P.C.O.S and Metformin (glucophage)

[Jeni 85 0]

im probably going to try it and see how it works...

thank you all for your input... hopefully there will be more responses..

and as far as the diarrhea goes at this point would be a relief... i have struggling with Constipation issues the past 2mths :smile: Evil abdominal pain.. my DR. suspects i have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (as if i dont have enough to deal with already) but wants me to see a Gastroenterologist to rule out any other bowel disorders :mad: but i do understand where he is coming from..:frown:

[Hastings 3]

I was on Glucophage for about two years for PCOS. It did NOTHING for me (except make me sick to my stomach everyday). I also had a problem with my bloodsugar dropping quickly while I was on it. I came of it cause I hated it and haven't had that happen since.

Well yeah. Metformin is used most commonly for diabetics to help control their blood glucose levels. lol

[stef123633 1]

I started on it while trying to get pregnant...I was successful - twice! it also helped take a few pounds off. Initially the side effects sucked, but they do subside, you have to give it time. It definitely made me ovulate. After 5 yrs on it, my doc took me off just prior to my lap-band, 3 weeks ago. I haven't been losing anything and wonder if it is b/c my body was used to the metformin and I think I should have stayed on it until I was skinnier and not still insulin resistant.

[Lunabeane 2]

The side effects never subsided for me. I was on it for 2 years and my endocrinilogist stated that there are some people that cannot handle it. However, there is a new drug on the market that is supposed to be successful in the treatment of pcos. I'm not sure what the name is but I can call my endo if you are interested.

[JaimeSTL 4]

I also have PCOS, diagnosed 9 years ago. I took Metformin for several years, off and on. Both of my children were conceived with only the help of Metformin, the first after I couldn't even get pregnant (or even just ovulate) on Clomid. With my second child, I was on it for approximately a month and got pregnant (after ttc for almost 2 years for our first). My doctor doesn't want me on it right now because of the possibility of blood sugar crashes since I don't eat much now. I've been losing well without it so I'm not interested in having the side effects of it right now.

[Hastings 3]

I started on it while trying to get pregnant...I was successful - twice! it also helped take a few pounds off. Initially the side effects sucked, but they do subside, you have to give it time. It definitely made me ovulate. After 5 yrs on it, my doc took me off just prior to my lap-band, 3 weeks ago. I haven't been losing anything and wonder if it is b/c my body was used to the metformin and I think I should have stayed on it until I was skinnier and not still insulin resistant.

You have to be off metformin to have surgery, as far as I understand it.

[Cate18 0]

The side effects never subsided for me. I was on it for 2 years and my endocrinilogist stated that there are some people that cannot handle it. However, there is a new drug on the market that is supposed to be successful in the treatment of pcos. I'm not sure what the name is but I can call my endo if you are interested.

I think maybe you're referring to Byetta (made by Lilly company). It's an injectable medication, and it's supposed to really help in controlling blood sugar, which alleviates PCOS symptoms. I'm taking Glumetza (same as metformin, but easier on the stomach) and Byetta for PCOS. My results have been mixed, but it's more because if I forget to take it for a few days I have to start taking it slowly again or else I feel sick like when I first took it. Though when I'm consistent it's been really helpful. Hope this information is helpful !

[laurenwhite82 0]

I have PCOS and am on metformin. Have only been on it for about 6 months. The only major side effect I have seen is a little diarrhea if I eat something highly processed. If I eat healthy food, its not really a problem. I have lost weight while on it. I am also on birth control, but I have been on birth control for like 9 years now, so I have a regular, normal period. Without the birth control, I am regular but very very very heavy and crampy that I cant really go to work or function in life for my heaviest days of my period. I cant imagine being without my nuva ring! I am on the time release metformin btw. I think i will have to go off it during the liquid diet before and after surgery, but can go back on after that if i need to.

[brandyII 9]

lauren...

I think there must have been a lot of Iron or something in my liquid diet because that's when my Constipation problems began, pre-banding. I was on full liquids for 4 weeks with medifast and one week was one meal and medifast. I'm also on antidepressants which also tend to constipate me. So maybe that's why I never had a problem with the metformin. brandyII.

[Jeni 85 0]

So what is the Byetta supposed to do exactly??? Is it supposed to control the symptoms?? And does is actually work?? Who here is on it?? And if it does what its supposed to do where do i sign up??? Lol!!!:rolleyes2:

[mickeymammoth 0]

I had bad GI issues with metformin; I didn't stay on it for long. I also tried Byetta for a few months, but it just made me feel queasy. It didn't really help me lose weight. I did lose a little weight at first, but I think that's because I was trying to watch what I ate.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at around 180 lbs., so I have a long way to go to get thin enough so the PCOS might resolve. I'm not really sure it will resolve even if I get to a lower weight.

I recently went off BCP in preparation for surgery, so I'm a little nervous my acne etc. will pick up. We'll see.

[Cate18 0]

So what is the Byetta supposed to do exactly??? Is it supposed to control the symptoms?? And does is actually work?? Who here is on it?? And if it does what its supposed to do where do i sign up??? Lol!!!:confused_smile:

Byetta is another blood sugar control medication. Diabetes/insulin resistance cause large fluctuations in blood sugar (if you already know this sorry !). Byetta tries to eliminate the extreme highs and lows. I think glucophage/metformin work by keeping it low, and you can sometimes bottom out. Byetta keeps it in a good range. Usually Byetta is paired with another medication like metformin. The Byetta webpage is here The BYETTA (exenatide) injection Site from Amylin and Lilly

It works if you're religious about taking it and you watch your carbs while you take it. If you stick with it for a full month it shouldn't make you queesy. Make sure if your PCP prescribes it that they start you on 5 micrograms to start. They can also prescribe higher amounts and starting on a higher amount can sometimes make you nauseous. Just a couple more things about Byetta--it's injectable, but the needle is just as long as a pencil eraser and is very small gauge needle. Also, it can be incredibly expensive if you don't have insurance, and I know that my last insurance company didn't cover it. So just a heads up. Make sure you check to make sure it's covered before you make plans to get it ! Good luck !

[Jeni 85 0]

thanks cate...

So my dr. decided to put me on the Glucophage XR 500mg... but i was told not to start till after i have my ct scan done..

Ill let you all know how it goes

[Bjornsyouruncle 0]

I just started Metformin at the beginning of May and so far the side effects are horrible. Luckily I take the medication at night and I don't go into work until 1:30pm, which gives me the whole morning to recover from the gas and diarrhea.

At my next appointment I'm just going to talk to her about taking me off it, as long as I continue to be able to control my PCOS through low carbing.

[MMDLynn 0]

Hi Jeni,

I have PCOS as well and was diagnosed 13 years ago. It took a very long time to find a solution for me. I've been taking Metformin for the past 6 years with slowly increasing dosages first 500 mg once daily now 2000mg daily. I've also increased in weight so it never helped me with the weight loss piece. It didn't do much regarding my monthly cycle either. I've been seeing a new endocrynologist at Northwestern Memorial hospital and she along wit my OB/GYN decided to take a 1-2 punch to address the menstral cycle. I still take the Met 1000 mg am and 1000mg pm as well as birth control pill - Yasmin 28 and I have a regular cycle every month. However, my cycle had been so slow due to excess weight that my OB/GYN had to give me a DC to remove the build up in the lining of my uterus. That's what is causing all of your heavy bleeding/cloting. I was also told NOT to use tampons because they only clog up from the shedding of the lining and you are simply wasting sanitary products. I use the heavy duty pads only and once my system adjusted to the Yasmin 28 pills (90 days) my periods were lighter and no cramping.

If you cannot take BC's you could always do the 10 day cycle of Provera to bring on your cycle monthly. I was on that plan until the Yasmin 28 came on the market and it worked pretty well.

Once you get below 200 you should start seeing a balance in your insulin levels as well as you menstral cycle - they are all tied to the weight. You should see an endocrynologist for all of your PCOS issues and the doctor at NWMH is Andrea Dunaif or Demetria Rupp they are specialist with PCOS. The OB/GYN doesn't really specialize in PCOS it is a glandular disorder and for some reason they have no clue about how to treat it.