Actos vs. Glucophage ???

[lolow]

I was just diagnosed with PCOS.

I am 35 and I want to get into shape and try to resolve some of my other PCOS symptoms before trying to get pregnant again (I have two beautiful children).

I have read ALOT about PCOS on the net. Almost everything points to Glucophage as a miracle treatment.

I went to my Endo today expecting him to prescribe me Glucophage and BC pills.

He prescribe me Actos as his first pick and Avandia (as an back-up if the insurance would not pay for Actos). He said this medications are better than Glucophage -- less side effects.

He told me that weight gain is associated with Actos in diabetics, but that should not apply to me (who is not diabetic) and also on a very low carb diet for the last 3 months. I have lost 20 pounds on the LC diet and I don't want the medication to work against me.

I would appreciate people's thoughts on Actos vs. Glucophage?

Experience with weight gain or loss on Actos?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for BC pills -- I have read that monos are better that tri-pahsics.

Thanks

Lolo

[clodagh]

Hi LoLo

I never heard of it, so I looked it up and found out that actos is a
thiazolidinedione which is similar to a drug called Rezulin ..... Apparently Rezulin has been withdrawn as there were some cases of liver damage.


here's the link to the Diabetes.org

website.http://www.diabetes.org/main/community/info_news/news/actos.jsp

As I say, I never heard of it, but that seems to be the story. Mightn't be any harm to ask your doctor

Clo

[lolow]

Thank you for your response.

Apparently my liver functions are fine for the moment.

I saw my OB the next day efter my Endo prescribed me to Actos.

I told him that from everything I read everyone was using Glucophage. He told me that Glucophage is more known in the public, but he agreed that Actos was a better medication and recommended that I follow the Endos advice.

He also put me on the BP pill Jasmine.

I would really appreciate anyone's experience taking actos.

Thanks

Lolo

[Akiwican]

Originally posted by lolow
I was just diagnosed with PCOS.

I am 35 and I want to get into shape and try to resolve some of my other PCOS symptoms before trying to get pregnant again (I have two beautiful children).

Hi Lolo

I went for an ultrasound this morning to see if I have PCOS. My Dr said that was the best way to test? Anyway.... Even though I have all the symptoms he doesnt think I have it because I have been pregnant twice. I see you have 2 kids and PCOS, so it is possible. I think I will end up at an Endocronologist as well if I am going to get to the bottom of this.

Good luck with the meds, I dont have any experience with that so cant give my opinion. I have also read that tri-phasic are not good for PCOS treatment.

:wave: Akiwican

[moniquej8]

I have been on Glucophage xr for the past 3 months, and I have never had any side effects, plus I have lost weight since being on the med. Not sure of the drug you mentioned since Glucophage xr has been the first and only drug I have been prescribed. I am feeling so much better since taking Glucophage. Before I could not even get out of the house. I could not lose weight at all. Now I have so much more energy and I am not hard on myself as I was before.
Monique

[Oreosmama]

I took Glucophage for about a year with funky side effects. I did lose weight with it but you don't want to know the details. Put it this way, nothing I ate stayed long in my stomach, it always came out the opposite way it went in. Ok, sorry. Actos I have been taking about 2 years now with no side effects except maybe a few pounds. Not that much though.
Although I haven't seen my results with Actos w/o BC pills, which I am trying for the first time this month. I don't know if it is helping me ovulate. Without BC pills I don't have a period. We shall see here in a couple of weeks if the Actos is helping my cycles. I am 30 with no children.


Oreosmama (oreo is my baby, CAT)

[Deedy]

Hello. I was reading an old post about some doctors who prescribe Actos instead of the better known drug Metformin for PCOS and I have a question.

I went to the doctor's office today thinking I would be prescribed the latter but instead was prescribed Actos.

Can anyone tell me their experiences with both drugs and which they prefer? I honestly was looking forward to being prescribed Metformin since it is known to help people lose weight and was a little disappointed not getting a prescription for it.

Instead, I was told I had mild symptoms of PCOS, little bit of hair and a little bit of irregular menses and was suggested I go on Actos along with going on the South Beach Diet. Has anyone been advised the same methods?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.