questions about met and dosage and diet

jenadk · 12-29-2003, 04:10 PM

Hello!
I've been lurking for awhile, but wanted to jump in with a question!
Today is day 4 of met for me. 500mgs for 1 week, 1000 for the next, and 1500 from there on out.

I am not overweight (5'3" 130lbs) but I do have annovulation, facial hair, acne, skin tags, ovarian cysts, and history of miscarraige. My insulin levels registered as fine, but I do everyday have to eat at times because I get SO shaky and lightheaded, so I think if I did a fasting one, it would show different. I have been TTC for 16 months (m/c 14 months ago...I also have a 2 yr old son) and seem to be clomid resistant. This is my 5th cycle (150mgs) and have only ovulated one of the cycles.

I have been a vegetarian for 12 years, but w/in the last month started eating chicken, turkey and fish occasionally to get more protein just in case that was the reason I have not gotten pregnant, but it is something that I have to eat very small amts of.
I started doing a low carb diet, but it is SO not for me! I can't only eat meat, and my choices are so limited. I have tried 3 bread recipes so far and just HATED them!(got them at www.lowcarbfriends.com)
I have NO appetite because everything I should eat just sounds yucky, you know?
I already only eat whole wheat bread/pasta, so I decided that might just have to do.
Today, like I said, is day 4 of the medicine, and I decided to start taking 1000mgs today seeing I haven't had any side effects yet. (I hope that was a good choice...my tummy is rumbling at the moment)
Do you think that by me not sticking to the low carb diet it will make it harder for the meds to do the job?
Do you think it was wise to start the 1000mgs w/o waiting for a week...AND do you think because I was low carbing-that is the reason for the no side effects, or do you think that I might just be one of those lucky ones W/OUT side effects (are there really people who don't have side effects?)
WOW...lots of ??'s!
Thanks in advance!

christyz · 12-29-2003, 04:32 PM

Hi Jennifer, and Welcome!

I KNOW that diet makes the drug work harder because I was on it for a year with my regular diet with very little effect. My labs dropped a very minimal amount and my periods were still really erratic. After a year, I got sick and tired and decided to really get serious about diet and see what happened. Within 6 months, my labs dropped into normal ranges, my periods became regular as clockwork, and I couldn't believe how energetic and clear-headed I felt. When met is supposed to be lowering your insulin levels and you eat things that spike your insulin, the drug really does have to work harder to get your hormones under control, and it takes that much longer to regulate the hormones down to where they are supposed to be.

I don't think that low carbing means eating foods you hate, like the bread you loathed. For me it was eating regular whole wheat bread and eating a slice every 2nd day or so rather than 2 or 3 or more slices a day like I used to. I lost my weight on about 70-95 g carb per day, not the 20g or 30 that some diets call for. My loss was slow (about 2-3 pounds a month), but it was steady and I didn't have a single hunger pang, so it was worth it.

As for the dosing, I would stay on your Dr's original regimen. It's to your body's advantage to dose up slowly and have the meds absorb into your bloodstream, rather than trying to increase it faster and get stuck with side effects.

Hope that helps...Good luck Jennifer!

jenadk · 12-29-2003, 08:14 PM

Thank you for your reply!
I DID speak too soon because I wound up in the bathroom ALL afternoon with HORRIBLE stomach cramps and diarrhea

I am going to keep doing 1 pill a day for a few more days.

I just hope this is the month that I get pregnant so that I won't have to worry about this much longer!
It is just so much work!
I like your idea of carb levels, and I called my doctor about it too. She agreed that if I do a moderate carb diet that it will have good benifits for me. And to not use ANY sugar (only splenda and NO white flour...only whole wheat flour) I swear, I am NOT a cheese, sausage, egg, meat kindof girl!
I love my pasta...rolls...rice...toast in the morning for breakfast etc...
ALL bad for me!

I'm wondering if you get pregnant does it make they symptoms go away for awhile? And if so, will they come back after you deliver?

christyz · 12-29-2003, 08:36 PM

Quote:

I'm wondering if you get pregnant does it make they symptoms go away for awhile? And if so, will they come back after you deliver?

I did find my symptoms were under control while pregnant, because it's like being on the pill..pregnancy gives you lovely hormone surges that keep things at bay. Both of my pregnancies I thought I was home free after I delivered...losing weight, getting periods. But by the time my 1 year physical rolled around with my son, I had gained 27 pounds, and was a hairy emotional mess. For me, I needed met to keep things at bay permanantly. Some of us PCOS ladies need the drug long term..others can keep it under control with diet and exercise alone. It will be a matter of what works for you.

All the best!