I've been reading the forums for a couple hours - the Metformin success thread has really inspired me!
I'm 29. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance about 2 years ago. My main concern is my weight - I really need to lose around 100 pounds. *ugh!* When I was first diagnosed, I started on Metformin, which made me really ill, and thus I stopped taking them. My doctor put me in hospital for a couple weeks to run tests, and to lose weight - which I put on again soon after (double). I've been on countless diets. I've tried various medications. I've spent time writing to pharmaceutical companies - but they never reply. The doctor I was going to can only see me every 3-6 months, which makes me feel really .. down. I have no one to turn to and no one to talk to about things. About how I feel. My hopes and dreams. My fears. I can not continue to live this way. I never go out, except to gym (have not lost any weight in the year that I've been going to gym - this is so frustrating and I'm totally heartbroken!!!!!!!) and the odd errand here and there. I hide from everyone and everything. I've never felt more alone in my entire life.
I've made the decision to start taking Glucophage. I'm wondering if Glucophage and Metformin are the same? For 10 days I'm going to take 500mg in the evenings, and then will double the dose to 1000mg per day. I'm not sure if the dosage for Glucophage and Metformin is the same? For example: 1000mg of Glucophage is equal to 1000mg Metformin, or not? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
My priority at the moment is losing weight. I've been trying to make peace with the fact that I might never be able to have a baby. I'd really like someone to love me though, hence trying to lose the weight... it's like a vicious circle. And I feel so confused and lost.
Would 1000mg be enough to help with weight loss? I know I have to follow a good diet, and keep up with the exercise. My only fear with regards to dieting is having to cut out chocolate. Seriously! If I could have chocolate once or twice a week, I'd be A-OK! *sigh* It all seems too much to cope with. I have so many questions, and I don't know where to begin. I hope this here will be a good place to start.
Glucophage and Metformin are the same drug. Glucophage is the brand name and Met is the generic name. If you are not taking Metformin ER or Glucophage XR (the extended release versions), you can ramp up even more slowly that you have suggested. You can cut your 500mg pill in half and take it for several weeks, then take 500mg, then 750mg etc. Some people ramp up about two weeks at a time or until their side effects subside. Some people ramp up even more slowly than that. If you still have trouble with side effects, ask you doctor to switch you to the extended release version. Most people do not have side effects with it.
It's hard to say if 1000mg will help with the weight loss. Many doctors start with 1500mg as the minimum dosage and go up from there, but if 1000mg gets your insulin under control, it may help you lose weight. Met is not a weight loss drug. Many people initially lose weight on it only to gain it back when the side effects subside. Those that have the most success seem to set up a life long diet and exercise plan and stick to it.
I can't depend on the meds alone for weight loss - this true. I just need a little help. LOL I'm terrible. If I don't see results, I tend to give up. As many here know, it's so difficult!
I checked - I have Glucophage... not the extended release version.
I'm going to try the 500mg dose in the evenings for the first 10 days. Then another in the mornings for 10 days. And at the end of the month I should be on 1500mg per day.
I also take some multi vitamins. And some meds for homocysteine (contains vitamin B).
I plan to continue with the gym. Will probably do gym before eating breakfast and taking meds. I think I felt really awful once when I ate and took meds before gym. hehe
Thank you again for helping. It means so much to me.
I just wanted to say welcome to SC...I just joined a few weeks ago and I love it here. Take care and best wishes!
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Lynn 34, DH-Chris 42, DS-Cody 15, DSD-Brielle 10
Hypothyroid 5/06,
PCOS 9/07, Septated Uterus
88mcg Synthroid Clomid 50mg - CD 5-9 O'ed on CD20--woot! POAS 5/14/09 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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I see you have a plan for taking the met and increasing it. However if that plan fails dont give up. I had to take 500mg of the extended release for like 2 months before I could move up to 1000mg. It took me almost a year to get to 2000mg. So just go slowly with it. Dont try to push it. Sometimes I would take 500mg one day and 1000mg the next until I worked my way up to 1000mg every day and so on. Also you can have chocolate every once in a while. Just dont overdo it.
BTW you have turned to the best place for support. Welcome!
I'm going to Weight Watchers this evening. Or Weigh Less. I always get the two confused. I'll keep on with the updates. I should also be starting my meds this evening. I'm sooooooo nervous! lol
After reading the posts, I just want to second what everyone else said. They've pretty much covered the met/gluco discussion.
The only thing I want to put in is that the secret to your eventual weight loss may be counseling---your post was almost a classical read-through of the symptoms of depression. You don't want to leave the house, you feel unloved, frustrated, you feel like you have no one to talk to, but that if you lost weight, you'd be loved.....all of these are signs of a bigger problem than simply PCOS.
I need to lose 100 lbs, as well, but I most definitely go out, have friends, feel loved. PCOS and my weight are issues I have to deal with, but they don't control my life. Being overweight and having this disease should never equal not wanting to leave your home and hiding from everyone---that's a different kind of illness. Please look into therapy! I think it could easily make the difference for you---without a positive outlook, dealing with PCOS is insanely hard. There's no need to make this more difficult on yourself.
__________________ Kt (27!) dx: PCOS - July 2007, IR/Pre-diabetic - September 2007, IBS/Hiatal Hernia - June 2008, GERD/Barrett's Esophagus - July 2008 Currently on: Yaz, Met 2x1000mg/day, Activia yogurt+Prilosec OTC 1x/day Not TTC, no DH, just me! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win.
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Good luck! I began treatment with Glucophage and found that my body just could not tolerate it. My endo did not want to put me back on it, so I began taking Actos which really seemed to work for me. Don't give up - if you have problems with it again - try seeing another doctor or talk to your existing one about the problems you are having. I truly believe that some people just cannot tolerate it.
__________________ Emily
Diagnosed 11/8/05
Conceived on Actos only!
Me (31), DH (34)
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I went to the Weight Watchers class last night - and broke down. I cried. I could not get on the scale. I was totally freaked out! Feel like such a big baby. Anyways. Mom joined. I've made up my mind to stop being silly and to do it next week... maybe go a little earlier before I'm confronted by a heap of total strangers etc etc. *sigh*
Nova - thank you. I understand all you're saying. I agree. To me - my weight does rule every aspect of my life. I know deep down inside I won't be able to fully be myself again until I lose some weight. I'm uncomfortable. I can't relax around others when I always feel out of place. I'll get there one day.
Since everyone is so different in how their body reacts to drugs, it's hard to say what exactly it will do for you.
But, I can tell you, that I am so similar to you. I tried different ways of losing weight, and at most would only flucuate between 5-10 pound weight loss, and then it'd jump back on, by messing up just ONE time.
I have just RESTARTED Glucophage after 7 Years. I got pregnant, and I quit taking it. I am now re-starting, Ive only been taking them now for a few days.
However, when I was on them 7 years ago, I lost 75 Pounds, in a very short time. I'm going to say about 6 months. Granted, I was walking faithfully - I walked about 45 minutes a day - everyday. I wasnt calorie counting or carbohydrate watching - I was just in general "Watching" - and "Portion Control". I still allowed myself some favorites, I even ate out from time to time.
So, I lost 75 pounds, AND got pregnant.
So it is possible. I hope it happens again this time, I have a lot to lose, now that Ive been off of it for so long.
Take care, and be excited to get on the scale - because it WILL drop off, and if you know your starting weight - it will make you all the more proud, as you can say ........ ok, Ive lost 10, 15, 20, etc pounds!
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Oh thank you. THANK YOU CountryMom! Your post brought tears to my eyes. It makes a lot of sense! And most importantly, it gives me so much HOPE. I actually can't wait to go to the class next Tuesday and hop on that scale! lol *hugs* I wish you all the best too!
I'm glad my post made sense to you. That is how I looked at it, I used to go into the doctors office and tell them "I prefer not being weighed, and if it's mandatory - just keep it to yourself, it depresses me".
Your weight loss blog is a good idea, I'm not clever enough to figure those out, so I have an "old fashioned" journal. You write in it. LOL. But, I love to write, so it works for me. I think it does help.
I'm glad you found us here!
Take care, and keep me posted!
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Pre-Glucophage Ramble 
It makes a lot of sense! And most importantly, it gives me so much HOPE. I actually can't wait to go to the class next Tuesday and hop on that scale! lol *hugs* I wish you all the best too!
