Posts: 8
9/11/07 3:44 P

When I was first diagnosted with PCOS, 3 years ago, I began Meformin. At that time, it did cause me to constantly be on the toilet. I didn't notice it helping, so I stopped. A few months ago, I was told to start taking Metformin again. So I did, but this time there were no side effects. After almost a year of taking it, I still did not notice it helping so my doctor told me I could quit. I took 1000mg in the morning and 1000mg before bed. I have an appointment whith my OB/GYN next week. Hopefully there is an alternative. I haven't been able to lose even 1 pound.

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Posts: 300
9/10/07 12:19 A

I just think that this is one medication that is not for everyone. When, I started taking this medication I was having a hard time taking it but the more that I took it the better it got. But, I have a friend who can not tolerate it at all. She tried all kinds of things and nothing helped.

current weight: 202.0

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Posts: 36
9/8/07 2:06 A

I hate Met!it always makes me sick.. I'd feel nausious, bloated and dizzy if I take it. My doc told me to start with a really small dose.. like actually breaking the pill in 1/4s and have a 1/4 at every meal.. it still made me sick so I stopped taking it :p I couldn't do the whole "I'll put up with it and it will get better".

Posts: 833
9/3/07 6:38 P

I've upped it to 1,000 a day, and so far its ok. Except when I skip meals or eat them too late...does that happen to anyone else?

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9/3/07 1:58 A

on Thursday my endro also upped my met to 2,000 a day, i can't even tollerate the 1,000 never mind the larger dosage, no matter how i break it up ... growls

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Posts: 300
9/2/07 9:59 P

I just went to the doctor the other day and he increased the Metformin to 2000mg. So, far I have not had any problems with it. I have found with the medicine you have to just take it for a while to get over the problems.

current weight: 202.0

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Posts: 111
9/2/07 8:42 P

I have had this problem since I starting taking it about 5-6 years ago. If you have more carbs and protein in your breakfast than you normally would, it can help to line your stomach so that you are less nauseous. Also, avoid anything even slightly acidic, including fruit, as that can irritate your stomach in combination with the metformin. I had to eat a quite large breakfast before I could take my metformin to start with, at least 400-500 calories, but I have gradually tapered it down to 150 calories for breakfast over the last couple of years. If you are anything like me, though, keep taking it, and your stomach will get used to it.

current weight: 141.6

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Posts: 73
8/28/07 1:38 P

I had the problems for the first few weeks as well, but as long as I wasn't eating anything high in sugar or simple carbs, I was ok after that. However, I have a problem taking it just because of the size (I take Metformin XR). I can be a baby about really big pills, and even thinking about taking it tonight while I type is making me feel ill. Does anyone have the same problem, and any suggestions for making it go down easier? I tried cutting one up, but the taste was awful...and I don't think you're supposed to anyway.

Posts: 61
8/27/07 1:56 A

Thanks for all the replies and all the suggestions. I need to make an appointment to see my doctor anyway, so I will talk to her and see what we come up with.

Take care
Stacy

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Posts: 300
8/18/07 7:52 P

That may be true, that was along the lines that I was thinking but I am going to go to the doctor just to make sure something else is not wrong. I wanted to thank you all for the replies.

current weight: 202.0

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Posts: 690
8/17/07 10:51 P

GAJEN2345 - This is just a thought... nothing really to back it up with... but maybe since you were not having cycles without met... perhaps your body has a build up that needs to be shed - thus the heavier cycles... maybe the longer you are on met and having cycles your cycles will taper off to a normal flow

Posts: 300
8/17/07 10:09 P

SLCOLMAN, without meds I have don't have a cycle. Since I have started Metformin I am having a very heavy cycle. I have an appointment with my doctor Monday. I was just wondering if this is just something that I am going through or if this is part of the side effects.

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8/17/07 5:46 P

Jennifer - without the Metformin I have uncontrolable, unbearable, unrealistically heavy flows that basically never end. On the Metformin I have pretty average periods - about 25 days in cycle length with about 4 days of flow that starts really heavy and tapers off. It is different for everyone though I guess, but that is my story if it helps answer your question.

Edited by: SLCOLMAN at: 8/17/2007 (17:56)

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8/17/07 2:56 P

thank you scolman..I am going to talk to my dr about that.....

((((I love this board)))

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Posts: 300
8/16/07 7:50 P

I have a question has anyone noticed any difference when they are on met with their cycles, like it being heavier or lighter.

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8/16/07 3:54 P

The last conference my OBGYN went to taught him that the ER or extended release formulas aren't as good for PCOS as the plain old regular version... something to keep in mind.

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8/16/07 1:19 P

yes me too. I had the BeeGee's (my kids nickname for the bubble guts)for days. It was painful gas feeling then the bathroom and nausea. But it only took me 2 weeks to get over it. But then if you skip a day or two, then your right back again. so I went to the XR once a day at night and no problems. But it is true, becareful what you eat! Fatty will cause bad BeeGees..LOL

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Posts: 6
8/16/07 12:49 A

May sound strange but I had less side effects when I was on Glucophage, the brand name. Metformin is the generic. Extended Release gave me less side effects too. And maybe your intitial dose is too high? I started at 500mg with the hopes of getting to 1000mg, but never got past 850mg.

I went on it to help get p/g and the Dr wanted me to stay on it until at least 10wks gestation. I barely made it b/c of all the stomach problems it gave me.

When my son was 9mths old, I went back on it and had no problems this time. Odd, huh?

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Posts: 36
8/12/07 6:09 P

i hate metformin!!!! but i have to ke it 3 times a day... i get sick alot and i dont notice a conection to the food ive eaten through out the day...but im tuffen throught it.......

Posts: 300
8/12/07 3:20 P

I have been taking Metformin for two months, when I first started taking it I did have a lot of problems, mainly upset stomach and having to go to the bathroom. I would take it with food and milk. Now it seems that I don't have a problem unless I eat something high in fat. So, it just take times. But, if you are having a lot of problems, you should talk to your doctor and see if this medication is right for you.

current weight: 202.0

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8/12/07 3:43 A

My doctor started me out with small doses. Make sure you take it with food - also, I took mine at night and it seemed to help. Now I can take it any time & I'm ok.

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8/12/07 3:20 A

i've yet to be able to tollerate the stuff, but i can get by with it if i take it away from a meal or food for that matter

tend to take it first thing in the mormning and right before bed

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8/11/07 7:51 P

TTC=trying to conceive

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8/11/07 7:13 P

Hey, I'm not sure if the two are related, but last time I was on Met, I got really sick, a lot. this time, I'm following South Beach diet and even though I'm on the lowest dosage, I haven't gotten sick yet. so that could be something.

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Posts: 95
8/11/07 5:23 P

What does TTC stand for? I'm new to the terms used in PCOS.

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8/11/07 3:09 P

It was hard on me the frist week or so but then things eased off. Too much fat will still cause problems though. Also, when I first started on it I went with a pretty bland and lower than normal fiber diet and that seemed to help me get on it.

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Posts: 1,106
8/11/07 1:35 P

I stuck it out for a couple of weeks and it eventually went away. I found, and still do, that the more fat I consumed, the worse the side effects were. Sometimes though, you need to decide if the good outweighs the bad...good luck.

current weight: 153.0

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Posts: 61
8/11/07 10:00 A

I've tried a couple of times to take Metformin, and it makes me so nauseaus and I run to the bathroom for days. I tried the smallest dose possible every other day and it still made me sick. I tried taking it with food and/or milk, and it didn't help much. Does anyone else have any suggestions. I know it is supposed to be a good medication for insulin resistance, and TTC, but my digestive system hates it.

Thanks!
Stacy

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