Question:
Is anyone out there have PCOS & currently taking Metformin for insulin resistance?

I am a new RNY post-op. I also have PCOS along with insulin resistance. I took Glucaphage for a while pre-op then stoped taking it. Post-op my PCP just put me on Metformin 500 mg 1 time a day. Just wondering if anyone is currently taking this for the same reason & if it has helped in the weight loss? I heard the insulin resistance hinders weight loss. Also, how much are you taking & are there any bad side effects that you experienced? When I took Glucaphage before it upset my stomach something aweful!    — Allison T. (posted on May 1, 2002)

May 1, 2002
Hi, I am still pre-op but I also take the same dosage of Metformin for the same reason as you. I have lost a bit of weight since my doctor put me on it. For the first month I had really bad stomach aches when I would take it. But the lessened and when I began taking them in the MIDDLE of a meal, that helped so much. I have no problem with them now.
   — Stacey C.

May 1, 2002
I was unsure in your post whether you knew that glucophage and metaformin are the same thing.. glucophage is the brand name and metaformin generic... watch your blood sugars...mine get very low without these meds! Diarrhea.. upset stomach etc occured for me..I don't take them anymore and my dr. is very satisfied with my weight loss and said I was average in losing the weight.
   — Allie A.

May 1, 2002
I just started last night. I am to work up to 1500mg over three weeks. I have no nausea, however have expirienced "loose stools"... I still have some bummer symptoms from PCOS (and I have seen some relief of others via this surgery); but it makes sense (since there are skinny cysters). Just me losing weight- will not help "all of it"... I am hoping that Met will address these other issues. Plus, jump start my weight loss.
   — Karen R.

May 1, 2002
I've been diagnosed with PCOS for about 2yrs and am now looking into the WLS. I was put on Avandia for the glucose intolerance and have had no side effects from it(I only have to take once a day)I was also put on a low carb diet and that has really helped me.
   — Deanna_K

May 1, 2002
Metformin is just the generic equivelant of Glucophage that you took before. Are you still showing signs and symptoms of being insulin resistant? Most people that have insulin resistance are cured or greatly improved by RNY proceedure. Both my wife and I were diagnosed with insulin resistance before RNY and my wife had severe PCOS. She is now about 1 yr post op and has no symptoms of PCOS nor insulin resistance, and my insulin resistance has completely disappeared too (8 weeks post-op). From your profile, it seems you are doing pretty good with weight loss, so I would wonder if you really need Metformin now unless your PCP has determined that you are still insulin resistant. Many PCP don't fully understand WLS and may not be aware that you may not need medication any more.
   — Dell H.

May 1, 2002
Hi again, I already posted, but just noticed going over your profile that you are only about 3 weeks post-op. I wouldn't be so concerned about taking Metformin or glucophage at this point unless you are severely diabetic and have to have it to stablize your blood sugar. Give the surgery some time to see if it will help with PCOS & insulin resistance. Like I said before, not all PCP's understand WLS and may not be aware that this surgery may be all you need to take care of that problem. Just another note about PCOS, before my wife had surgery over a year ago, she was seeing a reproductive endocrinologist that specializes in fertility. He said the infertility problem was a result of PCOS and had been treating it with Metformin and clomid with no success. Since she was considering WLS at that time to loose weight and as possible treatment for PCOS, we ask him what his experience has been with treating fertility problems in those who have had bariatric surgery. He kind of cautiously answered telling us that in over 10 years of treating endocrine based fertility problems, he has never had a patient who had previously gone through bariatric surgery. Given the prevelance of PCOS and bariatric surgery, I find that fairly interesting.
   — Dell H.