Scared Newbie--First Time Metformin User

BeccaElise · 04-30-2005, 04:23 PM

In just a few minutes I will be taking my first Metformin ER pill (500 mg). I'm not even convinced that I have PCOS, but I guess I have to trust my current OB/GYN and the RE who was treating my thyroid problems 4 years ago. She claimed that I had PCOS, and now so does my new OB/GYN. He wants me to start Metformin along with the South Beach Diet.

I hope that taking this medication and changing my WOE will only help, and not harm, me.

I had already lost 9 pounds on Weight Watchers in the last 4 months. I know that's slow, but I was happy with it.

I'm just really scared. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure if it's the side effects of Metformin that I've heard about, or just my skepticism of my diagnosis.

Any comments welcome for this newbie. I think you all are an amazing group of women!

TickledPink · 04-30-2005, 04:26 PM

Just take it

You may feel nothing at all! You may get an upset tummy and gravol worked well for me although it makes you sleepy! You may also feel sleepy on it for the first while. Be sure to take it with food. You may also get diarhea and headaches but that is all normal and usually side efeects go away in a short amount of time.

Let us know how ya do ok?

BeccaElise · 04-30-2005, 04:35 PM

I will definitely let you know how I'm doing. I have to titrate over the next 30 days from 500 mg to 1500 mg. I already take Xanax, Lexapro, Dostinex, and Synthroid daily. I cannot imagine being more tired, sleepy, and headache-y than I already am.

I've read enough posts to know that I should not give up during the adjustment period. So with all the support from y'all, I'm going to try to do it. I'm just not sure if I really have PCOS. Although as I read through the posts here, I'm beginning to lose some of my skepticism on that point.

Thanks so much, again, for the support. I'll keep you updated as I progress.

Well, here goes--first pill!

Stacie M · 04-30-2005, 04:46 PM

(((HUGS)))
Don't be so worried! There are a lot of us here who did not have bad side effects from metformin. I had a little bit of upset stomach and some bathroom "emergencies"

in the first few days, but with slow steps in upping the dosage and taking it before bed, my side effects have been very minimal.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you doubt your diagnosis of PCOS?

Good luck!
Stacie M

BeccaElise · 04-30-2005, 05:47 PM

I'm not sure why I doubt it, really. I just assumed that the hair on my chin and my upper lip were part of my heritage. I am French/Irish/Native American Indian (Creek tribe) and all the older women in my family have thick mustaches. Some have long chin hairs. A lot of them have unibrow. I've had my chin, upper lip, and brows waxed for about 12 years now. (I'm 38).

Although I've had erratic periods, I've never gone as long as some of the ladies on the boards. Of course, I usually went and had Provera when I got around 60 days without one. I started very early--age 10. When I was on BCPs, I had no periods at all, so I stopped BCPs in 1991. I went to my then OB/GYN to get my health checked in 1993 because I wanted to get pregnant. He found a cyst on my left ovary and said I wasn't ovulating properly. He put me on Provera for a couple of months and I got pregnant before I could even go back for my checkup.

I had my baby at 32 weeks gestation when I was 27. I've never tried to get pregnant again so I don't know if my fertility is a problem or not.

What did happen is that by age 31 I had gained approximately 100 pounds in 18 months. My head hair would start thinning and my facial hair would increase. My periods were extremely erratic. I developed panic attacks.

I went to the highest recommended endocrinologist in my area who also happened to be an RE. She did an MRI along with other tests and put me on Dostinex because I was having problems with my pituitary gland. After about a year on Dostinex, I began having what I consider to be fairly normal periods. I have 12 a year!! She also put me on Synthroid for my thyroid because I am hypothyroid.

She started talking about PCOS with me about the time she got put on the board of a major hospital here. I would go for my appointments and wait 3 hours past my appointment time. It just got crazy. I asked my PCP if he could refill my Dostinex and Synthroid prescriptions and never thought about PCOS again.

I recently turned 38 and I embarked on a plan to be healthy by age 40. I went to my PCP for an exam and he insisted that I go see a GYN as well and recommended my current OB/GYN. I went if for a routine Well Woman checkup. He insisted that I get some bloodwork done and said that he was convinced that I had PCOS. I told him about the RE's suspicion of that, and well here I am.

My labwork results were:

Fasting Glucose 85
FSH 2.8
Insulin 19
LH 3.8
Total Testosterone 62
Ultrasensitive Estradiol 65

My numbers just don't seem as radical as others on the board. I don't know. Maybe I've just been thinking this weight gain has been all my fault for so long that I can't believe that there is an actual diagnosis and response for it.

Sorry for the ramble, but that's my history.

acrowe · 04-30-2005, 07:02 PM

You are SOOOOOO lucky to have a good Gyno! I have been fighting to get Metformin for about 4 years now. And I keep picking the wrong doctors and they wont give it to me because they are stupid and wont listen to me-even when I present them with facts and info. The recent excuse for not giving me metformin is that "I only use Metformin to treat diabetes".

BeccaElise · 04-30-2005, 08:22 PM

You are right about the GYN. I swear, other than the RE, the appointment with the GYN was the longest and most thorough appointment I've ever had. He actually met with me in his "office" not the "examining room" to discuss my history. I had released my PCP records to him as he works in conjuction with my PCP. He had already studied them and was ready to talk about PCOS when I arrived. He had the blood work order already written and everything.

BeccaElise · 05-02-2005, 12:52 PM

I've been on the 500 mg dose for two days now (today will be the third day), and I'm doing okay. I have had a few gastro problems, and I would much rather be in bed right now than at work--I'm so tired. I'm not as afraid now. I guess that's a good improvement!

The main thing is I have to remember to drink and eat. I've lost 3 pounds in the last 2 days which is definitely not normal for me. I'm positive it's mostly water as I seem to live in the bathroom. My little girls keeps singing that commercial song, "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now!"

I have to urinate more than any gastro-related problems. My rings are slipping off fingers, too! I never felt bloated, but maybe I was and just didn't know it. I made my follow-up appointment for the 24th which is after I've made it to the full 1500 mg per day.

The only other thing I've noticed is this weird bubbling sensation on my upper right side below my right breast. I don't know how else to explain it. It feels like what I suppose a sponge would feel like when water and soap bubble up out of it. Weird, I know, but I don't know how else to describe it. Not painful at all.

Well, that's all for now.

sunmoon · 05-03-2005, 01:16 AM

You go for it, girl! I, like you, was scared to take my first pill of Met. (500 mg also), but the side effects (the runs) only lasted 2 days... and the benefit of increased energy was worth EVERY trip to the bathroom!! Just give it a few days, and you will notice how much better you will feel. IT'S WORTH IT, GIRL!

"Cheers" to feeling better! I totally understand. Hang in there and watch the carbs, too.

BeccaElise · 05-03-2005, 02:25 PM

My GYN also suggested starting the South Beach diet with the pills. I started day 1 of Phase 1 yesterday, so I'm definitely watching the carbs!

However, I had been doing Weight Watchers before yesterday. The GYN felt I could still count my WW points but follow the SBD plan. That's what I'm doing.

I'll be glad to see some of that energy everyone talks about because right now I feel like I could crawl under my desk and sleep for at least 3 days!!

Thanks for the support!!

Aprile78 · 05-03-2005, 03:05 PM

My insulin was 14 in January, and when I got retested, it was 8.

My cholesterol was 210 in January, and it's down to 165 now

BeccaElise · 05-03-2005, 03:39 PM

I hope to see those kind of numbers when I get retested!!

Thanks for the hope and support.

bbro · 05-03-2005, 03:46 PM

Just wanted to give you a ray of hope. I never really had any side effects when I started Met. Granted, I am still on 500 mgs, but there still may be hope for you!

GL on your first day!