Metformin ER

Okay here is a quick story....
1) Dign with PCOS before surgery...(four years ago) was taking Metformin before I had surgery. 
2) In May 07 dr. took me off...said let's see what happens
3) Was on depo shot, so never had my period...only once in five years
4) Moved last year...new dr.  and he says we need to give Metformin anther shot...been off BC for over a year...took some progestrone--no period...did take pills for two month...the only time my body would have it...so anotherwords...no BC...no period...

My gyno is sending me to a specialist, bc my husband and I are thinking babies!!!

So for the question---my Dr. put me on ER (extended release)...he is not a gastric...just a family dr.  Does this work for us?  Or is the ER usuless for us?

Any thoughts?????  HELP...

Smiles---Stacey

Stacey,

Do they check your  insulin levels at all?  If you go to a specialist is this a fertility specialist or an
endocrinologist?  I have been diagnosed with PCOS for the last 15 years and I am having RNY 
in 18 days.  Are you glucose levels elevated at all? and how is your diet in respects to carbohydrates?   

I am not sure if the ER has problems from WLS but if you call a pharmacist they should be able to answer that for you. I know personally that the ER worked great for me as far as side effects go. I could not handle the regular and when I was switched over it was like night and day.

I am going to an Endo...not fertility.  They say step one is to figure out why my body is not function correctly.

Everythings has been checked out...and though it looks good; dr. and I know the meds will keep me where I am supposed to be.

I started the regular (No XR yesterday) ...dr. agreed might be some of the reason I am not working at 100% :)...it does have harder side effects, but I know they will go away...hopefully by the end of the week...but they really do help curve my appetite.

Thanks--Stacey

I am not sure how the ER is affected by WLS, but I took metformin/glucophage while trying to conceive and I really think it helped.

Is there any way you could call the doctor who did your surgery to see their opinion on the ER metformin?

The best person to ask is your surgeon.  Since it is an extended release, the body malabsorbs part of it .  one of my questions to the surgeon about bypass was worrying about malabsorption of meds.

regular metformin works better with people like us unless youve had other procedures beside an intenstinal bypass.

What doseage are you on?

I see a PCOS speciallist, im very fortunate here in chicago who knows more about it then any doctor ive ever met.  Hes at the university of Chicago, and i wish i had gone years ago to someone like an endocrinologist who specialized. 

I take 2000 mg daily of extended for the last month and i want to go back on the reg.  I do not like the ER it causes heartburn for me.

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.

Sometimes they suggest Byetta, an injectible to treat pcos.

There is now a product called Riomet (liquid metformin)..it is formulated for patients who cannot take ER metformin or the regular, especialy with the poblems it causes gastric by pass patients.  I start mine tomorrow..I'll let you know how I do.
Kim in Fontana