[csugrl]

Hello ladies-
I first want to say how great it is to see all of the helpful advice and encouragement on this board!!

Okay..so I am a 23 year old and have a few questions....

I have not officially been diagnosed with PCOS, but my doc suspects it. I have only had 2 periods in the last 2 years and have put on about 20lbs in the last 5 months ( i eat EXTREMELY HEALTHY (good carbs and not much added sugar)and exercise about an hour a day/5 days a week.) I am also seeing a nutritionist who has me record everything, so I know it is not what I am eating or a lack of activity causing the weight gain. I am also often very tired , despite being young (will met help w/energy?)

So, My doc tested my thyroid (normal) and a few hormones (testosterone normal) but still thinks it maybe PCOS because of the irregular periods and weight gain. So she has put me on Metformin (well I start tonight) with 500mg/day for about a week and then upping to 1000mg. I have done a lot of research about this med, but would love any advice about taking it and what to expect.

I have not been tested for insulin resistance, but have many of the symptoms described. Will the Met help with weight loss even if I may not be extremely IR? I will continue to eat healthy and exercise, but would like to see the scale actually move! Do I have to worry about low blood sugar? Man...so many things!

Okay, any thoughts or advice would be great! Kinda nervous about a new med, but willing to give it a try!

Thanks everyone!

[detk1320]

Hi csugrl,

I have been on met for 6 months now, and I don't have much of an IR either. I have heard that met is wonderful in the way that if you need it to help with IR it will, but if you don't have any IR problems it won't do anything bad either. I'm no expert but I don't think you have to worry about low blood sugar.

As for helping you lose weight, it has helped many people who used it. For me I don't think it made any difference. I was already on WW when I started it and I lose the same now as I did before starting the med. It did improve some of my other symptoms though, like hirsutism and my periods are much lighter and more regular on it.

Good luck to you!

[sapphire9]

Metformin is not a weight loss drug. However, unlike most diabetes medications, it will not get in the way of losing weight. So keep on your weight loss program and you will see results. One of the main side effects of Metformin is intestinal gas. You'll get used to it. I take 1000 mg of Glucophage (I have problems with the generic) and it works. As for low blood sugar, you should test it regularly and learn the symtoms of low blood sugar. Good luck.

[mustangbetty]

I was put on Met 6 mths ago. Was supposed to take 3 500mgs a day. (working my way up to it). It made me vomit and gave me severe diarrhea(sp*). I knocked back down to 2 as per OB/Gyn's advisement and it still made me sick. She said to go to 1 and I can barely handle it but it's not as bad as the 2 pills/day. I was told it would make me lose a bit of weight (and it did) if I watched my sugar intake and ate right along with some form of excersize. I just can't handle the side effects. Some of the most severe ones are diarrhea and vomiting/nausea. It's too much for some women but if it works for you then I'd suggest going for it. It can also help you concieve as that was the reason I started it to begin with. HTH. Elaine