post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects - Page 4

Lodema · 03-25-2003, 05:00 PM

Hello there! I just started Metformin 5 days ago and last night was the first I had any side effects! Woke up to stomach cramps (bad!) and diarrhea!

Took some peptobismol and after waiting about 3 hrs, I finally feel "ok". I did have an egg sandwich for supper and just read on this thread to avoid eggs. So, I will definitely do that!!

Thanks for this thread!! It's soo helpful!
I am only taking 500mg once a day for the first week and then dr. wants me to take 500mg 2x's a day after that.
I'm only taking Metformin for PCOS symptoms. He didn't do any tests on me, but says that I definitely have PCOS.
I'm 30, have had 3 miscarriages.. 1995, 1996 and 2001. Had our son in 1997 (thank God!) I don't have my periods on my own, am 60 pds overweight and have skin tags. I'm hoping Met will help me ovulate, have normal periods again, lose weight and eventally get pg again.
Thanks to Cathy from the Backstage w/Jon Bon Jovi board for telling me about this site! It's great!!

Hope to chat more w/you all!!
Take Care!

Tranquil · 04-14-2003, 08:24 PM

Last Friday I started the Metformin - and the dr said first try at dinner 500 mg - then when I tolerate that up it to one in morning, one in evening with a meal....that first night I took it while having supper at Carrabbas - (more fat and bad carbs than I should have had)...that morning at 5 am I began to feel the affects - wow!!!! I lived through that experience (living in the bathroom, that is) and today I am on my first day of 1000 mg and NO PROBLEMS!!!! I am on the Sugar Busters diet plan - so only high fiber carb foods - and I have not had any problems other than some acid indigestion which might be from something else - phewwwwwww - what a relief because I wanted this medicine so badly!!!!!!!!! So the only thing that must be working for me is having healthy meals with the pills.... Like a 1/2 of whole wheat english muffin with a smear of sugar free peanut butter with morning pill and dinner with whole wheat pita bread sandwich (turkey, tomato and lettuce)....

Sabrina

Pale Pink Aura · 04-15-2003, 03:11 AM

What about loss of libido? Does that fix up after you've been on Met for a while? Or does it get worse? What are people's experiences with this?

Maddy · 04-15-2003, 02:47 PM

I had that too, loss of libido. I have been considering taking Met again because I just cannot lose weight on my own no matter what I do.

So I would be interested in hearing the answer. Has anyone experienced this and does it get better?

Leticia · 04-16-2003, 12:32 AM

Hi ladies!
Well besides the gas and diarhea,does anyone else feel really sleepy since starting met? I cant help but think its the met that has made me feel exhausted for no real reason...Just wanted to know if anyone else is going through this???

kari521 · 04-18-2003, 01:43 AM

Hi everyone!!

I have benn on 2000mg of met for about a year now. I have experienced almost every side effect there is. I have never had a loss of libido I'm ttc so maybe I'm biased I also never found myself tired out. I work 2 jobs and I'm still ok Good luck to all of you. I can't say the side effects go away but you do get used to them.

Delila · 04-18-2003, 07:23 AM

I Started Met back in January. Although my doctor said it is not a "usual" side effect I found myself so exhausted I could bareley function. I still feel like that, but not everyday like when I started the drug. I am taking 2000mg now and just dealing with whatever side effects come my way.

jenkey · 04-27-2003, 09:29 AM

Hi, I've been on Metformin for 2 years now. I've discovered by trial and error that whilst taking Metformin I cannot tolerate anything with wheat flour - bread, cakes, wheat pasta etc. Also the worst combo ever would be wheat and high fat - so pizza is a definate no! I eat non-wheat bread and pasta and seem to be fine now. Worth I try if you are really suffering - I had very bad diarreoah for 9 months and the doc kept prescribing me more and more loperimide (like immodium) - I had to discover myself what would make my life better, but it does seem to work for me.
Good luck!

niki493 · 04-27-2003, 02:36 PM

I started taking glucophage on 4-1-03, 500 mg once a day for 2 weeks. Then increased to twice a day. I was sick for a week until my new doctor placed me on Glucophage XR. It releases into the body slowly. he started me on 1000 mg in the morning for 3 weeks, then 1500mg for 3 weeks and then 2000 mg. I'm still on the low dose and I feel great...no sickness. Hope it continues.

So far, I haven't had a period since 1-30-03. Nothing seems to be helping that yet.

I am new to the message board. Look forward to hearing from you.

Niki

missmoreno · 04-27-2003, 03:30 PM

I've been on 2000 mgs for about 6 months.

Every now and then I'll get episodes of piercing esophogas pain. I can almost feel it burning up into my ears. The best way I can explain it is it feels like it is really irritating my mucous membranes even up into my nose.

This is weird, but has anyone experienced this?

Marigo93 · 04-28-2003, 07:14 PM

I really appreciate this post.

I started Glucophage XR last Monday 4/21/03 at 500 mg. I had one day of diarreah on Tuesday. The rest of the week has only been soft/regular BM. Today I begin 1000mg. I already took 1 dosage and tonight I'll take another with dinner. so we'll see how my body reacts tomorrow. I am on Weight Watchers so I try to keep a low fat diet. I just ordered the Insulin Resistance Diet book so I can begin to really reduce my carbs and combine that with WW. I absolutely LOVE rice, it's my staple food and I eat it everyday. Well , what I did this week is measure now & reduced my serving to 1/2 a cup.

I'm looking forward to helping me reduce my weight and help me O!!!

~marigo

Tassy · 05-12-2003, 06:20 PM

Thank you for a great thread.
I have been on metformin for a couple of months and have got up to 2000mg - 1000mg in the morning and the other 1000mg in the evening.
I have been pretty sick today but apart from an almost constant upset stomach - my dh is used to me living in the toilet! it has not been too bad.
I was interested to read the other posts especially as I have the burning throat almost daily and chew Rennies and quite often I have the gag reflex to food and the smell really makes me heave. You just have to force food down so you can stop feeling so sick.
I will stick with it and try some of the teas. Good news I have had 2x AF although the pain was awful but at least it is normal!!!!!!
Hugs
Tassy

Pale Pink Aura · 05-12-2003, 07:26 PM

I've been on Met since Dec last year (my GP put me on it). I'm having a lot of problems with constant bleeding and I don't have an endo appt until July, so I stopped taking it a week ago or so (because I started bleeding after I started the Met and haven't stopped yet no matter what I take - progesterone, the pill...). Although I hadn't noticed any symptoms other than the diarrhoea and the bleedingwhen I was on it, I've now noticed that food all of a sudden is sooooooooo appealing and I am CONSTANTLY thinking about it - I'm so hungry all of the time. I'm going to start the met again (I did a blood glucose this morning and it was high again - oops), so I guess I'll find out, but has anyone else noticed appetite suppression when going onto Metformin?

Serlena · 05-13-2003, 06:58 PM

This is my very 1st time posting on this site and I want to tell you the info you all are providing is awesome.

I have had PCOS since 16 but was never diagnosed. When Dr's started to treat me they prescribed BC. I recently went to a Dr in Chattanooga who understood everything. She put me on glucophage xr. Here is the kicker, my dh and I are trying to have our 1st baby, if I don't take the medicine I can't have my periods and I won't ovulate. Please tell me why I am so damn scared to begin this medication. It seems like I will start with my little 500 dosages but I never make it to the recommended 1500. This sista needs some serious help

Kerry-Leigh · 05-27-2003, 08:02 AM

Hi everyone,

I wonder if any one can help with the following:

I have been on glucophage for 6 weeks and have had regular periods before and up and until now - I am on cd33, have all the signs AF is going to show up, had an hpt on cd30 and again today and both were neg. Does the medication change your cycle?

Thanks a mil

03-25-2003, 05:00 PM	#46 (permalink)
Lodema Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 5 Points: 126.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 126.00 Donate	I'm new here! :) Hello there! I just started Metformin 5 days ago and last night was the first I had any side effects! Woke up to stomach cramps (bad!) and diarrhea! Took some peptobismol and after waiting about 3 hrs, I finally feel "ok". I did have an egg sandwich for supper and just read on this thread to avoid eggs. So, I will definitely do that!! Thanks for this thread!! It's soo helpful! I am only taking 500mg once a day for the first week and then dr. wants me to take 500mg 2x's a day after that. I'm only taking Metformin for PCOS symptoms. He didn't do any tests on me, but says that I definitely have PCOS. I'm 30, have had 3 miscarriages.. 1995, 1996 and 2001. Had our son in 1997 (thank God!) I don't have my periods on my own, am 60 pds overweight and have skin tags. I'm hoping Met will help me ovulate, have normal periods again, lose weight and eventally get pg again. Thanks to Cathy from the Backstage w/Jon Bon Jovi board for telling me about this site! It's great!! Hope to chat more w/you all!! Take Care! __________________ Love and hugs, Lodema (30) DH Steve (29) Married for 8 yrs - together 13 yrs To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mommy to son Jacob Thomas (born 1997) & puppie Chloe Jovi (born 2003) MC- 95, 96 & 00 TTC (not taking MAJOR steps yet, just hoping it happens To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ) DX- Hypothyroidism 1995 DX- PCOS 2003 Symptoms: Overweight, skin tags, MC, slow metabolism, amenorrhea Taking- Levoxyl 100mcg daily WAS taking Metformin 250mg/day My Days of Our Lives Site and Board: Salem Hearts To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-14-2003, 08:24 PM	#47 (permalink)
Tranquil Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2 Points: 48.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 48.00 Donate	Last Friday I started the Metformin - and the dr said first try at dinner 500 mg - then when I tolerate that up it to one in morning, one in evening with a meal....that first night I took it while having supper at Carrabbas - (more fat and bad carbs than I should have had)...that morning at 5 am I began to feel the affects - wow!!!! I lived through that experience (living in the bathroom, that is) and today I am on my first day of 1000 mg and NO PROBLEMS!!!! I am on the Sugar Busters diet plan - so only high fiber carb foods - and I have not had any problems other than some acid indigestion which might be from something else - phewwwwwww - what a relief because I wanted this medicine so badly!!!!!!!!! So the only thing that must be working for me is having healthy meals with the pills.... Like a 1/2 of whole wheat english muffin with a smear of sugar free peanut butter with morning pill and dinner with whole wheat pita bread sandwich (turkey, tomato and lettuce).... Sabrina __________________ Sabrina Diagnosed: PCOS

04-15-2003, 03:11 AM	#48 (permalink)
Pale Pink Aura Loving life! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Oz Posts: 3,187 My Mood: Points: 6,206.72 Bank: 8,742.10 Total Points: 14,948.82 Donate	Loss of libido What about loss of libido? Does that fix up after you've been on Met for a while? Or does it get worse? What are people's experiences with this? __________________ xx Pale Pink Aura To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DD (6) - conceived via IVF (FET) after 2 years of infertility treatment DS (2) - conceived after 2 years of natural therapies Current meds: Fish oils, NPC, NTH, Milk thistle, globe artichoke, astragalus, dandelion; probiotic, slippery elm, psyllium, olive leaf, DIM (indolplex - antioestrogenic), kelp, chlorophyl, low-GI diet free from gluten and dairy.

04-16-2003, 12:32 AM	#50 (permalink)
Leticia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Susanville,CA Posts: 24 Points: 181.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 181.00 Donate	Hi ladies! Well besides the gas and diarhea,does anyone else feel really sleepy since starting met? I cant help but think its the met that has made me feel exhausted for no real reason...Just wanted to know if anyone else is going through this??? __________________ ~Leticia~ TTC'er. Metformin-1000mg,,Zoloft for depression,prenatal vitamins,green tea.Dx since June,2002.

04-18-2003, 01:43 AM	#51 (permalink)
kari521 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Union, NJ Posts: 12 Points: 446.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 446.00 Donate	side effects metformin Hi everyone!! I have benn on 2000mg of met for about a year now. I have experienced almost every side effect there is. I have never had a loss of libido I'm ttc so maybe I'm biased I also never found myself tired out. I work 2 jobs and I'm still ok Good luck to all of you. I can't say the side effects go away but you do get used to them.

04-15-2003, 02:47 PM	#49 (permalink)
Maddy Mod of Diet and Exercise! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,746 My Mood: Points: 99,164.19 Bank: 2,228,018.76 Total Points: 2,327,182.95 Donate	I had that too, loss of libido. I have been considering taking Met again because I just cannot lose weight on my own no matter what I do. So I would be interested in hearing the answer. Has anyone experienced this and does it get better?

04-18-2003, 07:23 AM	#52 (permalink)
Delila Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 290 Points: 1,037.44 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,037.44 Donate	Exhausted I Started Met back in January. Although my doctor said it is not a "usual" side effect I found myself so exhausted I could bareley function. I still feel like that, but not everyday like when I started the drug. I am taking 2000mg now and just dealing with whatever side effects come my way.

04-27-2003, 09:29 AM	#53 (permalink)
jenkey UK SoulCyster Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bournemouth, UK Posts: 28 Points: 672.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 672.00 Donate	side effects Hi, I've been on Metformin for 2 years now. I've discovered by trial and error that whilst taking Metformin I cannot tolerate anything with wheat flour - bread, cakes, wheat pasta etc. Also the worst combo ever would be wheat and high fat - so pizza is a definate no! I eat non-wheat bread and pasta and seem to be fine now. Worth I try if you are really suffering - I had very bad diarreoah for 9 months and the doc kept prescribing me more and more loperimide (like immodium) - I had to discover myself what would make my life better, but it does seem to work for me. Good luck!

04-27-2003, 02:36 PM	#54 (permalink)
niki493 Niki Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 110 Points: 1,345.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,345.00 Donate	I started taking glucophage on 4-1-03, 500 mg once a day for 2 weeks. Then increased to twice a day. I was sick for a week until my new doctor placed me on Glucophage XR. It releases into the body slowly. he started me on 1000 mg in the morning for 3 weeks, then 1500mg for 3 weeks and then 2000 mg. I'm still on the low dose and I feel great...no sickness. Hope it continues. So far, I haven't had a period since 1-30-03. Nothing seems to be helping that yet. I am new to the message board. Look forward to hearing from you. Niki

04-27-2003, 03:30 PM	#55 (permalink)
missmoreno ~blessed cyster~ Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: FL Posts: 85 Points: 1,332.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,332.00 Donate	Esophageal problems I've been on 2000 mgs for about 6 months. Every now and then I'll get episodes of piercing esophogas pain. I can almost feel it burning up into my ears. The best way I can explain it is it feels like it is really irritating my mucous membranes even up into my nose. This is weird, but has anyone experienced this? __________________ 27 No medication Pregnant - Not TTC, just a blessing from God To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-28-2003, 07:14 PM	#56 (permalink)
Marigo93 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Posts: 8 Points: 33.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 33.00 Donate	new to Glucophage xr I really appreciate this post. I started Glucophage XR last Monday 4/21/03 at 500 mg. I had one day of diarreah on Tuesday. The rest of the week has only been soft/regular BM. Today I begin 1000mg. I already took 1 dosage and tonight I'll take another with dinner. so we'll see how my body reacts tomorrow. I am on Weight Watchers so I try to keep a low fat diet. I just ordered the Insulin Resistance Diet book so I can begin to really reduce my carbs and combine that with WW. I absolutely LOVE rice, it's my staple food and I eat it everyday. Well , what I did this week is measure now & reduced my serving to 1/2 a cup. I'm looking forward to helping me reduce my weight and help me O!!! ~marigo __________________ DH & ME 33 YRS OLD TTC #2: 3yrs + 1 DD (8yrs old) 1 m/c 3/15/2002 DX'D PCOS 2001-symptoms-acne, facial hair (chin), thining scalp hair, overweight, no O, no AF on its own. Prometrium 200mgx10 days to bring on AF (everytime) Clomid (50mg-150mg) 6 cycles without O Began Glucophage XR 500mg on 4/21/03 Weight Watchers member 5'1" 160.2 lbs BMI: 30 Exercise 5-7 x's a week My Babymed.com chart: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. My TCOYF chart: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-12-2003, 06:20 PM	#57 (permalink)
Tassy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 27 Points: 395.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 395.00 Donate	Thank you for a great thread. I have been on metformin for a couple of months and have got up to 2000mg - 1000mg in the morning and the other 1000mg in the evening. I have been pretty sick today but apart from an almost constant upset stomach - my dh is used to me living in the toilet! it has not been too bad. I was interested to read the other posts especially as I have the burning throat almost daily and chew Rennies and quite often I have the gag reflex to food and the smell really makes me heave. You just have to force food down so you can stop feeling so sick. I will stick with it and try some of the teas. Good news I have had 2x AF although the pain was awful but at least it is normal!!!!!! Hugs Tassy __________________ Tassy Diagnosed 1999 2000mg Metformin Cardicor High BP High Cholesterol TTC

05-12-2003, 07:26 PM	#58 (permalink)
Pale Pink Aura Loving life! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Oz Posts: 3,187 My Mood: Points: 6,206.72 Bank: 8,742.10 Total Points: 14,948.82 Donate	Appetite suppression? I've been on Met since Dec last year (my GP put me on it). I'm having a lot of problems with constant bleeding and I don't have an endo appt until July, so I stopped taking it a week ago or so (because I started bleeding after I started the Met and haven't stopped yet no matter what I take - progesterone, the pill...). Although I hadn't noticed any symptoms other than the diarrhoea and the bleedingwhen I was on it, I've now noticed that food all of a sudden is sooooooooo appealing and I am CONSTANTLY thinking about it - I'm so hungry all of the time. I'm going to start the met again (I did a blood glucose this morning and it was high again - oops), so I guess I'll find out, but has anyone else noticed appetite suppression when going onto Metformin? __________________ xx Pale Pink Aura To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DD (6) - conceived via IVF (FET) after 2 years of infertility treatment DS (2) - conceived after 2 years of natural therapies Current meds: Fish oils, NPC, NTH, Milk thistle, globe artichoke, astragalus, dandelion; probiotic, slippery elm, psyllium, olive leaf, DIM (indolplex - antioestrogenic), kelp, chlorophyl, low-GI diet free from gluten and dairy.

05-13-2003, 06:58 PM	#59 (permalink)
Serlena Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1 Points: 61.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 61.00 Donate	hi cysters This is my very 1st time posting on this site and I want to tell you the info you all are providing is awesome. I have had PCOS since 16 but was never diagnosed. When Dr's started to treat me they prescribed BC. I recently went to a Dr in Chattanooga who understood everything. She put me on glucophage xr. Here is the kicker, my dh and I are trying to have our 1st baby, if I don't take the medicine I can't have my periods and I won't ovulate. Please tell me why I am so damn scared to begin this medication. It seems like I will start with my little 500 dosages but I never make it to the recommended 1500. This sista needs some serious help

05-27-2003, 08:02 AM	#60 (permalink)
Kerry-Leigh Proud Mommy!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: South Africa - JHB Posts: 53 Points: 51.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 51.00 Donate	Hi everyone, I wonder if any one can help with the following: I have been on glucophage for 6 weeks and have had regular periods before and up and until now - I am on cd33, have all the signs AF is going to show up, had an hpt on cd30 and again today and both were neg. Does the medication change your cycle? Thanks a mil __________________ Kerry-Leigh Me (23) Andrew (DH)(27) Diagnosed 16/04/03 Found out we are pregnant 13/06/2003 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Aiden Connor Goodier arrived 28/01/2004 at 13:25, 3.76kg, 56cm May the most you wish for be the least you get To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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