Newly Diagnosed - Metformin Question (and needed support!)

[crinibaloo]

Hi ladies!

I am SO grateful I found this board. I am really wanting some fellow PCOSers to communicate with. I was recently diagnosed. My dr. suspects I've had it for about 13 years (since I was in high school), but no one caught on until now! Seven months ago, (after ttc for a year) I had a miscarriage at six weeks. It was really hard on me. And since then, my body has been really messed up. I've gained 25 pounds in six months, have horrible acne breakouts, absolutely no energy, insomnia, irregular periods (it is currently 4 weeks late, but I'm not pg), skin tags (I was surprised to find out this relates to PCOS), and extreme fatigue. I've gotten really depressed and feel almost completely useless.

I would LOVE to have someone to talk to who has also experienced some of the same things. I think it could really help.

One of the questions I have is about the medication. My doctor started me on Metformin on Monday (3/13/06). I haven't had any of the side effects that I've read about on here (which I'm really grateful for!) but I also haven't noticed a difference yet. My question is this: how long does it usually take to work? When did each of you start to notice a difference?

I hope to hear from one of you soon. I'm beginning to feel like I'm completely alone and at the end of my rope!

Thanks so much!

[wyocop2000]

I also wasn't diagnosed right away-it took about four years but i had symptoms a couple yrs before that. I thought it was so funny-after finding out what was wrong w/ me i found this site too and we have all have similiar symptoms but yet no one seems to have them all!
About the met-i think i remember reading it somewhere that it takes awhile to "kick in". but then again all meds take about 3-4 wks till your body starts to really react to it.
I only have the "unpleasant" side effects from it if i eat a meal high in fiber-real high like just a chef salad or something.

Welcome!
gina

[crinibaloo]

Thank you for your reply, Gina! It's so nice to make some new friends who can understand and relate to what I'm going through. Thanks for the post about met. I guess I just need to be patient. I've only been on it for a week now. :)

[tweety]

Welcome. I do think we all feel that way at one time, it's hard not to. I have been on met for almost a year know. I can take a few months for it to really work. After a few months on it did I start to notice difference. Glad to hear you are not having the side effect that most of had or are having. I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I have been ttc for a year know. Just remenber you are not alone and that there are people around that do know what you are going through.

[diamond lil]

Hi, I am new here. My doctor has me on met and also phentermine. I am not losing an ounce. I am starting to get frustrated, I exercise 3 days a week for 40 minutes. I am not on a diet, but watch what I eat. I been on the meds for 3 weeks now, should I allow more time?

[tweety]

I would give it some more time. Just watch the carb and sugar intake. What I have been told is that with PCOS it is a little harder for the weight to come off. Thats way it take time. Hang in there.

[jennifer77]

I am new and here is the thing I was told I had this at 13 and now I am 29 I have tryed everything med. wise and now I am getting ready 2 go 2 a new doc. I am going out of my mind trying to figure out y me... They gave me provera to induce my pireod but now that dose not even work.And I have taken brith control but can't take it now cause I get sick.. I have also taken clomid in the highest dose failed every time... So know I want 2 know what eles is there????

[maureenl]

I'm new here too. I also had a miscarriage. Mine was in January at 10 weeks. My husband and I were TTC #2 but were surprised when I actually got a positive pregnancy test because of my irregular cycles and I was going to my doctor trying to figure things out. It has been devastating but now I feel like we have some answers since being diagnosed with PCOS.

I am currently taking 1500mg of Metformin. In the beginning it didn't bother me much. I noticed that the acne I got started to clear and my stomach wasn't really upset. After going up to 1000mg I was finding myself constipated and a few days ago I went up to 1500mg and my stomach is upset (I feel like I have the morning sickness feeling) and I'm still very tired. I feel like I need a nap everyday.

I just pray that Metformin will help me so we can add to our family.

Remember you are not alone. Stay positive. My doctor told me that if Metformin bothers me too much and doesn't seem to be helping that there are still other options available.

[againstallodds]

Hi all of you newbie's! Welcome and hope you're able to find some comfort and answers in these postings. I know I have! :D I'm not much help as I'm fairly new myself so I'm still on the asking side instead of answering. SPeaking of which...

Crinibaloo - can you tell me what a skin tag is? I think I had one. I have darker skin and I noticed a bump near my hairline and by the time I could get into see the doctor it all but disappeared. Now it's slightly lighter and kind of velvety feeling. COuld this be one of them? I first noticed it 2 or so months after starting met and it grew than shrank within about 3 weeks.

[taina115]

I would like to welcome everyone new to the site. I am new as well. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS/Insulin Resistant. Apparently I have had it since I was a teenager and never knew. I'm sure many of you can relate. My Reproductive Endo has put me on 500mg of Metformin. I have only been on it for about a week now. The only side effect I have had so far is feeling nausous. I find that this happens mostly in the morning when I wake up. I think this has to do with the fact that I take the medication before I go to bed so that I can sleep through any side effects. I also noticed that I get side effects when I eat something high in carbs. I recently bought the book "The Insulin Resistance Diet" by Cheryle R. Hart, MD and Mary Kay Grossman, RD. It was recommended by one of the other girls on the site. It's great. I feel like I truly have a better understanding of what is going on in my body and how changing the way I eat can help me fight it. I highly recommend it to anyone who is insulin resistant. It really helps limit the side effects of Metformin. :)

[Slinky]

Crinibaloo - can you tell me what a skin tag is? I think I had one. I have darker skin and I noticed a bump near my hairline and by the time I could get into see the doctor it all but disappeared. Now it's slightly lighter and kind of velvety feeling. COuld this be one of them? I first noticed it 2 or so months after starting met and it grew than shrank within about 3 weeks.
Well I'm not Crinibaloo.... but I do have a great link that describes what a skin tag is http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm

Hope this helps!
Slinky

[heryan]

Hey Everyone. I just formally got diagnosed with PCOS yesterday, but I had a feeling I had it for a long time. Unfortunately, the symptoms of PCOS are very similar to an underactive thyroid which I have had for the last 10 years. So, no one caught my PCOS until now... 50 extra pounds later. My question is, I just started Met last night, and I vomitted as soon as I got up this morning. Is this fairly common? And if so, when does it go away? I am only taking 500mg at night for this week. Thanks!