Scared to take Met

[luvmyjs]

Hi I'm new here.

I picked up the Met from the pharmacy on 7/24/06 and I have not took even one pill yet. I'm afraid of the side effects and I also made the mistake of reading about lactic acidosis so now I'm freaked out about that too.

The other thing is that I am not IR....yet. The doc said my labs don't show IR but she says I have physical signs (chin, elbows, knees) that show that I could become IR/diabetic in the future.

Can someone please ease my fears?

[Eva37]

i can understand how you feel. I was soooo nerveous to take met myself. But for me it's been really great.
eva

[karihager1982]

luvmyjs - I felt the exact same way as you did! I picked up my pills, and it took me a few days to accept that I had to take them. I was terrified of all the side effects!

My doctor advised me to start off on the lowest dose, then increase very slowly. If the side effects showed up bad, cut back down a dose. Then try again another week.

It can take some time for your body to adjust to the pills, but eventually, the side effects will go away. In the beginning, I had "the runs" a few times (sorry, TMI) and I had nausea as well. Now that is mostly gone, and I just noticed a lack of appetite, having to force myself to eat.

The chance of getting lactic acidosis is very tiny, and starting the meds in small doses will help prevent that. I know how scary it is to read the pamplet that comes with the meds, and think "what if this happens???" I just had to push myself.

Good luck in your journey with Met! If you ever want to chat, just Private Message me anytime.

- Kari

[christyz]

I agree..dose slowly with your Dr's permission. SO many people suffer becuase they start at a high dose right off the bat...my Doc started me at 1500 and I suffered.

And let me tell you...it's not like you just have to sit back and take side effects as the norm. DIET is huge and many people suffere because they are unwilling to change that. I had s/e for over a year on met and the day I started eating to control my insulin, the s/e disappeared...so you have control over this and nothing to be afraid of.

I'd be MORE afraid of not taking the drug I needed to regulate my hormones, than afraid of side effects which are 90% controllable and in many cases aren't even an issue. You owe it to yourself and your Dr to give this a fair try.

Good luck!

[zorah]

I just wanted to say I'm like you in that I didn't test as IR but I have symptoms that suggest I am (including somewhat darkened skin under my arms and elsewhere). I've been taking metformin ER for a month now, starting at 500mg and now I've been at 1500mg (my prescribed dose) for 9 days.

I was very afraid of the s/e too (especially as I would pretty much rather die than ever be nauseated!), but I've barely had any GI s/e at all, which has been a great relief. I hope you have the same luck in that regard!

Three things which may (or may not) have made it easier for me are that (1) I'm taking the extended-release version, (2) I've been drinking a cup of kefir every day, and the bacteria may help prevent GI upset, and (3) my diet isn't very high in refined carbs (although I haven't had any problems on the occasions that I have eaten processed or fried foods either).

I think the drug is worth a try -- even if you do get side effects you can't tolerate, that will only last a short time, but if the drug works for you you could benefit from it for years or even a lifetime.

Good luck!

[luvmyjs]

Thank you ladies soooo much! I am just now getting a chance to get on here and I was so surprised to get so many responses! You all are awesome.

The doc prescribed 1000mg per day. I think I will start with 500 for the first couple of days and work my way up. I'll let you all know when I take it.

And let me tell you...it's not like you just have to sit back and take side effects as the norm. DIET is huge and many people suffere because they are unwilling to change that. I had s/e for over a year on met and the day I started eating to control my insulin, the s/e disappeared...so you have control over this and nothing to be afraid of.

Christyz-This makes so much sense!

Again, thank you so much, all of you. I really appreciate it. I'm new here and I already feel the love.

-Ree

[MissExtremist]

I was dead set against metformin for a while and i finally gave in because my "natural methods" were not working for me and i was sick of feeling sick. It's been 5 days, I cant remember the last time I felt this good physically and mentally . I am at 500mg and will increase every 2 weeks - which i heard is key to little or no side effects.

[mimi112]

ok so i can totally relate to you on this one! I have not dared take my met either and i have had it for a few days...im scared of the side effects and also i think im just tring to face the fact that i really do have a problem that i need to take care of.....we are in this together! haha

[jenpalmer71]

wow.....its like a walk back in time....lol.

I picked up my prescription and didn't take it for THREE MONTHS!! I read the inserts and all kinds of scary things online. But one thing my doctor told me to ease my mind was that they monitor your kindeys every 3 months and if something is wrong and your numbers go up it IS reversible if caught...that's IF it happens which is extremely rare. Met helped me lose 70 pounds AND get pg because of it. I owe my new life to Met....trust me, it will be the best thing you can do for yourself. Monitor your blood closely every three months and you'll be fine!!!

[luvmyjs]

Thanks Lisa!

Mimi-I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one freaking out lol. I am still planning to start with 500mg on Sunday...hopefully.

jenpalmer-Thank you so much. My doc did tell me to come back in 3 months and now I know why. I just assumed it was a follow up to increase my dose or something.

You ladies are so supportive. Thank you!

[Adrianne618]

I am on met 2000mg/day, and it's been great so far! I am not IR, however I have PCOS and my Doc is trying to help me concieve & get regulated! Started off at 500/day, and increased weekly until I reached 2000mg. Decreased appetite, and bit of diarrhea (TMI, sorry!) but nothing too bad! Good luck!

[belle84]

heya babes i was on 1700mgs previous which i practically jumped in to and oh my god lol

now a few mnths later im back on met but I am controlling dosage WITH drs permission!!i am doing 500mgs for about two/three weeks and then im gonna go up to 1000mgs with an idea of maybe 2 mnths after that going up again if i need too..

try and cut back on ur carbs and coke! i found they upset me more! i also find that taking a pre+pro biotic drink or somethng helps prob becase it helps my insides ready for metformin!! xxx if u wanna chat im here xxx

[brener]

ladies I amon 500 per day for another day.. then onto 750 for 3 days then to 1000 for 3 days then to 1250 for 3 days and hopefully 1500 in 2/3 weeks... Its tough going but I so want a baby!

[brener]

ladies how do I help the cramps I have...?

[Gezza]

Hi

my first post I have started on met 11 days ago. Dr said to take 500mg twice daily but I read about the side effects and decided to go slowly. I have been taking half tabs (250mg) with breakfast and dinner with food.
Had some runs to toilet and one very bad night after eating a few chips, seafood pasta and a few glasses of white wine (was only 3 days on meds then). Could not go to sleep because of huge stomach pains and could not even turn in bed as tummy felt very extended. Thought something had ruptured or something! Slept on and off and pain so bad I was ready to call ambulance. Called in locum (visiting Dr) who arrived at 6am. He thought it was very likely to be a reaction to the Met. Whoa - didn't take any more for 24hrs - so scared. Read up on side effects on net esp this site. Was encouraged to keep going. Now just the odd fuzzy head feeling, staying well away from any greasy foods and alcohol, odd run to toilet.
Will try to get up to 500mg this weekend when can deal with any side effects over weekend and not at work.
So good to have this forum and to know that others are on this weird journey too.