Should I give up on this?

mandyloo · 10-08-2009, 12:25 AM

I know I've heard this problem time and time again, but I just don't know what to do. Mostly I'm sad and embarrassed right now and am inviting you to my pity party.
I've been on met since july and am ecstatic to have lost 16 pounds through diet and exercise. I upped my dosage in mid September, and that's when things got ugly.

I can't walk ANYWHERE. Stores, to the mailbox..I have had to call my mom to come drive me home TWICE now, because I was so close to having an accident. Tonight was the last straw. I was on a long walk (I felt so good before we left!) with my boyfriend and daughter, and then all of a sudden that awful feeling came over me-I became hot, white as a ghost, started sweating, and needed to go to the bathroom NOW. I ended up sobbing waiting for my mom, SURE I was going to humiliate myself then and there.

Is THIS worth it? I haven't become pregnant, my cycles are still completely out of whack (I'm on cd40 no end in sight), I...I don't know. I need someone to tell me this is going to get better.

duramater · 10-08-2009, 12:42 AM

It sounds to me like the lower dose was working for you - you lost the weight, anyway! I would go back to the lower dose instead of giving up on met entirely. And if the met isn't regulating your cycles enough (it could take a while), you might think about trying clomid or soy.

SO sorry you're going through this. Best of luck to you!

AMAcysterthin · 10-17-2009, 12:35 AM

I share in your pity party!!!!!

I am in the same boat, and yes- there's a bathroom onboard!!
I can't go to work, I can't go out with friends, I can't leave my house and bathroom! I've had to stop at a gas station 1 mile from my place of work because I didn't think i was going to make it.

I gave up on the Met, and is not looking for an alternative. I've gained my once lost 10lbs, I have acne like a 15 y/o and I have to wax my chin and jawline every 2 weeks again. It's a rough life, and I completely understand your sadness.

finallymrsvb · 10-17-2009, 12:57 AM

I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say that you're not alone. I know that the Met can be super rough. It sounds like you've had a much harder time with it than me. But I know that sometimes it helps to hear that other people are going through the same thing as you.

I hope you and your doctor get things sorted out soon. And congrats on your weight loss!! That's incredible.

Corvidae · 10-18-2009, 12:03 PM

I had a similar problem with metformin, but that stopped when I switched to the extended release version.

I no longer need the knowledge, but I know, by heart, the location of every public toilet in the three nearest towns and exactly how far away I could risk being from any of them.

Angelica76 · 10-18-2009, 07:30 PM

I switched to the extended release version also and now all my issues are better.

MontanaKiwi · 10-18-2009, 08:09 PM

My doctor has me on the extended release and I still have that problem from time to time. Here are some things I have learned. I always take met when I eat a VERY full meal. I avoid fatty/greasy food when taking met.
If the symptoms continue ask your doc about glumetza-my doc said it causes less GI side effects than the ER or regular met.

hope this helps

mandyloo · 10-23-2009, 04:28 PM

Thank you ladies SO MUCH for your responses. It makes me feel a lot better to know that I'm not the only one.
Yesterday was another bad day...I was supposed to go on a field trip with my niece, and ended up having to get off the bus. I think puking in an elementary school bathroom is pretty much a low point. I didn't make it to the trip and she was heartbroken.

I'm still taking the 1500..I was/am trying to hold out until Nov. 16 when I see my (worthless?) endo again.
I haven't decided if I should ask for the Extended Release met yet though, I've read some people say that it helped w/the gi side effects, but otherwise didn't seem to work. Has anyone else had this experience?
I was searching online and couldn't find a single RE in Montana...but was considering asking my negligent endo to at least refer me to an infertility specialist obgyn. Thoughts/ideas?

Thank you again SO MUCH

MontanaKiwi · 10-24-2009, 12:32 PM

I heard there is a new Dr in Billings that is doing the same stuff as a Reproductive Endo but that he is using they are calling his department Reproductive Medicine. I don't know if you are close to Billings but he may be able to help you.

shadow0617 · 10-25-2009, 05:13 PM

it wouldn't hurt to ask for the extended release. It might help, and well it couldnt be any worse than what you are going through now. Do you take the full dose at one time or spread it out through your day. I take 500mg at breakfast, lunch, and supper. I haven't had any bad side effects in awhile although i've also changed what I eat. I avoid high carb and fatty foods. and I dont drink alcohol within 3 hours of taking it. Drinking more water might help and immodium, I still carry it with me just incase. I hope you can find a doctor who actually knows what they are doing. If the one you are seeing now is a moron i'd suggest finding a new one and reporting is dumb butt. oh oyster crackers might not be low carb but they helped settle my stomach when I would get pukey. lol. hope this has helped, just remember you aren't alone almost everyone gets some kind of side effects from met. Congrats on your weight loss that is an awesome accomplishment!

faithneverfailing · 10-26-2009, 07:31 PM

I take the extended release and I ovulated for the first time on my own!! and Im only taking 1000mg ER so yes it does work. if you are getting sick you really should take 1000 instead of 1500 thats no way to live. even if you just gave your Endo's office a call and let them know what you ahve been experiencing and ask if it is appropriate to bring the dose down to 1000mg until your next apt. dont make yourself go through all that if you dont haveto

danut · 10-26-2009, 10:52 PM

I have been on the regular met since 9-21. My side effects were horrible at first (couldn't leave my house and needed to be at a bathroom at all times) and then once I upped my dose to 1500, the diarrhea went away, but nauseousness came. NEver made it to 2000. At my appointment my endo said the ER will give less side effects, but prescribed the regular since I have a bunch of weight to lose. Although the regular did help with weight, I have now started eating to try to settle my stomach. Anyway, today I finally made the call and will be starting it (the ER) tomorrow. I think since you haven't tried the ER it would be worth a try. Good luck to you.

wannaova · 10-30-2009, 12:46 PM

Sounds like your symptoms are like mine when my blood sugar crashes -- maybe the met is working too well and you should stick to the lower dose. Also, like others said make sure you take it with a meal and definitely try to eat something every couple of hours to keep your sugar even. I made the mistake of walking 1.2 miles to get lunch one day (which for any normal person would be fine), and ended up throwing up because I walked so far and had not eaten in several hours. I thought I was going to pass out. I buy 6 packs of raisins, kid packs of apple sauce, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal and nuts to eat at work or if I'm doing errands.

abacalvarywife · 11-01-2009, 01:23 AM

I'm feeling you sister. I thought my IBS was bad before, this is just nuts! I agree with those who suggested going down in mgs, carry immodium (though they say not to use it always) and maybe look into soy to help with your cycles.... Good luck with whatever you decide!
I've also read that the ER is less effective.

lori57703 · 11-04-2009, 02:12 AM

I had the same problem when I started met. I read the thread here on how to deal with the side effects and found several to be life savers. I learned that eating high carbohydrate meals is definately a no-no when on metformin. I have learned to balance my carbs with protien when I eat and that helps both with weight loss and side effects. I have lost 8 pounds since I started met on 10-6-09. One tip was to take the met in the middle of meals and I found that to be very helpful.

Since we all have slightly different side effects I would suggest that you refer to the original thread and read as many of the responses as you can and see what works for you. Here is the link: post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects I hope you don't give up on the met since it seems to help so many of us! Good luck.