Just started Metoformin -- weight loss already -- anorectic effect?

BrandNewMe · 01-16-2005, 03:18 PM

Hey everyone - I just started taking Metformin only 4 days ago after I was FINALLY prescribed it to control my IR and PCOS issues.

I know my doctor prescribed it to obviously deal with my INNER body issues, but of course I was anxious to see if the drug would help with weight loss, which is something more tangiblle. And let me tell you - it's been FOUR days and I've already lost 5 lbs and I can already see and feel differences in the size of my body and how I feel. AND this is all happening with me only taking 500MG ONCE everyday with breakfast. I am wondering if the weight will come off even more once I get my dosage up to 1500MG - which is what the doctor ordered.

I have an extreme loss of appetite though. And like many others mentioned, I basically have to force myself to eat. This could be a downside for a lot of people, but for me it's an absolute godsend. I am finally able to be the one in control of the food, not the food in control of me. I was researching for hours online about Met+WeightLoss (that's when I came across this fabulous board that answered SO many of my questions) and I really think, including reading loads of posts on this forum, that the weight loss differs from person to person. I've read posts where people have GAINED. But then I have read posts where people have lost 71 lbs in only a few months. I am just hoping I am on that road to losing that much as well. It seems I am. And with increasing my dosage in only a matter of days, I am optimistic.

I am concerned about ONE thing I read in an article - that said Metformin can have an "anorectic effect" and I looked up anorectic and I understand first and foremost that it means "loss of appetite" but the third suggested definition is "Of or affected with anorexia nervosa." There isn't a chance I could become anorexic (despite how much weight I need to lose at the moment) -- I am ecstatic to be losing weight so quickly - but the linking to anorexia nervosa caught me off gaurd. And with my non-existent appetitie and mild repulsiveness towards food, I am just wondering other people's thoughts.

But at the moment this is working great for me - I feel great and I am seeing results so quickly! Where have you been all my life metforminnn??? <333

CathyWood · 01-16-2005, 10:36 PM

Hi Welcome to SC. I am glad you found us. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

ZoeBear · 01-17-2005, 01:26 PM

HI, Welcome!

Don't worry, the Met will not turn you into an "anorexic" (I wish it did) but it does give you loss of appetite at least at first anyway. I lost 10 pounds pretty fast, but I was also vomitting and diarhea after every meal. It has FINALLY started to slow down and I can eat a little bit better.
Basically you have to expiramnet with what works well for you body. There are certain foods I can't even look at, never mind eat (like salad, and some fruits).
The biggest thing for me is that I tend to get hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and start to shake really bad and am very nauseous. So I try to have something every few hours.

Good luck!