ONCE AND FOR ALL - i want to know your experience with Met/Gluc

kimi1964 · 11-26-2002, 04:16 PM

I am now officially scared to death to start Glucophage. I cannot possibly bear the dizziness, headaches and lethargy on top of violent diarrhea and nausea. SO - I need the help from every one of my cysters who have been on Gluc/Met - even if you had no symptoms.

Please!!!!!!

Gizmo · 11-26-2002, 04:48 PM

OK. My experience. I started on 500mg 2X day. No problems, very quickly went to 1500mg/day, then a few months later to 2000mg/day. I did not find myself running to the bathroom all the time. I really didn't notice many side effects at all unless I ate certain foods. Macaroni and cheese would send me running, for example (which might be a good thing, as it was one of my weaknesses...). Also one time I was at a friends house and I started eating nuts, I must have eaten half a can of nuts... I wasn't feeling too good that night. So, basically, I have found that there are certain foods that trigger the poopies... but overall, side effects have been minimal.

Other than that... I was pretty much on BCPs my first year of glucophage, so I don't know what it did as far as my periods. But my hair loss stopped, and when I went off the pill, I had an (ovulatory!) period the very next month, which never happened before (usually when I went off the pill it would be many months before I saw a period.) Also I lost about 20 pounds - previously, no amount of exercise or diet made my weight budge. It was very frustrating. As of May of this year, I was having periods every month. Granted, they were 5-6 weeks apart, not regular... but this was serious progress for me. But then I switched to generic meds and wthere it was that switch or just the meds stopped working... I don't know, it's been downhill since then. I am back on the name brand stuff, hoping for the best.

Overall, I would say the few side effects I had were WORTH it. I will gladly take an hour on the toilet now and then in exchange for a monthly period. However, it is true that some womjen have untolerable side effects. You'll never know till youy try. Best advice is to start gradually and work up slowly, and pay close attention to what sends you running.

hampshire hog · 11-26-2002, 05:24 PM

looks like im the only one so far to vote no side effects!

i started in january, and only twice had a bout of running to the loo....that was it for me, lucky i guess...concieved 6 months later

gina

VitaBella · 11-26-2002, 05:35 PM

I also had no side effects - not a one.

I have had a little weight loss, but it could have been more if I'd worked harder and watched what I ate a little more.

I also got pregnant after being on Gluc for just over a month, but unfortunately lost that baby to miscarriage.

Now I have clear skin, monthly periods (two months in a row and counting!), a sex drive, and just generally feel better.

It's been a great choice for me.

geloria · 11-26-2002, 06:09 PM

I just started taking metformin 9 days ago. Went straight to 2X850mg a day, one after breakfast, and one after dinner. Bloatedness first couple of days, runs to the toilet only twice first day. First few days tired, but otherwise it has been bearable, and no major side effects. I haven't been on any special diets either.
Have you told your RE about your side effects? How long have you been on it? and what dosage?

Me 33, dh 37
1st miscarriage Oct2001
2nd miscarriage June 2002
Started met Nov 2002
TTC almost 2 yrs

DCKIA · 11-26-2002, 06:16 PM

I have been on it for about two weeks and the first week I was taking 500mg a day. I had the runs all week. I never ate because I was so tired of going to the bathroom everytime I stuck something in my mouth. This week I have been on 1000mg a day and the side effects seem to be letting up. I still go to the bathroom more then before but I dont get the bad stomach cramps and the runs. But since I have been on 1000mg I have noticed that I stay very tired. Hopefully that will let up too. Im going to stick in there.

Bee · 11-26-2002, 07:49 PM

When I first started Met, I had diarreah for 4 days, but not like the diarreah you've read about. It was mostly gas, but 1 only went like 1 or 2 times a day, not all day long.

After 4 days, I felt fine, never had any nauseas or headaches. Actually I feel worse if I don't take Met!

I actually found that when I eat out, I get diarreah. But that is ok because I've been constipated on Met ever since! LOL

Don't be afraid. If it gets too bad, you can always decrease your dose. I'm on 1500mg of Met.

HTH! Good luck!

Bee

Mera · 11-26-2002, 11:55 PM

I've been on it for 4 years, and although I still get side-effects from time to time, Met is totally worth it. I feel better, I look better, and I'm a whole new person. Now I just hope it helps me get pg!

StaciM · 11-27-2002, 04:15 AM

I've been on it since July 2001 and have been reaping the benefits of it since! For the first few months I had really bad diarrhea, tummy pains and nausea. There was NO WAY I was going to quit taking it though. I figured that if I was having side effects then that meant it was working for me. I had to learn different tricks to help me with the diarrhea and still have to remember them now.

I don't think you are going to get any definitive answers about Glucophage but from my stand point this is the best drug that has ever been created! I'm 40 yo and have been having symptoms of PCOS before I started my period when I was 12. I've suffered with PCOS for a VERY long time! I've gone through the BCPs, Provera, going through testing for years trying to figure out what was wrong with me and finally just doing nothing! I can honestly say that I feel like a woman for the first time in my life. I relish having my period every 29 days! My facial and body hair has slowed down and become much finer and my energy levels have NEVER been this good!

I know SO many people with other serious conditions that have to take medicines that have bad side effects. They take it because they want to live longer, healthier lives. I'm sure they think how easy it would be to just stop their meds and don't because they don't want to suffer the results. It seems so many women look at PCOS as being just cosmetic problems instead of the far reaching longterm effects! When I've made my upteenth trip to the toilet and I've sat there wimpering because my bottom was totally raw and I just want to quit, I think about my great grandmother who had her leg amputated because of diabetes, or my grandmother who developed uterine cancer and what she went through with chemo and radiation therapy or the many people I know in my life who have heart disease! The list goes on and on but I look for ways of motivating myself to keep going!

Okay, I'll step off of my soapbox now! LOL Just remember that everyone's body is different and just because one person has one side effect, doesn't mean you will have it. I wish you the best of luck and I would encourage you to give it a fair shot!

kimi1964 · 11-27-2002, 02:56 PM

THANK YOU SO MUCH - everyone of you. I honestly was scared to death because it seemed like the stories of horrible side effects were far more prevalent than stories where it was worth it, or where side effects were definitely bearable.

SO -- we'll see what the doc says in two weeks. I just was tested for prolactin levels which she wants to review before she decided dosage, risks, etc. Plus, I'll be on BCPs.

Thanks ladies - keep 'em comin'! I need the reassurance!