Anyone on Metformin? PCOS

cressievargo

I was prescribed Metformin about 3 years ago to help with both PCOS & insulin resistance. I was also put on BC for the PCOS. The first month or so was AWFUL: I would have to plan on staying home for at least 4 or 5 hours after I took it because I would need the bathroom every 45 minutes or so. After about a month or 6 weeks, though, my body finally got used to it. Also, I started at 500mg/day for 2 weeks, then added another pill for 1000mg/day after 2 weeks. Once my body adjusted, I wasn't running to the bathroom quite as much and eventually not at all -- and I lost about 35-40 lbs. When I went back to the doctor for a check up the next year, he took me off the Metformin since all my cysts were gone [yay!] to see if that changed anything. Another year later, and the cysts were still gone, but all 35-40 lbs came back, plus another 10 or 15. No change to my diet or exercise.

Part of me wants to ask to go back on the Metformin, just because it helped with my weight loss, but I know it's not good to be taking a medication I don't REALLY need.

Look at it this way - if you are overweight and insulin resistant, that puts you at a pretty high risk to develop full-blown diabetes - and then you'd probably end up on the Metformin anyhow...along with other stuff most likely. Why not use the medicine NOW to help prevent that? I'd rather take it now and avoid all the other issues that go along with diabetes.

seachelle84

If you want to see hell, eat Ben & Jerry's after taking Metformin. Lesson learned.

britnifix

If your bowels become upset when.taking metformin, try eating a yogirt with each meal. I have no stomach issues when I eat 2-3 greek yogurts a day (with med). When I skip the yogurt, my GI track suffers.... Works for me, maybe it will for you? Worth a try...

kazsjourney

I have PCOS and was taking it but it gave me too many dizzy spells especially when working out so I just didnt feel I was gaining from it so stopped taking it.

mackenzimbro

I am 23 years old with poly-cystic ovaries and a blood clotting disorder. Since I can't take birth control my doctor prescribed me to 2,000MG of Metphormin a day. I take 1,000 with lunch and 1,000 at bed time. IT SUCKS. Does anyone have any advice?
I only have about 20% body fat so I'm not that overweight and I am very active. I used to swim Division I in college but once I got diagnosed with PCOS my senior year I couldn't make it through workouts. Having this disease has changed my life. I never used to break out and now I have terrible acne around my mouth and back, my hair is falling out, I've gained weight, and my lip even has some hair on it. The metphormin makes me so sick too and I haven't even been able to work out hard like I used to.
Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

josephed

I take metformin and it certainly can cause stomach problems.
Have you eased yourself onto your dose? Taking a low dose for a couple of weeks before gradually upping it is the best way to limit the side effects.

The side effects should go within a month. I occasionally get some returning if I take the metformin outside of meal times for a few days.

MysteriousMerlin

I took it just after I was diagnosed with diabetes about 6 years ago. Horrible stuff...

Went on insulin as I was trying to get pregnant and didn't want any adverse affects.

Currently back on it to see if it will spark something like ovulation...last ditch effort, you could say. Not as many problems with it this time around after the first 3 weeks or so, though I have occasional nausea and vomiting that I didn't experience before.