Metmorfin treatment for weight loss

littlegirlwithprettybrowneyes

I've lost 70+ lbs so far but it has been a big challenge for me to lose even a pound in recent months. I always feel hungry and crave sugar, I've never felt so hungry, until now. My doctor recommended me taking Metmorfin but I don't know if it's a good idea. I don't have diabetes and I'm not insulin resistant. I know Metmorfin is used for treatment of diabetes, PCOs, insulin resistance and it helps people to lose weight. I was diagnosed with PCOs 6 years ago but I don't have any problem with my period. So I'm asked everybody to tell me what to expect on Metformin. Is there anyone on this board taht takes Metmorfin to lose weight, to stop sugar cravings, to supress appetite?

I appreciate your advice and wisdom.

Stage14

Note: this is not medical advice, just personal anecdotal experience. H is on it for diabetes. I have never heard of it increasing weight loss or decreasing sugar cravings in any of our visits with doctors or pharmacists, or in any of the research I have done. He has lost weight, but not at increased rate over what would be expected with his diet and exercise changes, and he has not had a noticable decrease in appetite or sugar cravings. I have no experience with PCOS, though.

I'm not saying don't take it, because I know I have been on a med right now for reasons outside of its intended use, but I personally would maybe get a second opinion before starting a drug that alters your body's insulin processes and endocrine functions for weight loss.

CyberEd312

I take Metformin for my Diabetes (Type2) and my Endo Dr. told me in the beginning it may help aide in my weightloss but I wouldn't say it increased it whatsoever. I credited that to eating in a caloric deficit and getting my butt up and moving... Have no experience with PCOS..... Best of Luck

JustMeee333

I was prescribed Metformin for PCOS, and told all about the huge benefits it'd have for me losing weight.
Every single time I've tried taking it I felt so nauseous it was unreal, to the point where I didn't want to eat anything at all.
I would look at every single option before resorting to medication to lose weight, the doctor may as well be prescribing you slimming pills.

Edited to add: all the weight I have lost to date has been without Metformin. I personally don't have diabetes either, and this would be my only reason for touching this medication again.

karenertl

I have a family member who is on Metformin for type 2 diabetes. He's been on it for years. He's lost 2 lbs lately, but is heavier than he's ever been. Granted, it seems like he likes over eating and I'm sure that has a big part in it.

MuseofSong

I take Metforim morning and night. I have PCOS. It helps me with my insulin resistance, controls blood sugar spikes without causing hypoglycemia, helps with cholesterol (a little bit), and helps me ovulate on time every month.

However, I do not think it, by itself, helps me lose weight. if I eat my TDEE every day, I will not lose weight. I have to eat at a deficit to lose weight and taking metforim every day does not change that.

I'm doing so many other things to help my symptoms of PCOS, it's hard to pin point exactly what causes my improvements. But, the biggest thing for me is that I feel better when I have a period every month. Not having one makes me feel like an emotional wreck and I will bloat endlessly without a cycle. After getting used to metforim, I think it's great.

So, if you are having a monthly period, don't have insulin resistance, and aren't have any of the typical PCOS problems, I don't know why your doctor is recommending it? I mean the number one thing it does for us is help with the insulin resistance so our body stops pumping out so much excess insulin and turning us in turbo-charged fat storing machines. So if your insulin levels are not high and you don't have insulin resistance issues, I do not think it will do jack or diddle for you except give you the runs and make you nauseated for a few weeks.

TinaBaily

You are saying "metmorfin", but I will assume that you weren't certain of the medication and meant "metformin", which is used to treat all the things you mentioned. Based on that assumption, I will share my own experience with the drug, which is being used with me to treat PCOS.

I have had the condition since my teenage years, but only was diagnosed after the birth of my 5th child, which was 15.5 years ago. Initially it wasn't that easy to get used to taking the drug. I'm glad my doctor stepped me up on it in baby steps, starting with a low dose for a few weeks, then the next higher dose, and so on, until I got to where I am. After some time it became evident, based upon my side effects, that I needed the extended release form of the medicine. It can cause intestinal issues, which it did for me.

Weight-wise, I lost 30lbs "relatively easily" after being put on Metformin. It seemed to almost melt off, and at 5' 3.25" and beginning at 235lbs, that was such a blessing to me. I stalled out at 205lbs, though, and yo-yoed between that and 210lbs for years, with a few times of being able to drop into Onederland, and once almost getting as low as I am now, but old eating patterns came back into play and I gained it all back again, along with some friends.

I joined MFP in April of 2012 and over the next 12 months I lost the weight my ticker shows, plus a little more. I slipped a bit earlier this year, but not enough to put me into the next size larger pants, which I consider a victory.

Do I think the Metformin is to thank for being able to lose the weight? My doctor is pleased with my progress in that department and thinks that it is a factor in assisting me. Do I crave sugar? Sometimes. How do I help with that? I exercise hard several times a week, which helps tremendously! That also helps with PMS issues. My only wish is that the Metformin would help restore the hair that this condition is making me lose, and keep the acne at bay.

Best of luck to you, OP!

wowgirl30

I've been on metformin for PCOS/insulin resistance for about 4 years - it doesn't cause weight loss, but it can help your body respond appropriately to diet and exercise and reduce cravings by helping your blood sugar stay stable. Before I started taking it I had a very hard time getting any kind of results for my efforts and metformin did help a lot. The key being efforts! As you can see by my ticker I haven't been putting in any effort for about a year - so I have gained a lot of weight even while on metformin and other meds I take to manage PCOS.

littlegirlwithprettybrowneyes

TinaBaily, thank you for correcting me. I always make the same spelling mistake :embarassed:

MuseofSong, Endo doc told that Metformin will help to supress my appetite and so my sugar cravings will stop. Actually, I have insulin resistance but I keep my blood sugar levels within normal ranges by doing a lot of sports. Doing sports is an awesome way to lose weight but it also increases my hunger! Some days after a run or interval training, I'm hungry all day so I eat like a dinosaur! This is vicious cycle. I run/ do interval training more to deal with blood sugar and to lose weight but at the same time I feel hungry than ever before.

By the way, thank you all for informative posts.

MuseofSong

TinaBaily, thank you for correcting me. I always make the same spelling mistake :embarassed:

MuseofSong, Endo doc told that Metformin will help to supress my appetite and so my sugar cravings will stop. Actually, I have insulin resistance but I keep my blood sugar levels within normal ranges by doing a lot of sports. Doing sports is an awesome way to lose weight but it also increases my hunger! Some days after a run or interval training, I'm hungry all day so I eat like a dinosaur! This is vicious cycle. I run/ do interval training more to deal with blood sugar and to lose weight but at the same time I feel hungry than ever before.

By the way, thank you all for informative posts.

It's fantastic that you are so active! You're probably already helping yourself in so many ways, so keep that up! I don't know if it'll stop your sugar cravings, but if that's where your weakness is, it might help. Good luck and it will definitely help with insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugars. Just brace you're if you feel icky for a few weeks ( diarrhea and/or queasy, maybe vomiting) when you start taking it. That's normal and does go away. You're doctor will probably start you at a low dose, and ask for the extended release tabs; they don't hit you so hard when you take them. You might not have any side effects at all.