Taking Metformin

TallyFlores

So, I was diagnosed with PCOS a few months ago, and my gyno mentioned Metformin as a possible route to helping lose weight (by helping to regulate insulin levels), therefore reducing some symptoms. I'm always hesitant to take medication, because I'm scared of the side effects, so I declined and decided to try to lose the weight with out it. I've started going to a nutritionist and have another check-up in two weeks. The thing is, I'm seeing results but I keep wondering if I would see more if I took Metformin. When I have my check-up, I've been thinking about getting the prescrition, but I was hoping some of you ladies hade some advice on the subject. How common/bad are the side effects, and is the potential for the extra weight loss worth it?

Thanks!

PCOSgal

The primary side effect of metformin is upset stomach and diarrhea- most docs have you start with a small dose and gradually go up. Some people tolerate it better than others. It can be very helpful for weight loss as well as other symptom relief- regulates period, helps you ovulate, etc.

bohrsy88

I can only tell you what my experience has been, but I saw a specialist in New York who told me that only some women are insulin resistant others arent.. I struggle to lose the weight but im not insulin resistant (i had tests). Before I knew whether I was or not I I tried Metformin and it did nothing for me, but I know it has helped some women lose weight. Not everyone with PCOS has insulin issues so it depends which category you fall in to..

I would say if you can lose weight without it, do. Slower is healthier anyway and unless you have tried everything and just cant shift the lbs my personal preference would be to go without the meds.

Good luck! xx

TallyFlores

...Not everyone with PCOS has insulin issues so it depends which category you fall in to..

I would say if you can lose weight without it, do. Slower is healthier anyway and unless you have tried everything and just cant shift the lbs my personal preference would be to go without the meds.

Good luck! xx

Thank you for the response. I unfortunately do fall into the category of insulin resistance. I have been having my triglycerides and cholosterol monitored because they are way above what they should be, due to the insulin resistance. That's why I'm considering it, but I agree with you that it is better to try with out the medicine if it can be done. I will of course consult with my doctor to see what her opinion is on whether it would be beneficial, but I definitely appreciate the input from other women who are going through the same thing so that I can hear and learn from their experiences with it too.

miranda_mom

Hi,

I've been on it since April. I did have the side effect of stomach upset, especially if I eat something very sugary (not fruit, just really processed stuff). Not always though, just sometimes. I also get low blood sugar if I don't eat every few hours. In my job, this can be hard sometimes so I make sure I always have something in my purse like almonds that I can eat conveniently. The low blood sugar causes me to get headaches that turn into migraines. BTW, low blood sugar is not a side effect that you will hear about but I've met lots of women who get it.

The good news is this - before I started taking it and for the first three months (I was on 1000 mg daily at the time), I did not have a cycle AT ALL. As soon as I bumped up to 2000 mg daily, I had one. AND - I just had another one (two months long but it's better than nothing).

TallyFlores

Thanks for the post miranda_mom. I have been on birth control for 8 years, so I never had a problem with regualr cycles. It's one of the reasons I didn't get diagnosed sooner....my sypmtoms were masked or attributed to something else. I appreciate the honesty about the side effects you've felt.

sarahz5

I went on Metformin when I was trying to conceive my first. I found that it was very easy to control the side effects by being careful about what I ate. The "rules" were pretty much the same as what I was trying to do to keep the insulin in check on my own anyway, so it worked out - avoiding processed, sugary, and fatty foods did the trick. You also have to be careful not to drink too much alcohol - you become much more sensitive to it and I found I really couldn't drink more than two beers at an absolute max. I do largely credit Metformin with getting my cycles straightened out and getting me pregnant. However, I did not have any miraculous weight loss. I lost a bunch of weight by eating carefully and watching the glycemic index of what I ate, and that was more effective than the Met.

I did not go on Metformin when trying to conceive my second child, and my cycles ended up being, not perfect, but just fine without it. I lost all the baby weight from my first child on my own - it took a year, but I did it with basic fitness and attention to diet. I haven't gone on it now either, even though I'm having a tougher time losing the baby weight this time. I think my decision is based on the fact that I wouldn't want to be on Metformin for the rest of my life. It really does put some restrictions in place.

If you see it as a short term thing to help kickstart your weight loss, help you establish healthy eating habits, and help get your insulin in balance, I feel it can be beneficial. But I wouldn't want to look at it as a lifestyle choice.