PCOS-MEDICATION Messages for February, 2001: Re: Glucophage not working

Re: Glucophage not working

From: Athena (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 22 Feb 2001 01:39:34 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: debbie: "Glucophage not working"

At Tue, 20 Feb 2001, debbie wrote: >
>Hi,
>
>I've been on 1500mg of glucophage since 11/18/00. I just don't feel its
>working for me... Is there anyone out there who felt the same at this
>point. Am I jumping the gun and not giving it enough time. I'm still
>experiencing stomach discomfort, gas and diarrhea. Could I still be
>adjusting? >>

Hi Debbi ~

You sound very discouraged, and I know how that feels. I was diagnosed with PCOS almost three years ago, and had some of the same difficulties that you and many others describe here: upset stomace, diarrhea, sometimes nausea, or a metalic taste in my mouth. My hair was thinning on my head and proliferating under my chin! I kept gaining weight no matter how much or how little I ate. Having your ovaries inhibited in their ability to produce and release ova is like being thrown into early menopause, and I had all the classic symptoms - all by age 35.

The first six months of taking glucophage were the hardest because everything felt so new, so unfamiliar now that there was a name for what I had, and my body was adjusting to life with better insulin usage. At the same time, it also seemed like nothing had changed during that first six months!

>From my experience, and from talking with others, it seems to take about
six months for the positive effects of the glucophage to take effect. It takes about six months for new hair to grow, or not grow back. It seems to take about six months for the effects of excess insulin to get under control enough for ovarian function to begin to be reestablished. Waiting six months seems like a long time, but in reality, it isn't. Most women have had PCOS for a long time before their diagnosis, much longer than six months! I know, now, that I've had this condition my whole life, so of course it couldn't be reversed in just a few short months.

However, I did begin to notice that I felt better after about six months. My hair stopped thinning, and began to regrow. It has filled back in now. My periods evened out and I started to flow more normally again. The hirsutism was still there, but electroylysis was becoming obviously more effective. The stomach upset was still with me, however, but I finally figured out how to deal with that.

I dealt with it by realizing that I am not diabetic, and so I don't HAVE to take every dose at every meal. Metformin builds up over time - I found that I had to take a day or two off now and then, because my liver ached and I got a nasty metalic taste in my mouth, which told me I had too much in my system. The day or so break gave my system time for some anti-diarrheal (imodium, kaopectate) to calm things down. I now take one dose of glucophage every day, and then add another dose only three or four times out of the week. And I only take it AFTER eating, not before. Diabetics are supposed to take it before a meal, but since people with PCOS are insulin resistant, but not diabetic, taking the med after a meal seems to work just fine. Our goal is to increase insulin reception - use more of the insulin we already make, so that a second batch isn't dumped on top of the poorly utilized first release of insulin.

Another thing that helps is to decrease, but not eliminate, carbohydrate consumption. Mighty darn hard for bread lovers like me, but carbos stimulate insulin production and overproduction.

Two final things helped along the way: topical progesterone cream, used to replace the progesterone that I haven't been getting because my ovaries didn't release an ovum every month, and acidopholous tablets. The tablets are excellent for helping to combat the diarrhea because it helps the good microflora of the intestines and colon to reestablish itself. Both of these can be purchased over the counter at a local health food store.

The best thing of all, however, is to do as much reading and investigation as you can to learn more about insulin usage, and about ovarian hormones and their effect on the body. These two seem to be linked in PCOS. Try to figure out what works best for your individual situation. I was not trying to conceive, so that is something that another woman might have to considered when thinking about using a progesterone cream. The other thing is to educate your doctor. I found an internist with a good sense of humor and a willingness to learn. I gave him articles to read and we then discussed ways that I could tailor my medicine to my particular needs. Working in partnership with a decent doc is pretty important.

I hope that this info will give you a little hope and the courage to stay the course - this is your life in your hands, and you should take charge of it. The side effects of glucophage can be dealt with, and the drug is helpful for most people. Remember -you may have PCOS, but that doesn't mean you're diabetic. You can adjust your dosage, in consultation with your doctor, and find what works best for you, which gives you much more flexibilty and control than a diabetic would have with their insulin resistance. Take charge of your PCOS and don't let it rule you - you can manage it!

Best Regards,

--
Athena

Next message: Zowie: "Met and CONSTANT diarrhea"
Previous message: Rob: "Re: Is anyone on the INS-1/10 study? (D-chiro-inositol)"
In reply to: debbie: "Glucophage not working"

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