Question:
Need input on glucophage?

I have PCOS and one of my doctors suggested that I might want to start taking glucophage. I am 7 weeks post-op and I am wondering what some of your positive or negative experiences have been with taking this. Do you feel it has benefitted you in any way?    — Kelly M. (posted on June 19, 2002)

June 19, 2002
Hi Kelly- Glucophage is a medication for diabetics. Are you diabetic? If so, it is an excellent medication to assist in bringing your blood sugar under control. Also a great side effect (although I am not sure you need it post-op) is initially upon taking it, it usually reduces the appetite. I am currently on glucophage pre-op but am hoping after surgery to get off of it. Take care.
   — Joanie J.

June 19, 2002
Positive, it makes me feel a lot better when I take it. I feel clear headed, and I feel like my body processes my food fast and efficiently (if that is possible). However I have only been on it for 1.5 mo., perhaps I would have had a bigger weight loss success early on had I taken it around 6 mos. out (when I really started to expiriement with other foods)- Until then, you eat MOSTLY protein anyhow- and Met (I find) helps with my ingestion/process of carbs- so it would have to be up to you.... or your Doctor. Still, no bad side effects here, no nausea, no much in diarreah- just stools like clockwork.
   — Karen R.

June 19, 2002
Hi Kelly - I have PCOS also, and have been taking Glucophage for almost a year now and it's been very positive for me. The only side effect I sometimes experience is looser bowels, but with the WLS, I get constipated anyway, so actually, it helps that too! I feel better, and my periods have become pretty regular (they lasted for months before I started taking medication/had surgery). I don't have diabetes (Glucophage is used to treat Type 2 diabetes), but because of the PCOS, I do have insulin resistance, and that is why I take the Glucophage, and may be why your doctor wants you to take it. I take 1000mg a day with dinner. When you get your perscription, though, make sure it's for regular Glucophage. There is also a Glucophage XR, but the pills are HUGE and us WLS posties can't swallow them. The regular are about the size of an M&M and are safe (that's what I take). I also take Spironalactone to control body hair growth, also associated with the POCS.
   — lily1968

June 19, 2002
I also have PCOS and was on glucophage before surgery - now post-op. I took that along with clomid every month while I was trying to get pregnant. For me it was awful and i gained alot of weight, but I dont think it was the glucophage, but the clomid which is a fertility drug (never was able to get pregnant, was told it would be easier after weight loss). I am now only on aldactone for hair growth and birth control for regular periods and to "stop" from getting pregnant for the first 18 months. I did ask my specialist's nurse practitioner about going back on the glucophage and they said it was not necesary because I am losing weight so that in turn lowers your isulin production. It is also hard on your stomach. Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to email me with any questions!
   — Heidi B.

June 19, 2002
Have they actually tested your insulin and sugar levels since surgery? And did you have RNY or some other type of surgery? If you had RNY, chances are pretty good that your PCOS will go away with time and weight loss. My wife had severe PCOS and now about 14 months post-op, has absolutely no signs whatsoever of PCOS now. She just had her insulin tested and it was down from nearly 30 to 7. I would recommend giving it a little bit of time, being that you are only 7 weeks post-op and then go from there before jumping into taking glucophage this early in the post-op phase.
   — Dell H.