Anyone on Actos without IR?

[Colorado]

My doc just switched me from Metformin to Actos, since my tummy troubles never went away on Met. The thing is, my glucose tolerance tests are excellent, so I was wondering . . . is there anyone else out there who is on Actos, but without insulin resistance? If so, how is it working for you?

[erehn]

What is Actos? I am curious because I too am not IR and was taken off Met b/c it wasn't helping. I'm willing to try anything if there is a chance it can work.

[littledragon804]

I'm very interested in this as well..I can't take Metformin, because I ended up in the hospital with the constant vomiting, dehydration and other syptoms after only 3 days of medicine, on 500 mgs...I'm so sad becasue I really need meds to help me out...and if this is as effective as MET with less SE's I want to bring t up to my docon tuesday...

[Bluebee]

It's the generic that will upset your GI tract. It's usually made up of molecules all the same size so they dump into your stomach causing upset. Any of the generics that leave alot of residue in the bottle are BAD. I have had some good luck with generics, but you never know what the pharmacy is going to dispense. I take the combo namebrand... Avandamet, it's metformin (1000 mg 2x/day and Avandia 4mg 2x/day). GSK uses various size molecules of the metformin in the product so that it releases into your stomach at different rates. Limiting the explosive GI behavior. You will probably have better luck with the ACTOS as a namebrand. It takes time!

KEEP THE COURSE!!!! It will get better! I've been on it for 2 years. I remember crying in the beginning. I lived on multigrain cheerios. Stay away from saturated fats and salads!

TO DATE:
Lost - 45 lbs (179 - 134)
Testosterone - from 106 to 42
Cholesterol - from 222 to 157
Triglycerides - from 132 to 54
HDL/LDL Ratio - from 4.7 to 3.3
Insulin - 23.4 to 7.6

I have limited new hirsuitism, regular cycles and I am not moody!

Make sure your doc treats the root cause.... Metabolic Syndrome... not the PCOS symptoms. If you correct the metabolic symdrome, it opens up the physiological reproductive pathways. Make sure your doc is testing the items listed above. They all go hand in hand. Not alot is understood about this disease, so the more you learn and take charge of your own healthcare, the better off you will be.

I was diagnosed in 1993 with PCOS, little was known and little treatment has been available prior to the last 5 years. I've had great results.

My doc is a clinical professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and a Mensa (which means he's brilliant!).

[littledragon804]

thank you blu
I go to see my doc tomorrow. He's one of the lead reproductive endocrinologists in the world. He sits on the boards to decide what treatments should be done for PCOS. It's pretty amazing. I just want to know that their are other options when I got to see him.I can't take the met. It put me right in the hospital the first time, and eve though I want to lose weight I can't put myself through that. The information you gave me is great. I'm writing some of it down to take with me tomorrow. I want to take something, that'll be easier on my stomach but give me the boost I need to get to the goals I want to be at. I was diagnosed in March of this year. It's been quite the rollercoaster. I can't wait to be able to get my life in order...I've said it before , but the amazing thing, is 10 years from now, PCOS will prob be as easy to treat as can be. We'll all talk to our kids and say " I remember when PCOS was a lot harder to treat,..." Kind of like those walked to school in 10 miles of snow up hill. LOL!

[Bluebee]

Just remember PCOS is the symptom and the root cause is Metabolic Syndrome!

A combo drug may work better for you (the generic metformin is ROUGH). For example:

Avandamet combines two sugar- (glucose) lowering medicines, rosiglitazone and metformin, in one tablet. Metformin works mainly by decreasing the production of sugar by your liver. Rosiglitazone helps your body respond better to its natural insulin and does not cause your body to make more insulin. These medicines work together to help control your blood sugar.

[littledragon804]

funny because I had the genetic form of Met. My insurance is super famous for that. They always give me the genetic brands, and I always have a harder time than if I get samples and such of the non generic brand. I'll ask him to write no substitution today too..and hopefully that'll help

[Bluebee]

Some generics seem to work ok. The tell tell sign is the residue in the bottle. Lot's of residue indicates a major dump in your stomach that will make you a very unhappy camper!

[gsb0126]

I tried Actos last winter. Gained over 10 pounds on it, and it didn't do a thing for the testosterone level. Hubby tried the Actos, too, for diabetes, and he gained weight as well.