New pcos diagnosis and about to start metFormin

ZUMBAMomma84

Hey ladies, I'm looking for friends and advice on taking metformin. I have read a lot about stomach issues and I'm a little scared. I am 29 years old, married with a 2.5 year old and have been trying to eat low carb...any low carb info/tips appreciated as well

Looking forward to getting to know some ladies who understand what I'm going through!

boxem180

Will you be on the extended release (ER/XR)? If you can ask your doctor to prescribe that instead of the standard, you'll have a lot fewer issues. Always take it with food, never on an empty stomach.

miranda_mom

I took Metformin successfully for over a year. I'm only off of it now because I'm six months pregnant.
The only thing I will tell you is that at one point I tried to do Phase 1 of South Beach (which is pretty low carb) with the Metformin and I got sick. I exercise pretty strenuously and I think it was the combination of metformin, very low carb and the exercise that did me in. So for me, those three did not work out together. But I would definitely say just trying to be conscious of your carbs and make good choices (which is what I ended up doing) is great. I just found I could not follow a strict plan and still exercise like I wanted to. I just didn't have the energy.

future_cpa

My doctor prescribed 4 a day and I take 3. When I take 4 pills that's when the stomach issues begin. Like a previous commenter said take with food and I usually do it after breakfast. Metformin gives me a boost of energy.

ZUMBAMomma84

I stRted just now. 2 500mg tabs each evening is what my dr has written me. I thought it sounded nuts, so I called to confirm...yep 1000mg each night. I took it with a glass of milk.

Can anyone explain how metformin works, and anything pertinent you think I need to know

Dragonwolf

I stRted just now. 2 500mg tabs each evening is what my dr has written me. I thought it sounded nuts, so I called to confirm...yep 1000mg each night. I took it with a glass of milk.

Can anyone explain how metformin works, and anything pertinent you think I need to know

1,000mg is actually on the low end. :laugh: I'm double that, and I think I've seen some women require even higher.

As for how it works, it works by increasing the liver's sensitivity to insulin. Most women with PCOS are also insulin resistant and have high insulin levels (note - this is different than blood glucose levels, and while they're typically linked, it's possible to have a normal fasting glucose and a high fasting insulin). By increasing the liver's sensitivity to insulin, it doesn't take as much to tell it to stop producing glucose and releasing it into the blood. With less glucose in the blood, the pancreas doesn't need to pump out more insulin to keep your blood sugar from going too high.

Insulin is a "multifunction" hormone. The most well-known function is its role in regulating blood sugar, keeping it from going to high after eating. What it also does, and what most people don't know, is that it's also a "traffic cop" and "keymaster" hormone for energy storage.

The body stops burning fat when insulin levels are high, because high insulin levels (are supposed to) mean that food is being processed and needs to be shuttled to the cells to be used, first (both protein and carbs both cause an insulin response, fat doesn't as much; this is why low-car/high-fat often works for women with PCOS). In people who are insulin resistant, the cells don't react to the presence of insulin until the levels get higher, so at lower levels they say "no I don't need these nutrients," but simultaneously say "I need fuel!" and the insulin shuttles the nutrients off to the liver to be stored as fat, while the pancreas creates more insulin to try to force nutrients into the cells.

In a normally-functioning system, once the food is processed, the insulin levels should drop, which then signals to the body that it should switch to burning body fat whenever it needs fuel. However, in people with a high fasting insulin, if that level is high enough to signal to the body that there's still food to be burned, the body won't go after the fat stores for energy, making weight loss extraordinarily difficult. High insulin levels also stimulate cholesterol production by the body (cholesterol plays a role in cell signaling and nutrient absorption, but the wrong ratios increase your risk for cardiovascular issues; note - dietary cholesterol has little effect on blood cholesterol, the body makes what it (thinks it) needs).

Interestingly, the diabetic state of impaired insulin secretion prompts fat loss. This is why one of the symptoms of both types of Diabetes is weight loss (T1 Diabetics can't make their own insulin, and T2 Diabetics have burnt out their liver's ability to make insulin, resulting in a deficiency of insulin), and why Diabetics often gain weight when taking insulin.

Metformin works by increasing the liver's sensitivity to insulin (some research I found suggest that it actually takes over the communication channels), keeping it from producing too much glucose (which, in turn, tells the pancreas to reduce the production of insulin), resulting in a controlled deficiency of insulin, which ultimately lowers the amount of insulin in the bloodstream, and again prompting the body to burn its fat stores. There's also evidence that fat secretes estrogen, so as the fat gets burned, our estrogen levels decrease, and our hormones get more balanced (this is why women with PCOS who lose even 10% of their body weight will often regain their periods).

The above is a simplification of the system (and really, even the researchers don't know everything about the relationships between insulin, weight, and PCOS), so there are likely some flaws in the descriptions. That said, it's what I recall from the research I've done throughout the years, as well as my own experiences with hyperinsulinemia and Metformin. It's basically a giant system of complex checks and balances intended to keep the body running. In cases of PCOS, hyperinsulinemia, and Diabetes, this system is dysfunctional, and Metformin helps to restore that balance.

As for anything pertinent you should know - work with the Metformin and you'll have better results. Check out the low-carb, high-fat diets, particularly those that are based on whole foods. These diets are often successful in women with PCOS, and, as I mentioned before, will help reduce the amount of insulin you're triggering your body to make. Also, make sure to get a good amount of exercise. Exercise naturally lowers blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity, which will, in turn, lower insulin levels. It doesn't need to be super-strenuous, and it doesn't need to be the level of running marathons, but strength training and light to medium cardio (aka - daily walks or leisurely bike rides) will go a long way to helping bring your body back into balance and lose weight.

miranda_mom

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this!!! Answers so many ?s I've had. I am six 1/2 months pregnant and just diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. One symptom of this is weight loss and interestingly, I did not gain any weight between 24 and 28 weeks despite eating above maintenance. Now I feel like I better understand why. (I don't have my first appointment with the GD specialist until next week so I feel like I'm kind of winging it for now).

I also wanted to second that 1000 mg didn't make a difference in my cycles but it did make my hair stop falling out. After 3 month on 1000 mg, my doctor put me up to 2000 mg daily and I started having pretty regular cycles immediately.

Also, thanks so much for mentioning weight training. I was doing pretty heavy duty weight training when I got pregnant and had been for a few months before that. I think a lot of women with PCOS are afraid to do weight training but it seemed to really help regulate my hormones and if I had it to do all over again, I would totally lift!

mimi116mimi

Hiya all, i take 2500mg of metformin a day. Usually 3x850mg a day. It's the only thing that actually makes me not crave sugar or carbs. I was on spiro a year ago and I know that shouldn't have happened but my hair started shedding like crazy, talking about bad side effects. So was put on metformin. For first week or so I started with 850mg and then increased my dosage 2 1700 and then 2 2550mg. The only time that I get upset stomach is when I eat carbs. My cycles for the past 3 months have been regular so I am hoping that continues. Also started losing weight by incorporating 5:2 and no carb policy. Now only if I could get my hair thicker and excess body hair 2 disappear. Any advice on what would reduce body hair. Again spiro didn't do anything for me along those lines. Any advice?

heyitsnicolejay2013

I was on Metformin for quite awhile and stopped taking it because I was so sick. My stomach doesn't react well to a lot of things, though. I know people it has worked really well for and that have had minimal problems with it. It all honestly depends on the person. My old doctor also told me there is another kind of drug on the market that she puts people on if they are too sick from Metformin. It is just hard to get it covered by insurance unless they could prove Metformin makes you that ill.

Alliwan

I was on Metformin for quite awhile and stopped taking it because I was so sick. My stomach doesn't react well to a lot of things, though. I know people it has worked really well for and that have had minimal problems with it. It all honestly depends on the person. My old doctor also told me there is another kind of drug on the market that she puts people on if they are too sick from Metformin. It is just hard to get it covered by insurance unless they could prove Metformin makes you that ill.

that's good to know. my dr is putting me on metformin this week and i get motion sickness just walking ok not really but i have gotten carsick while being the one driving. So im worried about the tummy issues. i asked for the extended release and will work up to it slowly but still a little nervous. Might try taking ginger to counter act it at the beginning. But least i know there's an alternative.

CharRicho

that's good to know. my dr is putting me on metformin this week and i get motion sickness just walking ok not really but i have gotten carsick while being the one driving. So im worried about the tummy issues. i asked for the extended release and will work up to it slowly but still a little nervous. Might try taking ginger to counter act it at the beginning. But least i know there's an alternative.

I drink ginger tea every day after lunch (I take my metformin with lunch) - this is actually something my naturopath recommended for something else entirely, but I have found that it has completely taken away any gastro symptoms from the metformin. I'm on a really low dose so my symptoms were pretty mild to begin with, but now they are gone

Alliwan

that's good to know. my dr is putting me on metformin this week and i get motion sickness just walking ok not really but i have gotten carsick while being the one driving. So im worried about the tummy issues. i asked for the extended release and will work up to it slowly but still a little nervous. Might try taking ginger to counter act it at the beginning. But least i know there's an alternative.

I drink ginger tea every day after lunch (I take my metformin with lunch) - this is actually something my naturopath recommended for something else entirely, but I have found that it has completely taken away any gastro symptoms from the metformin. I'm on a really low dose so my symptoms were pretty mild to begin with, but now they are gone

how does that taste? im not a big tea fan, i usually take the pills. Is it ok? do you add honey? im so glad to hear it works tho, ill definately try some ginger of some form then. tyvm for letting us know

CharRicho

how does that taste? im not a big tea fan, i usually take the pills. Is it ok? do you add honey? im so glad to hear it works tho, ill definately try some ginger of some form then. tyvm for letting us know

I actually put one teabag of Ginger, and one of Spearmint tea, so I guess it's a Ginger-Mint tea? I really like it. That being said, I grew up drinking tea and I really like pretty much all tea. I don't add anything to it, but you definitely could add a little honey (not sure how that would go with the mint, but if you just had ginger then I'm sure it would taste good)

I'm sure the pills are fine, or at least see if they are working for you and if so, then no need to worry about it! If not, maybe try some tea? I feel like the hot drink helps the stomach but of course it could be completely psychological! Definitely stick with whatever works for you

Dragonwolf

Hiya all, i take 2500mg of metformin a day. Usually 3x850mg a day. It's the only thing that actually makes me not crave sugar or carbs. I was on spiro a year ago and I know that shouldn't have happened but my hair started shedding like crazy, talking about bad side effects. So was put on metformin. For first week or so I started with 850mg and then increased my dosage 2 1700 and then 2 2550mg. The only time that I get upset stomach is when I eat carbs. My cycles for the past 3 months have been regular so I am hoping that continues. Also started losing weight by incorporating 5:2 and no carb policy. Now only if I could get my hair thicker and excess body hair 2 disappear. Any advice on what would reduce body hair. Again spiro didn't do anything for me along those lines. Any advice?

The hair issues are linked to the amount of androgens (testosterones) in your system. Too much, and you get excess body hair and thin head hair.

The most effective treatment for correcting the hormones is likely a combination of diet and Metformin. The Metformin helps lower the insulin levels, which often breaks the vicious cycle of elevated insulin and androgens. A low-carb/high-fat diet rich in whole foods and limited high in compounds that can limit nutrient absorption (such as some phytic acids) or pseudo-hormones (such as phytoestrogens) can help balance hormones and increase nutrient levels. This is particularly important for trace minerals that have proven to be key in health (particularly in women), such as iron, selenium, magnesium, and iodine.

I can't help with the hair loss (maybe rock the Heisenberg look?), but for the excess body hair in the meantime, there are a number of things you can do to manage it. For upper lip hair, I recommend Oil of Olay's Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo. It works well, and the effects last for about a month or so (can't say for sure, since I haven't kept track, and likely differs by person, but a month sounds about right). It may be possible to use it on chin hair, too, but I haven't tried that, and it'll likely make management pricier (the product is a bit pricey, but it has a bunch of uses, I'm still on my first box, but I only use it for the upper lip area). If your chin hair is just a small amount of coarse hairs, then tweezers or the "Tweezy" tool work well enough (the Tweezy can get the smaller and more fine hairs, too).

For other areas, I recommend checking out BallsBALM. Don't mind the brovertising, their target market is guys in their 20s, but the product is solid and kicks the crap out of the women's products like Veet or Nair, especially if you have more sensitive skin (I don't know about anyone else, but I've found even the so-called "sensitive" women's products to be hell on all but the toughest areas of my skin).

Hope this helps!