View Full Version : diaformin/metformin users...advice please.
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jordy05
Tue, Oct-21-03, 18:00
I have recently been prescribed metformin,,,1,000ml tablet once a day,,,,, I know its to level out your blood sugars or something,,,,but i need more information on what it actually does or if anyone has has success with this medication? and is it right to low carb with this med or do i need to up the carbs,,,,, any information would be great.
By the way I am IR (insulllin resistant....my level was 3.9 if that helps) and I have had PCOS for 10 years but take nothing for it.... Had one child through IVF 7 years ago....
thanks
Rachael
sourdaisy
Thu, Oct-30-03, 08:46
Metformin is an insulin sensitizer. Basically, it counteracts your IR so that your insulin reaction is "normal". It does not lower your blood sugar at all, it just makes your body deal with the sugar already there more efficiently.
You don't necessarily need to eat more carbs. Low carbing will help the metformin do it's job so keep LCing if you're up to it. However, it's also possible to not eat enough carbs because after a lifetime of having a poor insulin reaction, we're suddenly not used to how a normal insulin reaction affects us.
As with anything, gage yourself by how you're feeling. If you feel great lcing then keep it up. Some people like me, though, don't feel right until our carbs are around 40g/day or so. If you're one of these people just gradually increase until you feel good. But if you can tolerate induction levels, then go for it!
I'm taking 1500mg of metformin, not the Glucophate XR it sounds like you're taking. It's working really well for my PCOS so far. I ovulate regularly now and have less horrid hormonal fluctuations but it hasn't done anything for my facial hair :( Time will tell, though, because sometimes it takes a really long time for the hormones to straigten out.
If you're not planning on having any more children then be careful because metformin makes quite a few PCOS women fertile again. And if you want another child, then hopefully metformin is all you need. :)
Swirl825
Tue, Nov-04-03, 12:26
I've got a question! See my history below, then my question is after that:
I am 21 years old, and female problems run in my family so my mother told me it is best to try to start having children young...so I did. Here is the timeline of events:
April 2002 - Stopped taking the Pill after 4 years (20 years old)
June 2002 - Still haven't had a period - pregnancy tests were negative
November 2002 - No period! Prenancy tests still negative... doctor put me on Provera
December 2002 - Got a period!
February 2003 - Still on my period after almost 60 days!!! Doctor puts me back on the Provera to make me stop my period! Doctor does pelvic sonnogram, notes "multiple small follicles", does a biopsy which turned out fine. Sends me home telling me I'm not having a period on my own because I'm not ovulating, try taking "THE PILL" AGAIN for a while to see if it fixes me!
July 2003 - Been on the Pill since March and am doing fine!
However, the Pill is what is making me have a period. My DR told me to loose weight, and that is how she left it!!! HELLO..... is there something wrong with this picture? I've gained almost 80 pounds since I was 14... now I need to have a child and can't and my doctor tells me to loose weight! She doesn't even diagnose me with anything! Is this PCOS? I don't have abnormal hair growth (my mother and sisters do) but I have skin tags in my armpits and dark colored skin in my armpits and groin area. What should I do? I'm tired of paying my doctor!! Help me! Should I be on metformin?
Thanks so much (crying out loud for help!!)
I am now on Glucophage, have been on it for three weeks. I got off of the pill a month ago, and guess what? I had my own period starting Sunday. I'm not on anything to induce it, so it did it by itself. I almost cried I was so happy. My question is, can you have a period without ovulating? I guess it just seems to good to be true... I want to have a baby so bad. Also, I started Sunday, so when should I be looking to ovulate? Please help...
Thanks!
sourdaisy
Wed, Nov-05-03, 01:29
All your symptoms are classic PCOS symptoms. The weight gain, the skin tags, and the discolored skin...all symptoms. If I had to make a guess, I'd say you have PCOS, especially since it sounds like your mother and sisters do.
Treating PCOS with birth control is so "old-school". If your doctor is not willing to treat you differently then definitely find a new doctor.
I'm happy that you're taking metformin and able to have a period on your own! That's the amazing power of getting our IR under control!
My question is, can you have a period without ovulating?
Yes, you can but it's not a real period. It's called annovulatory bleeding. Usually when this happens, your cycles will be very long (like 50 days) or very short (like 15 days). The bleeding may be very heavy or very light.
Chances are, though, that if hadn't really had annovulatory bleeding before starting met, then this period is due to ovulation. Awesome!
Every woman is different and you can't predict when you'll ovulate, unfortunately. The best you can do is chart your waking temperature and your cervical mucous. If you don't know about charting, check out Amazon for the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. It is THE best book on fertililty, whether you're trying to conceive or trying to prevent.
julieb81
Wed, Nov-05-03, 06:34
Hi Rachael,
I was diagnosed with PCOS in July 2002, and have been on 1500mg Metformin since. I began low carbing at the same time, but I really do believe that Metformin has helped me to feel alot better and lose weight. Before taking it, anytime I ate I was bloated for hours, and extremely tired. Anytime now that i do have a "carb party" or eat more than I should in a day, I take an extra metformin to deal with it, and don't feel too bad! My periods used to come every 3-4 months, and from starting metformin, they now come every 5-6 weeks (sometimes 4!), and I have alot less PMT and period pain. I'm not sure about the fertility side as I'm not trying for kids. Good luck!
I've attached 2 PDF's which may be of interest :roll:
Julie
jordy05
Sun, Nov-16-03, 23:09
Hi guys thanks for your inputs,,,, you have been a great source of information sourdaisy,,thank you very much,,sorry it has taken me so long to reply but my pc has been in the shop getting some new stuff,,,,
My periods usually never stop and yes i do want another child,,thats why i am lcing and hoping to lose weight will make me more fertile............. i must say I am on 1,000mg a day of metformin and have been on them a month,,, funny thing is I have only take 8 tablets,,,,lol,,, opps,,I must take them more studiously.... I promise!
thanks all,,,,,
Rachael
thanks for the attachments julie I will check them out now,,,
Bye
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