New to Metformin, any suggestions?

I am newly diagnosed Insulin Resistant and the doctor put me on Metformin starting tonight.

If anyone knowa anythign about this drug please tell me what you know.

The good, the bad and the ugly....I want to hear it all.

Thanks!
Sheli

Hello Sheli, I am not able to anwer your question but I just wanted to say hello this way at least you know someone seem your post  because  it  took days before I gotten a respone so best of luck on your journey  I am still hoping for surgery also.

Thank You sexy07!! At least I know someone noticed me. It was sweet of you to say hi! I just got my insurance approval and should have a date for sometime in august or september. My Primary doc wants me to start on the metformin though, and I may still be on it post-op...he said "we'll see."

Good luck with your pre-op quest too!
Sheli

Metformin isn't too bad.  It can cause some stomach upset so I always eat with mine, but it's definitely a first-line drug.  Depending on your surgery and how much weight you lose, I would be willing to bet you are off of the drug within a few weeks of surgery!   It happens pretty often! Good luck, Tara

Hi Sheli, I am a type I diabetic and have been on Metformin  [500mg 2x day] for a couple of years now.  I remember though, during the first few weeks, it gave me diahrrea [sp?].  Also, it gave me an upset stomach if I didn't eat something first.  BUT, luckily, I am 5 wks post op and my doctor took me off of it this week.  The pills are too big for swallowing and I am soooo happy about it. You will feel better though.  Good Luck! p.s.  I didn't even know there was a diabetes forum!  I will start posting now.

Sheli, I am insulin resistant as well and I currently take Metformin however it has it's side effects but my dr. said it should only last about 2 weeks then you'll feel better well after 2 wks I still had the side effects of nausous and diarehea.  I decreased my dosage for now and will increase it as I can tolerate it.  I was also put on a low-carb diet and see a dietician once a month for monitoring.  I can sure tell when I eat too many carbs I feel horrible about an hour after I eat.  I have been told that after WLS most people are able to get off their diabetic meds so thats what I am looking forward to.  Good luck in your journey.

Hi just reading through the forums...I am insulin resistant for 5 years and on metformin and actos and byetta.. Does this satisy the co morb requirement for ins for WLS? Or do you know??? Thanks, kim

Goodness Kimberly, I am not sure if it helps with insurance approval or not. I was approved the same week I was diagnosed, so it did not go in on the paperwork. The high bp and high cholesterol helped though. So did the BMI of 41.
Wishing you luck!
Sheli

Hi Sheli,

Talk to your doc about this, but I can share the following. I was prescribed Metformin a buncha years ago in the U.S. and had to stop taking it after a week because I didn't tolerate it. A couple of years ago, I was prescribed it again by my docs here in Sweden, in addition to my insulin (I've been on insulin for 14 years). They are very, very careful here about the introduction to the drug (Swedish diabetes treatment is world-class). They started me at ½ pill once a day for the first week (250 mg), then a half pill x 2 for a week, a half pill x 3 for a week, then up to a full pill x 1 plus a half x 2, etc., taking a full six weeks to work up to the full dose (500 mg/1 pill with each meal. By taking it slowly that way, I was able to tolerate the drug well and it has had good effect. Note that this is their usual protocol here - it was not done because of my previous experience.

The "shock and awe" treatment of starting right away with the full dose can scare some patients off because the gastrointestinal discomfort (cramps and sudden, urgent bouts of diarrhea) really can get pretty icky. BUT, it is a very effective drug and has the nice "side effect" of helping promote weight loss, so it is really worth the initial effort.

Good luck!

Rosemary 

  

LOL, I have to laugh. I was thinking that today wasn't too far off from the day you responded and then realized it is the same day. Too funny. Anyways, my diabetes returned after being gone for over 2 years after my RnY in April 05. I am now back on metformin x 3 weeks and never once got sick, but my weight has still been going up. Been on Byetta x 2 weeks and no problem till last night when I was told to increase to 10 mcg twice a day instead of once a day and last night I had the quesies in my stomach and went to bec early. What's with that? The endo said I may  have nausea, but then again never any problem with metformin. So I took the Byetta again this morn 10 mcg and we will see how it goes.  I was on metformin way back when before when I had diabetes and never had any nausea and still not losing weight ever. So I guess I have the opposite reaction that you do.  The doc said that the Byetta may help me lose weight, that I have yet to see too.