Metformin trouble...
I've recently began treatment for PCOS and my gyno prescribed me metformin. I'm not doing so hot on it.. in fact I'm more miserable now than I have ever been in my life.
I'm supposed to take it three times a day but **** all that noise. I'm taking it once a day right now and I've got severe nausea (I couldn't even stay in the house at a family dinner today because the smell of food sickened me to the point of tears), no appetite what so ever and so I have to make myself eat my old routine, and as soon as I eat it's like it completely passes through me and becomes diarrhea.
The very first day I took it I ate lunch and then went to the library and as I was reaching for a book I literally passed out. I woke up to my friend picking me up off the floor.
Does it ever get better? I've been on it for about a week now. I've been told to eat high protein foods and shun carbs so that my blood sugar will stay steady. I eat breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack, and dinner, but like I said, i don't keep half of it down, and i can't eat very much because it makes me sick.. I was on a 1300 cal daily intake but I'm thinking I'm barely getting that if at all.
They say this drug is supposed to help you lose weight.. I see why now.. You don't want to eat and when you do you can't keep it in you..
Suggestions? I started taking a multi vitamin and I've been trying to drink double the water so that I won't dehydrate or miss out on the nutrients. I also test my blood sugar once every two days, and so far I'm running really normal.
I'm going to stay on it for a month.. if it doesn't get better though I'm going to ask to be taken off of it. I can't deal with being sick all the time from the side effects.
Metformin is meant to regulate hormone levels, it's not keeping you alive. Therefore I'd suggest you stop taking the medication immediately, go straight back to your regular doctor (or gynaecologist) and tell them what's happening. Severe nausea, passing out & diarrhoea aren't normal in the slightest and shouldn't be tolerated. Really don't stick it out for a whole month or you'll be very, very ill. There are alternative drugs.
Whoever told you to 'shun carbs' was also wrong, incidentally. People with PCOS and pre-diabetic/diabetic conditions are usually advised to reduce their intake of carbohydrates a little but to switch to 'Low GI' or complex carbohydrates rather than simple sugars and starches. There's an excellent book by Jennie Brand-Miller called 'The Low GI Guide to Managing PCOS' that I'd strongly recommend you read. I know a lot of people that it has helped considerably.
Best of luck
Actually the stomach-upset and diarrhea are pretty common to starting metformin, they do go away. Passing out I would probably ask about though.
Diarrhea and nausea are common side effects and sometimes go away after your body gets use to the medication. Passing out is a different story. Get to the Dr. right away. Metformin levels can be adjusted. Not everyone can tolerate a high does.
Metformin shows no clinical effectiveness in women with PCOS under 1000mg. Are you taking ER or the regular metformin. I had an awful upset stomach for nine months after starting metformin, but only for two weeks and then never, when I took the Extended Release. Also, try to stay away from white carbs (like sugar, white bread, etc). Those will upset your stomach. Try getting your sugar in whole fruit form or agave nectar. Try foods that are low on the glycemic index, too. I know it sucks to find a whole new way to eat, but it does get better! I promise!
Sorry, to recap, it makes no sense to only take 500 mg, as it will produce no results. Go back to the prescribed dosage, but request the extended release and watch your sugar and carb intakes for the first two weeks. After that, you should feel better. :-)
Original Post by jenniferleigh:
Sorry, to recap, it makes no sense to only take 500 mg, as it will produce no results. Go back to the prescribed dosage, but request the extended release and watch your sugar and carb intakes for the first two weeks. After that, you should feel better. :-)
Oops! This thread is from November 1988.
I'm diabetic on Metformin and I've never had any side effects. YMMV.
