Bummer...insulin resistance anyone?

[deleteme 176]

So, I found I out I am considered to be insulin resistant. What does this mean? Well, it explains why I get to my current weight and can't go any further, even with the band. It makes me so sad to know that I went down this lapband path with good, hopeful thoughts, only to find out that stinky family history of diabetes is essentially getting in the way. I am not diabetic, I am not pre-diabetic. I do have diabetes on both sides of my family, and had gestational diabetes in all three pregnancies which are the main factors for me getting the band - help in losing the weight so I don't become diabetic as well.

Anyway, now I get to work extraordinarily hard to jump this hurdle and decide if I want to take the medication Metformin to help me jump the hurdle. Adding in more exercise everyday. I can do this. Right?

I cannot even tell you how sad I am to have learned this, but also somewhat relieved to know that it isn't me screwing up. Blah. Anyone else experience insulin resistance?

[Mysticangel142003 7]

I take metformin for PCOS. (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome) it's really not that bad! Plus it helps keep my sugars in check when my hormones are out of wack!!!

[terrydumont46 1,954]

I was insulin resistant before the lapband. but now that I have lost a little wt. the insulin is working. I have gone from 200 units of lantus and a bs of 250plus to 20 units of lantus at night only. what I believe they are trying to tell you is that your insulin your body creates to move blood sugar or glucose into the cell isn't working right. to me that means you are diabetic. oral medications is usually the first medication given. also metformin is good for stopping the liver in producing blood sugar.

[deleteme 176]

I was insulin resistant before the lapband. but now that I have lost a little wt. the insulin is working. I have gone from 200 units of lantus and a bs of 250plus to 20 units of lantus at night only. what I believe they are trying to tell you is that your insulin your body creates to move blood sugar or glucose into the cell isn't working right. to me that means you are diabetic. oral medications is usually the first medication given. also metformin is good for stopping the liver in producing blood sugar.

No, they were very clear that I am not diabetic. Nor am I prediabetic.

However, insulin resistance can lead to diabetes over time. They give metformin as an aid to help facilitate weightloss, not as a drug for diabetes - in my case.

[deleteme 176]

I take metformin for PCOS. (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome) it's really not that bad! Plus it helps keep my sugars in check when my hormones are out of wack!!!

I've read on several sites that indicate some people have issues with diarrhea on metformin. That does not excite me!

[PhatKat1127 55]

I have been on metformin for PCOS for 5 yrs it does keep my cycles current as without it I would have no menstrual cycle at all. You must take it with food or crackers it does in fact also lead to lactic acidosis! Very very painful craping I can describe the feeling like gut wrenching contractions. Don't miss a dose. Other symptoms can be diarrhea and lead to dehydration so no sugary drinks. PCOS causes erratic insulin but as we struggle with PCOS are not Diabetic so the benefit of Metformin is to stabilize the insulin.

[fatty2hottie 57]

I've read on several sites that indicate some people have issues with diarrhea on metformin. That does not excite me!

Haha! Yep, the metformin was a nightmare for me. I was being treated for infertility because I have PCOS and very abnormal cycles. I took it for about a month until I couldn't take the diarrhea anymore. The extended release was much better and I didn't have that problem anymore. The problem was it was more expensive, but definitely worth the money. I am sort of in the same situation in that I have insulin resistance but not at risk currently for diabetes. No one in my family has it though, and I wasn't pregnant long enough to get gestational diabetes. I was on Atkins for several months and only lost 36 pounds, which is how I knew I was insulin resistant, plus the skin discoloration among other things. My body doesn't process carbs effectively. The metformin helped me conceive, which was a relief.

[jennybean 175]

I am beginning to think I am insulin resistant too. I have so much trouble losing weight no matter what I do. I have cut out carbs completely (as much as possible) as of yesterday and hopefully this will help.

[deleteme 176]

Haha! Yep, the metformin was a nightmare for me. I was being treated for infertility because I have PCOS and very abnormal cycles. I took it for about a month until I couldn't take the diarrhea anymore. The extended release was much better and I didn't have that problem anymore. The problem was it was more expensive, but definitely worth the money. I am sort of in the same situation in that I have insulin resistance but not at risk currently for diabetes. No one in my family has it though, and I wasn't pregnant long enough to get gestational diabetes. I was on Atkins for several months and only lost 36 pounds, which is how I knew I was insulin resistant, plus the skin discoloration among other things. My body doesn't process carbs effectively. The metformin helped me conceive, which was a relief.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Tell me more about the skin discoloration? That could be another symptom for me?

[fatty2hottie 57]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Tell me more about the skin discoloration? That could be another symptom for me?

Insulin resistance usually involves slight browning of the skin in certain areas. I have this along the with a fatty liver and PCOS.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/mobileart.asp?articlekey=30653&page=4