Metformin Side Effects Being Triggered by Thinking about Vegan Foods?

lightpollution · 07-23-2009, 12:46 AM

I am vegan, and I have PCOS, which causes a great deal of conflict since vegan diets are predominantly carbohydrates. As long as I stick to eating mostly vegetables and whole grains (I don't like beans or soy substitutes), I don't experience any nausea, diarrhea or stomach cramps, but that changed after I went on a fruit/pancake/cereal binge for two weeks after losing my job. I've never felt so sick in my life! And the worst part is I can't bring myself to eat any of the foods I'm supposed to. Just thinking about whole grain vegan pizza or whole grain pasta and tomato sauce makes me want to vomit. Even thinking about non-vegan foods that I used to drool over, like cheesecake, makes want to vomit. All I've been able to stomach for the last few days is Mountain Dew Code Red and cherries, both of which make the side effects worse. I can't be the only soul cyster who has/is going through this! If any of you have suggestions as far as how to get back my old eating habits I'd really appreciate it. If it helps, here is a list of all the medications I'm taking. I don't take a multi-vitamin because I haven't found one yet that doesn't make me throw up.

Metformin, 2000 mg/day
Ocella (generic for Yasmin)
Buproprin XL (generic for Wellbutrin XL), 150 mg/day
Spironolactone, 50mg/day

Thank you thank you thank you :O!!!

kapuakea · 07-23-2009, 04:03 AM

hey cys!
I'm vegan too! I am not on metformin but my doctor suggested the possibility during my last visit though.

Have you considered adopting a high raw diet? I've been doing high raw / vegan without consuming ANY carbs, refined sugar or bad stuff. I make raw flax crackers and desserts using nuts. Sounds very granola but they are all actually SUPER good and nutritious!

cookbooks by ani phyo are amazing. She really makes raw cooking a simple breeze. All you really need is a food processor and a bunch of nuts. If you get really into it, you can get a dehydrator to make your own breads and crackers too. really yummy stuff. I don't miss carbs at all

koagem · 07-25-2009, 10:00 PM

I recommend going to www.pcrm.org - they have an eat healthy online club with videos, and dr. barnard has a book specifically advocating a vegan diet for diabetics which has lots of diet info for blood sugar management for vegans. The online resources are free and geared towards people with blood sugar and insulin issues.

I must confess, I've been ovo-lacto vegetarian for 10 years (and actually just started eating fish because my doctor pretty much demanded I increase omega 3s substantially and immediately).

I would think nuts and nut butters would help, and even though you don't like soy meat substitutes, what about a low-sugar protein shake? There's a company (I think called Vega, I could check if you are interested) that makes a lot of vegan health shakes.

Anything high fiber should help decrease sugar spikes as well.

spraklepea · 07-27-2009, 03:44 AM

I'm omni, but eat and cook vegan a lot of the time. Plain vegetables are really appealing to me since starting met a few days ago. Sadly, the homemade vegan blueberry ice cream in my freezer doesn't interest me at all. I've been mainly subsisting on diet coke, orange juice and rice krispies.

I hope you find some foods that work for you. Good luck!