metformin for weight loss?

kamakazeekim

I have been reading that metformin can help with weight loss. Has anyone tried it? How do you get your doctor to prescribe it? I have PCOS and it seems to be pretty standard to use metformin but my doctor has never mentioned it. Do any prescription weight loss medications help women with PCOS? I am desperate! Despite not eating carbs or starches and eating around 1200 calories a day I'm still gaining weight.

symba1130

The only thing I can comment on regarding metformin is it can cause nausea and diarrhea in some people which leads to weight loss. Both my SIL's were on the drug for fertility and experienced this. But...on the other hand, my mom is also using metformin to help with diabetes and she has not experienced any side affects of weight loss.

yarwell

Despite not eating carbs or starches and eating around 1200 calories a day I'm still gaining weight.

The carbs you aren't eating appears to include chocolate wheat cereal, pretzels, orange juice - need I go on ......

over 60% of the calories were from carbs the other day.

Metformin may help with insulin resistance, Metformin works by suppressing glucose production by the liver. So if you were eating low carb it may help, but I would try the low carb eating first.

kamakazeekim

Despite not eating carbs or starches and eating around 1200 calories a day I'm still gaining weight.

The carbs you aren't eating appears to include chocolate wheat cereal, pretzels, orange juice - need I go on ......

over 60% of the calories were from carbs the other day.

Metformin may help with insulin resistance, Metformin works by suppressing glucose production by the liver. So if you were eating low carb it may help, but I would try the low carb eating first.

haha yeah, that was a bad weekend...it was the county fair and I lived there for several days with my family's animals. But in general I try to eat Malt-o-meal as my sole source of carbs so that I don't end up with Ketosis again (it's happened 3 times and it sucks)

aatlchavens

I have never been on it. My doctor wanted me to give losing weight to improve my symptoms a whirl first and thankfully, though it has been a long road, that is what has worked. I eat fairly low carb, most days, and it is the only thing that works. Honestly, if I eat too many carbs nowadays I feel sick and awful. If you want, I can give you a sample of my usual menus to give you ideas to work with.



As for why your doctor has never mentioned it, perhaps he/she wanted to see how you did on your own at losing first, or he/she isn't really up to speed on PCOS and all it entails. Is your dr an endocrinologist or specialized ob/gyn? If not, I highly suggest seeking one out. I suffered for years with weight gain and every other PCOS symptom in the book and it took one specialist to look over my history, diagnose me, and get me started on the path to managing it, as well as my weight.

Good luck!