newly diagnosed thin cyster-afraid to start metformin!

abw1401 · 08-05-2009, 03:56 AM

Hi-wondering if anyone has advice for me...I was just diagnosed with PCOS after an ultrasound and review of symptoms. I'm having a tough time adjusting to this - especially after noticing the facial hair I'm developing.

Haven't had a period in 6 months (came off BC 8 months ago). Anyhow, I'm fairly thin - 5'5 and 115 lbs and eat healthy (but def NOT low carb) and exercise regularly. My doc prescribed Provera to start my period and then metformin to help get me to ovulate. I've been researching Met online and saw horror story after horror story! Can I avoid taking this by eating low carb? Something else-maybe another medication? The thought of vomiting/diarrhea and never being able to enjoy alcohol or sweets without getting sick has me terrified!

My hubby and I would like to get pregnant so it's worth sacrifice...but I'm wondering if there is something else I should try first. Any advice??

Binxsmommy · 08-05-2009, 10:45 AM

First off metformin reacts differently in everyone, most likely you were reading the horror stories because most people only share the horror stories

they neglect the "good stories".

My guess is that your dr. put you on fairly low does to begin with (500? 2x a day?) By rights the lower the does the less side effects you should have.

Can you try low carb instead? Yes, you can! However, I would think that low carbing would take longer to see positive effects then metformin would.

The good news is once your body is use to the metformin you won't experience such intense side effects (if you personally expeirence any at all). I eat sweets, and drink alcohol (on rare occasion). I have never vomited from met but I have experienced diarhea (sp?).

Good luck I hope whatever you and hubby decide it's a short stint to your BFP!

** FYI- if you search on the 'net I'm sure you will find horror stories about tylenol also

Eva37 · 08-05-2009, 11:51 AM

welcome to sc

i was nerveous to start met, too. But i find that as long as i avoid greasy/fatty/sugar food as much as poss, and always eat with the met i am ok with it. here is a link to the met section for you

http://www.soulcysters.net/metformin/

distah · 08-05-2009, 03:11 PM

I had similar fears when I first was put on Metformin a year ago.

My dr started me on 500mg/day and we slowly worked up to 2000mg/day over the course of 2 months. I did not have the horrible sideeffects I was expecting, but I did have slight nausea consistently for the first few months. Other than a few episodes of diarrhea I have been ok.

So in terms of the benefit of the drug, the sideeffects were manageable for me.

abw1401 · 08-05-2009, 09:50 PM

I really appreciate your replies!

I feel MUCH better about starting the medicine now. And good point about how people only share horror stories most of the time. My doc said to start with 1 500 mg per day for a week, up to 2 500 mgs per day in week 2, and 3 in week 3 onwards. I was even considering cutting them in half and doing just 250 a day for the first week! I think now I will stick to the doctor's orders.

Good to know that not everyone has had to suffer awful side effects with this med! I'll check out the other link too.

Thanks!!

A1989 · 08-05-2009, 10:05 PM

Good Luck!

Goose00 · 08-06-2009, 12:01 AM

I too read about Met's side affects and was so nervous that I delayed starting it for about a month. Turns out that I worried for nothing. I had some minor diarrhea for the first day or two and then I was completely fine. Even when I increased the dosage I did fine. Yes, some people have a hard time tolerating it, but some people don't. You won't know where you stand until you try it. Even if you do get sick, my Dr. said that most people find the side effects subside within two weeks. So any discomfort will probably be only short term anyway!

LivebyGrace · 08-06-2009, 09:57 AM

Welcome to SC, abw! This is great place to come and see how others are handling the PCOS journey. And the girls here are so supportive.

As for metformin, I've been on it since May and aside from a little bit of an upset stomach for a little bit after starting a new dose, I haven't had any problems. In fact, I went from 60+ day cycles to a 38 day cycle last cycle. And both cycles I've had since being on metformin, I've ovulated! I'm in my two week wait for this cycle now. Hoping that we caught that egg! That's my experience with metformin. It has been well worth the upset tummy.

Hope metformin works for you!

GeorgiaRN · 08-06-2009, 02:04 PM

I'm a new cyster too - diagnosed in June. I'm 5'5 and hover between 115-120lbs. They started me on metformin with the goal of taking 1500 mg/day. I did experience some diarrhea in the beginning and when I increased the dose. I started with 500mg daily the first week and started by taking it after dinner. I figured this way I would at least be at home if something happened

The second week I bumped up to 1000mg daily and took it with lunch and dinner. I had a little more diarrhea, but just kept Immodium on hand which helped a lot. They wanted me to bump up to 1500mg the third week, but I decided to stick with the 1000mg for a month to give my body some time to adjust. I had read the side effects lessened over time and they really did! I just started 1500mg three days ago and they only thing I have experienced is one episode of vomitting.
I have realized that there are certain foods that seem to trigger side effects, like pizza. Probably shouldn't be eating that anyway! As far as alcohol, I love red wine, and still have a glass or two a few times a week with no problems. I've read that the problem with alcohol is that it can cause hypoglycemia - so I would imagine, as with everything, moderation.
I know it sounds terrifying - I had mental images of being in the grocery store and running to find a bathroom - but it is not that bad. If you need to, just take it slow, and give yourself time to adjust. I hope this helps!

Wanabebe · 08-06-2009, 10:50 PM

I started MET this week. I'm 5'10 and normal weight. Side effects were troublesome for me because I had painful gas. I cut my pill in half starting Monday because the thought of stinking up the office was too unsettling. My biggest fear is hypoglycemia. I love chocolate and my occasional glass of wine or junk food. I am so confused. I have sucky doctors and don't know if I should just stop taking it and eat healthier to see if I can ovulate naturally, or stick it through for a couple more weeks.

I'll have to think this one through and make my decision tonight since that's when my pill must be taken.

Thanks for sharing!

Melly78 · 08-07-2009, 12:27 AM

I just started Met 3 weeks ago and am already up to 1500mg. I've tolerated it very well. No diarrhea, but definitely a lil gassy! I haven't been nauseated either, and I'm usually real sensitive to medications. Even Provera upsets my stomach, so I think it really varies from one person to another. I'm so excited to see if this will help me ovulate and/or get periods on my own!

abw1401 · 08-07-2009, 02:28 AM

Georgia-you are tougher than me! If it made me vomit I would stop right then and there! Wanabebe and Melly-thanks for the gas warning.

I used to share a cube at work but finally got my own-luckily just in time for me and my old cube-mate, huh? Fingers crossed that gas is the worst I get!

I just took my first 500mg pill tonight! I took it halfway through my meal and ate a veggie soup with tofu and just a few noodles...trying to get protein and stick to low carb meals to lower the chance of negative side effects. I will let you all know how it goes! Good luck to all.

GeorgiaRN · 08-07-2009, 08:57 AM

abw - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you today after your metformin last night. I'm sure you'll be fine and it will get easier every day. My husband and I want a baby, too, and I think putting up with a few side effects in the beginning will be worth it in the end! Maybe one day I will be able to use and ovulation kit and something shows up

abw1401 · 08-10-2009, 04:32 AM

So far, so good! Have taken 4 doses now and nothing too bad. I did feel a bit sluggish and tired today (after 3 bites of lowfat frozen yogurt..hmmm..) but that's been the worst of it. I am thinking about starting up on apple cider vinegar before meals and B supplements too. But taking it one step at a time.

Hoping my cycles improve like some of yours have! LivebyGrace-did you get your bfp?? And Wanabebe-did you decide to stay on Met? If you all check this thread again, I'd love to hear an update.

redsoxfan · 08-10-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abw1401

Hi-wondering if anyone has advice for me...I was just diagnosed with PCOS after an ultrasound and review of symptoms. I'm having a tough time adjusting to this - especially after noticing the facial hair I'm developing.

Haven't had a period in 6 months (came off BC 8 months ago). Anyhow, I'm fairly thin - 5'5 and 115 lbs and eat healthy (but def NOT low carb) and exercise regularly. My doc prescribed Provera to start my period and then metformin to help get me to ovulate. I've been researching Met online and saw horror story after horror story! Can I avoid taking this by eating low carb? Something else-maybe another medication? The thought of vomiting/diarrhea and never being able to enjoy alcohol or sweets without getting sick has me terrified!

My hubby and I would like to get pregnant so it's worth sacrifice...but I'm wondering if there is something else I should try first. Any advice??

Don't be afraid to start met. I started it three days ago, and so far I really don't have any side effects. I was worred too because i have a very sensitive stomach and ususally everything upsets it.