---and I call them nasty because they sure are a doozy to my intestinal system--are you guys taking them consistently at the same time every day, or are you just taking them with meals, or what?
I try to take mine with my meals, but I only eat two main meals a day, so I usually end up skipping my third dose.
Has anyone been told by their doctor how these are suppose to be taken to be most effective? Do they work better if you take it during your meal, or is just three scheduled doses a day okay?
Or have you read something about dosing?
Do you notice a differerence on your intestinal tract if you take them on an empty stomach or with carbs? I don't know what's with my stomach, but I have diarrhea nearly every time I eat something fatty. I've also had my gallbladder removed, maybe that's part of it. Seems worse since the metformin though. Makes going out to dinner a lot of fun, doesn't?
Your info on this subject is much appreciated! When we all put our ideas together, we can come up with quite a bit of information!
Thanks!
__________________ Age: 31
Diagnosed with PCOS: March 2002
Thankful to finally have a diagnosis to my weird problems!
Symptoms since a teen.
Only odd thing about me--popped out two little kiddos with no problem (almost too easy). Go figure.
I take Glucophage XR. Because it is time release, I take it once a day (at least so far) and I don't have to worry about it again. it is also a LOT gentler on the intestines. And, yes, the "carb-ier" the meal, the worse the reaction.
__________________ "Don't eat less, just more intelligently..."
Free of soy, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and and trans fats since March 2002...now regular periods, free of cysts, testosterone normalized, more than 70 lbs lost, ovulation and fertility restored, cholesterol total only 145... ...and now child #2 born 6/7/04 8 lbs 5 oz.Holy cow--a GIRL this time!!!
I take the XR, 4 pills (500 mg each) at once, right after dinner. Sometimes I don't take it until an hour or two after dinner, doesn't seem to make a difference with me. I had zero side effects until I made it up to 2000mg. Now, some mornings (not all), I have some diarrhea, but it's just once and no big deal. No cramping, pain, etc. Also, it doesn't seem to matter what I eat. Carby, sugary, etc. Also, I have no problems having a glass of wine now and then on the XR. I LOVE the XR exactly for this reason -- with the regular met I was nauseated awfully for weeks on end. And if I dared to eat sugar or alcohol...oh my! I had terrible diarrhea within half an hour of ingesting it. I remember stopping at one too many nasty gas stations with "potty emergencies." Let me tell you, that can totally ruin a romantic night out with your husband, lol. I think everyone responds differently to the met, as well has how the met combines with certain foods.
__________________ Me 32 ~ DH 33
Mom to Anna Kate, my Russian Miracle
b ~ 7/18/01 a. 2/11/02
I am on the regular metformin, and I take 2 (500 mg each) at dinner time and I just started taking 1 pill in the morning with breakfast. next week I will take 2 in the am and 2 in the pm....so that I will get 2000 mg daily. I am so surprised that I have had absolutely NO side effects whatsoever!!! I am wondering if it is working for me!!! I wish I would get diarrhea when I eat carbs or sugar! maybe then I would lose some weight!
I didn't really start having nasty side effects until I got up to 1500mg/day. Then, despite months of being on it, and no matter what I did, my body just didn't get used to it and I had pretty consistent intestinal problems. So my doctor switched me to the XR... ever since its been MUCH better. Occassionally I'll still have a little problem but its more like once a month instead of every day. I strongly suggest it if your stomach doesn't seem to be able to handle the met even after being on it for awhile.
__________________ Diagnosed w/ PCOS: 12/99
Rx: Glucophage XR 1500mg since 5/02
Regular periods since 7/02!
Try to take your meds with an adequate amount of protein. Introducing a protein shake into your diet might also help you with getting your 3rd dosage in. Or perhaps a nice scoop of peanut butter. I take 1000mg twice a day, at breakfast and dinner. I've been fairly lucky as far as side effects go, but I do have those moments occasionally.
And yes...too many carbs equal too many trips "running" to the potty.
I take three 500 mg pills a day, with meals.
Usually the medication is not a problem, EXCEPT when I eat something that is too fatty: I've learned this the hard way.
I guess one of the advantages/disadvantages of this medication is that it keeps reminding me what foods I should not eat... or else suffer the consequences! (darn it!)
Hi,
I take 500mg 2x a day, but I've heard that if you are taking 500 3x a day you should take 1 in the am, and 2 at night so that the majority of the problems occur while you're asleep.
Just a thought...
Becky
__________________ Me 31, DH 31
Megan Elizabeth born 10/24/03 (clomid & IUI)
Andrew Dale born 12/7/06 (fenara & IUI)
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As much as I hate the intestinal effects, right now I'm more concerned about how the medicine is working.
Thank you for your ideas!
I'm currently taking metformin 500 mg t.i.d. I wonder if one pill will help with the insulin until the next dosing, or if I need to spread them out throughout the day to help with the insulin resistance?
I'm thinking about the weight loss aspect, as well as the help with the periods. I realize you need to help the cells absorb the insulin in order to get the benefits, so what helps this happen? I've read through the garbly gook insert of the medication, but I'd be fascinated in knowing exactly how long it helps the cells, and whether it's on an empty stomach or with food, etc.
Guess I should've been a metformin/Glucophage drug representative huh. Maybe in my next life (ha ha).
__________________ Age: 31
Diagnosed with PCOS: March 2002
Thankful to finally have a diagnosis to my weird problems!
Symptoms since a teen.
Only odd thing about me--popped out two little kiddos with no problem (almost too easy). Go figure.
I'm on regular Met, 3 x 850 mg. I take 850 with breakfast, 850 with lunch, and 850 before bed. I try to limit fat and sugar at my meals as it seems to aggravate my stomach.
I take 1000mg regular gluc with breakfast, and 1000mg regular gluc with dinner. The intestinal side effects have completely dissipated for me even some of my food intolerances seem to be lessening. I prefer to take my pills with a meal, in the middle, or with at least a cup of eggnog if I know I'll be eating within an hour or just ate an hour ago.
If I don't take it this way I get some odd kind of pulling pain on the one or both sides of my mid-to-lower back.
__________________
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PCOS+IR, Hypothyroidism
Sleep Apnea (cured by tonsillectomy)
30-Something Mommy of 2
Logan Scott born April 9, 2004!
Conor James born Nov 1, 2006.
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After several sessions with a Nutritionist, I have found that adding fiber helps most with the potty problems. I too had my gallbladder removed and find that carbs or fat also create an urgent need to RUN to the bathroom often.
My nutritionist also explained how our cells use/need insulin and that when they are resistent, they have less receptors for the insulin we produce. Increased activity is supposed to create more receptors on our cells for the insulin.
When you take these NASTY pills.... 
