Met alternatives

Felix · 05-12-2003, 10:34 AM

Does anyone know if there are any alternatives to Met?

I was put on Met (original version not XR) by my doc but had to come off it due to the side effects - sickness and stomach cramps. Would Met XR or anything else help with the weight issue? I am becoming desperate to make some progress with the whole PCOS thing!

Thanks,

Felix

christyz · 05-12-2003, 06:39 PM

The only approved alternative to Met was a drug that was recalled due to the discovery of long term problems. You are welcome to try the alternative remedies forum and see what natural things they suggest. Exercise also lowers your free androgen and isulin levels if done at least 4 times per week.

How long were you on Met?

Felix · 05-13-2003, 01:52 AM

Christy,

Thanks for that. I was on Met for three months but could not handle the side effects.

Would Met XR be an idea? I am not sure if the XR factor would reduce the sickness.

I exercise like a demon and do the low carb thing but am not getting the results.

Thanks again,

Felix

christyz · 05-13-2003, 01:18 PM

First of all GOOD FOR YOU on the exercise! There is a huge link between insulin levels and exercise, so KUDOS to you for making that connection and not just waiting for the met to do that work! You'll see better results for it.

Quote:

Would Met XR be an idea? I am not sure if the XR factor would reduce the sickness.

I am only slightly familiar with XR since it isn't available here in Canada, but as far as i am aware, the XR side effects are the same as regular Gluc. The XR is just extended release so it can be taken once daily instead of 3 times on regular glucophage. Maybe those that are on it can talk about the relative side effects, but as far as I am aware, the XR won't change the side effects you are suffering from.

Quote:

I exercise like a demon and do the low carb thing but am not getting the results.

Well, 3 months is still a metformin newbie. if you read my sticky above cal;ed "Is Met Working For ME", you'll see that it takes 3 to 6 to start seeing labs drop, and for me peronally it was over a year before they dropped in any significant fashion. Hang in there...your hormones took time to get whacked out, and it takes time to get them regulated again.

Good Luck!

NishaG · 05-13-2003, 07:36 PM

Actually, I'm on Actos. There are others on this board that use Actos or Avandia. Try doing a search for either medication.

Neither Met nor Gluc XR helped me have AF or ovulate, they made me very tired, and just about killed my sex drive. Not to mention the GI problems!

But since I've been on Actos, I've had none of those problems, and I only have to take it once a day!

Another "side effect" of these medications is that they can cause ovulation to happen in women who don't ovulate!

Let me know if you need more information,

christyz · 05-13-2003, 08:45 PM

Just to clarify, that Avandia is the same drug class as Rezulin (the withdrawn drug for liver toxicity that I referred to in my first post). My mistake omitting Actos...sorry about that.

NishaG · 05-13-2003, 10:55 PM

from diabetesnet.com:

The drugs in this group, Avandia and Actos, reverse insulin resistance by improving sensitivity of insulin receptors in muscle, liver and fat cells. They improve sensitivity partly by reducing levels of inflammatory particles like tumor necrosis factor alpha and PPAR gamma. They also help keep the liver from overproducing glucose. They have been shown to lower blood sugar levels about 15% while at the same time lowering insulin levels by 20%. These drugs have some effect on cholesterol levels, either varied or slightly beneficial. Blood pressure and triglyceride levels are also lowered, while HDL levels are raised.

Because they work on insulin resistance, they have their greatest effect on the blood glucose after eating rather than the blood glucose upon waking. These drugs are better absorbed when taken with a meal. They don't cause hypoglycemia when used alone, but if used in combination with a sulfonylurea, Prandin or insulin, low blood sugars may occur. Less insulin is required to control blood sugars when Avandia or Actos is used, so doses of other drugs, like a sulfonylurea, prandin, or insulin may need to be reduced. Avandia is not approved for use with insulin because of concern for higher risk of heart disease.

Avandia and Actos may produce side effects, such as water retention and swelling of the ankles, especially in older people. Other possible side effects include weight gain, muscle weakness, and fatigue. When they improve insulin resistance, they may also improve fertility in younger women with polycystic ovary disease and result in an undesired pregnancy. Although they have not been shown to cause liver damage, the FDA requires that liver testing be done before starting treatment, every two months for the first year and periodically thereafter. If the specific liver test called ALT rises more than three times the upper limit of normal, the drug must be stopped.

Rezulin was the first of this group of drugs to come on the market, but it has been taken off because it caused an excess number of deaths due to liver damage. Fortunately, no serious liver damage has been seen with Actos or Avandia which became available in the U.S. in 1999. Avandia has been approved for use with metformin or sulfonylureas, while Actos can be used with insulin, metformin or sulfonylureas.

The glitazones work well only when Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. The presence of excess abdominal weight, low HDL, high triglycerides, or high blood pressure are good indicators that glitazones may work.

You may also want to look into AvandaMet, a combination of Avandia and Metformin.

Felix · 05-14-2003, 04:35 AM

Nisha and Christy,

Thanks so much for your info on this issue.

Nisha, can you tell me if you have lost weight on Actos? I was interested to read that one of the possible side-effects is weight gain.

Thanks again,

Felix

christyz · 05-14-2003, 12:30 PM

Felix...the weight gain may be due to the water retention they discussed. Either way, gaining weight is a sure sign that your insulin resistance is not improving, because weight and insulin resistance have a DIRECT relatioship. So i'm interested in hearing more.

The water retention also worries me since excess automatically means an increase in blood pressure. Excessive amounts of water puts pressure on the blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure which women with PCOS don't need, since they often already have high BP's.

NishaG · 05-14-2003, 03:19 PM

Actually, I haven't gained any weight. Water retention happens only in some patients.

I've been doing alot of walking, but, since the scale is not my friend, I haven't weighed myself lately. But, I think I may have lost around 5 pounds.

However, I've only been taking Actos for about 6 weeks.

christyz · 05-14-2003, 03:23 PM

Way to walk, Nisha!

Do you know if Doctors put women who do retain water on Actos on a diuretic to ease it? Just curious.