Anyone on Metformin? PCOS

I have PCOS, but I am not on metformin anymore (yay!). I had horrible digestive issues when I did take it though. I was on 500 mg of the the regular formula and it was horrid.

The nausea and gastric distress will go away after a week or so. In the meantime, I would recommend taking your meds with meals... preferably one with a decent amount of protein.

Did your doctor recommend taking a half dosage for a week to get your body used to it? Or are you taking the extended release formula? Might want to talk to him/her regarding these options.

Whatever you end up doing with the meds, I wish you the best of luck! :flowerforyou:

I'm on the opposite side though. Last 2009 I was diagnosed with PCOS & I was at my highest weight then. I was adviced to take metformin. Now my PCOS is improved but I still take metformin as my maintenance for my type 2 diabetes. I become full blown diabetic during the time I had PCOS.

I take 2000 mg for Type II Diabetes and the stomach issues were the worst, I still have them but it could be because I am on such a high dose. The dizziness comes and goes. Sorry!

i am on diaformin 500mg, its pretty much metformin and its to lower my insulin resistance. i have had alot of trouble losing weight and when i first started the tablets i felt nausea and digestive issues but it stopped just under a month and i only feel yucky when i eat sugar. i've found that i don't feel as hungry anymore, and i am on a low gi diet. since i have started the tablets i have lost 2 or so kilos woo!

I took metformin and it was AWFUL. I felt terrible. Then I read all the lasting side effects of long term use, including cancer. I stopped taking it. I'm on yaz now and for the first time ever, my ovaries were clear on my last ultrasound. My cycles are still messed up, but that is from my thyroid.

I just started taking it regularly for my PCOS and it's the WORST. I constantly feel nauseous and have..bathroom issues. I can't eat anything and I'm always dizzy.

If I stop taking though, say for a week, I will start gaining weight. My question is: Does anyone have a similar experience or a success story taking it?
I'm just wondering if it's worth it for me to stay on it.

I've been on it for almost 2 months, and it has enabled me to lose weight and seems to be having a positive effect on the PCOS. The bathroom issues get better as your body adjusts to taking the medication, though I am concerned that you are reporting dizziness. This may be due to the fact that Metformin lowers blood sugar - are you eating properly balanced meals (i.e., adequate amounts of protein, fruits, vegetables and some whole grains). When you feel dizzy, try drinking a few ounces of orange juice. If that helps, the dizziness is likely just the drop in blood sugar and you need to adjust your diet to keep that balanced. In either case, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. I've had success with Metformin so far, but not everyone does.

I'm on 2000mg a day for diabetes.

The stomach issues, yep I experienced those for a few months at the start but they gradually went away. Make sure you're taking it with food.

The dizziness is more concerning. It could be pushing your blood glucose too low and giving you hypoglycemic episodes. Next time you get dizzy chug a half glass of full sugar orange juice and see if you feel better. If you do then it could be sugar related and you should talk to your doctor about keeping an eye on it and how to manage it.

i was taking it for pcos - my dr started me on half a pill twice a day to get my body used to it so that i didnt have the bathroom issues and such..then i bumped it up to 2 a day.
i never noticed it helping with the weight loss or any other of my symptoms.. and i actually think im doing better now without it. i took it for close to a year IIRC

I have been on it before - had some bathroom issues.
I started on 500 mg if I remember correctly, and gradually increased (don't remember what my final dosage was).

I took it while TTC #2, haven't taken it since I got pregnant in spring 2009. I have been doing pretty well with weight loss so far, but in the past it was definitely a struggle. I don't know what I'm doing differently that is "making the difference". I try to limit my carbs (rarely eat bread, etc) but I do eat them, I quit drinking pop all the time (still have one occassionally) and I take 2000 mg of Cinnamon a day, which is rumored (I'm not going to say proven b/c I'm not 100% sure) to help regulate blood sugar. I dunno - maybe it's one, or a combination...or none of the above. I've had 2 kids since then ~ and didn't need Metformin w/ #3...

Oh - and with #2 - I failed 2 out of 3 on the 3 hr glucose test for GD..so depending on which dr you ask, I was either GD or borderline, so I had to watch my diet. With pg #3 I passed the 1 hr test (which I didn't do with either of my other pregnancies)....so who knows...

It's all so confusing at times, which is why I'm *really* happy that my weight loss is going great right now but also terrified of getting to the point again where nothing comes off.

Best of luck ladies!

Hello.. I have been on metformin on and off for about 4 years now..It really is a miracle drug for me.. I stopped getting my period all together when I dont take my metformin..I have really bad insulin resistance and I also have pcos. Metformin is the only drug out there that is for insulin resistance people that doesn't cause major weight gain... without metformin I'm not sure if my cycles would ever be regular enough to get pregnant..I find that if I eat high sugar one day that it will cause me to have bathroom issues as well the next day. If I eat a well balanced diet while I'm on metformin I dont have any issues. If your consuming alot of high sugar or high calorie foods while taking metformin it is not uncommon to exsperience diarria...good luck & it takes time for the medication to get into your system and to adjust to it.

I have insulin resistance, so if I don't eat enough and then I take Metformin, I tend to puke. So I'd advise always eating a good meal before you take it.

I take the extended release formula and it helps, i also split it between breakfast and dinner. I find I get sick if I eat a lot of sugar or bad food. If you drink at all do not take any that day! It is terrible. I suggest researching what the medicine does so you can better understand it. It really helps to avoid sugar when you are on it.

I take Metformin. I started with the normal version and had horrible tummy issues with it The Dr then moved me on to the slow release one which is better (when I remember to take it ) I also only took one tablet (500mg) in the eve for a week and then added the morning one as well in the second week. It does get better after the first week or so though. Remember to take it after food.

I take 2000mg daily for PCOS as well.

Scratch that. I'm supposed to take 2000mg daily. Most days I forget and only take 1000mg but I'm working on that. I've also noticed the "cleaner" I eat, the more manageable the symptoms. Either way, it sends me to the bathroom. The difference for me is, if I eat junk I get severe cramps but if I eat clean it's just a loose bowel. I try to think of it as pooping the fat away. Makes the pills easier to take

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2003. My doctor put me on yasmin and metformin. A week later, I stopped taking both. I had never been on medicine like that, and I hated it. It gave me bad stomach issues too. I sought for natural ways to cope with the insulin resistance.

I stopped eating processed foods and basically junk food. I started taking cinnamon and chromium gtf supplements, and starting excercising. Within sixish months I had lost 40 pounds and my insulin resistance was completely under control.

After marrying and having two little boys, I gained quite a bit of weight back, and my insulin resistence returned. So I am on the same journey once again. But after doing all the above, I am already feeling way way better! That lack of energy is the worst.

Disclaimer.... lol..... check with your doctor before taking the above mentioned supplements!