Met dosage...is this right? And blood sugar ?

[kld]

My Doc has me taking 1500mg Met (not extended release), all at one time, all before bed. Is this right? I started w/ 500 a day, increased to 500 2x a day, then to the 1500. It seemes weird that when I first started it was spread out and now it's all at once. Also, I was told my sugars were ok from my b/w...but how do I monitor that myself? How do I know if met is making it drop or something? Sorry, I was just dx 8 weeks ago and have lots of questions!

[Tish]

I am not a doc or pharmacist, however...

Taking the regular Met all at once sounds like a mistake to me. Yes, that is how you can take the extended release form (Glucophage XR or Metformin ER), but the regular Met should be as spread out as possible, for both maximal results (even blood sugar all day/night) and tummy comfort. I'd call your pharmacist first to verify there was not some mistake in printing the label. Then call your doctor.

As for how you monitor your blood sugar -- because many of us PCOSers do not technically have measurable diabetes, it is common to take Metformin and not have regular (daily/monthly/etc) blood work done. [Though checking your liver on occassion (once per year or so) is a good idea to make sure everything's still healthy in there.] If you notice improvement of your PCOS symptoms, that is a pretty good indicator that the Met is doing its job.

Most research seems to indicate that Metformin can be helpful to women with PCOS even if blood sugar measures within the normal range.(http://www.jewishhospitalcincinnati.com/cholesterol/polycyst.htm).

While I know doc's are hesitant to accept anecdotal evidence (even from the patient herself, which is why bringing in a copy of some reseach is helpful), my own experience with Metformin was this - we were trying to concieve for about 2 years, I did not ovulate at all, nor had a period (except brought on every 3 - 4 months using Provera). I, too, had tested within 'normal range' on glucose/insulin. Within 2 months of starting the Metformin, I dropped 20 lbs, had a whole new energy, had a spontaneous cycle, got pregnant on the second cycle (!!!), and generally experienced improvement in every PCOS symptom, even those that I did not know were related! This is how I knew that Metformin was my answer. I monitor the way I feel. (It's not quite as 'cosmic' (ha ha) as it sounds - my symptoms themselves are quite measurable & specific). :)

I'm sorry about the PCOS diagnosis, but the good news is that now that you know you can seek some relief from these confusing and frustrating symptoms. The fact that your doc prescribed Metformin is definitely a step in the right direction! (Now you just need to get your dosage-timing adjusted - OR switch to the extended release version!). :)

Take Care,
Tish