Re: Is Metformin Dangerous?
From: Randi (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 9 Sep 2003 19:08:02 -0500 (CDT)
Sana -
I am also taking Glucophage XR (Met) and Spiro together.
--
Randi
At Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Janet wrote:
>
>Hi Sana,
>I suppose you got to pay both doctor bills for infomation that is
>totally contradictory. Metformin is an insulin sensitizing drug that
>has been used for years to treat Type 2 diabetes. Specifically what it
>does is make the insulin that you are already producing work better.
>Many of us with PCOS are insulin resistant. That means that are insulin
>doesnt dosent combine well with the carbohydrates we eat to produce
>energy for our bodies to function well. This leads to elevated levels
>of insulin in our blood resulting in other hormonal imabalances such as
>elevated testosterone and irregular or absent periods that apparently
>you have. Using metformin can bring these insulin levels down thereby
>stabalizing other hormones. I take metformin. I also take spiro so you
>can take both if you want.
>
>Now for the safety issues of metformin and spironolactone. Met is a
>very safe drug when used for its intended purpose which is sensitizing
>insulin. I EXTREMELY rare instance it can cause a lactic acidosis (18
>of 10,000), that can be fatal. Primarily this occurs with elderly that
>have had a history of alchoholism or some other liver damage. As an
>extra precaution, you doctor may wish to do a liver screening just to
>make sure you do not fall into that category. Spironolactone lowers you
>testosterone. As long as you do not become pregnant, spiro is effective
>tool to improve your hair as well as treating acne. You doctor should
>insist that you are on BCPs or have some other permanent reason that you
>cannot get pregnant (tubes tied, hysterectomy ect..) so there is no
>chance of that happening. Sever birth defects resulting from lowered
>testosterone in an unborn child will occur. Once off sipronolactone,
>pregnancy is completely safe from these problems.
>
>--
>Janet Heller
>
>At Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Sana wrote:
>>
>>I was diagnosed in May and I have seen 2 endocrinologists since. One
>>told me that I am a good candidate for Metformin, and the other has said
>>to me: "If you were my sister, I would not give you this medication. You
>>would be much better off on spironolactone and exercise, and we just
>>don't know enough about this medication." Now I'm confused, My PCOS
>>symptoms are wildly out of control (weight, hair, skin, haven't had a
>>period naturally since 1996). My question is, does anyone know if
>>Metformin is truly a safe drug? When did this drug come out? What kind
>>of tests have been done on it? When a doctor tells you they wouldn't
>>give it to their family member, it scares you, and I'm trying to do
>>research on my own about this drug to make my own decision. Any help
>>would be wonderful. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING PART OF THIS WONDERFUL
>>FORUM, NOW I DON'T FEEL SO ALONE! :)
>
>--
>Email always welcome
>Janet at JanetHeller@msn.com
>
--
Randi
email always welcome at randigeller@aol.com
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