since then, I have normalized all of them. Plus when you eat without spiking your insulin, your intestines will thank you. When i started the IR diet, I had been on met for 18 months, and was still getting the runs and having bloating and intestinal pain. Once I used that way of eating, i rarely got the side effects anymore.

If you head to the Diet/Exercise forum, there is a thread near the top about info on different PCOS-friendly diets...if you scroll through it, there is a lot of info on it. You can also read the first couple of chapters online at amazon.com

Hope it helps!

KateN · 09-26-2004, 03:59 PM

I am new to this site. Here is my history:

History of obesity (all time high 225lbs). Married two years and TTC since then.

Dx with PCOS only about 4 mos ago, after dev facial hair, and getting a new dr (a very good OB/GYN who deals with infertility).
Immediately went on low carb diet - south beach phase 1 - and lost 10 pounds in two weeks. Fell off the diet, but remained lower carb.

The test results were "amazing" as the diet and exercise virutally fixed my imbalance between androgens and estrogen.

Due to allergies, started experimenting with a wheat free diet about two weeks ago. I immediately started losing weight (about 2 lbs per week). It is lower in carb, but not too low. I can still have potatoes, corn, oats. I avg about 120-140g of carb a day. But I was hungry all the time.

In the meantime, the OB rec metformin (which we had avoided so far) because my cycles are irregular. I started earlier this week, and my hunger is gone! My only negative side effect is a slightly irregular feeling in my head (not amounting to dizziness). Decreased appetite is a plus. And I started at 1500mg a day.

I am down to 210 pounds, so I still have a ways to go. But I finally feel like I have some control over my weight problem. Before, I would lose a little and then gain it back after a high carb meal (no matter how much exercise I did). And in fact this did happen the other night when I had a 90g carb meal (I gained over 2 pounds overnight!). So, now that I know the key, I can work with it. I realize now that all of the processed stuff is the cupboard is not for me. What I need is the protein in the freezer, and of course fruits and veggies.

I have ordered the IR book and cannot wait to start. I have already started combining protein with carbs (for ex, low fat yogurt has both). My cravings for carbs come an go but are no longer a constant in my life.

So, if you have a hard time cutting carbs, try cutting out the wheat - that includes most breads (the wheat free ones are like bricks), flour tortillas, most crackers, most cookies, etc. Rice, esp brown, is ok. Potatoes are OK in moderation. Count your carbs and keep them down. Always combine them with protein. And exercise moderately everyday. It's working for me and good news, I am ovulating today!

Take care,
Kate

oreosmama · 10-26-2004, 08:02 PM

I hadn't posted to this thread in a while so I wanted to give an update. I am currently taking 1500mg metformin and have been for almost 6 months now. I had my first non-clomid, non-bc pills AF this past week! I am not sure what this means or if this will continue but what it does tell me is that the met is working for me.

Oreosmama

Chamonre · 10-31-2004, 07:21 PM

Luchu, I read that you metioned something about a twinge in your right side. For the past 3-4 months I have been suffering from pain in my right side I thought it might me my liver or maybe goldbladder. I have been for a lot off bloodtests, exrays ext and the surgeon told me he cant find anything wrong with me exept for a slight thickening off my goldbladder linning but it wont cause the pain.

I was wondering if you could tell me has such a pain have anything to do with pcos?

Please it will help me to stop worrying about this pain.

Thanks!

KateN · 11-01-2004, 12:46 AM

I have had intermittent pain on my lower right side for almost 20 years. When I was 18, they worked me up for an appendicitis (which was neg). I think that I have pain when I am ovulating on that side. I think it is because the ovary is cystic or because it is pinned. Pinned means it is placed up and to one side, possibly by scar tissue. I have an an untrasound which came back normal, but the tech said my right ovary was way up and away from the uterus.

I am having an HSG next, but it may not show anything, according to my OB. But you would think when they shoot the dye and look at the screen, you can see that the ovary is pinned. I will let you know after the procedure which is still being approved. I dont think pinning affects fertility because the ovary and fallopian tubes should still be together, and that's all that matters. Being cystic can affect fertility though. So, you may want to see a gyn spec.

Take care,
Kate

LKPNYC · 12-16-2004, 01:47 PM

I have been on metformin for almost six months. I lost a lot of weight right away (12 pounds.. not a lot for some, but after 3 years of only GAINING I am thrilled) and have plateaued... but I have not yet upped my workouts.. am focusing on good eating habits and metformin as I get adjusted to a new job.

Anyway, I have to say that you may just have to wait for the Met to kick in before the sweet cravings get weaker. I, too, could eat a whole bag of salt and vinegar potato chips. Now, I'm indifferent. I have two pints of Haagen Dazs that have survived for about two months in my freezer.. they never lasted that long before Met!!!

Hang in there... I used to CRAAAAVE sweets.. no matter how full I was after a meal. These days, it really is take it or leave it!!

LKPNYC

LookingForHope16 · 12-23-2004, 10:56 PM

I have a question!!!!
I am only 16 and can't get a doctor to even acknowldge that I have PCOS. Some of the OBGYN's are like what's that... OMG.

So what if you get on Met. Are you on it for life?

LKPNYC · 12-24-2004, 12:11 PM

I think it is different for everyone re; Met. Some women have reached their goal weight and been able to stay there on their own, finding it easy to maintain a healthy weight once the PCOS symptoms have subsided. I have also talked to other women who say this is a life choice for them. I put off taking Met for years because I don't like taking medication. But my boyfriend helped me see it differently... if I had a problem with my heart, would I avoid taking THAT medication? And since PCOS can lead to heart troubles down the road, his analogy was not that far off! I have been on it for six months now, lost 15 pounds (amazing for me after YEARS of only gaining, no matter how much i worked out) and plan to stick with it as long as necessary. As far as doctors not recognizing PCOS, I have been THERE too.. I can't tell you how many times IIII had to tell my DOCTOR what it was! See if you can get to an endocrinologist.. that's where I found good, sound, HELPFUL advice.

Best wishes!

LKP in NYC

LookingForHope16 · 12-24-2004, 02:32 PM

Thanks!!

wubby1963 · 01-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Hi for some reason I am confused about fasting insulin levels would any body have a chart that I can understand . I was found to have insulin resistance after a fasting test of 18 Suzie

oreosmama · 03-04-2005, 01:15 PM

Hello from Texas. I am taking 1500mg of Metformin now for about 6 months. My gyn does not want to up my doseage because he said I am not overweight and shouldn't need more than 1500 at my size. when I feel that 1750 might be of greater help than the low dose of 1500mg. This doseage is like candy to me, no side effects.
I still do not have periods without a progesterone shot or provera.

I am 5'7" and weigh about 147#'s. I am down from about 155#'s in the latter part of last year. I have graduated college and now teach school and don't sit on my rear end anymore. I am exercizing about 4 times a day on our Cybex ArcTrainer. My hubby got us a ArcTrainer for our home gym. I love it!

What do you think about me not having periods on 1500mg of metformin? Don't you think my Gyn should up my dose? Should I find a new doctor???

Oreosmama

04-15-2004, 05:31 PM	#31 (permalink)
cranberry77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 9 Points: 53.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 53.00 Donate	met side effects? hi all... i am still waiting to hear my test results so i'm not sure if i am IR yet, but i am on Met (500mg/daily) and the side effects i'm having are similar. is that normal? i am having fatique, major munchies (wondering if that has to do with the dip in the blood sugar?), and major mood swings that include paranoia. are those more symptoms of PCOS or from the met? but the initial posting was very helpful, thanks kybluegrass (tracey?) it made alot of sense. i'll be checking out the IR diet book soon. thanks for all your wonderful insight. __________________ olivia, 26 dx 11/2002 still in the trial and error phase... hope to lose 30lbs this year! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ****** Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend. -- Albert Camus

05-15-2004, 02:56 PM	#33 (permalink)
oreosmama Christian Cyster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 40 Points: 200.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 200.00 Donate	Katelyn: I know what you mean about gaining weight and not knowing what is going on. I met my husband in 2000, I weighed 125#'s, needless to say I needed to gain a few pounds. I am married to him now, and my weight is over 155#'s! I blame most of my weight gain on Actos and effexor. I took Actos (another IR drug) for several years and I am still taking Effexor for Anxiety and moods! Now I am taking 1250mg of Metformin and trying to cut down on the carbs and sugars. Being IR, we shouldn't have sugar anyway, but the carbs...I do miss! I just increased my dose of Metformin from 1000 to 1250 yesterday, so far so good. My goal is 1500 in a couple of weeks! I have been TTC for about a year now, with no luck. I took bunches of rounds of clomid and the RE said it is not working. So we are trying met. I have NEVER had a non medicated period. So...we shall see if Met can get my cycles fixed and I can ovulate and get pregnant! God willing, and in HIS PERFECT TIME! I have FAITH! Monica __________________ Monica DX PCOS 1998 DX IR 1999 1500 mg Metformin Synthroid 160**155150G145*140**OAL

07-27-2004, 03:31 PM	#35 (permalink)
christyz Running & Biking Fool! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SK, CANADA Posts: 9,523 Points: 19,574.01 Bank: 3,348,243.84 Total Points: 3,367,817.85 Donate	Luchu: Have you ever heard of "the Insulin resistance Diet"? It is a way of eating that helps to control your insulin and also watches fat intake. I went on it in Jan '03, and my cholesterol labs were still elevated, Since then, I have normalized all of them. Plus when you eat without spiking your insulin, your intestines will thank you. When i started the IR diet, I had been on met for 18 months, and was still getting the runs and having bloating and intestinal pain. Once I used that way of eating, i rarely got the side effects anymore. If you head to the Diet/Exercise forum, there is a thread near the top about info on different PCOS-friendly diets...if you scroll through it, there is a lot of info on it. You can also read the first couple of chapters online at amazon.com Hope it helps! __________________ Christy 33 yrs, 1 precious hubby, 2 miracle kids, At Goal Wt for 4 yrs, Trygly's down 445 pts, Free Androgen down from 20 to 2, 3 half 'thons ran, 2 mtns hiked, 1 crazy run in the Rockies, 4 forest trail races, profiled in 2 magazines...1 woman determined to kick PCOS butt! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Before & Aug 2007 '08: Duathlon and another half?

09-26-2004, 03:59 PM	#36 (permalink)
KateN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 18 Points: 349.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 349.00 Donate	Met weight loss IR diet I am new to this site. Here is my history: History of obesity (all time high 225lbs). Married two years and TTC since then. Dx with PCOS only about 4 mos ago, after dev facial hair, and getting a new dr (a very good OB/GYN who deals with infertility). Immediately went on low carb diet - south beach phase 1 - and lost 10 pounds in two weeks. Fell off the diet, but remained lower carb. The test results were "amazing" as the diet and exercise virutally fixed my imbalance between androgens and estrogen. Due to allergies, started experimenting with a wheat free diet about two weeks ago. I immediately started losing weight (about 2 lbs per week). It is lower in carb, but not too low. I can still have potatoes, corn, oats. I avg about 120-140g of carb a day. But I was hungry all the time. In the meantime, the OB rec metformin (which we had avoided so far) because my cycles are irregular. I started earlier this week, and my hunger is gone! My only negative side effect is a slightly irregular feeling in my head (not amounting to dizziness). Decreased appetite is a plus. And I started at 1500mg a day. I am down to 210 pounds, so I still have a ways to go. But I finally feel like I have some control over my weight problem. Before, I would lose a little and then gain it back after a high carb meal (no matter how much exercise I did). And in fact this did happen the other night when I had a 90g carb meal (I gained over 2 pounds overnight!). So, now that I know the key, I can work with it. I realize now that all of the processed stuff is the cupboard is not for me. What I need is the protein in the freezer, and of course fruits and veggies. I have ordered the IR book and cannot wait to start. I have already started combining protein with carbs (for ex, low fat yogurt has both). My cravings for carbs come an go but are no longer a constant in my life. So, if you have a hard time cutting carbs, try cutting out the wheat - that includes most breads (the wheat free ones are like bricks), flour tortillas, most crackers, most cookies, etc. Rice, esp brown, is ok. Potatoes are OK in moderation. Count your carbs and keep them down. Always combine them with protein. And exercise moderately everyday. It's working for me and good news, I am ovulating today! Take care, Kate

10-26-2004, 08:02 PM	#37 (permalink)
oreosmama Christian Cyster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 40 Points: 200.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 200.00 Donate	I hadn't posted to this thread in a while so I wanted to give an update. I am currently taking 1500mg metformin and have been for almost 6 months now. I had my first non-clomid, non-bc pills AF this past week! I am not sure what this means or if this will continue but what it does tell me is that the met is working for me. Oreosmama __________________ Monica DX PCOS 1998 DX IR 1999 1500 mg Metformin Synthroid 160**155150G145*140**OAL

05-15-2004, 03:31 AM	#32 (permalink)
HeartlessAngel Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Posts: 3 Points: 287.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 287.00 Donate	I was just diagonosed with hyperinsulimenia and I am going to be going on Metformin (now I know what it is!). I will definitely let you all know what happens with me with the Metformin and hopefully it'll work. I went from a size 8/10 to a 22/24 in the past 2 and a half years. My husband and I have been trying to having a baby but no luck, that is how I found out I have PCOS. Thank you for such wonderful information. I think I will be picking up the Insulin Resistance Diet book to see how I can fit that in with my lifestyle! ~Katelyn

07-25-2004, 12:41 PM	#34 (permalink)
luchu Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 6 Points: 43.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 43.00 Donate	hi..you have all been very informative thank you! my problem is...my doctor...the only thing he told me when i asked if i should be changing my diet in any way is that i had to eat low fat..my cholesterol was up a bit. he never said anything about eating less sugar or low carbs or anything other than low fat. i am 140 lbs and 5'4". the metformin made me very nauseated in the beginning but now i am fine. i only had one bad experience with it, i ate choc cake and onion rings then took my pill at suppertime...i thought i would die. i was bloated like a 9 month preg woman and in extreme pain, then the dreaded diarrhea kicked in. now i take one pill in the morning and 2 pills at night but i dont take it with supper i switched to before bedtime after the bad experience. my body does crave sweets a lot and i try to resist. i started taking met on may 12 so i suppose it is too soon for a miracle but last cycle did lessen down to day 31 and i felt ovary action before normal ovulation time. again this cycle(day 9 right now), i am feeling an odd twinge in my right side so not sure if that is a sign of impending ovulation or cysts again, time will tell i guess. i am starting to ramble so that is enough for now. thank you again

10-31-2004, 07:21 PM	#38 (permalink)
Chamonre Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 3 Points: 64.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 64.00 Donate	Luchu, I read that you metioned something about a twinge in your right side. For the past 3-4 months I have been suffering from pain in my right side I thought it might me my liver or maybe goldbladder. I have been for a lot off bloodtests, exrays ext and the surgeon told me he cant find anything wrong with me exept for a slight thickening off my goldbladder linning but it wont cause the pain. I was wondering if you could tell me has such a pain have anything to do with pcos? Please it will help me to stop worrying about this pain. Thanks!

11-01-2004, 12:46 AM	#39 (permalink)
KateN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 18 Points: 349.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 349.00 Donate	I have had intermittent pain on my lower right side for almost 20 years. When I was 18, they worked me up for an appendicitis (which was neg). I think that I have pain when I am ovulating on that side. I think it is because the ovary is cystic or because it is pinned. Pinned means it is placed up and to one side, possibly by scar tissue. I have an an untrasound which came back normal, but the tech said my right ovary was way up and away from the uterus. I am having an HSG next, but it may not show anything, according to my OB. But you would think when they shoot the dye and look at the screen, you can see that the ovary is pinned. I will let you know after the procedure which is still being approved. I dont think pinning affects fertility because the ovary and fallopian tubes should still be together, and that's all that matters. Being cystic can affect fertility though. So, you may want to see a gyn spec. Take care, Kate

12-16-2004, 01:47 PM	#40 (permalink)
LKPNYC Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 12 Points: 116.50 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 116.50 Donate	sweets I have been on metformin for almost six months. I lost a lot of weight right away (12 pounds.. not a lot for some, but after 3 years of only GAINING I am thrilled) and have plateaued... but I have not yet upped my workouts.. am focusing on good eating habits and metformin as I get adjusted to a new job. Anyway, I have to say that you may just have to wait for the Met to kick in before the sweet cravings get weaker. I, too, could eat a whole bag of salt and vinegar potato chips. Now, I'm indifferent. I have two pints of Haagen Dazs that have survived for about two months in my freezer.. they never lasted that long before Met!!! Hang in there... I used to CRAAAAVE sweets.. no matter how full I was after a meal. These days, it really is take it or leave it!! LKPNYC

12-23-2004, 10:56 PM	#41 (permalink)
LookingForHope16 Mod of Teen Section! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,350 My Mood: Points: 23,327.82 Bank: 30,739.69 Total Points: 54,067.51 Donate	I have a question!!!! I am only 16 and can't get a doctor to even acknowldge that I have PCOS. Some of the OBGYN's are like what's that... OMG. So what if you get on Met. Are you on it for life? __________________ Erika Leigh - Teen Mod To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Erika Loves Amanda To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-24-2004, 12:11 PM	#42 (permalink)
LKPNYC Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 12 Points: 116.50 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 116.50 Donate	met for life? I think it is different for everyone re; Met. Some women have reached their goal weight and been able to stay there on their own, finding it easy to maintain a healthy weight once the PCOS symptoms have subsided. I have also talked to other women who say this is a life choice for them. I put off taking Met for years because I don't like taking medication. But my boyfriend helped me see it differently... if I had a problem with my heart, would I avoid taking THAT medication? And since PCOS can lead to heart troubles down the road, his analogy was not that far off! I have been on it for six months now, lost 15 pounds (amazing for me after YEARS of only gaining, no matter how much i worked out) and plan to stick with it as long as necessary. As far as doctors not recognizing PCOS, I have been THERE too.. I can't tell you how many times IIII had to tell my DOCTOR what it was! See if you can get to an endocrinologist.. that's where I found good, sound, HELPFUL advice. Best wishes! LKP in NYC

12-24-2004, 02:32 PM	#43 (permalink)
LookingForHope16 Mod of Teen Section! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,350 My Mood: Points: 23,327.82 Bank: 30,739.69 Total Points: 54,067.51 Donate	Thanks!! __________________ Erika Leigh - Teen Mod To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Erika Loves Amanda To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-09-2005, 12:15 PM	#44 (permalink)
wubby1963 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 24 Points: 624.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 624.00 Donate	Hi for some reason I am confused about fasting insulin levels would any body have a chart that I can understand . I was found to have insulin resistance after a fasting test of 18 Suzie

03-04-2005, 01:15 PM	#45 (permalink)
oreosmama Christian Cyster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 40 Points: 200.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 200.00 Donate	Hello from Texas. I am taking 1500mg of Metformin now for about 6 months. My gyn does not want to up my doseage because he said I am not overweight and shouldn't need more than 1500 at my size. when I feel that 1750 might be of greater help than the low dose of 1500mg. This doseage is like candy to me, no side effects. I still do not have periods without a progesterone shot or provera. I am 5'7" and weigh about 147#'s. I am down from about 155#'s in the latter part of last year. I have graduated college and now teach school and don't sit on my rear end anymore. I am exercizing about 4 times a day on our Cybex ArcTrainer. My hubby got us a ArcTrainer for our home gym. I love it! What do you think about me not having periods on 1500mg of metformin? Don't you think my Gyn should up my dose? Should I find a new doctor??? Oreosmama __________________ Monica DX PCOS 1998 DX IR 1999 1500 mg Metformin Synthroid 160**155150G145*140**OAL

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