Hello,

I was just recently diagnosed with PCOS and have just begun taking glucophage yesterday evening. I have had awful symptoms with my first 2 doses. Last night I had awful diarrea. Right now I am sick to my stomach with a migrane. I feel like there is no way I can continue this. Has anyone else had symptoms like this? Did you stop taking the med or go on something else? I am feeling very frustrated and depressed.
Thanks,
Jo

I had the same type of things happen the first time that I took glucophage, I am now taking glucophage xr 500 mg a day. I finally got a period after over 10 years of not starting one on my own. Make sure you are taking the new type of glucophage that is a time release formula. The symptoms do go away after 1 to 2 weeks of taking it. I am now losing weight, and the facial hair has stopped growing so fast!! I am pshyced about taking this!!! Good luck!!

Tracy

I took regular Glucophage last year and I had a terrible time with it. I went back to scratch and took only one pill a day for 3 weeks, then increased dosage every 3-4 weeks until I got where I needed to be. It was MUCH easier for me that way.

I will be starting Glucophage XR in a couple of weeks. My endo told me that 30 percent of people have diarrhea/nausea problems with Glucophage, but less than 1 percent report it on XR. Maybe you can ask your doctor about it if you continue to have trouble.

I agree with Jenniffer, you will get used to it and it will be worth it!

Gee, my gyn that prescribed it told me to eat immediately after taking, and if I was having a really hard time then to take it in the middle of the meal.

Last year when I was taking it, if I forgot to take it until after I ate, I would swallow it and eat more! I loved my gyn, but I am not sure how familiar he was with prescribing the meds. Strange how doctor's differ!

I lost my appetite too. I wish I had stayed that way longer! After the initial nausea went away, I detested meat. I couldn't stand to eat basically anything that walked. I was vegetarian for about
3-4 months, I think. Suddenly I could eat it again!

I have a side effect question! Glucophage XR..anybody have headaches!? I have had small ones for 3 days, but today was a hard one, light sensitive. Not strong enough to be a migraine I think, but felt like it could be a baby one. I slept for 4 hours and have felt washed out and slightly throbbing since then. I haven't been on the pills long, maybe a week. I started them a couple of weeks ago but stopped while I worked out the chest pain dilemma...

Hi everyone, its been quite a while since I have posted, but I am still around, lurking mostly....but in this case I thought I could offer a bit of advice to anyone suffering from the wonderful side effect of metformin (or glucophage) known as "the trots" lol.

Anyway, due to my ever wonderful and wise HMO I am reduced to taking metformin, my Dr. is in the process of attempting to get them to change thier minds, but no luck as of yet, so I am suffering along with many of u.

There was some very wise advice given in this thread about MAKING SURE U EAT something when taking ur dose, and most of the time that works for me...but there are times when for whatever reason (mostly a busy life) prevents me from eating enough or the right stuff, or really for no reason at all I still end up counting tiles on the bathroom floor waiting for everything to pass (no pun intended). So I consulted with my Dr. and he seemed to feel it would be ok if, when I am having a bad time of it, I take one or at the most 2 immodium ad's. It hasn't failed me yet, and seems to aleviate the symptoms until the next time I fail to do the proper thing and the glucophage god takes his wrath out on me. I am by no means advocating stocking up on immodium and popping the pills daily...but when it gets bad and u really need some relief they can come in handy. So for whatever its worth, hope this helps some of u out there.
Take care and chin up
Pam

What you are discribing is not uncommon. The extended release (XR) seemed to really help with the side effects, expecially since you have less doses so it's easier to eat a full meal with each one. Hang in there! The research shows that it subsides.

CitizenKahn: Have you tried it at night just before bed? This is what I do and have NO symptoms at all.

I just got my prescription for this yesterday and I am to take 500mg 2x a day.

Thanks for having this thread here! I'm glad I could read this before I start. My doctor suggested that I try 500mg a day for a week, then start both doses.

Arrgh. Darn PCOS.

I'm really glad this forum is here.

CD

Hi Creative Dame
Glad this site is there for all of us!!
Good luck with ur gluc. The best way to approach dosing is to take it slow and gradual. Also remember to eat a bite when u take it!!!
take care and keep us posted
Pammy

Hi Everyone,

It has been a LOOONG time since I have been on the boards. Thank you all very much for your advice regarding the Glucophage.
After I got sick on the meds. I stopped taking it until just this past week when my gyn suggested I give it another try at a smaller amount. I am taking 500mg of metphormin, I still have difficulty with headaches and bathroom visits but not as awful as last time. I am wondering if I should try to see if my insurance will cover the Glucophage XR instead, it sounds much better on my stomach!!!
Thanks so much again!!!
Jo

Yes, please try the XR if you can! It made a huge difference for me. If you have a hard time on the regular, try taking each level of pills for a month or more until you try the next stage. That is what I had to do even on XR, but I am finally taking what he wants me to. Good luck!