metformin advice

[Timetotry]

Hi Ladies. Today I was diagnosed with PCOS and just took my first dose of metformin.
I'm worried about the side effects and hoping I'm lucky enough to not have any
Do you have any tips for surviving the beginning? How long did your side effects last?

I'm feeling very sad about my diagnosis and feel like I've let myself down

 

[nimbec]

Hi hun i started this about 4 weeks ago and i felt very sick and had the runs the forst few days then got better, then same again when upped the dose but all is fine now! Fx you don't get any - please don't feel bad its just one of those things There are lots of us out and about and the metformin is really meant to help FX for you xx

 

[x-ginge-x]

I was supposed to take metformin but I am petrified of the side effects Ill be keeping an eye out for you FX you dont get them

 

[Palladium]

Don't stress too much, not everyone gets side effects! I started metformin a few months ago and had no side effects at all. I take it for insulin resistance and since I started I've lost about 7kg, so it is working.

The best thing is to always take it with food, that minimises the side effects, and from everything I've read, they ease off after a few weeks if you just stick with it. Good luck!

 

[Timetotry]

So I started on 850 mg per day (one pill at dinner). Yesterday it was doubled to a pill at breakfast and one at dinner.
I didn't really have many side effects until today. I had the occasional gurgling tummy and thought I was going to have diarrhea but didn't. This morning was a different story, and I had nausea all day.
The pharmacist told me to eat more when I take the pills and more throughout the day and more often.
My doctor said the first 3 weeks will be rough but you'll get through it.
My other complication is that I have a nasty respiratory virus right now and the coughing is so hard it's making the nausea worse. The side effects may be tolerable if I could give my abdomen a break.
I'm hopeful it'd going to work! I have blood work in a few days.

 

[laurac1988]

I had absolutely terrible side effects on metformin at first, but I asked for extended release (sometimes called modified release) and that made them disappear immediately
It's made my cm fantastic!

 

[MrsMamma]

Metformin is effective in reducing testosterone levels and in making the menstrual cycle more regular. Metformin starts to improve the prospects for fertility in a few weeks. Metformin is a wonderful drug to induce ovulation in PCOS patients and that it is justifiable to use it as a first-line treatment.

Temporary nausea and/or diarrhoea, loss of appetite, increased abdominal (belly) gas, a metallic taste is considered as common side effects of Metformin. These symptoms occur with variable degrees in patients and in most cases resolve spontaneously. The severity of side effects can be reduced by gradual administration of Metformin and titrating the dose increase. 850 mg daily seems to be higher dose to start with. So you can talk to your doctor about starting with 500 mg daily and then gradually decreasing the dose, if you experience intolerable side effects. This can lessen the side effects and allow tolerance to develop.

Slow release Metformin can be associated with fewer side effects. Metformin can also lead to vitamin B12 malabsorption in the distal ileum in approximately 10–30% of patients which is an effect dependent on age, dose and duration of treatment. However, if you experience, hives or symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as rapid breathing, excessive sweating, cool and clammy skin, sweet-smelling breath, belly pain, nausea or vomiting, and/or confusion call your doctor, right away.

Hope you get on well with Metformin. Good luck!!!

 

[Tulips19]

Metformin regulated my periods and helped me lose 35+ pounds. It also helped me ovulate and conceive with the help of 100 mg of Clomid (no trigger). It did cause me some tummy troubles occasionally, my advice is to stay away from fatty,greasy foods and always eat when you take it. If it causes you trouble, definitely ask for the extended release. PCOS is a rotten thing, but it is manageable. Good luck!

 

[Palladium]

Metformin has definitely worked for me, I've lost 10kg and am ovulating like clockwork now, even better than when I was taking clomid. Hoping it's just a matter of time now to get a BFP.

 

[zorak]

I'm on 500 mg slow release metformin for insulin resistance due to pcos. I've not really had any negative effects apart from really needing to make sure I eat regularly or I feel light headed and squiffy.

 

[Timetotry]

Thanks ladies!!!
I've been on it for 4 weeks now. Most of my symptoms have subsided but I have the occasional day where I feel crappy still. And have noticed that cheese is my trigger!
My appetite is definitely suppressed. I'm not hungry at meals times but eat anyways. I do find that smelling food is a but disgusting haha.
I've tracked my temps this month and cm, so far my cycle looks the same as previous months. However a couple days ago I woke up with bleeding, like the first day of AF, that last about an hour then stopped. Today I got a positive OPK.
I'm cautiously hopeful, after so many disappointments when I thought I was ovulatin before.
Fingers crossed! Thanks for your support!

 

[Buttercup77]

I've been taking metformin off/on for a while. I start then stop because of the SE but I'm determined to keep taking it as prescribed. It just makes my stomach hurt, running to the bathroom and headaches!!