PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support - Thoughts and Experiences on Metformin??

Hello everyone-
I had a Dr.s appointment yesturday and the Dr. put me on metformin. I have been trying to loose weight since Jan 2, 2008 and the first 10 lbs were easy to loose, I lost them in the first two weeks. I am on week week 8 and have only lost 4 more lbs. I know this is good at least it is a loose. The frustating thing is that I have been really good and excercise everyday and eat a low carb diet with tons and tons of water. Anyways, the Dr. said the metformin would help me to loose the weight. I am trying to conceive so he recommended I loose 50 lbs before we start looking on me conceiving.

What have your experiences been with Metformin?

Thanks in advance for your input.:D

WeightSmasher I have been on Metformin for about 2 months and have lost actually gained a few pounds. So I'm a bit ditracted. I know there are good amount of people that lose weight so don't be discouraged by my situation. I also have hypothyroidism and really not sure which one is the biggest culprit.

The good things...
I did curb my seet appetite and I do not feel hungry all day every hour. I have lost 1 inch in waist and hips. So that's good!

I take 500mg twice a day.

Keep us updated.

Hey Weightsmasher,

I as officially diagnosed as having PCOS when I was 18, (I'd been doing tons of research on it and suspected it as a reason I couldn't drop weight since I was 16). I'm on 2000mg of metformin now. Initially I was on 1500mg and didn't see any difference - ie: no significant weight gain or loss. Before I started taking the medication I ate a pretty healthy diet (lots of whole grains, lean protein) as I'd been trying to lose weight since the start of high school. I ran 4-5 days a week for about 40 minutes as well. A couple of weeks after I went up to 2000mg I increased my running to twice daily for 30-40min and within a few months I was down 16lbs. I think metformin, when used appropriately in conjunction with diet and exercise can definitely help you drop the weight. By no means is it a miracle drug but if you're doing everything right, (which it sounds like you are), it's worth a shot in my mind. I've also heard cases of people getting down to a healthy weight and stabilizing their insulin and blood sugar and cutting back gradually on it...

Some people have pretty nasty side effects. Mine weren't so bad. I built up over about a month to 2000mg instead of just taking it all right away (my endo's recommendation). You're not supposed to take it on an empty stomach but my first few weeks it was upsetting me a little and I couldn't handle it in full meals. Instead I would eat it with a small serving of yogurt (good balance of proteins and carbs) and that seemed to help. Water is important too.

Sorry if I gave you more than you wanted to hear! There's lots of great resources out there for people with PCOS and I'm sure you can find a lot of information on others who have had success with it. Good luck!

I have been on met for a year now. I am up to 2500mg. I take it with meals and only if I eat bad do I have any effects.

Hi Everyone I'm new to this forum. It looks great.

About two years ago I lost fifty plus pounds doing low fat and a lot of exercise. Well, over 8 mos or so I gained 30 back. My sugar cravings and carb addiction took over. When I say sugar addiction I mean half gal of icecream every two days. I had to have something sugary every other hour.

I work for a doctor and he and I talked. He put me on Metformin and said it may or may not work.

What I've found after a couple weeks is my sugar cravings are gone. If I do have something sweet I can stop at one pc and not eat the whole bag. I haven't gotten icecream in three weeks. A record for me.

Anyway.....I'm in this to lose 20 lbs. My pants have gone down a size in just a couple weeks. I'm sure it's from not eating all that junk


Anyway.....glad i found you all.

Kelly

OH, and my question, I almost forgot. Doc didn't mention what type of diet to eat. I've read where if you are insulin resistant then a low fat diet is not good. Higher, lean protein is best. Please suggest what you think.

Thank you

Kelly

My experience is that metformin didn't help me with my weightloss - I fought for every single lb in the gym. But I know others who had the weight just fall off with the metformin.

Different people, different results.

I'm new to this site because I too am insulin resistant, have hypo-thyroidism etc. I've done all sorts of food plans...low carb, low fat, sugar busters, weight watchers with all the same results. I will lose some lbs (yo-yoing as I go) and then plateau...only to regain again. I KNOW this yo-yo thing isn't good! I've also been told I'm "pre-diabetic". I'm currently reading a book regarding diabetes and it's not a good disease at all. I see an endocronologist and so far she is having me address my issues with "diet and exercise". I've been able to decrease my cholestrol #'s but my blood sugar isn't good and if I don't improve in these next 3 months I'll be going on Metformin as well. I'm here to see if anyone has had good results with it! I'm also taking a cholestrol medication as well. My biggest question is...if I go back to a solely low-carb food plan will I be able to sustain it AND is that the way to go. Everything I read has a common thread to it BUT then "their plan" is the best. Who do I believe?? Who can help with what I should do??

Thank you for all of your input. I started taking Metformin last Wed. 2/27/08. So Far so good. I feel much better. The first day I felt fine not side effects at all. The second day I felt a little tired and queezy. The third day I felt a little icky and queezy, nothing major I just knew I didn't feel 100%. The fourth day I felt much better and by the fifth day I feel good. I have been eating very low carb. I take the medication twice a day either with breakfast or lunch and then dinner. I take it in the middle of my meal. I drink gallons and gallons of water throught the day. I am excercising 6 days a week. Since I started taking Metformin I have lost 4lbs. unoficially because my weigh in is on Wednesday but I just couldn't resist and I got on the scale.

Well, this is my experience so far. I am staying away from the carbs because I don't want the nasty side effects as I hear that when you eat bad carbs you feel really sick. My plan is to eat very low carb one week and the next week eat a little more carbs such as veggies, fruit, fiber.... then the following week go back to low low carbs. I hope my plan works and I can keep loosing this weight and get healthy and some how control the PCOS.

Good luck to everyone else and let us know your progress.

WeightSmasher....thank you for your repsonse! When you speak of very low carbs what types of food are you referring to? What is a "typical" day for you re: your meals? Just curious! As for the side effects you had with the Metformin...that's the kind my endocronologist said people will have. She said gastrointestinal. I took Metformin briefly (under the care of a different physician) for a couple of weeks a year ago. I had some adverse side-effects but my newest doctor said that they weren't caused by the medication. So "if" I'm prescribed it again, I will have to see how I do. Thank you so much for responding!!! Your info was most helpful!

14 lbs in 8 weeks is EXCELLENT weight loss, even for a person without insulin resistance. When you're insulin resistant, your body holds on to weight very stubbornly, and you can often maintain your weight on a ridiculously low calorie level (what I can eat now to maintain my weight today, would have resulted in a 6 - 8 lb loss per week in my college days).

I'm on metformin, and I don't think it's helped me lose weight, though it has reduced my blood sugar to normal levels. Low carb dieting helps, and maybe the metformin does too, but it still isn't easy. The hardest part about weight loss is learning to be patient. You can control what you eat and how much you exercise, but the weight never comes off as fast as you'd like it to.

When you say that if you eat the wrong kind of carbs (food) that it makes you sick: what kind of foods do you mean? And, what are the symptoms of illness that you are refrerring too?

When I first started taking metformin, I felt a bit nauseated now and then. I had other odd symptoms that I don't know if they had anything to do with MET. THE GOOD NEWS is that since I have been on MET and watching what I eat, my sugars have gone back into the normal range (4.9 to 5.2). If they go down too far into the 4.0's, I feel very hungry and weak; so. I adjusted my food intake and that helped a bit.

I had pre-diabetes (diabetes runs in our family) and had other health issues that seem to be better now (ie more regular menses). I was taking 750 mg's (250 x 3 a day); that was upped to 1000 mg; then 1500 mg with dinner only, becuz my lunches and BF'S were small and that made me feel ill. I found (for me personally) taking the pills with dinner only made me feel a lot better. Becuz my sugars have stabilized, I have been able to cut back to 500 mg.

I think my doctor wanted me to stay on the higher dose to help me lose more weight, but it made me feel nauseated, weak, shakey, and just plain odd. Some people told me that MET makes you go to the washroom more: both #1 and #2. A couple of people have told me that MET can be hard on your kidneys (one possible side effect), but my doctor never told me that, so I will ask him about it the next time I see him (becuz that is important to me).

Right now, I am having no problems with the MET; but my weight-loss has slowed down, however, I have lost 12" overall from July 07 'til Dec 07 and lost one size in clothing, and my weight is stable. I am happy with that; I am thrilled that my sugars are normal and stable now too, and the MET along with healthy eating habits helped that I'm sure.

You can hit stalls and plateaus, but as long as you are losing inches or sizes, and/or a lb here or there ... you are still losing. I agree with KAPLODS that we tend to be impatient when it comes to weightloss. I know for me now that I'm in my late 40's, it seems to come off much slower. Some people believe that the longer it takes to lose the weight, the longer it will likely stay off, but some people are too impatient for that theory/method.

I still have a long way to go; but I think it's important to just keep on, keepin' on: in other words ... DON'T EVER STOP! After all, this is supposed to be about healthy weight and good health, for life ... right?

Hope something here is helpful ~ :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Only side effect my doctor seemed to emphasize that comes with Metformin is digestive. She didn't mention anything else. She also said it's a good drug (safe too, I think she said) to lower the blood sugars. In reading these posts I'm almost wishing she'd put me on it this last time I saw her. I'm wondering if the person saying that "carbs" made them sick is getting the Metformin mixed up with Alli....that fat-busting drug that's out. THAT one sounds really nasty!! Thanks Rosebud for your post...it is most helpful!

I weighed myself today and I am down 2 more lbs. since last time I unoficially weighed in. Well, I guess I can say I love Metformin. I believe it is really working with my system. I know different people have different experiences with it but so fat it has been wonderful for me.

Frustratedieter- It is funny that you mention Alli because I am also taking it. Under Drs. care of course. This is exactly what my Dr. recommended I do and said we would go aggressively at loosing the weight. I take 500 mg of metformin 2X/day. Alli with every meal. Breakfast= Boiled egg and bacon or a protein shake. Lunch=Piece of chicken with a piece of cheese or Chicken salad or Lean Cuisine chicken and broccoli that only has 6 carbs. Dinner=Baked chicken, pork chop, salmon or carne asada with a steamed green Vegetable and a side salad. This is what I eat on my very low carb days. I also drink tons and tons of water. I have noticed that I am not as hungry as I use to be. I use to have a bottom less stomach I could eat and eat and eat and never feel food. Sometimes now the thought of food makes me sick. I find myself forcing myself to eat. I also go to the gym 7 days of week and do 45 min of cardio. As far as the side effects what I mean my making me sick was just feeling eeky. And when I go #2 it is very very runny almost watery. Sorry for the description but you asked. But that seems to be getting better each day. I go back to the Dr. in one month and he is going to do blood work to make sure I am doing ok.

Well, ladies as I said before whatever I am doing right now is working. I don't know about tomorrow or if I will stall sometime soon. All I know is that I am in it for the long run and I am definetly determined to loose this weight whether it takes me 6 mo., 12 mo., 24 mo. or more. I will not allow myself to ever go back to eating for no reason and not carring to take care of my body. I have decided that excercise is going to be part of my life and will have to do for the rest of my life. Good luck to all of you.

I've been taking Metformin since July. I think it did help me lose 10 lbs between July and December. January 1st I started Metabolic Research and have lost 32 since then. I take 500 mg in AM and PM. Dr says my hormone levels and my blood sugar levels are normal now (I'm sure losing 40 lbs helped too). I don't have any side effects now that I am on my diet plan (which is low carb) but I do seem to be more, ahem, regular, than my friends on the plan and I think I can attribute that to my Metformin. So far, so good!

Hello! I just wanted to add my story.

I actually lost weight on my own (well, with Weight Watchers) back in 2003/2004 - dropping 60 pounds. But I eventually gained back 40 of those pounds and last summer (2007) - I tried to get back on track - hitting the gym 4 times a week - eating right - walking during my lunch break - I gave up soda pop - and I couldn't lose literally 1 OUNCE! From April until October (7 months) - I exercised, ate right - did all the right things and weighed exactly 197.5. NOTHING I did worked...So I went to the doc and that's when I found out I have Insulin Resistance (but NOT pcos)...

Well, she put me on Metformin in November and I lost about 4 pounds initally - but the holidays weren't a great time to start...lol. But I went back to Weight watchers with a friend of mine - and decided to do their "core plan" - which is mainly centered around whole foods. I also upped my gym time from 30 minutes of cardio to 60 minutes of cardio & 20 minutes resistance training 3x/week plus kickboxing and muscle conditioning. You'd THINK with all this exercise and eating right my weight would fall off...well, I HAVE lost 12 pounds Since Christmas - and I'm absolutely EXSTATIC about that - but I do wish it were more - since everyhwere on the net that i read about metformin - others claim they didn't change anything and the weight 'melted off'...
No. not so much. HOWEVER - I do totally credit metformin (i'm only on 2 pills/day) - I DO credit the medication with helping me drop the weight.

So I am very thankful my doc put me on metformin, as I believe it HAS helped - but it's NOT a 'miracle diet drug'. I still have to work at it. I've had a few weeks where I worked out maybe 1 time that week and didn't follow my eating plan - and I gained a few ounces (at least it wasn't pounds! lol) but yeah - in doing that I know that to keep consistant and if I do want this weight off - I totally have to do MY part and work hard in the gym and eat right.

Since joining this site I began South Beach, which I've been told is similar to WW'ers Core. I was through Phase 1 about 2/3's of the way and had a weigh-in at my gym and had lost 6lbs!!! This is the most I'd lost within that period of time in I don't know how long. Today I weigh-in at the gym again (I've been on Phase 2 nearly a week) and will be curious about my progress. Being insulin resistant has given me "years" of frustration. Eating right and even exercising with it...my weight was stubbornly wanting to stay. About the most I could get off and it took months, was approx. 25lbs. When you have as many lbs as I do to get off that isn't much.
So far, I've been really happy with SB and think it's something that will be liveable.
I don't see my endocronologist until May...but I'll be curious on how my fasting blood work will look at that time. I'm hoping for good numbers!!!
I've been on Metformin once for a very short time but was taken off from it due to some side-effects at that time (dizziness, light-headedness, racing heart and clammy skin). I was taking it though with another drug and it could have been the other drug mostly OR a combination. My doctor now would say that the Met wouldn't do that...and "if" she puts me on it maybe it will also help with the weight. We'll have to see.

Are you reading my mind, or living my life? You sound exactly like me. I'm frustrated and confused. I lost 40 lbs in 06 gained it back in 07 and I'm back again. I lost with South Beach at first, plateaued with phase 2 of SB, after the first 40 that was it and I need to lose 100. I'm back in the saddle again cause I gaind that 40 plus 10 back. I'm in early stages of diabetes which I was trying to avoid with the 40lb weight loss and I now have high blood pressure. I've reached the trifecta diabetes, high blood pressure, and high chloesterol, I'm only 39. I'm confused, one plan says low fat, low/slow carb ( SB) one says high fat, low carb( atkins) one says this the other one that. I'm just going according to how I feel. I'm pretty much following Atkins, the fat keeps me full and I don't get the sugar swings. I'm taking Metformin and I'm working out 4-5 days a week again. Soon to get back to 6 day. Taking Lotrel for hypertension and Metformin to control my blood sugar. My endo suggested SBD for me and I loosly follow that. I have to really watch my carb intake though there are some "legal" items that give me the drowsies. For the most part metformin has taken away my sugar/carb cravings and that has been a relief.

I started Metaformin in 06 and didn't think i had to change my diet. I was wrong. I still ate all the crap i normally did; pizza, pasta, burgers, etc. I had the awful side effect of all those foods ran right through me!! I would have to run to the bathroom, it really sucked. I know that if i changed my diet it wouldn't have been so bad. I also didn't really exercise so i didn't see that much weight loss. I went off of it not too long after starting and im about to start it again. Good luck to you all.

Aside from the all the more popular side effects of metformin (stomach pains, indigestion, the runs, etc) has anyone experienced any other side effects not listed on any websites or publications?

I've been taking metformin for about 4 weeks and i had some stomach issues the first few days - nothing major though. What i have found is that in the entire 4 weeks so far, i've had virtually no interest in "getting physical" with my fiance... the few times i've mustered up the drive to go at it, its been really hard to complete the task...(if you know what i mean ladies!)

So i'm just wondering if this is a totally rare case or if anyone else has had a similar experience... I'm not on any other meds, and it only started when i started the metformin...

Thoughts?

Dina1979, making any progress in the libido department?

I think I may want to go on Met. I am making an appointment with my endo. I am doing everything right, cutting lots of calories, eating whole foods and minimal carbs, working out 4-7 days/week. But my excess hair growth is out of control. It's so ridiculous. I am plucking my chin every morning now. It's all because I stopped birth control pills 3 months ago. But I was getting weird side effects on the BC pills.

I am just so frustrated and starting to blame myself for it. I'm not working out hard enough, I'm not eating good enough, I'm not strong enough... I'm tired of blaming myself. I AM doing it, but not seeing results. Something's gotta give.

Just found this article at http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/glucophage-metformin-pcos.html and here is an excerpt...

BOTTOM LINE: There are several important reasons why a more "holistic" approach using physical activity, healthy diet, stress management, and special nutrients should be considered.

A healthy diet and lifestyle is more effective than metformin (Glucophage) alone.
You may be able to reduce your dosage or eliminate it altogether.
A healthy diet and lifestyle is less expensive than metformin (Glucophage).
A holistic approach builds your health whereas metformin (Glucophage) does not.
A holistic approach does not have drug side effects and is safer than metformin (Glucophage).

I'm all for not using drugs. But I feel like the holistic thing just isn't working!!!

I have been taking metformin for 1 month. I take 500 mg 3 times a day. I think it helped a lot. I have the same diet since I started (1500 calories a day) and 1 hour in the gym as before. Whereas before I would struggle to lose 1.5 kg a month, this month I lost 3 kg. Same exercises, same eating plan but it is double the progress.

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago. The Doc put my on metformin and it interacted VERY VERY badly with my IBS (irritable bowel syndrom). So I stopped taking it after pushing through a few months to see if I could get used to it.

Since than I have found that the best way for me to lose weight it regular exercise and cutting out as much processed food as I can. Many of the chemicals in the food hinder my weight loss.

I started a diet journal of everything I ate and with the help of my doctor discovered what works for me and what doesn't. I also figured out I am allergic to unprocessed soy... who knew!

I would highly suggest a diet journal. While I do not feel tracking everything I eat everyday for the rest of my life is feasible it helps me get a better track on how many calories, protein, carbs and fat are in the things I eat. The more I know the easier it is to make the right choices. I dropped 30 pounds about 2 years ago in just 3.5 months and so I know I can do it. I just have to put my mind to it.

So is Metaformin a drug that keeps you from absorbing fats? My doctor suggested "Meridia" i think it is. Is Metaformin to help with the polycystic problem as well?

You all sound so much like me with the problem of trying to drop any pounds. x

Hey all, I really need to ask something about metmorfin.

At the beginning I got a bit gas-y but so far I had no tummy pains or great urges to go to the toilet (if you know what I mean). Anyways it so far helps with the weight loss a lot but lately I noticed three things.

1. I feel very easily satisfied when eating (sometimes I feel so bloated in the mid of my plate that I have to stop). I know I am not eating more during that days as I have the habit to always measure my food. On other days I feel completely and utterly hungry.

2. I have noticed that my cravings for sweets went down. I don't feel I need sweets anymore (and this comes from an ex-chocoholic).

3. Sometimes after eating I have this feeling of burn as if I have overeaten and I need something to cool my stomach down. Doesn't last very long (usually 20-25 minutes).

Anyone had this or is it because of my diet combination?

I take Metformin (500mg) twice a day for PCOS. I haven't noticed any weight loss, but I'm also on Prednisone for arthritis and it is said to make you gain. So, I'm kinda stuck. That's why I've decided to go on a diet and start exercising on a regular basis! Thanks!

Just got the results of my labwork today and it looks like I have PCOS. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow and will be starting Metformin.

The past two to three weeks, I was being more carb conscious and restricting calories and was losing weight so I hope the Metformin will kick in. I'm off to do more research about PCOS and how I should be eating and how much I should be exercising. Now that I know the reason for this nasty weight gain over the years, I feel ready to kick this thing in the butt. :devil:

Dina1979, making any progress in the libido department?



Well, I went off the met for about a month and things went back to normal, but I just recently went back on it and my mojo has left the building... it sucks.

Alright...so I'm about to start Metformin (500mg for now) tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous about the side-effects. I hope I'm not going to have to go running to the bathroom while I'm at work!!

Does anyone actually know the science behind metformin? I mean I know it stabilizes pancreatic function, but I'm kind of curious if the reason it's supposed to help you lose weight is that the side-effects make you so nauseous, etc., that you don't want to eat, or if it just makes you feel full, or if there is something that the drug does to actually improve metabolism and make it easier for the pounds to come off. In other words, is the weight coming off because the drug just makes you want to eat less and eat healthier, or does it come off faster regardless because of some metabolic change?

Just curious. I'm gonna take it and hope it works, either way!

Alright...so I'm about to start Metformin (500mg for now) tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous about the side-effects. I hope I'm not going to have to go running to the bathroom while I'm at work!!

Does anyone actually know the science behind metformin? I mean I know it stabilizes pancreatic function, but I'm kind of curious if the reason it's supposed to help you lose weight is that the side-effects make you so nauseous, etc., that you don't want to eat, or if it just makes you feel full, or if there is something that the drug does to actually improve metabolism and make it easier for the pounds to come off. In other words, is the weight coming off because the drug just makes you want to eat less and eat healthier, or does it come off faster regardless because of some metabolic change?

Just curious. I'm gonna take it and hope it works, either way!

No one knows the exact mech of action but if I remember correctly, it stops the liver from making glycogen/sugar so I think you can burn it off more. I *think* I just started the drug about a week ago. I do get crampy and feel like I have to go at the end of the day. The cramps suck but otherwise, it's tolerable.

I didn't find the Metformin made me me lose weight in and of itself... but I did find that:

1. Combined with sensible eating it regulated my blood sugar spikes dramatically - I hadn't realised how very unwell I was feeling until I didn't feel that way anymore.
2. Which had a cumulative effect and made it easier to eat the right foods and avoid the bad ones,
3. Which led to weight loss.
4. Profit!! (Or at least 'improved satisfaction & happiness')

I had a nasty settling-in period with it for about 4 weeks, but once my body adapted it's been incredibly good for me. I've been on it for about a year and a half now and think it's the best thing since sliced bread.

I'm kind of curious if the reason it's supposed to help you lose weight is that the side-effects make you so nauseous, etc., that you don't want to eat, or if it just makes you feel full, or if there is something that the drug does to actually improve metabolism and make it easier for the pounds to come off. Not sure of the scientific reasoning behind it, but I can warn you that for the first 4-6 weeks you may feel very unwell indeed. I didn't feel nauseated (actually, I felt like I was always hungry on it to start with!) but I had terrible cramps (which was not a great combo with 'starving hungry/overeating', I must say), cold sweats and chills, moments of light-headedness, and spent a lot of time in the toilet with Bowels of Liquid. Ugh. It was really not a great time; I seriously contemplated giving up, but my endocrinologist was so sure that this was going to be good for me that I stuck it out.

Boy, am I glad I did.

I don't exactly know how it works, but what I found is that once my blood sugar stopped spiking and dropping all over the place like a mad thing, I simply didn't crave - and you know what I mean by 'crave'; it's NEEEEED - the sugary things any more. I can walk past a plate of brownies and genuinely not care; sugary stuff started to look, to my brain, like a completely neutral food and not a desirable one.

I found my tastes changed. Some things that I'd liked became 'meh', but more amazingly some foods I'd loathed became tasty. I'd always thought carrots were vile - nasty, bitter things - but one day I looked at a carrot I was grating (I had to hide them in my food) and thought 'Hmm, that doesn't actually look that bad'. I tried it and realised they're actually kind of sweet; something I wouldn't have believed.

I now eat spinach and love it! I wouldn't have said that was possible, but my tastes just changed that dramatically.

I kind of feel a little like a poser when people ask about my weight loss; I feel like I should have had to suffer more to get where I am, but it's actually been ridiculously easy overall. I've lost 35kg (about 70lbs?) just by avoiding eating the stuff that's bad for me...which hasn't been hard because I can walk past the chocolate aisle and be completely indifferent to it.

Of course, the trick is to work with that feeling. If I actually eat chocolate, I get all sugar-spikey again if I don't limit myself to a couple of pieces. It's weird - three or 4 pieces and I'm fine - I enjoyed it, but I can move on. If I sit down over the course of an evening and knock off a block of it, though? Oh, dear, back almost to square 1. A single binge-out on chocolate can make my blood sugar do wonky things for days, and it becomes very hard to eat sensible foods until that evens out again. Really, i'd say that I pay for a day of over-indulgence with up to 2 weeks of re-stabilising.

THOSE times are hard. Easier just to not go there, really. :)

I didn't lose any weight at all during the initial stages of Metformin. But once it kicked in and changed my life for the better, I lost it very slowly, steadily, and easily. A little bit of exercise goes a long way, too - I hate exercise, but hubby and I go out for a wander down to the supermarket and back (3.7km - about 1 3/4 miles?) every Saturday to pick up a nice espresso coffee. Sometimes if the weather's nice we divert and wander back along the scenic route (we've done up to 7km) but that's the limit of how far I'm willing to go for my 'exercise'.

I dare say if I'd been the kind of person who loves the gym I'd have been at goal ages back, but the way I see it I put the weight on over 34 years, so if it takes 2 or 3 years to get it off slowly and gently then I can live with that. ;)

Anyway, stick with the Metformin. The entry stages are gross, but once it kicks in it's just brilliant and will make eating healthily so much easier for you that you won't know yourself. If blood sugar highs and low have been making your life a misery, you'll feel like a new person on this stuff, really.