Re: maybe Dr. Sam can help - On Glucophage and weight loss
From: Paulette (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 6 Nov 2001 16:23:09 -0800 (PST)
Hi,
When I was diagnosed with PCOS in June 2001, I asked my endo to explain to me in terms I could understand about why I had gained so much weight and although I was exercising regularly, I wasn't losing. This is how he explained it to me and it made sense. I hope this helps someone. He said to look at our bodies as though you have a set number of cells that are used for holding sugar. When your body has used all those cells up, it starts feeding off of other cells. What happens in turn, is that the body over produces sugar making us insulin resistance. And, because the cells inthe body that would normally help keep our sugar down is filled up, the overflow of sugar goes into the blood stream which in turn produces the fat.
He put me on 500mg of Glucophage in June 2001. I continued to exercise and have lost 42lbs since June. He explained that the Glucophage would help with the insulin resistance. However, although the weight had been gain prior to taking Glucophage, it was not a guarantee that the Glucophage would reverse the damage that had already been done.
Renee Cordrey <anonymous@obgyn.net> wrote: I'm glad that you're thinking critically about this condition. That's wonderful.
However, I do have insulin resistance. My fasting insulin was 76 (normal is
5-35, according to my lab-they do differ). On 500 mg of Met my insulin
dropped to 13-18 (depends when tested). So, I had a documented high insulin,
it responded wonderfully to met. However, I haven't lost weight. Many other
women have similar stories. I think it's safe to say that your logic doesn't hold.
Renee
Muriel and John Montgomery wrote:
>
> Hi again,
>
> OK I have been trying to work through this Glucophage thing logically, not
> medically, and here are my conclusions.
>
> If Glucophage does NOT help you to lose weight, I conclude that you do not
> have an insulin problem. How can I say that? Follow my reasoning.
>
> Say you are obese, and you have trouble losing weight. You find out that you
> have PCOS and are prescribed Glucophage to regulate your insulin levels. The
> Glucophage may or may not make you sick, and you try several different
> dosages to attempt to find what is right for you. Your motivation? To become
> healthy with lesser risks of heart disease and diabetes, AND to lose weight.
>
> So you have been on glucophage for a couple of months, and you have not lost
> a single pound. You suffer from the side effects anyways because at least
> you will become "healthy" from this drug, while at the same time feeling
> lousy with diarrhea.
>
> If you claim to have Insulin resistance, and the glucophage is supposed to
> solve that problem, then logically you WILL lose weight because your body
> will adjust accordingly, better breaking down the sugars in your system. If
> you think you have insulin resistance, and you do NOT lose any weight with
> Glucophage, then how is it unreasonable to believe that your obesity problem
> lies NOT with insulin resistance, but something else (such as over eating,
> inactivity, non-PCOS-related hormone problems).
>
> Also, if you claim to be taking Glucophage in order to become healthier and
> to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, yet you do not lose any
> weight, wouldn't the risk remain the same simply because of all the fat?
> Being overweight causes diabetes, being overweight causes heart disease. So
> how in the world can you give yourself better chances if weight loss does
> NOT occur?
>
> I may be 21, but I certainly care about my health and I am insulted by
> anyone who infers that I do not. I am losing weight on Glucophage (20 pounds
> within 2 months thus far), which leads me to believe that I do in fact have
> an insulin resistance problem, especially because I have not changed my diet
> (much).
>
> My opinion on the matter is that the most important thing you can do for
> yourself and for your health is to bring your weight down from dangerous
> levels to a more normal weight range (whatever is possible for people with
> PCOS). I think if you are not doing this, glucophage is little more than a
> placebo that gives you diarrhea.
>
> Muriel
>
--
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
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