post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects

peppermint tea · 12-20-2002, 02:49 AM

let's post all the tips here and make it a sticky for easy reference.

i'll start. i just started gluc xr on 12/18/02, so i'm still seeing what effect it will have on me. so far it's just some gas & bloating. but, it's not too bad.

for g.i. problems:
-taking 2 big spoonful of plain yogurt a day(i take this for mild ibs and it helps, so, i think it'll fit here)
-ginger(fresh or capsules) is really good for g.i. problems(i blend several fresh slices in my morning smoothie.)
-chamomile tea, also very good for g.i. prob.(i found this in my research, but i've not tried it)

note: ginger & chamomile are herbs. from my research, i didn't find them to interact badly with gluc/met. you may want to do your own research, especially if you take other meds. check out this site for herb/drug interaction. http://www.everybody.co.nz/otc/herbals.html

for those taking gluc xr:
-take it with evening meal or before bed time so you may be able sleep through some of the side effects

tips in general:
-no greasy/high fat foods or alcohol

hunterli · 12-20-2002, 07:56 AM

when your whole inside feels like a volcano erupting.......one alka-seltzer tablet works miracles for me.

Lis

Mera · 12-20-2002, 11:56 AM

After 4 years on regular Met, here is what I have learned:

1) Try to take your pills at the same time every day
2) Take your pills with food
3) Try to not consume a lot of greasy/sugary foods
4) Keep hydrated - it just seems to lessen the effects

Good luck!

Summer-girl · 12-20-2002, 01:13 PM

My advice:

1) Increase your dose slowly
2) Don't be too far from a bathroom in the early days
3) Take with a substantial meal
4) Avoid fatty foods and carbs
5) Drink lots of water
6) Cut back on alcohol...a drink or two is ok, but make sure you follow it up with lots of water!
7) Ask your Dr if you can switch from the regular to the xr (or vice versa) most cysters suffer less side effects on the xr, but you may just have a problem with the binders and fillers*

* My Dr would not allow me to switch from the regular to the xr. His position was that the studies are not there yet for treating pcos with the xr, so he wanted to stick with what he KNOWS works!

peppermint tea · 12-21-2002, 05:40 PM

thanks, cysters. keep those tips coming. mods, let's make this a sticky for easy reference.

sanctuary1999 · 12-21-2002, 06:52 PM

My perscription(500mg's)
tells me to take at dinner, does that really matter?

My dinner's vary from 5-9 pm.

peppermint tea · 12-27-2002, 08:07 PM

you should take it at the same time daily. drink some milk with it if you're not having a meal at the time or have some food, so you're not taking it on an empty stomach.

StaciM · 12-27-2002, 10:59 PM

1.) Chewable Immodium AD was my best friend for awhile.

2.) Upping the roughage in my diet helped tremendously. When my diarrhea got/gets bad, then I eat extra fiber. I usually go for the All Bran Extra Fiber to eat once a day. Some women even use Metamucill.

3.) Avoid Salads at night!

I'll add more as I think of them.

peppermint tea · 01-01-2003, 03:41 PM

betsi78 · 01-05-2003, 02:45 PM

Hello, in april 2001 I started on Glucopage XR (1,000mg 1st week,then increased to 1,500,then by October 2000mg), by September I've lost 30lbs, tetosterone levels decreased, which it's good but AF came only 2 times and last between 40 to 45 days each one.

By august I had a CBC and it showed that I have High Platelets, not only that, also it showed that the AST(SGOT) and ALT(SGPT) (liver function) is high as well, does these abnormal results have anything related to GLugophage.
Now I'm off Glucophage XR, I'm still waiting to see an especialist and find out what's going with my liver functions.

At this point I'm very dissapointed and my last AF last 42 days, tomorrow I'll see my new primary physician ( the previous one) closed her practice) which it delayed my visit to a an especialist.I hope that the damages in my liver are not as bad as I think.

Does anyone have experience this? will herbs and natural medicine could be my next step? .
Any comments or similar experiences will be greatly appreciated,I hope that I could still have hope to continue taking care of PCOS without having side effects.

Thanks,

Betsi

santa'sbaby · 01-05-2003, 03:47 PM

Although it is high in carbs and I don't recommend it everyday. I usually find a single serving of plain rice (white or brown) will help with the bowel problems while on Metformin. Once every other day worked for me.

Once I was 3 weeks or better on the Metformin the symptoms lessened. Now unless I have a greasy or sugary meal or snack I am generally OK.

Ms_Peaches_01 · 01-05-2003, 04:44 PM

Today is my second day on met and last night I was as sick as a dog. I tossed, turned, and sweated all night but am glad I have some tips now for dealing with it.

Thanks Cysters

peppermint tea · 01-05-2003, 04:58 PM

kat,

thanks for making this thread a sticky.

peppermint tea · 01-05-2003, 05:14 PM

bitsi,

yes, gluc can alter liver function. there's an herb called milk thistle that may be able to restore normal liver function. do a search in the alt. remedy board for a thread started by mickin. i believe she had lactic acidosis caused by met. she talked about the herb normalizing her liver function.

also, if you can't take gluc, you may want to ask your dr. about other insulin sensitizing meds. good luck.

betsi78 · 01-05-2003, 05:29 PM

Thanks peppermint,now I feel that I'm not alone!

For those who need relief while taking glucophage and/or metformin I tried these teas and I felt much better ( I'm not advising to do it but I just want to share my experience while I was on Glucophage XR):

* Caraway seeds: soothes the digestive tract, relieving colic, cramps, and flatulence.
*Aniseed--Pimpinella anisum: useful for digestive complaints, such as gas, bloating, colic, nausea.

*Allspice--Pimento officinalis:Similar to cloves, both are stomach-settling, stimulating, antiseptic, useful for flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion
*Cloves: Good for bloating

I used to boil water then mix caraway seeds,cloves and a pinch of nutmeg, and it worked!!! it was good for me,some of my friends tried too so I guess is good for bloating,flatulence,colics etc..

Betsi