New to Metformin, info please.

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

The only problem that I have ever had with this drug is that it made my stomach really upset.

My stomach was upset for the first week or so but after that I have had no problems.

I had HORRIBLE upset stomach when I first went on Metformin. In the last 8 months I've been on time release metformin and it's so much better! I've had RNY and I'm back on the metformin now and going back on it after being off for 3 weeks I still go the upset tummy but only for 2 days. ALL THE BEST!

I started on Met in 2001, and had a lot of nausea, vomiting, fatigue the first few weeks.  Eventually, I worked up to 1500 mg.  Problem was, I couldn't remember to take it three times per day.  When the extended release came out, I switched to it.  I could not tolerate it at all.  I had horrible abdominal cramping, loose stools, IBS-like symptoms.  I put up with that for over a year because we were trying to get pregnant, but it really never did anything for my PCOS symptoms.  I didn't get periods, I didn't ovulate, even with other meds.  Doctor evetually prescribed a combo of met and avandia, which caused more weight gain.  DH and I decided to adopt, and I stopped all meds except aldactone, which I take to control my hair loss.  Other than that, I try to control my IR with diet (low carb), but I'm counting on the band to get me to a healthy weight, so that this PCOS/infertitily B.S. all becomes a bad memory.

I started the met last night and, knock on wood, I have no side effects yet. How long did it take to see any problems? Minutes? Hours? Days?

Thanks Again!
Sheli

I was on Met for about 5 years for IR and then later Diabetes.  Unfortunately it didn't help me restore cycles or loose weight (which happens with some cysters).  I had abdominal cramps at first & sometimes looser stools.  Eating a lower carb higher protein diet helps.  Fortunately for me I was able to go off of it the day before surgery & now at almost 3 years post op RNY I've not needed to go back to it. Good luck. Kristy

I was on it for about 2 years, the normal dosage (1 or 2 pills 2x a day) was hard on me, RUSHING to the bathroom and bad gas.

I changed to the extended release, and it helped tremendously.

Took it during fertility treatments, since I'm on the WLS game now, not taking it, figured after I stabalize I'd get everything retested to see if I even still need it.

Good  luck!  Some people handle it fine, so just becuase we had problems doesnt mean you will!

I also had problems with the regular Metformin, running to the bathroom, etc.  I currently am on 2000mg of the extended release formula and I LOVE it!!!!!!!  No more shakes, light headiness, etc from my IR.  I also tried the Advandia but my liver enzymes were higher then they should be so I was taken off of that. Good luck!!!  If you do get symptoms then call your MD and ask for the Extended Release formula :)

Hi Sheli I was diagnosed in 2000,  then put on Glucophage in 2001.  The first 500 mg were fine, but as I eased up I had a tendency to get Really sick.  But I am SO glad I stuck to it.  In the first 7 months I lost 90lbs (sadley I gained 75 of it back, but since rny am getting rid of it)   It really helps me with my symptoms, especially the acne. OT a little.  I have found and have talked to other Cysters in other forums who agree that There is a BIG difference between Glucophage and Metformin.  Within one month of going to metformin my symptoms returned.  Needless to Say I am back on Glucophage