Re: Anyone else can't tolerate glucophage?
From: Donna (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 24 Sep 2003 17:54:11 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks Char and Janet,
For the thoughts and suggestions - I did suggest trying a very low
dosage to my dr. but she felt that the starting dosage is so low that
it wouldn't be worthwhile. I expected the fatigue but the shortness of
breath and muscular burning sensation wasn't what I bargained for. I am
thinking of trying some of the other medications because I want to get
the insulin resistence turned around. My Ob/gyn doesn't feel
knowledgable enough about the other meds on the market to recommend
another course of therapy so I'll go back to my primary care physician
to work on that. Today, I've been on an incredible roller coaster with
this -- I went for an outpatient D&C this morning only to get a positive
pregnancy test. Then an ultrasound showed it to be ectopic! So, no D&C
and I'm back tomorrow for a different surgery. Just how many body parts
have expiration dates that coincide with your big 40 birthday? I would
swear that I'm an example of what is planned obsolecence in
manufacturing -- they plan it to break just after the warranty expires
!!!!
--
Donna - who's trying to keep her chin up!
At Tue, 23 Sep 2003, Janet wrote:
>
>Hi Donna,
>Although there is always a possibility of lactic acidosis with metformin
>it is extremely rare and associated with the elderly and people with
>histories of alchoholism. I belive that 15 out of 10,000 people taking
>metformin developed lactic acidosis, with 8 of them being fatalities.
>All were over 75 and all had history of liver desease. If I can find
>the link that has "offical numbers" I'll post it. I hate quoting things
>I've read and not have the link to back me up. The main reason I wanted
>to let you know this is that along with the tummy troubles, metformin
>can make you very tired at first. I had about 6 weeks of needing naps
>every day. This stopped just as suddenly a it started. The big problem
>here is that some of the symptoms for lactic acidosis are very similar
>to the side effects that can, but are not always associated with
>metformin. With that said, if you and your doctor feel this drug isnt
>safe for you, you do need to look elsewhere.
>
>OK, for now we are going to say that you cannot take metformin. What
>about avandia or actos??? ALso insulin sensitizers, these drugs work in
>the muscles rather than the liver as metformin does and for many of us,
>are tolerated much better. BCPs may eleviate some of the symptoms of
>PCOS, but primarily they only mask the symptoms and do not do anything
>for the insulin problem.
>
>--
>Janet Heller
>
>At Tue, 23 Sep 2003, Donna wrote:
>>
>>Hi,
>>I'm new to this forum and also new to PCOS. Mine is definitely the
>>result of insulin resistance. I first began to identify problems about
>>8 months ago. My cycle became very erratic. I have one child who is
>>five and had no difficulty conceiving her, but a sibling had not been
>>forthcoming. So, with these two concerns in mind, my ob/gyn took a look
>>at my hormone levels which clearly pointed to PCOS.
>>
>>She recommended Glucophage and I began with 500mg., planning to switch
>>to 1000 mg. after a week. I noticed some gastric side effects and my
>>blood sugar definitely spiked up the first day (I saw floaters). I also
>>noticed a heart arrythmia that worsened throughout the week rather than
>>improved. Just a flutter, but becoming more frequent. My Ob/gyn didn't
>>think it was associated and referred me back to my primary care
>>physician. When I began the seconde daily dosage of Metfornin, I felt
>>like I was 80 years old! I was lethargic, getting up planning my next
>>nap, exhausted and very short of breath, with burning sensations in my
>>muscles. I couldn't get to the top of our stairs without wanting to sit
>>on the landing! I quit and within 24 hours felt energetic enough to get
>>back on my treadmill. My Ob/gyn concluded that I am the one in a
>>million that the glucophage can cause lactic acidosis in. Even though
>>my liver and kidney panels were fine before I began the treatment.
>>
>>I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience with
>>glucophage and if they've tried any other medications?
>>
>>Now, I had been 73 days without a period and when I did menstruate -- it
>>was the period from h***! Now, it's been a month and I can't stop :( I'm
>>scheduled for a D & C in the morning. I just don't think diet alone is
>>going to turn my hormone levels around and the double birth control
>>pills don't seem to make much difference. So, I'm thinking we're not
>>going to find much change in my insulin levels even though I've lost
>>some weight.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Donna
>
>--
>Email always welcome
>Janet at JanetHeller@msn.com
>
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