Metformin "working"
kgibbz
Posts: 102 Member
On a daily/ monthly basis, how do you know that Metformin is or is not working for you?
For me, the only way I know I am taking it is the excessive diarrhea, otherwise I could be taking placebos. I won't know if it is actually working until I go back for repeat blood work.
So how do any of you know if its "working" and what does it mean to "feel better"
FWIW I dont feel any different
For me, the only way I know I am taking it is the excessive diarrhea, otherwise I could be taking placebos. I won't know if it is actually working until I go back for repeat blood work.
So how do any of you know if its "working" and what does it mean to "feel better"
FWIW I dont feel any different
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The only reason I believe mine is working is that my A1C is within normal and my sugar is within normal range as well. I'm only pre-diabetic (because of PCOS) and don't have full blown diabetes at this time and I'm hoping that following the diet and losing some weight will help me not to get it.
Other than that, I have no idea if it is doing anything else. I'm on one 500 XR (extended release) pill. I think I'm supposed to take 3 5's, but the doctor insists that it's the same. 0 -
My period started up again (I was not on birth control pill) and my hair stopped falling out in clumps.0
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The only way I can tell if it's working is if I'm losing weight, because the primary reason I don't lose weight is the elevated insulin. It doesn't really change anything else for me to a bigger effect than diet/lifestyle changes.0
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I refuse to live my life with constant diarrhea, so I decreased my dose until I don't have stomach disturbances. I'm doing 2x 500mg right now, one in the morning and one at night. To answer your question, I'm not sure if it's working. I have my repeat blood work next month, but my blood levels were decent because of my already healthy lifestyle. The biggest issue I was having was that after losing 50 lbs, I was re-GAINING weight despite continuing to be highly-active and eating at a calorie-deficit. Since drastically reducing my carbs and starting metformin in January I have lost 27 lbs.
My family history of heart issues is astronomical, and I already have indicators of being predisposed to increase risks along with having the start of a valve issue. My cardiologist wants me on the metformin to help reduce my risk of diabetes, which would further my cardiovascular risks. That was enough for me. I also use progesterone to help the extreme violent moodiness I get from the testosterone, and I just started spiro for my acne. I'm not usually a big fan of medication, but at some point I need all the help I can get to outlast my genetics.
I'm anxious to see how things have changed in the last 7 months, it's really interesting to me. I'm also dying to see what a high fat diet has done to/for my cholesterol, since there is so much conflicting information out there on the topic.0 -
When I took it my periods started coming every 30-40 days instead of every 3-6 months. For me that was pretty regular. I was also able to get pregnant (seeing fertility specialists, etc.) I had very bad side effects with it, hated it actually. I do recommend trying the Extended release if you are not already on it. Blood work should tell if things are getting better.0
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So, if I'm reading some of the comments correctly, I am not the only one having "digestive" issues since being on Metformin? I'm not sure what is going on inside of my body, but it does not like either the pills or whatever I'm eating...yesterday was really bad for me...I had some dairy yesterday, so I thought that was the culprit, but it's still a little gurgly this morning (is that a word?!?!) and I haven't had any dairy this morning....I don't remember what the dosage is of my pills, but I do take it twice a day...once at breakfast and once at dinner.0
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So, if I'm reading some of the comments correctly, I am not the only one having "digestive" issues since being on Metformin? I'm not sure what is going on inside of my body, but it does not like either the pills or whatever I'm eating...yesterday was really bad for me...I had some dairy yesterday, so I thought that was the culprit, but it's still a little gurgly this morning (is that a word?!?!) and I haven't had any dairy this morning....I don't remember what the dosage is of my pills, but I do take it twice a day...once at breakfast and once at dinner.
That's correct. GI issues are the biggest side effect of Metformin (there's kind of a running joke that you lose weight not because of the primary effect, but because of the GI issues).
There are two things that affect the GI issues:
1. How long you've been taking it. It takes about a week, sometimes two, at a given dose to get used to it. During that time, you'll have the same issues regardless of what you eat. For a lot of people, the severity is dependent on the dose/dose increase. For some people, dose doesn't matter (that's me -- a 500mg and 1000mg jump did the same, so I just went from my original dose to my current dose and just got it done and over with).
2. Trigger foods. The specific foods vary, but generally speaking, high-carb foods cause issues, as well as fiber (in my experience). I've found that I do better on lower amounts of fiber and lean toward soluble fiber. (Fun fact -- there's actually very little evidence that a ton of fiber is helpful for GI issues. Most of the high-fiber thing was spurred by John Kellogg, who had a thing against sex and believed not-soft stools caused "lust," and wanted to sell his cereal, before his brother started what is now known as Kellogg's.)0 -
So, fiber makes sense...I wasn't getting enough, so now I take a fiber gummy...should I stop taking them then?0
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So, fiber makes sense...I wasn't getting enough, so now I take a fiber gummy...should I stop taking them then?
I'd say it's worth a try. The sugar alcohols and sucralose probably aren't helping matters, anyway.0 -
I start retaining water like crazy if I'm not on Metformin for some reason. I'm not sure what aspect of Metformin actually affects water retention, but there have been a few times since I've been on Metformin that I went a few days without taking it (weekend trips & forgot the pills, stuff like that) and in those few days, my feet would get crazy puffy and I'd start retaining water. I have a water retention problem anyway, so I guess Metformin helps keep it in check somehow.
As for the stomach issues, as Dragonwolf said, it does go away. I've been on Metformin for about 8-9 years and only had stomach issues the first few weeks. Now I have no negative side effects at all - the only noticeable effects of it are positive.0 -
I honestly don't think metformin is working for me at all...0
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I have only been taking Metformin once per day since Friday. And having the lovely intermittent, random diarrhea on top of the bile movements (not a typo) that I have sometimes due to no gallbladder made the weekend interesting, but...
I have a weird thing I call "food narcolepsy." Pretty much when I eat or drink anything, as my body disgests it, I literally nod off. I don't even feel tired first. I just wake up and realize what happened. This NEVER happens in the car and has never happened when I'm physically active. It doesn't matter if I eat all carbs, no carbs, or any combination of macros. I narc out each time I eat/snack. This has been really bad as relates to work. But...
I'm not sure if it is the Metformin, the Sprio-whatever, or the blood pressure med I started on Tuesday, but I am having fewer episodes of this. I noticed it specifically with the first dose (with dinner, once per day is all I take), that I was almost wired, but just like aware, not jittery. I was able to calm down so-so to sleep, but it seems to be helping some.
But it does make me crave carbs like a crazy person - but that could be my brain trying to fix the liquid BM problem, too. I haven't identified any trigger foods - and I'm SO looking forward to my body adjusting to it....
Weird thing is, one doc has a theory that my body has to rush blood to my stomach/intestines to digest food, so it slows down everything else. Another doc says it might be a blood pressure/sodium thing. I'm not low blood sugar, and I'm not insulin resistant according to my endocrinologist, but the metformin seems to help, so *shrugs* I'm confused.... As long as the positives help, I'm game to continue...0 -
My period started up again (I was not on birth control pill) and my hair stopped falling out in clumps.
I am so glad I read this thread. I had been adamant that Metformin is the reason my hair has been falling out. My Dr. keeps telling me I am wrong! Did it eventually stop? Are you still taking it? I'm worried and may just stop taking it if this persists....0 -
Well... my periods are normal again. They were coming 2 weeks apart for several months when I started taking the Metformin. I haven't had any outrageous mood swings lately. Also, I've successfully lost 10 lbs since starting it. I've been on it for close to six months.0
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My period started up again (I was not on birth control pill) and my hair stopped falling out in clumps.
I am so glad I read this thread. I had been adamant that Metformin is the reason my hair has been falling out. My Dr. keeps telling me I am wrong! Did it eventually stop? Are you still taking it? I'm worried and may just stop taking it if this persists....
It STOPPED falling out with metformin. It falls out A LOT if I'm not taking Metformin.0 -
I've just started Metformin this week and I'm having a weird side effect. I'm very thirsty all the time, and my mouth feels quite metallic. Could this be from the Metformin?
I was also wondering if other women take myoinistol and DCI while taking Metformin? I've been taking them for a few weeks but now I'm not sure if I should stop.0 -
One of the known and common side effects of Metformin is dehydration, so I would say yes, the "thirsty all the time" feeling is showing the dehydration. I don't know about the metallic taste in your mouth though...
Also, you might monitor your blood sugar levels. I was warned that Metformin could cause me to have major blood sugar lows (hypoglycemia), so make sure you are monitoring your levels.0 -
The metallic taste seems to be a common initial side effect of the standard metformin.0
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I'm so glad I read this thread. My midwife prescribed Metformin back in March but my regular doctor argued that I didn't need it and I ended up not starting it. Today he sent a script to the pharmacy for it so I'm starting it tomorrow and I was worried about how it worked and side effects.
Right now the side effect I'm worried about is the GI issues. My stomach has been so irritable since I had my gallbladder out in 2000. Not to sound gross but sometimes I don't even get to finish eating before I'm in the bathroom. So the idea that the med might cause an increase in this has me really worried. How badly does this interfere with normal every day life? As it is, I have to get up two hours early so that I have plenty of time to get my stomach calmed down from breakfast before I start my day.
The things we deal with to get healthier and get the stupid pcos under control.0 -
metofrmin has aided me to lose weight, stopped my hair from falling out, decreased my acne, stopped the intense sugar spikes, and has given me a period. at one point i didnt have a period for almost 3 years. As far as I am concered this has done WONDERS for me. I dont like to sound like i am hawking or promoting medicine, but honestly I would feel lost without it. I will take occassional GI disturbances over any of the other related symptoms with PCOS.0
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Just started Metformin XR today. Hopefully with eating healthier and exercising I can drop this weight. So tired of being tired.0
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I lost weight on mine, and never had many issues (though I do notice I drink a bit more since I've been on it), now I've kind gotten stuck I think, so we're looking at other options for weight loss but my doctor does tell me its helping because blood work is coming back good. Though the most recent blood work isn't back yet so we'll see.0
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Just had repeat bloodwork Friday, I go back in a week for results. Fingers crossed!0
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How long were you on Metformin before you started noticing any weight loss. My blood sugars were fairly good before Metformin. My doctor put me on it due to the fact that I cannot seem to lose weight. I have been on it for about 3 weeks and haven't noticed a difference. That's why I am trying to refocus on myfitnesspal. I'm also hoping you ladies can help inspire and offer tips:)0
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Th Metformin wouldn't be the reason your hair is falling out. That is actually a symptom of PCOS. It is because of the elevated testosterone.0
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I never came back and updated... ITS WORKING! My a1c was 5.5!! Yay! That was the number one reason I was medicated. Insulin issues run in my family. So anyway my doc was impressed with my weightloss. Since starting Met Ive lost 9lbs.0
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I just started on 500mgx1 XR this week after spending several frustrating months working with a registered dietitian. My fasting blood sugar is kind of weird. If I eat nothing but pizza and cake, it's 118. If I eat between 90 and 120 g carbs/day, it's between 105 and 110. These days, that's pre-diabetic, though barely. This week, I went super low carb, <30g, well into ketosis, and on Metformin...and it's between 98 and 103. Argh! What do I have to even do to keep my blood sugar under 100?!? (My carbs have generally been between 90 and 120 net since summer, mostly primal/paleo, with several short rounds of keto sprinkled in there.)
On the positive side, after losing only about 6 pounds in 3 months (including when on keto), I've lost about 4 this week. I'm sure it's probably mostly water, but at this point, I kind of don't even care. I'm hoping that losing a bit more will reset my blood sugar and make it easier to stay below the very top of the normal range.0
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