Newly prescribed- scared- please help!

sweetlainie · 08-12-2002, 12:59 PM

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 months ago, and my doctor gave me some Provera, and it didn't work- I never started af. So she said that Glucophage would probably be the best bet for me, so I started taking 250mg last week, and I felt like total CRAP ever since that first pill. I haven't really had nasea, but I have had SEVERE drowsiness, I feel like I've been beat up all over, I am freezing all the time, and I am having difficulty breathing. I feel like I have a peice of fabric over my face, like I can breathe, but I have to make an effort to do it. I read my info pamphlet and those all look like signs of lactic acidosis so i am terrified! I called my doc and she said that's normal to feel that way at first. But I just don't know...have any of you gotten that?
Also- does everyone with PCOS have high blood sugar? My mom is diabetic and she let me use her machine to read b/s levels and mine are TOTALLY normal...actually a little below normal. So if I am taking Glucophage and my b/s isn't high to begin with, can that hurt me????
Please help me...I am a wreck

amyjo6050 · 08-12-2002, 01:18 PM

I am so sorry that you are feeling like a wreck. When I first started taking the medicine I had a lot of cramping and gas pains. I occasionaly still get them even after a year. It can be both embarassing and frustrating.
Hang in there. If you don't feel like your Dr. is giving you what you want or taking you seriously, keep at it. See another Dr. if necessary. I changed Dr.'s twice until I got someone who was willing to work with me and listen to what I had to say.
Finding this site was a good thing. It has helped me a lot. It helped me feel better mentally to research through here and other places. It is comforting to know you are not alone.
I do not have high b/s either.
I hope you are feeling better real soon.

sweetlainie · 08-13-2002, 12:02 PM

Thanks for responding to me...
I just feel like total crap- that's the best way to describe it. Physically and emotionally. My husband and I are also ttc to top it all off. I have taken Provera, and it hasn't worked...nothing brings on my af. So my doc was hoping that Gluc would help but it is making me so miserable- I'm getting so discouraged. I feel like I am just NEVER going to function properly. Part of me wants to just totally give up, but the other part wants to keep going so that I can at least try to get pregnant. I just feel like I've almost had all I can take- you know?
Thanks for listening

Lainie

Pattyannruss · 08-13-2002, 02:23 PM

HI,

I have high insulin resistance. This is totally diferent than diabieties. If someone has insulin rest. it can lead into diabieties if left untreated. That is where Gluc comes into play.
Gluc is also helpful for SOME with fertility treatment.
It SOMETIMES helps women ovulate. It also helps SOME lose weight. But try to remember we are all diferent and what works on some may not work for you.

Now for your current situation. What kind of pill are you on?
Glucaphage
Glucaphage XR
Metinform

GlucXR is time released, it needs to be taken all at one time,once a day. Some have better luck taking it 1 hr before dinner.
Others with sensitive stomachs need to take it with dinner.
You coould even wait for 2 hrs after dinner.
It can cause drosiness, that is why with the Gluc XR it works better for most. If you are trying to take it in the morning that could be causing your fatigue.

I'm not real familar with the reg Gluc or Met.
So maybe some other cysters will pop in and give you more input.

Some additional information you need to know....
#1- You must drink more water! Or you will get sick from this med.
If you are dealing will extreme fatigue,cramps of any kind
(legs too)Even headaches. it could be caused by dehydration.

#2-Start taking a Calsium/Magnesium suppliment. Believe it or not the calsium can also help regulate your AF and PMS symptoms.(It could be considered a mood stableizer)

#3-The more carbs/sugar you eat, the more potty probs you can have. Plus you will find you will get headaches the next day.(sugar hangover) Balance your carbs with protien.
Be careful of "Low Fat" diets, they actualy have more carbs in them!

Now if you feel you are doing what you should be and the med is still making you feel so bad, you need to dicuss your options with the DR. This IS NOT a miracle drug. Not all people lose weight,not all get PG, But it is a start. If one treatment plan doesn't work for you...Try something diferent! Just don't give up!
Even if you stumble...Pick yourself back up and start again.
We all here at SC are used to do-overs!

Here is a little statment I found at the GLUC web site.......

Glucophage XR is not for everyone. In rare cases, Glucophage XR may cause lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid in the blood), which is serious and can be fatal in half the cases. This occurs mainly in people whose kidneys are not functioning properly. Tell your doctor about your alcohol use because it can affect your risk. You should not take this drug if you: have kidney problems, are 80 or older (unless your kidneys are tested), are taking medication for heart failure, are seriously dehydrated, have a severe infection, or if you have or have had liver disease. The most common side effect is diarrhea.

Let us know if we can help you at anytime!

Happy Hunting,
Patty

sweetlainie · 08-13-2002, 06:55 PM

Thank you so much for your post! I am taking regular Glucophage, 250 mg 2x a day. I know...it's a baby dose! I must have an extremely weak stomach! I am taking it in the morning after breakfast, and evening after dinner. I try to balance my carbs & proteins but i am by NO MEANS on a low-carb diet. I can't do it...I am a TOTAL carbaholic!! I don't go crazy and eat a whole loaf of bread or anything, but i'm pretty bad sometimes. And I definately drink my 8 glasses of water a day. Plus, I work out pretty regularly. So I think i'm doing ok in that area. The reason I worry is because my doctor didn't do ANY tests on my insulin levels or anything with my liver.
The thing that really worried me was my breathing difficulty. It hasnt come back in the last couple days though, thank God.
I have the WORST "potty" sickness right now...It sucks. Hopefully that'll get better. I'll give it a little more time for these symptoms, but if they don't improve or if they get worse I'll have to talk to my doc about something else. I just worry that this med isn't right for me, and i'm doing myself more harm than good. I hope that's not the case. Thanks again for your advice, it is VERY appreciated!

Lainie

Pattyannruss · 08-13-2002, 07:14 PM

Talk to your DR about the Gluc XR, I have been told cysters that had trouble with the reg, had better luck with the XR.

You also need to ask for the Insulin Res test.
This is not the same as a diabieties test.
Make sure your fasting when yu go in for the appt.
If your not IR the Gluc may not do anything for you and that would be a waste and to be miserable for nothing would trully suck. So get tested ok!?

With me I'm enjoying the side effect of Gluc.
It doesn't bother me like others because I have Irritable bowel sydrome in which I'm was constapated most of the time.
This all hit me a yr ago. So when I was put on Gluc XR I was so relieved(literally!

)

Have you tried any of the anti diareal or gas meds?

Hang in there.
Patty

nif · 08-13-2002, 09:51 PM

hey lainie!
I know what you're saying. I too felt REALLY spacey when I started my Met about 10 days ago. Just didn't feel right and to top it off it felt like my allergies were coming back (asthma/chest congestion) and of course those are things on the Rx pamphlet they say you should call your Dr. about. Turns out this is normal in some people. I started cutting my pill in half on Sunday night after feeling like I was going to pass out earlier in the day. So, for the past 2 days I have felt fine. Not going to run a marathon or anything but I feel 98% better. My doc said to start out slow since I was so paranoid about side effects so I'll take 250mg 1x day until I feel like I can move up to 500mg etc.
Hope this helps!
--Nif

sweetlainie · 08-14-2002, 01:40 AM

I will definately ask my doctor about those tests. I go to see her September 3rd to let her know how the Gluc is working for me, and if ive gotten af yet (which i'm sure I won't...i'm on cycle day 115, but whose counting...) and I'll bring the tests up.
I am just sick of feeling like crap. I am so weak feeling, like if you touched me with your finger I'd fall over. I feel like i'm an 85 year old woman, I can't even stay at the gym for longer than 5 minutes without feeling dizzy and having to leave. And just little things like walking up a few stairs takes every ounce of energy I have, and every breath I have. And i'm not out of shape either. I have been working out regularly for about 7 months now- I am 5'4" and am *finally* down to 130lbs. But I can do LESS activity now than I did before I started working out.
I'm on 250mg 2x a day right now and i'm sick as a dog, and I keep reading on here that under 1000mg total per day is a waste- and I dont think i'll ever be able to get that high! (Nor do I want to!) I'll tell ya- this stuff is SCARY. This is one medicine that is not to be messed with!
I have been experiencing the oh-so-lovely diarreah lately, but i'm scared to take anything because mixing medicines is like playing Russian Roulette. Are over the counter meds ok for things like diarreah or upset stomach?
Oh, I also have a gastric ulcer and it really doesnt ever bother me, but since I have started taking Gluc it is KILLING ME. I sit here with a heating pad almost every night because I feel like my ulcer is burning a hole through my stomach. Do any of you have ulcers that are affected by this med??
Anyways....I am just getting extremely impatient with my body. I feel like my reproductive organs have shut down and are totally finished, and i'm only 22! I mean, medicine won't even give me a friggin period!!!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for babbling...sorta nice to vent! My husband is a little bit sick of hearing about it. Ok he's very sick of it. Thanks for listening!

kiwigirl · 08-14-2002, 09:13 PM

Lainie,

I am so sorry to hear about the problems with your medication.
Unfortunately I am very new to the medication for ttc with PCOS, so I can't offer any advice but I will pray that you conceive very soon.

I am waiting for my 2nd bleed on provera to start, then I will be taking 150mg clomid. I sure hope I ov this month.