Metformin-related PCOS symptoms

Hamble · 09-29-2005, 05:19 PM

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone is currently or has previously suffered with the following symptons when taking Metformin:

TATT (tired all the time)
Lack of appetite
No libido
Feeling miserable/down most of the time

Mind you I know that when I was first diagnosed with PCOS over 18 months ago I also suffered with some of these symptoms, although not all at once, which I do now.

Thoughts? I really want to turn my life around!

Cyster Sam · 09-29-2005, 07:03 PM

When I first started taking the Met I certainly suffered from tiredness and lack of appetite but after a while they went away. As for the other two, I certainly do suffer from time to time but I don't think they are anything to do with the Met.

Sam

parkejm · 10-05-2005, 06:35 AM

I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now and I have felt inordinately tired all the time. I can have a full 8 or 9 hours sleep and then potter about for an hour or so and fell like going straight back to bed. My appetite did diminish but it's on it's way back now that my nausea has subsided.

Janice

Eva37 · 10-05-2005, 09:35 AM

Hi

I also was soooooooo tired when I started the met. Would go to bed really early. My appetite wasnt much , either. But now I've settled down to 'my normal'

Eva

scottishlady · 10-06-2005, 09:48 AM

I had no appetite when I first went on Metformin, but it settled down and now I'm eating the same as everyone else (instead of eatting once every couple of days cos I had no appetite). Have you noticed any plus sides to taking Metformin? ie better skin/weight loss????

I still get down sometimes and have a loss of libido, but I think that I just go through those phases regardless of PCOS or Metformin...but that may not be the case for you. I don't know if Metformin works for everyone (but then I'm no doctor!!!)

Hamble · 10-06-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottishlady

I had no appetite when I first went on Metformin, but it settled down and now I'm eating the same as everyone else (instead of eatting once every couple of days cos I had no appetite). Have you noticed any plus sides to taking Metformin? ie better skin/weight loss????

I still get down sometimes and have a loss of libido, but I think that I just go through those phases regardless of PCOS or Metformin...but that may not be the case for you. I don't know if Metformin works for everyone (but then I'm no doctor!!!)

Hello

I was prescribed a six month course of Metformin for the first time over a year ago. I lost nearly 2 stones in weight because I just did not eat a great deal because I felt so sick. My skin did improve on my face but not on my body.

I have been prescribed Met again by my GP recently and yet again have no appetite as before etc etc. I am really keen to explore alternative therapies as I am not comfortable with "popping pills" in my search for a solution, although I am trying to get referred to an endocrinlogist.

Has anyone successfully tried any specific alternative therapies such as homeopathy or acupuncture to treat their PCOS?

paddy · 10-09-2005, 07:20 PM

Hi there

I just wanted to say stick it out with the met for a while more. It was my miracle drug. Having said that I also changed to a low-carb diet and went to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. I felt great after a little while.

No advice really on the alternative therapies. I don't like pill popping either, but what I've read about what met actually does (addresses the root cause of the problem, if you're insulin resistant, and not just masking the symptoms like some other treatment options do) convinced me to give it a go. Best decision I've made when it comes to PCOS.

Paddy

JenStoutNumber2 · 10-12-2005, 05:27 PM

I have been on met for just over two months now and my libido is terrible. I am also on Dianette as well so I think that may be part of the cause. I also have noticed the decrease in appetite. I have lost a half stone in the two months so that is one benefit. I have also noticed my facial hair becoming less coarse and dark.

Cyster Sam · 10-15-2005, 01:04 PM

Jen - I too have taken both Dianette and Metformin (but not together). For me the Met was responsible for getting me O'ing again and also reduced my appetite so helped me loose weight. But I credit Dianette with helping with the hair but unfortunately also the reduced libido (so a no win situation there).

Good luck.

Sam

scottishlady · 10-20-2005, 10:48 AM

Oh the joys of Dianette, I totally lost my libido when I was on that. Came off it, and woah!!!!

squidge63 · 10-23-2005, 01:18 PM

Have been on Metformin since 2000, I never really associated it with making me tired as I am on tablets which make me tired anyway, so if the Met does I wouldnt have noticed. I used to be on 4 a day but for a year or so they really mucked up my system (wonderful weightloss as I couldn't be too far from a bathroom), and gave me chronic nausea as well. When I was told to reduce the Met my sugars went awry so was put on Gliclazide as well. Then went onto 2 insulin injections a day plus 2 Met, and am now on 4 injections a day and 2 Met. I have been having nausea problems for over a year now and have tried stopping the Met, but that just put my sugars up. The Met works by making your insulin receptors more sensitive to the insulin, and I was having to increase my insulin a lot, so went back on the 2 Met. I still had the nausea off the Met, so I tried stopping the Spironolactone (cannot stand the taste of that tablet) and the hair issue doesnt bother me, but again it only minimally stopped the nausea. Have gone back on the Spiro as my feet and ankles were swelling up badly, and my whole body felt bloated and like a whale.

Hamble · 10-27-2005, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidge63

Have been on Metformin since 2000, I never really associated it with making me tired as I am on tablets which make me tired anyway, so if the Met does I wouldnt have noticed. I used to be on 4 a day but for a year or so they really mucked up my system (wonderful weightloss as I couldn't be too far from a bathroom), and gave me chronic nausea as well. When I was told to reduce the Met my sugars went awry so was put on Gliclazide as well. Then went onto 2 insulin injections a day plus 2 Met, and am now on 4 injections a day and 2 Met. I have been having nausea problems for over a year now and have tried stopping the Met, but that just put my sugars up. The Met works by making your insulin receptors more sensitive to the insulin, and I was having to increase my insulin a lot, so went back on the 2 Met. I still had the nausea off the Met, so I tried stopping the Spironolactone (cannot stand the taste of that tablet) and the hair issue doesnt bother me, but again it only minimally stopped the nausea. Have gone back on the Spiro as my feet and ankles were swelling up badly, and my whole body felt bloated and like a whale.

Thanks for all your replies.

Thought you might like to know that my GP has now prescibed me the slow release Metformin tablets, and my nausea & tiredness has lessened considerably - hooray!

cazza77 · 10-27-2005, 06:55 AM

I'm off Metformin now because ttc and my GP has said she will give me slow release when i go back on because of the side effects. I as taking with xenical and had no side effects but it just didn't work, on its own i'm sick and tired, bad stomachs and generally feel like i have been hit by a bus!

GP says slow release is a lot better for these symptoms

squidge63 · 10-28-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamble

Thanks for all your replies.

Thought you might like to know that my GP has now prescibed me the slow release Metformin tablets, and my nausea & tiredness has lessened considerably - hooray!

Good to hear that the nausea and tiredness have lessened.. I have sort of got used to feeling sick now, but take meds for it which help. I have a feeling it is the Spiro that is causing it. When I saw my GP about the ankle and foot swelling she said that the Spiro was the best for reduction of swelling, and I do feel better in that respect. I am taking one every other day as I hate the taste of them..lol

I also live in Surrey..

leocat · 10-29-2005, 04:18 PM

I have been taking the progesterone pills for 3 months, having a 7 day break between each month and having a period. I went back to the docs today and she was pleased but said I cannot take them forever , she has now perscribed me dianette, which everyone knows will help with some of the symptoms of PCOS. I explained that I have taken it before and it did give me terrible moods swings, I said I would give it another go though. She asked me to come back to her in 2 months and she is going to talk to me about going on metformin as this will help with the insulin resistance and stuff. So I will see how it goes on the diannette.

this thread is really helpful cos I feel abit confused about what Metformin does! I have looked it up on other threads but it seems confusing.

As for libido, four months ago I finally came off antidepressants. I was on them for two years. My sex drive has completely gone and hasn't really come back.I am very lucky as my boyfriend is very understanding, and considering we have only been together a year and a bit we hardly ever have sex , this is supposed to be when we are all over each other.