Re: HELP!!!!
From: Renee (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 23 Oct 2001 07:42:12 -0700
Also, many people report that their symptoms are worse when they eat more
carbs. So, low carbing is just one more piece of the puzzle. I'm extremely
low-carb, and I've never had a problem with met.
Renee
Sonnet wrote:
>
> Hey Tara (and everyone else!) Sorry for responding to an old message ~
>
> The diarrhea with Met can be really awful!! It doesn't happen to
> everybody, but if you get it, it's a nightmare. There are some things
> you can do though.
>
> Purely anecdotely, I know some women on various PCOS lists who have
> discovered that Metformin made them slightly lactose intolerant. I
> found myself that removing milk from my breakfast (or switching to soy
> milk) helped a great deal with the diarrhea. It might be worth trying.
>
> Immodium of course, if you don't mind taking one more medication. Some
> weeks I eat those things like candy.
>
> Make sure you're not taking the Met on an empty stomach. If you always
> take it after you eat and still have problems, try switching it to
> before you eat. Try cutting down on carbs and see if it makes a
> difference - I know this seems to work well with nausea at least, and
> some women say it makes a difference in the diarrhea as well.
>
> Make sure you're getting enough fiber and water, just to stay healthy in
> spite of the side effects.
>
> If none of this works, and the symptoms don't improve within a few
> months (or you simply aren't going to last that long) you do have some
> options. Metformin now comes in an extended release version which you
> only have to take once a day. Since the medication is released slowly
> it isn'tsuch a shock to the system, and is much gentler. Also there are
> other types of insulin sensitizers, like Avandia and Actos.
>
> I would urge you not to give up on treating your PCOS because of this!
> PCOS is a serious illness, increasing your risk of everything from
> infertility to heart disease to diabetes to certain cancers. You will
> feel much better if your hormones, including insulin, are more
> controlled. Keep trying things and keep talking to your doctor. I hope
> you can find a solution soon!
>
> At Mon, 22 Oct 2001, Samantha wrote:
> >
> >At Fri, 7 Sep 2001, Tara wrote:
> >>
> >>Hi Everybody!
> >>
> >>I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple years ago. It makes me miserable. I
> >>feel like a fat cow. I hate myself. I feel like everyone can see my
> >>"beard". All of my friends and relatives say they can't see it, but I
> >>can. I don't know if they say it to be nice or what. I shave, and I am
> >>so embarrassed by this. My acne used to be a problem, but I started
> >>taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It really worked, and it didn't make me ill. I
> >>have a period every month because of them. I highly recomend them. I
> >>also take Glucophage(Metformin) 500mg x 3 a day. It makes me so sick! I
> >>was looking over other people's concerns about the medication, but no
> >>one mentions the gut-wrenching diahrea. I can't go grocery shopping
> >>without having to run to the bathroom. Does anyone else have this
> >>problem? Or maybe someone has a solution. I feel like I should take
> >>Immodium every day. I am also on blood pressure medication, so I don't
> >>want to over-medicate myself. Can anyone help me, or at least
> >>sympathize?
> >>
> >>--
> >>Tara
> >>
> > Hi Tara,
> >
> >I was diagnoses with PCOS just little over a year ago. I have taken so
> >many medications. Glucophage is one. my doasage was 500mgx2/day I have
> >never felt so sick. The stomach cramps, diarhea was horrible. There
> >would be days that I couldn't even go to work. But, my Dr. told me to
> >keep taking it, that it would all go away after 3-4 months. It didn't
> >go away. So I took myself off of it. Isn't doing its job anyways. Only
> >bad thing is that, that drug is the only one out there of it's kind. So
> >I decided to have the ovarian drilling done. I had it done and they
> >said that in three months I should start to ovulate, and if I didn't I
> >would have to start taking clomid again. It didn't work. i started
> >takign the clomid, and the first month that I took it, it worked.
> >But, I do know how you feel about that medicine, you should talk toy our
> >Dr. and let her/him know what it is doing to you and see if there is
> >another route of meds that you can take.
> >
> >I hope everything works out for you.
>
> --
> Sonnet Fitzgerald, PCOS Association, Online Community Liason. Email: sonnet@pcosupport.org
>
--
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
Don't follow in the footsteps of the masters. Seek what they sought.
--Zen saying
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