Metformin for Weight Loss?

[Coconut36]

Yes, I know. OP specifically stated that she has tried a diet and exercise regiment and it has not worked, though. My point was that the poster who said 'eat less, move more, period.' didn't know what they were talking about, and OP's doctor would not have prescribed metformin if it were that simple for her.

Metformin has nothing to do with ones ability to eat right and exercise. I don't understand why you are equating an Rx for it to an inability to do so.

Metformin is not a diet pill and shouldn't be considered one. The reality is that if someone wants to lose weight they need to modify their eating habits and exercise.

 

[mrsklamc]

Metformin has nothing to do with ones ability to eat right and exercise. I don't understand why you are equating an Rx for it to an inability to do so.

As I have already stated, I am not equating an Rx for it to an inability to do so. I am saying that doing so may not necessarily lead to weight loss for someone with PCOS. I specifically stated that it is NOT a magic pill for weight loss and that she would need to continue to eat right and exercise.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Ohhh...Also, not to freak you out, but you might end up on it anyway at some point. I see that you are quite young with a very handsome boyfriend, so I doubt that kids are a high priority at this point, but PCOS can go hand in hand with infertility (although I actually know quite a few PCOS gals who have lots of kids and no problem in this particular department, I just wasn't one of those lucky ones) and the first thing that they will likely do if you have to see a doctor somewhere down the road is to put you on Metformin. Obviously not something to concern yourself with now!

The other thing that I wanted to say is that if you start it and you do have side effects, try to fight through it for a couple of weeks if you can because they SHOULD go away.

 

[mrsklamc]

Metformin has nothing to do with ones ability to eat right and exercise. I don't understand why you are equating an Rx for it to an inability to do so.

Metformin is not a diet pill and shouldn't be considered one. The reality is that if someone wants to lose weight they need to modify their eating habits and exercise.

You don't seem to have read my first response to you.

 

[kwelch10377]

She is being Rx metformin for PCOS not diabetes. There is a difference although with a diabetic DH I will argue that metformin Rx does not mean you are unable to eat right and exercise...quite the contrary..if you are an adult Type 2 you NEED to eat well and exercise. My DH managed to modify his eating and start exercising and lost over 60lbs resulting in him no longer needing the meds anymore. The metformin is not the reason he lost weight at all...it was the result of changing his eating habits and starting to exercise regularly.

IMO metformin alone will not result in weight loss. If you want to see weight loss you need to eat right and exercise (and from my DH's experience early on with metformin..when he wasn't eating right he suffered side effects from the metformin..when he ate well he didn't or they were minimal).

Metformin isn't prescribed for PCOS, it is prescribed for insulin resistance that many women with PCOS have. If she doesn't have high blood sugar then her Dr. should not be prescribing it because it could end up bringing her blood sugar down too far.

 

[mrsklamc]

Metformin isn't prescribed for PCOS, it is prescribed for insulin resistance that many women with PCOS have. If she doesn't have high blood sugar then her Dr. should not be prescribing it because it could end up bringing her blood sugar down too far.

Not necessarily. You could have insulin resistance but not high blood sugar if your body is working too hard to keep your blood sugar from being high.

 

[kwelch10377]

Not necessarily. You could have insulin resistance but not high blood sugar if your body is working too hard to keep your blood sugar from being high.

I know, I didn't say that you had to have high blood sugar to be insulin resistant. I said that the Dr. shouldn't be prescribing Metformin if you didn't have high blood sugar. I am insulin resistant, but don't have high blood sugar, so my Dr. isn't going to prescribe Metformin for me.

 

[MrsPete]

When my diabetic husband began taking Metformin, he lost a ton of weight in a short period of time. Of course, at the same time he changed his diet drastically and began exercising; thus, it's hard to say how much of the change was medicine vs. how much was diet and exercise.

Initially he was miserable on the Metformin. The side effects were horrible for him, but after several months he no longer has them.

My teenaged daughter has always been heavy, but since she was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance, she's become very serious about her diet and exercise. She's a vegetarian now and works out regularly. She's lost weight slowly but surely. It's like she has the metabolism of an older person; if 18-year old me had done what she is doing, I'd have weighed less than 100 pounds! Looking at her senior pictures, which were taken in July, and comparing them to her now, the difference is evident. She's still not as thin as she'd like to be, but she's moving in the right direction. She's been very serious about making some healthy changes before college, and she's already thinking about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle once she moves into a dorm.

I do have one thought on the "how can I do more?" concept: How are you working out? I know that when I do a treadmill or an eliptical, I get an okay workout . . . but when I do a class, I really sweat and get more out of it. I work harder when other people are involved. I don't think I'm alone in this.

 

[DaisyLynn]

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 10 years ago, but was not put on Metformin until we were TTC (used along with Clomid). I had zero side effects and I did not lose weight because of it. Only a few pounds here or there when I actually tried. Everyone is different, of course.

We are expecting our LO in a couple months, so it did the job that my doctor prescribed it for!

 

[ashmarie06]

I didn't mean to cause a ruckus. All I wanted was advice on how other people have handled issues for myself.


1. I am not hoping metformin is a cure all pill for weight loss. I just would hope it would help.

2. I have been following a work out regimine. Not just doing "okay" workouts, but doing Zumba, and other Cardio activity.

3. I follow weight watchers.

4. I do hope to have children, one day in the next couple of years. Another reason why I am so worried.

5. I had the fasting glucose done, I am no where near being diabetic, if anything my sugars run normal to low, I also have all my cholestrol levels under control, and I have perfect if not low blood pressure.. I was strictly perscibed this with hopes by my OB to regulate my cycles, etc. He said that it will typically help aid in weight loss for people with severe pcos. Not that it would be the perfect cure all..

 

[ashmarie06]

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 10 years ago, but was not put on Metformin until we were TTC (used along with Clomid). I had zero side effects and I did not lose weight because of it. Only a few pounds here or there when I actually tried. Everyone is different, of course.

We are expecting our LO in a couple months, so it did the job that my doctor prescribed it for!

Super Congrats on your LO!

 

[DaisyLynn]

Super Congrats on your LO!

Thank you!

PCOS is just plain sucky, I've been through a lot with it. Feel free to PM if you'd like with any questions or anything!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Metforrmin is also not used just to control sugar levels, but it is controlling insulin levels. Which, if you have high insulin levels, you are going to have a very difficult time loosing weight. I am sick and tired of any one that has never had a weight problem (and I'm not saying this is someone on this thread because I don't know them, but people I know in real life) trying to make it sound like someone who is over weight is just a lazy slob who eats to much or eats all junk!

OP, I haven't had any issues with this medicine. I was also worried when I started taking it, but as with any kind of medicine, everyone reacts differently and you may not have any issues at all. It is worth a try! Good luck with what ever you decide!

 

[manning]

This is not true for those of use with diabetes. In fact, as someone with out-of-control blood glucose gets it under control. that person can gain weight.

I have had no adverse symptoms from Metformin. I have improved my blood glucose numbers, am eating the way I need to for my health, and am exercising, but the weight is not falling off.

I have type 2. Started out with Metformin. Got off it and control it with diet and exercise. I carb count.

 

[kwelch10377]

I didn't mean to cause a ruckus. All I wanted was advice on how other people have handled issues for myself.


1. I am not hoping metformin is a cure all pill for weight loss. I just would hope it would help.

2. I have been following a work out regimine. Not just doing "okay" workouts, but doing Zumba, and other Cardio activity.

3. I follow weight watchers.

4. I do hope to have children, one day in the next couple of years. Another reason why I am so worried.

5. I had the fasting glucose done, I am no where near being diabetic, if anything my sugars run normal to low, I also have all my cholestrol levels under control, and I have perfect if not low blood pressure.. I was strictly perscibed this with hopes by my OB to regulate my cycles, etc. He said that it will typically help aid in weight loss for people with severe pcos. Not that it would be the perfect cure all..

Have you seen an Endocrinologist? If not I would recommend it. I think they might be able to provide you more guidance on the weigh issue.

Are you taking a BC pill? If not and since you aren't trying to have children now I am surprised that your OB put you on Metformin instead of BC to regulate your cycles.

 

[enchantingodin]

I too have PCOS and was on Met for about 4 months several years ago. My symptoms included; diarrhea, stomaches cramps and intestinal bloating off and on for the first 10 days or so. Nothing so severe that it effected my normal routine, more like a mild annoyance. Eventually I started to notice that the more processed the food I ate, the more I had symptoms. So I didn't necessarily start eating healthier as a result, but less take out easy fix type meals for sure. I dropped about 30lbs in 2 months. Going from around 260lbs to 230lbs. (I should be in the 160 - 170 range.) For about a month after that I plateaued and didn't really loose much more, maybe 5lbs or so.

Like others have said ask for the extended release kind, and unless you plan on bringing and cooking all your own food while at Disney think about cutting back while there. The food can be so darn rich it might give you some bad experiences depending on how your body reacts.

Good Luck!

 

[Sadie22]

I have type 2. Started out with Metformin. Got off it and control it with diet and exercise. I carb count.

I carb count, too. I'll get to where you are. It's just taking a while. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[mrsklamc]

I know, I didn't say that you had to have high blood sugar to be insulin resistant. I said that the Dr. shouldn't be prescribing Metformin if you didn't have high blood sugar. I am insulin resistant, but don't have high blood sugar, so my Dr. isn't going to prescribe Metformin for me.

Metformin is often prescribed for PCOS without high blood sugar.

 

[mrsklamc]

I have type 2. Started out with Metformin. Got off it and control it with diet and exercise. I carb count.

Good for you. Still doesn't mean that works for everyone.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I was placed on Metformin for PCOS. Had all the ugly side effects, but stuck with it. Six months later, I had a weight gain of 20 pounds and my liver values were 3 times what they should have been. I was taken off the Metformin, lost 25 pounds, and my values went back to the normal range. Metformin is not for everyone and it certainly doesn't cause weight loss in everyone.