I had to come off Metformin - what now?

[kat08]

Hey

I had my first consultant's appointment a couple of weeks ago and was prescribed Metformin as I have PCOS. I was taking the Metformin for two weeks but having really bad side effects - stomach cramps, nausea. I called the hospital and was told that there was nothing else I could have instead but that I needed to speak to the consultant when I have my next appointment at the beginning of March.

Has anyone else had this and what did you try as the next step?

Thanks

 

[tracybirduk]

Okay first thing is what dose of Metformin are you on?
It is a wonderful drug if you can tollerate it, but the gastic side effects are a pain in the bum....literally!!!!!!!
The way to increase how you tollerate it, is by starting on a really small dose and waiting until the side effects subside, usually about a week or so later. Then you increase it very slowly over weeks (not days). You then only get mild side effects rather than the big ones!
I started on 500mg and increased up to 3000mg over about a three month period and it was easier this way! I was warned do it fast at your peril!
So hope this helps as Metformin is so good at regulating your cycle.
Tracy xxxxx

 

[maz]

That sounds like a very logical and sensible idea. Metformin is a diabetes treatment so if your insulin levels are normal - ie you're not diabetic - then taking large doses at once is going to cause problems. Building it up over time would seem a sensible way of getting the desired result - in the same way that there can be a weaning period to come off anti-depressants. Ask the hospital, or your GP, if this is a good option for you.

Good luck

 

[kat08]

Hi Both

I started on 500mg twice a day but couldn't even cope with that. It wasn't even that I could try and get on with it. I had diarrhoea, really bloated stomach, really bad stomach ache, nausea all the time. I called the hospital and consultant's secretary got a message to the consultant and she got back to me to say it was up to me if I wanted to come off it. I have another appointment beginning of Mar so will have to see what she says then.

Thanks