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Re: Glucophage Side Effects
From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Wed, 3 Jan 2001 16:40:01 -0600 (CST)
Hi Sue,
Thanks so much for responding. I seriously thought I was just going
nuts and that I wasn't really feeling what I was feeling (if that makes
sense). Sure enough, I had a sandwich for lunch, and shortly
afterwards, I needed a pick me up. Sometimes, I can't believe how much
more I need to eat to curb the hunger. So I guess I got the exact
opposite of my Dad. He's diabetic, but I may be hypoglycemic. I will
certainly bring this up at my appt. next week. I was told the appt. I
have is with a wonderful doctor who will listen to all suggestions. They
only booked me a ½ hr. appt., but if I need more time, I won't be
hurried out of there. Thank Goodness. Thank you SO very much for
responding and for explaining that to me. It makes so much sense. I
will look into that program you recommended. Thank you thank you thank
you!!!! I love the women on these boards!! I can get so annoying with
all of my questions, and yet, people are still kind enough to respond.
Thanks a LOT!!! :) Wish me luck at my appt. next Tues. :|
At Wed, 3 Jan 2001, Sue wrote:
>
>>I have read about Glucophage/Metformin (I'm assuming both names are slightly different from each other--as in one is brand name, the other generic?)<
>
>You are close to be right; it is the same compound; metformin HCl is the
>chemical name (to the best of my knowledge, there is no generic form of
>it), glucophage is the name under which the compound is marketed.
>
>>Nothing I try seems to work, and I'm wondering exactly
>WHAT else is wrong with me....I get times of serious nausea and
>weakness--almost to the point of passing out. I actually feel BETTER
>when I drink something that has a decent amount of sugar.<
>
>You've described classic symptoms of hypoglycemia due to overproduction
>of insuluin! There's nothing weird about you; most of us have dealt with
>this from time to time before going on an insulin sensitizer. That
>weakness and nausea comes about because your blood sugar has "crashed"
>and your body is telling to give it some fuel. In the analogy of a fuel
>gauge, your "needle" is way down below empty--you'd be out of gas if you
>were driving a car. When you eat normally (normal amounts of food,
>etc.), your "needle" goes up to anywhere from 80-120 d/L (if you're not
>diabetic). That's what controls your "full" feeling--your blood sugar
>level. When your "needle" goes below 80 d/L, you get hunger pangs--some
>people experience them as "heartburn" feelings, gnawing hunger, or
>lightheadedness. When you get to the nausea stage (I used to get this
>way; I knew for sure I'd ralph if I didn't eat *something*), your
>"needle" is way below 80 d/L. It's likely down in the 40 d/L or so
>range. Your blood sugar normally drops within 4-4.5 hours when your
>insulin levels are correct; if you're getting ravenous before that, your
>insulin is out of whack (by evidenced in your PCO dx). If you get on an
>insulin sensitizer, you should be able to go the 4-4.5 hours that
>"normal" people can do. That's the normal "full-hunger cycle."
>
>>From reading up on PCOS I've learned to try and stay away from carbs<
>
>That isn't necessarily true for everyone. If you have any history of
>kidney stones, you need to stay away from high protein diets. HP diets
>also put a great strain on your kidneys and largely cannot be maintained
>for long periods of time (hence, the weight tends to come back). I have
>had pretty decent success (80# so far, and more is coming off) with a
>program called "Weigh Down." It's very balanced and many of us *on
>insulin sensitizers* have had success with it. It's revolutionized the
>way I look at food and the way our household runs. You can find the
>book in any mass merchandiser or on Amazon.com. I highly recommend it.
>But if you're not under the care of a RE, get there and see if you can
>take an insulin sensitizer of some sort. It will really help with your
>symptoms and allow you to feel more "in control" of your body and less
>like your body is betraying you. : )
>
>Good luck!
--
-- Zowie :)
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