Second Week of Met...What is up with "ghost" pills?

Shelley69 · 08-14-2003, 12:29 PM

Hey, I'm a newbie! I am going into my second week of Met, started w/500 and now taking 1000. I had a problem with what I thought was the Met going right through and not working, but my dr said there can be ghost pills that go thru looking whole...but assures me they are working?

I just got my labs back from the day before I started the Met and the Atkins Diet and my fasting is insulin was 29.8....I guess that means I'm IR. Anyway the first week I have lost 10 lbs. It is only the start, but it is the first time I have lost in 12 years!

I am a little concerned after reading some posts that maybe it is coming off to fast and maybe I am not taking in enough carbs? It that possible? I sure need to lose alot, just under 300 with the current weight loss. Any input?

Thanks to my new cysters....I know I'm not alone and crazy now!

christyz · 08-14-2003, 02:36 PM

If you are on GLUC XR it is normal to see what looks like a pill in your stool. This isn't the drug, but rather is the external gel portion of the capsule. IF you are not on the XR version, I have never heard anything about 'ghost pills', but if your Dr isn't concerned, I wouldn't be either. For more info on the XR capsules, see Question #19 , on the FAQ section:
FAQ About Metformin

It's possible to take in too few carbs, but the selling features on some diets is that this helps you lose weight faster. Speak with your Dr or dietician about the diet you are following, and he or she will be able to indicate if you are going too low in the carb dept. Generally, a feeling of dizziness or weakness or lightheadedness is an indication that you need more calories and that your brain may need glucose.

Congrats on your weight loss and good luck with the Met! Hope it helps!

Shelley69 · 08-14-2003, 04:06 PM

Christy:

Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, I'm on the GLUC XR, so the FAQ #19 explained it well. It just freaked me out a bit, thinking it was going through!

My doctor just told me that the Atkins was just cutting the carbs (bread, rice, pasta, pototoes, sweats, etc.) so that is what I have been doing. I think I'll look into the IR Diet, since my fasting insulin was so high. I think that the 29.8 was high from the lab stats I have seen here.

Thanks for your support! Your input and before/after pics are a pure inspiration!

Shelley

Kerri · 08-14-2003, 09:17 PM

That isn't too fast to lose weight on Atkins. If you have lots to lose, just enjoy it. Have you got the book? I've been doing Atkins for 4 years now, and I feel so good. If you're feeling achy or weak or desperate for sugar or anything, it's just sugar-withdrawal, which will go away. Otherwise, you're doing great! Be sure to drink lots of water to help flush everything through.

Kerri

christyz · 08-14-2003, 10:32 PM

Quote:

If you're feeling achy or weak or desperate for sugar or anything, it's just sugar-withdrawal, which will go away.

There is a big difference between craving sugar when starting atkins or any low carb diet, and feeling achy or weak. Feeling lethargic, disoriented, achy or jittery are signs of hypoglycemia, and that won't go away without glucose. Our brains rely on glucose for thought and function, and if we drop too low, the brain demands glucose. Ignoring a hypoglycemic episode can be life threatening, so we should all know the signs and symptoms of hypo if we are low carbing and/or on Met.

Thanks for letting me make that distinction between simple cravings and hypo.

Kerri · 08-14-2003, 10:38 PM

In the first few days alot of people feel achy, shaky, frantic, and tired/weak from sugar withdrawal, with similar symptoms to heroine withdrawal. I have had hypoglycemic episodes aswell. If she hadn't said she was in her first day or two, I wouldn't have written it off as withdrawal. Metformin, combined with lower carbs can cause low blood sugar, but if we're eating enough calories and vegetables, like we're supposed to, it shouldn't occur, or should at least subside.

Kerri

christyz · 08-14-2003, 10:46 PM

Thanks, Kerri. I hope you know I wasn't being critical, but just making that distinction a little clearer, so that somebody reading this with hypo symptoms who wasn't in induction didn't write it off. One of the perils of being a moderator means you have to clarify things so you don't mislead anybody. We don't want any lawsuits or anything.

LOL

Thanks for posting.

Shelley69 · 08-18-2003, 02:20 PM

Christy & Kerri:

Thanks so much for your input. I think I need to look into the IR diet, instead of Atkins. This weekend I really have been feeling weak and lethargic...no different aches than I had before! What are the differences between the Atkins and IR Diets? I had an apple on Saturday and a peach on Sunday to help with the weakness, it seems to help beliefly....but I went up 4 lbs, without cheating! The first week of Atkins I felt great, now I really feel sick. Any ideas...Dr. wasn't to helpful!

Thanks!

christyz · 08-18-2003, 03:01 PM

I'm glad that you are listening to the signs your body is giving you about low blood sugar. Since you've been on Atkins, I'll explain the general idea behind IR. The main 'jist' is that if you balance eating protein (which does not spike insulin) with carbs (that do), you can counter the insulin spike by balancing protein with the carbs you eat. You eat 7 g protein for every 15 g of carb and no more than 30 g carb in a 2 hour period. The beauty of this diet is no food is off limits as long as you balance it with protein and moderate your carbs.

It has worked well for me (40 pounds...20% of my body weight), and another Met forum junkie KYBluegrass has lost 150+ pounds on this diet. Many others are seeing success too. My blood sugar rarely gives me the shakies and I have energy to rollerblade and run and live my life. I've done every diet there is, and I know I can do this way of eating forever.

There is lots more info on the Diet forum if you need it. Good Luck.