Insulin Resistence and Metformin
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whatascene
Posts: 119 Member
Does anyone know what foods to avoid that will cause those fun negative stomach side-effects? I find myself skipping my pills whenever I go away for a weekend because the only food I know that triggers is spicy foods or red onions. Sometimes I'll get so nauseous or any of the other fun effects for some food I didn't even know would set it off. I heard something about the carbs, but strangely enough carbs like potatoes and breads make me feel better and cause the least problems.
On another fun note, how much weight have you lost with the help of metformin?
On another fun note, how much weight have you lost with the help of metformin?
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Hi I've been on the slow release Metformin for 6 months now and I must be one of those lucky ones that has a cast iron stomach because I havent had any side effects at all. But I havent lost any weight as a result of being on them
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I've heard that Metformin is really helpful with losing weight with PCOS. However, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me I need to lose weight... that's it. I've asked about being on medication and they always say after I lose about 20 lbs then they might put me on medication.0
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Hmmm I never heard that before. I know you have to get a fasting blood test and if there is insulin resistance they will put you on the medication, I never heard of a weight requirement...
Slow release? I don't know if that's what I'm on lol. I have to take two pills a day. The first one is fine, but after the second one I almost feel like I have a mild version of the stomach flu but can't throw up lol- that's if I eat something that disrupts it. I lost 14 pounds- probably the first 12 thanks to metformin, but that might have been because of the nausea that came with it
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I've heard that Metformin is really helpful with losing weight with PCOS. However, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me I need to lose weight... that's it. I've asked about being on medication and they always say after I lose about 20 lbs then they might put me on medication.
I hate it when the docs say that, they seem to think thats the anwser to everything "Loose weight" yeah right !!
Anyway if possible ask to see a different doctor for a second opinion. Some are more understanding than others0 -
I just started Metformin. What are the side effects? I didn't research it much. I just knew it helped, and after 5 months of trying everything under the sun with no results....I was willing to try it.
I can't believe your doctor told you that you need to lose weight first! Mine didn't question it.0 -
The most common side effects are stomach upsets- nausea and some people report vomiting. A very common thing is to eat something that's a bad trigger, and it literally goes right through you in the next hour or 2. People say that these effects do better in time, and it's true for me. But I still have triggers, I'm going to go see my doctor in 2 weeks.
Good luck! I know that I lost about 10 pounds before I joined this site because of metformin because I tried everything and didn't get the results like metformin. But you have to be doing the right things on it to see the results too.0 -
I had the same issue. Try to find a gynocologist that is also on the endocrinology side of things. I finally found a doctor who knew very well what PCOS was, knew the trouble that we have losing weight and agreed to have me try metformin when I asked.0
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Hi there. I've lot 99lbs in 8 months with the help of metformin and a good exercise and eating regime. It was absolutely awful for the first 3 months and there would be some nights where I'd camp out in the bathroom because I was so ill (diarrhoea, vomiting, hot/cold sweats, general fatigue, weakness) but I was determined to persevere. Prior to this I had tried every diet under the sun and my next option was weight loss surgery which I know isn't easy either. As soon as I understood that I could not eat anything with more than 5g of sugar per 100g after lunch, (I take my pills in the evening), I was fine. It requires a lot of label reading and cooking from scratch but it was totally worth it in my opinion because it retrained my taste buds and I have an aversion rather than a craving for sweets now (unless I go overboard on carbs- then the craving starts all over again!)0
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I've heard that Metformin is really helpful with losing weight with PCOS. However, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me I need to lose weight... that's it. I've asked about being on medication and they always say after I lose about 20 lbs then they might put me on medication.
Have you been diagnosed with insulin resistance? Not everyone with PCOS has insulin resistance and therefore Metformin will not be an appropriate treatment option for everyone. Weight loss, on the other hand, is!0 -
Don't get your gyno to give you Metformin, get referred to an endocrinologist. Its their area of expertise and they're a lot nicer about giving metformin out.
I'm a practical iron stomach too, I have very few side effects. I have lost weight on it as well though. I would recommend avoiding the sugary stuff though, thats what tends to give me the odd tummy twinge!0 -
My doctor couldn't prescibe metformin for me. It had to be prescribed firstly by the endocrinologist I see for my PCOS. I get the follow up scripts from my GP. So maybe the next time are with your specialist mention it. Not all doctors are up to date on PCOS and the treatment required. I have in the past brought in print outs of PCOS side effects and relevant treatment. So maybe you should do that, as it is extremely difficult to lose weight with PCOS and unfortunately sufferers may need the additional boost offered with medication. I would not let them palm you off with the answer that its down to you to lose the weight on your own.I've heard that Metformin is really helpful with losing weight with PCOS. However, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me I need to lose weight... that's it. I've asked about being on medication and they always say after I lose about 20 lbs then they might put me on medication.
Good luck.
To the original author of this thread.. Anything sweet or spicy makes me nauseous on metformin. Bland all the way if I want to avoid stomach upsets. Which I haven't managed to do yet. I have a crazy sweet tooth.0 -
I spoke to my doc, Im on Metformin ER for PCOS and she said the regular ones can sometimes lessen the water bowel (sorry if TMI). One adjust she did do for me was to have me take all 1000mg in the AM with breakfast. It made a HUGE difference for me. I am back to normal for me again. Was in kind of a plateau and still am but no more watery bowels.
Talk to your doctor and see what they say.0 -
I dont feel any stomach upset no matter what I eat. I did get sick to my stomach if I did much carbs to start with tho. So made the low carb eating easy to stick to.0
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When I started adding Chiral Balance supplements the Metformin tummy issues went completely away! Plus, it has other great benefits for PCOS. Eventually, the Chiral Balance started doing more for me than the Metformin (since it's a supplement it does take a bit to start working but balancing the Met effects was an immediate benefit) and I was also eventually able to cut my Met dose in half. Check it out; it's seriously worth it.
But, before the C.B. my big triggers were ice cream, ice burg lettuce, and pastas. Dieting got rid of the ice cream and pastas but the lettuce was still an issue so I just had to switch to spinach. I think it's different for each person what will do it but I always hear high sugar/carb foods get people the worst.0 -
I'd suggest nothing too heavy or fatty. But I think it all depends on your body and how it handles food. I've been on Metformin for about 3 weeks now, although I'm not losing weight, I'm starting to lose inches and find that my hunger cravings have gone down. PCOS is a bugger at the best of times so its good that we are all here to support each other
. Don't lose hope girlies, we can beat the bugger :happy: 0 -
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I've never been diagnosed with PCOS but have been on metformin for about 7 years now for insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia (body making too much insulin). Happened when doctors didn't catch my gestational diabetes with my 2nd child. Metformin never helped me lose weight and back then I wasn't watching what I ate. I actually gained over the years and ballooned to 253 last year. The metformin just kept my insulin in check and I was on 1500 mg per day. Since adopting a healthier diet and exercising regularly since last November, I've dropped 35lbs and am working hard to lose more. My insulin problem makes it so much more difficult to lose because excess insulin stores fat and makes it harder to burn. I have actually had to drop down to 1000 mg a day and may drop to 500 a day because it is making me sick now where it never did before. Within 15 minutes of taking metformin I get nauseous. I would highly suggest that if it's making you sick after the first 30 days of being on it, to consult your doc because it shouldn't make you sick and after being on it for so many years without getting sick, my new nausea told me that I didn't need it.0
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Try to eat when you take it. Im on Met ER and at first took half in AM and half PM I would have horrible belly for a while when I first got up.. Doc told me to take it all AM and I have been great every since.
Earlier someone said carb dont upset her belly, they are usually what set most people off. Also its recommended to be on a LOW carb diet to lose if you have PCOS.0 -
I've heard that Metformin is really helpful with losing weight with PCOS. However, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me I need to lose weight... that's it. I've asked about being on medication and they always say after I lose about 20 lbs then they might put me on medication.
Have you been diagnosed with insulin resistance? Not everyone with PCOS has insulin resistance and therefore Metformin will not be an appropriate treatment option for everyone. Weight loss, on the other hand, is!
How does one get diagnosed with insulin resistance?0 -
Go see an Endocrinologist!0
