Metformin

[Quincy04]

How long does it take for the weight loss to kick in. Is anyone else on anything else to help with the weight loss or are you just taking Metformin? :)

[haileydawg]

My weight loss started almost immediately. I am Just on metformin and then exercise and my diet plan. So far have lost 60 pounds since 09/28/04. Weight loss has stalled in the last month and I am desperate to get it kick started again. I miss the 10 pounds per month thing!

[Eehgads]

I also have PCOS and am insulin resistent. I am taking 500mg of Metformin 2x a day. I was told to drink lots and lots of water. I am not losing as quickly as I would like but, I have lost 10 pounds since 2/22/05. It didn't happen right away, all of a sudden one week I was done about 6 pounds. My weight loss hasn't been consistent but already I can feel a difference.

If you don't notice any weight loss after a month, go back to your doctor and have your dosage adjusted.

Working out also helps a lot.

Good luck,

Michele

[LKPNYC]

I have lost slowly but steadily since beginning Met last June (04). I am down 25 pounds WITHOUT exercise (had to move, change jobs, family drama, etc, and working out got pushed to the bottom). I still walk the dog 15 minutes twice a day, and of course I have cut out crappy carbs (potato chips, white bread, etc). Still, every once in a while I treat myself.. I still want to enjoy life. If that means I don't lose as fast, I'm okay with that. I feel so much better at least finally understanding WHY my body fought weight loss for so long. See your doctor about upping your dose. I'm now on 1000mg twice a day (basically at lunch and then before dinner or before bed) and am quite happy w/it.

[kuukuu]

I'm just curious as to how your doctors came to prescribe Met for you. I can't seem to get the doc to prescribe anything for me. When my old doc was told about the pcos, she ordered the usual tests and got the usual results and so didn't do anything about it except ask me if I wanted birth control pills. With my new doc I want to go in armed and ready. What did your docs do?

[LKPNYC]

I had to go to an endocrinologist. If your dr. won't work with you, FIND A NEW DOCTOR! I can't tell you how long I let drs boss me around, making me doubt myself and my body. I finally took control and said No, I will find someone who respects me enough to LISTEN to me and HELP me. I finally found it, but it was a long, hard battle. Hang in there and don't take no for an answer! I'm not saying Metformin is the cure for everyone.. but doctors can't just go "Oh well, you have PCOS, take some birth control pills that will only mask the symptoms and do nothing more." That's CRAP!

[kuukuu]

Unfortunately, I'm insured with an HMO. The only way I can change doctors is to wait until the enrollment period in December. On the plus side though, I haven't even seen this new doc yet. Who knows, if I go in armed with information gleaned from all the web sites, this one might pony-up something worth trying.

[susansmk]

I feel so much better at least finally understanding WHY my body fought weight loss for so long.This is EXACTLY how I feel. I've battled with weight loss my entire life, with doctors assuming I needed to curb my appetite or eat low fat. Nothing I tried ever worked, nothing. Now that I have an explanation, I feel SO much better!! I'm looking forward to the Metformin/Synthroid kick-in so I can start losing again, feeling better, and get rid of these blasted symptoms I've dealt with so long.

[xnikx]

im now on metformin that i got from my GYN, but a year prior to that my doc gave me diannette (pill) for the hormone imbalance and i lost 1 and a half stones on it with out doin anything no exercise or change in diet. i think she done this cause they 1st hav to test that u are capable of losin weight b4 givin u the met, thats my theory any ways :oD

[olivia.som]

About a week ago the doctor told me i had PCOS and that my insulin levels were 31.4 - they are supposed to sit between 2 and 23 so she put me on metformin 500mg twice a day. I am trying to get pregnant but i have to loose the weight first. I am 126kg now a week ago i was 129kg - thats awfull isnt it? I was told i could no longer have white bread pasta potatoes etc and I'm stuck as to what the hell do I eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also have a really bad sweet tooth and i have no ideas as to what sort of diet i should be following - if anyone has any ideas that would be great. :help:

[xnikx]

thats wat i used to think and i have been on met for 4months now

i read that ppl with pcos its best to eat wheat cereals for break fast, they help start the metabolism for the day and alltho carb types they arent refined ones wich is wat u want to avoid, so wheat is ok frm my understandin, i personaly hav shredded wheat and raisins for breakfast, then b4 lunch a banana, and then lunch a baked pototo with cotage cheese, and a low fat yoghurt, then b4 diner a apple, and for diner i hav some thing like basmati rice as its beter then white and brown, and griller chciken with some kind of salad, remember to drink a glass of water b4 each meal to make ur self feel more full up. and dont eat everything on ur plate unless ur stil hungry, as alot of us in adult life complete all on the plate out of habit from bein told as kids to eat all of it to get dessert, left over food is good food :)

[Tketner]

Could some one tell me how to take this medicine and how long it took to see results and feel better. I'm taking 137 mg synthyroid and just started on the medformin. The dr said maybe take 1/2 pill and work up to it each week.Also I need help in losing weight.. 50 pounds. Where should I start. I've had so much depression over my weight.

Thanks,

Tammy

[xnikx]

wel wen u start takin metformin i found that u feel really ill for the 1st 2weeks and they go after about 4weeks and u feel fine but everyone is dif. as far as im aware they start slowly from when u start to take them my GYN said that what they do is kick start ur pancreas to make it absorbed food properly and help keep up with your insulin levels so this should start after about 3weeks. but what my doc siad to me is the weight wont go by itself, u really do need to exercise. i started goin to the gym and lost 22pounds in 4months by goin to the gym twice a week. dont have depression over ur weight/size. its not like u made ur self this way, blame pcos, i do :D and you will feel beter in the long run. teh doc prob told u to increase ur dosage grad this way to avoid any side affects so i should worry about them to much. best thing to do is write a meal diary of what u eat to look at what u can cut out. and u hav to remember eat small but frequent. never go longer then 4hours with out food, like a piece of fruit or something, because any longer then that and ur body will go in to starvation mode, wich means the next time u do eat it will hold on to it as long as possible so that it is prepared for the next long haul with out food. u need to keep ur metabolism fueld so snackin in between meals is good as long as its low cal low carb and healthy. drink a pint of water before a meal this way u will feel more full up and will eat less. left over food on the plate is good food if ur full stop eatin. the hole point of eatin is so we hav energy, so after a meal do some vigarous house work that will make sure u are usin ur energy and it wont turn in to fat from sittin down, plus ur house will never look cleaner :D

im sure u will be fine, i used to worry at the start but it really is a help takin metformin its the 1st time iv lost weight ever and in oct wil be my 1st birthday that the scales wasnt more then my age in years :D

[susansmk]

Could some one tell me how to take this medicine and how long it took to see results and feel better. I'm taking 137 mg synthyroid and just started on the medformin. The dr said maybe take 1/2 pill and work up to it each week.Also I need help in losing weight.. 50 pounds. Where should I start. I've had so much depression over my weight.Hello Tammy! :wave: First of all, you're in the right place if you're interested in losing weight. With IR and hypothyroidism, low carb is the way to go - whether you want to lose weight or not. My advice is to read up on the different options out there (Atkins, South Beach, etc.) and decide what's best for you. Get some sort of exercise in as this will help as well. If you're like me, you'll initially think, "Yeah right, I'm too tired to walk to the mailbox some days." These two conditions combined do take their toll, but the medication does help a LOT.

I'm also on Synthroid and Met...the Met can be a bear the first week or so. Try to take it in the middle of your meal - never take it on an empty stomach. Talk about tummyaches!! I was just about convinced the first week that I was allergic to it because the pain got pretty intense. That's why the doc wants you taking 1/2 at first. It doesn't last, trust me.

Visit some of the other forums here and see what's working for others. I wish you luck and hope to see you around!

[Tketner]

Thanks for such encouraging words. Yes I have had tummy aches. I told my husband it was like taking antibotics my stomach has been so upset. I read in the bookstore that it caused hair loss in some women. Gosh I hope it doesnt'. Have you heard that?Could you tell me how much synthyroid you take and when did it begin to help. Right now I'm just trying to stay away every day without a nap. And I am trying to walk around the school a little. I notice you were from Ala. I'm from Georiga... Pretty close.

Thanks for the words again.
Tammy

[susansmk]

You're quite welcome. :) That's what we're all here for. And yep, I'm a Bama girl - northeast Alabama in a town called Anniston.

The PCOS and hypothyroidism cause hair loss, not the Met (as far as I know...sheesh I hope not). My hair used to be quite thick and I had a ton of it, but I did start losing it pretty rapidly at one point. The medications have helped that, though I'm still losing a little.

As for when I started taking the Synthroid...gosh, I think it's been about 5 months now. It seems like I remember starting it and low carbing around the same time. I started feeling LOTS better energy-wise after about 2 weeks. I started out on 50 mcg and then the doc increased it about 3 months ago to 75 mcg. The fatigue does get better, and you'll feel like a brand new woman! I remember having to drag my butt out of bed in the morning - setting my alarm 30 minutes earlier than I had to get up so I could wake up gradually. Even then I was dragging for another hour or so. Now I spring out of bed raring to go. I've started experiencing a little more fatigue in the evenings, but according to my last labwork, the thyroid is functioning well and isn't the cause.

I hope this helps, and please feel free to ask me anything. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but at least I know a little about what you're going through. ;)

[Tketner]

Could you tell me if you just bought an Atkins diet book and how you got started on your weight loss.. So you've lost 41 pounds? Thanks for the words on the sythyroid. I know about the setting the clock. I set 2 clocks in the morning and then I turn on the TV and can't wake up. I was getting me a coke at work to wake up but if I'm going to try to do Atkins or cut carbs I can't do that anymore. I just know I have to get to feeling better and some of it I'm going to have to do myself. We had some pictures made today and I couldn't believe it was even me.. I've been discouraged all day. It's like looking at a person that I don't reconize.

Well thanks for all the help. I'm new to the post and don't know how to just send a email to an individual and all of that.

Tammy

[susansmk]

To be honest, I didn't read the book before I started. :blush: I researched Atkins and South Beach via their official websites, lurked here and at a couple other boards a bit reading what others had to say, then got started. I was about a month in before I actually read the book, though I wish I had read it first. I made a couple of boo-boos on induction but still lost 15 lbs. Keep in mind, when you get started there is an adjustment period your body goes through that makes you feel icky. The good thing about the way I started was I was used to feeling icky (before the Synthroid kicked in), so I barely noticed. ;)

This site is an amazing source of information, support, and friendship. You'll have the benefits of getting SO much info from others who have "been there, done that". Whatever plan you choose, I do hope you'll visit the different forums and meet some of these amazing folks. Start a journal to document your journey.

Hope this helps!!

[seashell14]

the Met can be a bear the first week or so. Try to take it in the middle of your meal - never take it on an empty stomach. Talk about tummyaches!!
It was quite the opposite for me. If I took it after I ate something I would end up in the restroom therest of the day and feel sick to my stomach for hours. If I took it about two hours before I ate anything, I was fine. But that is just me. I started out on 500 mg 2x a day, then he boosted it up to 1000mg 2x a day, I am now taking 1500 mg a day, a 500 in the morning and a 1000 mg at night.

[xnikx]

does any one know wat the legal amount of metformin is allowed in the usa cause here the max is only 1700mg

[seashell14]

does any one know wat the legal amount of metformin is allowed in the usa cause here the max is only 1700mg
The most my doc had me on was 1000mg 2x's a day. But I have heard of people taking up to 2500 mg per day.

[susansmk]

I'm stuck at 500 mg. twice a day even though labwork still shows IR...doc didn't like one of my liver tests and didn't want to bump me up.

[tigersue]

I cut my pills in half, and gradually over a couple of weeks worked up to a full dose and that helped with the bowel problems. The PCOS is more likely to cause hair loss than the met. I firmly believe in a LC diet to manage this condition. IT is the only way I started to heal my body and my infertility. I used the Schwarzbein Principle because she is an endocrineologist and emphazises fixing the hormone problem first and then weight will follow. Eating carbs for breakfast only made the problem worse for me. IR is such a problem for PCOS and depending on your history, it could be the PCOS caused by the IR, or like me PCOS causing the IR. That is why you need metformin. My family practice dr, was the one that started me on glucophage, not my OB so finding the right dr to treat you is important. I also feel that exercise is very important particularily weight training. Muscle can improve your metabolism, and your IR. If you Dr. won't work with you, call around to others and see how they treat PCOS. You have to be very proactive with this disease. In the mornings I usually eat 2 eggs, and 15 gms of some kind of whole grain cooked cereal with butter and cream. Now that I'm expecting and I have problems with BS, I cut my carbs to 7 to 9 gms in the morning. Also start a journal, that is very, very important. There you can log what you eat, and what you are doing.
Hope this helps. Read as much as you can on LC programs, they all explain why it is important to control insulin, and that is huge in healing. Good luck
Tanya