post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects - Page 14

mushele_2000 · 12-08-2005, 07:20 AM

I was diagnosed with PCOS last year, but I've been neglecting to take my metformin consistently. My this week I've been taking about 1500mg, but my Dr. wants me to try and get up to 2000mg. Has anyone else had to take that much?
I think I haven't been too concerned until I just recently turned 30. I'm thinking it may be a weight issue though. I've been exercising like crazy too.
But I don't feel like it's working.

How long after taking metformin have most of you started having regular periods?

I'm trying to stay positive. But I'm scared at the same time. Reading all these threads has really opened my eyes to PCOS, and also how there are so many women living with it and given me hope.

izmejen · 12-26-2005, 01:59 AM

Just diagnosed with pcos last month. I began taking the metformin at 500mg.
per day until next week. It then goes to 1000 mg per day. I noticed on the first day that my stomach was a little upset, but have had no problems since then. If there is anyone from North Carolina around Thomasville or Greensboro it would be nice to hear from you. I could use a support system around here because noone else seems to understand what I'm going through!

gypseemommy · 12-26-2005, 02:20 AM

I am in Greensboro. I totally understand how you feel about people just not understanding at all. I get alot of that. Feel free to email me privately if you'd like to chat.

iyld2H · 01-14-2006, 06:43 AM

Hi,
This is my second trial of Metformin i tried last year actually over a year and had such bad side effects, including as one person here put it, feeling like my butt was throwing up. hahaha....today the diarrhea was explosive, and had a fierce growling of my bowels and i had to act quickly. I actually didnt have much pain today...just explosive diarrhea....hmmmmm? I could carry some extra clothes/undies to work? But seriously im hoping this will get better I dont see being able to handle this everyday.

anyway....the best ways ive gleaned from reading this post is symptomatic relief with such things as:

#1 herbal teas - i luv ginger tea, aniseed, etc... (i dont do well w/ peppermint but others seem to)
#2 eat w/ meal avoiding high fat meals
#3 take at same time (didnt do this)
#4 dont skip doses (ive done that )
#5 In general and for fatigue Multivitamin replace your Vitamin B-complex (Maxine multivitamin time release was rec'd to me)
#6 Exercise for energy....i cant hardly believe it...but it seems to be working...hee hee hee
#7 Hydration is always a key component
#8 Diarrhea - increase fiber intake try to bulk up stool - Metamucil is my friend (hydration goes intimately with this idea)
#9 Avoid other foods that cause GI upset
#10 Let your doctor know of your side effects, they may want to do a workup...just in case

Thank everyone for the great information!!!! Im starting to feel more empowered and less of a victim! Woo hoo!!

And I will be trying basically everything listed....I'll let you know how it goes!
-Vicki

Jennnna · 01-14-2006, 08:34 AM

what amazing Ideas! You girls Rock!

Afoster1127 · 01-14-2006, 04:51 PM

Hi All:

I had horrible s/e on regular Metformin (1500-2000 mg a day)...and recently when I went to a new RE, and talked about the s/e and she put me on Metformin XR, which is the extended release. This has helped tremendously! I take one with breakfast (like Vicki said, a low fat meal--I have some fruit, string cheese and a lowfat yougurt-milk seems to help too)...and then I take one with dinner....(they are 750mg each)..and this far, I have been on it for two months now, I am not having the horrilble GI s/e I had before at all. I do notice though if I eat the wrong things, I will pay for it. For example, yesterday i had half of a muffin - all refinded sugars...and headed to the bathroom within a half an hour...so its just not worth it anymore!

I hope you are all finding ways to cope with the s/e..they can be horrendous...
Mush: to your question about how long it took to get regular periods once I started the Met. For me, it only took a couple of months with Met and exercise. I have been on regular (well.....35-45 days....regular for me!) cycles for the last 18 months. I also work out everyday for about 60 mins...and I lost a lot of weight, but seem to have reached a point I can't get past to lose the last few lbs. I am hoping being on a more regimented schedule of Met will help. I am even O'ing on my own now

Best of luck!! Have a wonderful day!

Anna

ms_09012 · 01-25-2006, 01:21 PM

i'm new to all of this, so i really don't have a tip. but i began met 1000mg a day about a week ago and by day three i was so exhausted and nauseated. i had a difficult time walking up 10 steps!!! so doc lowered dosage to 500mg a day. maybe he will increase it again later.

misscarlson · 01-30-2006, 09:11 PM

Hi Ladies,
I was dx with PCOS & a T-shaped uterus in June 2005. Following surgery for the T-shape, I started on Met in early Dec. & I have a quick question: If you have experienced nausea, when did you notice most: before you ate or after?

My RE rx 750mg 2x daily. The first week was fine as I was only taking the 1 pill, but as soon as I started taking the 2nd pill, I noticed that I would feel nauseous in between meals. I would feel better if I ate a little something, but it was hard to force myself to eat. Everything tasted like dust and it was physically hard to swallow. I know that the nausea was due to adding the 2nd pill because I cut back down to 1 pill right around Christmas (didn’t want to be nauseous around all that good home-cooked food) and then as soon as I added the 2nd pill again, the nausea was back.

It’s a busy time for me at work right now and I can’t deal with the nausea everyday, so I’ve only been taking the 1 pill w/ breakfast. But I also know that only taking half of the script is really only half helping regulate my hormones.

I’d appreciate any advice / comments.
Melissa (29)
PCOS, T-shape
TTC #1 since 01/2003

iyld2H · 02-13-2006, 06:00 AM

Hello all,
I wanted to post a reply since my last one nearly 1 month ago..i spent a great deal of time reading all of the advice here. and then trying out many of the suggestions...and i have to say that it is MUCH BETTER!!

i can take my 1000mg a day W/ LESS SIDE EFFECTS....i want to ask my dr. about increasing that to 1500 mg....but i am not having explosive diarrhea..in fact i have also noticed that w/ healthier eating the symptoms are less....i had awful gas and bloating the first couple of weeks now that is at a minimum....not a real problem...and lets see...nausea! i was always one to get that before the meds so its not anymore often than in the months preceding the medication.

so all said in done its worked out beautifully....

Melissa...i dont know the whole picture of whats going on...but what about taking small snacks/meals in between doses of metformin...for the nausea....have you tried the teas..like ginger works for me....the other suggestion is trying 250 mg in the evening and working your way up....it seems that my body got use to the meds..so maybe a more gradual introduction of a smaller second dose might be helpful.

and to Anna! keep up the great work w/ working out!
Im on the IR diet and working out 45 min 4 times a week..and i have incorporated some very minimal wt training esp for upper body....
good luck to all!
-Vicki

cemomster · 02-21-2006, 03:50 PM

I am trying to up to 2000mg of the XR a day. I have been fine with 1500 mg. but when I add that last pill, I always suffer! Gonna have to try the metamucil and teas. Immodium AD was my best friend, but I hate taking that all the time.
Fiber here I come! Thanks for the tips!

bookworm87 · 03-04-2006, 09:03 AM

Hey there,
I just started taking metformin last week and I'm gradually working up to 2000mg. Now that I've upped my dosage I'm constipated. Any suggestions for helping this?

Thanks

Tresa · 03-04-2006, 08:26 PM

drink lots of water - it is very important!

judogirl · 03-08-2006, 12:14 AM

I've switched to xR (timed release) and that helps a little.

Also, depending the manufacturer of the metformin, that can affect your side effects as well. I use Walgreens and they've switched manufacturers on me several times. Currently I'm taking the ones made by Barr (white capsules) and they're better than the previous ones I was taking (forgot the mfg but they were brownish colored capsules). So if you're having alot of problems, ask your pharmacist if you can changed the manufacturer of the metformin.

stephanie72676 · 03-24-2006, 05:49 PM

I have been taking Metiformin/ glucaphage for about 6 months now and have had mixed results. Recently I noticed that I am not digesting the pills and I am actually passing them whole?? ANyone else suffer from this? It is embarrassing to talk about and I am waiting for a call back from my doctor. Also I just found out about RioMet a liquid form of Metaformin, just wondering if anyone has tried this?? I started at 1000 mg in Sept 05 and 1500 in Dec 05 and now at about 1850, But with it all passing through my system undigested I am not sure how it really is effecting me. Had a few side effects but not as bad as I have heard from others.

http://www.riomet.com/safety_interactions.asp

ANy comments would be helpful.

Thanks
Steph

iyld2H · 03-25-2006, 01:13 AM

Actually...sometimes the outer portion of the capsule can pass in your stool. Are you taking the capsule? that can happen with various capsule form medicines. So even though it looks like the entire pill is there its just the coating same concept for corn...the cellulose we dont digest too well.....just thought i would offer that as a possibility. hope that helps.

Reading these posts i have realized that im not taking enough metformin only 1000 mg a day. my periods are still irregular so i am probably not ovulating..back to the doctors office!.
gl e1!