Hi all! I was diagnosed with IR years ago (2003-2004ish), as was my step dad a couple years before me. He has had really good success with metformin. Myself, oh it was H*LL!
I had burning diarrhea ALL day, and it didn't help the tiredness, hunger, weight loss, or bloating I had. Granted, I did not change my diet. I was also gluten intolerant, and didn't know it yet. And one of the fillers in some brands of metformin is wheat, which was part of the issue. I stopped taking it after a year or so.
After I spiraled into depression and ate in excess of 10,000 calories a day, PER day, and almost lost my 2 best friends in the entire world due to my addiction to food, which was made worse by the IR, I started getting it together. My starting weight was 350 pounds, and my insulin levels were 4 times the maximum normal limit after nearly 20 hours of fasting.
By going gluten free, using "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet" as a jumping ground, and exercising 3-5 days per week (mostly cardio at the beginning), my IR is under control (normal range after 8 hours fasting), and all the symptoms are gone (except tiredness after a sugar binge, and the darkening on my stomach and girl parts, which are still lightening). But it's taken 2 1/2 years to get here. I recently switched over to the Paleo diet, with limiting fruit to 2-3 servings per day, and careful with bananas. I've also lost 160 pounds, and feeling better than I could ever expect!
So, I was just wondering if there is anyone else out there that controls their IR with just diet and exercise, or other experiences with the metformin? I see all sorts of positives (which is great!), but was wondering if there are other people like me?
Chris