Posts: 837
3/20/08 8:53 A

I was trying to lose weight for years with diet and exercise before I was diagnosed with PCOS, so going on meds immediately seemed to make sense. At first I felt like it was helping me not feel so hungry between meals, but after a few months I didn't feel I was getting the same effect. I stopped taking them (also between docs at this point so didn't tell my old doc) and gained a few pounds, but I also was not tracking my calories or getting consistent exercise then. Now I'm back to taking them regularly and I'm feeling the effects again (less hungry between meals, get fuller faster), so hopefully I can keep on track with my nutrition and exercise and lose some weight.

As for the side effects, I only notice the stomach upset in the first few days of taking it, or if I eat really greasy foods. I'm currently taking 2 pills (1000mg) with my lunch-time SlimFast and haven't noticed any side effects for a while.

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Posts: 11
3/19/08 9:51 P

Thanks for the warnings about the Metformin side effects. My doc is about to start me on it and I'd rather avoid the whole gastrointestinal issues as much as possible. ;)

Posts: 93
3/12/08 4:51 A

I was first diagnosed with PCOS when ttc our first child. It took about 21 months for my regular OBGYN to send us to a fertility dr, who took one look at me & said he believed I had PCOS. He asked us to try Met XR & low amylose diet for 9 months. In 3 months, I had lost 42 lbs & was 2 months pregnant. After having 2 babies, I had tried dieting without the meds & did not have any luck at all. I am now following spark, exercising, and taking 2000mg MetXR daily. The weight is slowly coming off, but I do have to make sure I take my meds on a completely full stomach or I'll be in the bathroom the rest of the night!

Posts: 42
3/12/08 1:58 A

i found out i had pcos when i was 17 i was on and off a bunch of different meds but the when i was to old to be on my dads insurance i didn't take any meds the thing i have noticed not taking meds was that i have gained weight, i just got insurance again and am wanting to go to the dr again, so hopefully!

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Posts: 1,329
3/8/08 12:25 P

I didn't have a choice. I had to regulate my cycle. But from what I've gathered, meds don't contribute largely to weight loss to begin with. They address other issues which in turn may result in some weight loss.

I must admit that I do feel a lot better now. And my doctor is a great source of support and is convinced that with weight loss I will be able to stop taking meds all together.

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Posts: 133
3/7/08 8:15 A

I started after I was tired of feeling like crap all the time. I let it go for 10 years, and I just couldn't take all of the side effects anymore - the fair on my face, dark hair on my arms, period going crazy all over the place...

I'm on the depo shot, and I was still having my period constantly. Not in a cycle, but all the time. I decided it was time to put my foot down. I don't need to live like that, and a monthly prescription is cheaper than all the pads I was buying, haha.

Now I'm on depo, 2000 mg of Metformin daily, and I use Vaniqa for my face. My weight is dropping like a rock, so I'm going to talk to my OBGYN next week. I don't want to end up losing weight so fast that I have skin hanging all over the place.

I think you really should discuss this with your doctor. He sent me to an endocrinologist, who immediately took one look at me and knew what was wrong. We're just starting my treatment, so we still may need to tweak it, but I'm doing ok. The stomach sickness is going away slowly, and the hair on my face is getting lighter and thinner (hurrah!)

Posts: 62
3/6/08 11:16 A

I'm on 1000mg of MetXR. I take it every night w/ dinner (2 pills). It didn't help me lose weight, stay the same or regulate my cycles.

I did have the lovely ritual of using the bathroom atleast once every morning. This week I started SB, and I'm not having the bathroom side effects (and I've been on Met for years!). I've always known carbs were the culprit, but never been able to stop eating them, LOL!

My sister suspects she has skinny PCOS. She's found a low carb diet keeps the ovary pains away. When she carb binges, the pain comes back.

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Posts: 3,045
3/5/08 5:13 P

If you can control the symptoms and you're happy, then stay where you are.

But if you're not happy with where you are, including your BP and cholesterol levels, then I would consider trying it. Yes, it can have bad side effects for some people. Others find it manageable.

current weight: 304.0

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SparkPoints: (5,155)
Fitness Minutes: (4,098)
Posts: 1,083
3/2/08 12:04 P

I think naturally keep doing what you are doing and try a multivitamins, B vitamins (energy), cinammon (blood sugar) and chromium picolanate (carb cravings). If you don't feel an improvement from where you are now then move forward w/ your doctor.

current weight: 212.6

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SparkPoints: (1,175)
Fitness Minutes: (282)
Posts: 27
3/2/08 10:59 A

This is good info...I primarily was interested in side effects. I'm not looking for a quick fix for weight, but I am interested in something that will help control my cycles, and help me feel better overall. Thus far, I've incorporated a lower carb diet and exercise into my life hoping that would make me feel better and I was hoping that along with some vitamins and supplements I would naturally see improvements in my cycles, my weight, and my overall well being.

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Posts: 20
3/2/08 10:45 A

My experience with meds goes like this. I was diagnosed with PCOS around 6 years ago. I went on Metaphor and had Hopkins on 500mg twice a day..so I quit taking it,,my doctor said take 250mg twice a bay, so I did..I was sooooo tired all the time so , I quit again. January this year I decided I needed help, so I went to a different doctor and I am now on Metformin 1000mg daily, Spironolactone 50 mg daily, and Nortrel (birth control)..I was tired and pretty much felt like crap the entire first month..but I pushed through those side effects and I am happy to be doing something to help my health..

current weight: 225.4

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Posts: 1,975
3/2/08 6:33 A

When I found out I had PCOS, I jumped at the chance to try glucophage. I thought it was going to be the magic pill that was going to help me lose weight & get my cycle regular. Well, it didn't & it did. I didn't lose any more/less weight while on it, but it did regulate my cycle. When I found out I had heart issues, I was told to stop taking it - that was about 6 months ago. I still have a regular cycle.

SparkPoints: (126,235)
Fitness Minutes: (127,817)
Posts: 14,717
3/2/08 4:51 A

I'm not on anything for the PCOS what so ever

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Posts: 919
3/1/08 12:06 P

For me, I went on medications the day I found out I had PCOS. The doctor explained all my options and in the end, the medication sounded like the safest and best route to me. But of course, only your doctor and you can make the decision. I tried to loose weight before I knew I had PCOS and I got no where. For me, the medications were the only thing that helped me take the weight off so I believe that PCOS is the reason for weight gain and not the other way around. Plus, my cycles before were long and I lost a lot of blood. Because of that, I have to take iron now to get my red blood cells back to where they should be. In all, I'm on several meds right now, BC, metformin, iron, and vitimuns, but they are the only things making a difference besides my excersise and diet, and I'm looking forward to the day I don't have to use them anymore!

current weight: 283.0

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SparkPoints: (5,155)
Fitness Minutes: (4,098)
Posts: 1,083
3/1/08 11:44 A

I understand your dilema and it may not be time for you. Do research on-line for side affects. I take Metformin and YAZ for PCOS. I think YAZ does a better job at controlling my acne & cycles. Metformin alone didn't do it for me (it does for some). I am not one that has lost ANY weight on Metformin, but some do as it helps the IR. It has helped me stop gaining weight. I've heard of another called Avandia that works better than Metformin. The only side-effects I have w/ Metformin is similar to IBS wh/ is common. There are some concerns about long term liver side effects. However, as someone else on another post stated, liver side effects may not be as bad as heart disease, high blood pressure, cholestrol, and diabetes wh/ are all more likely w/ PCOS.

current weight: 212.6

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Fitness Minutes: (12,488)
Posts: 3,019
3/1/08 11:37 A

Hi!

I'm on Metformin and have been for a while now and was once before..

Met isn't really for loosing weight (it can be a nice 'side affect'). It's to control insulin resistance. So if you have had your blood sugar tested and are having issues with it then Met might be a good idea for you. The threat of diabetes is real for us with PCOS and if Met will help me keep that from happening I'm all for it.

Now, I may be a bit more concerned about diabetes then some since it runs in my family and my sister has it and has for years. I would much rather pop a couple pills a day then giving myself shots like she does.

As for what it does? It depends on your body and how it reacts to it. The first time I was on it I never got over the running to the bathroom with one of the side affects. This time I had no trouble at all. I just HAVE to take the pill mid-meal. For some you loose lots of weight at the beginning then it tapers off (like me) and for others you may not loose anything and I have heard some say they gained. There is no way to know until you try it. Some say don't take it unless you have trouble with your insulin levels and some people say that if you have PCOS you should be on it. It's really up to your doctor and you..

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Posts: 27
3/1/08 11:15 A

Ok, so, I've had PCOS for awhile now and I'm back to working on it since my pregnancy. My question to everyone is, at what point did you decide diet & exercise wasn't enough and to try and control it and you decided to try meds. My doc would like me to try metformin but I don't feel ready. I'm not into taking prescriptions. I've been working on my diet, but I feel like things are not changing. Does that sound strange?

Anyway, I'd like some feedback on which meds work best and how they make you feel. Before I commit to this I want input from others on just what this medication will to do me.

thanks all!

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