PCOS, Glucophage/Metformin and bloating?

Question

I have PCOS and I'm on the second week of a gradual increase of 1 pill a week until I'm up to the full 2000mg (4 pills a day). I'm currently up to 2 pills at a time since last Thursday. I've lost about 5 lbs already but I feel so bloated and my lower GI has been nuts, random cramping, very loose bm, and just general unpleasantness. Has anyone else TTC experienced something similar to this? If so what did you do. I'm not even up to full dosage yet and I'm worried this is only going to get worse, it's bearable but the feeling that I'm huge and barely fit my clothes is what's the worst.

Answer 1

The bloating and lower gi stuff, loose stools and all sounds very typical for early days of metformin use. I know I was warned by my doctor, and friends that I could expect a lot of that stuff. It got better after a while, though I still sometimes have difficulty with diarrhea, but my guts have always been super-sensitive to the slightest change. It does get better. The bloating seemed to ease within a few weeks, and the GI symptoms have largely gone away. I did make a few changes to my diet (increased water intake, reduced carbonated beverages-I avoid caffeine, so that wasn't something I could address, and I tend to eat a low g/i diet-complex carbs, protein, things that tend to not make my blood sugar go wild) that semeed to help, and I did have to figure out what would upset my stomach, and what wouldn't and how much I needed to eat with a pill to not make me ill. I've got friends who can take their metformin with a glass of milk and if I tried that, I'd be so so sick.

It got better for me, which was nice. There are some people who say that they feel better and have fewer side effects on the extended release version of metformin, but others say that the weight loss side effect isn't as great.

I am confused, though-my doctor has me taking 2000 mg, 1 pill at a time, spread out throughout the day, so I take one pill each time-breakfast, lunch, supper and an evening snack. Are you taking two at once? That may be some of the issue with the bloating.

Soulcysters.com is a great resource for PCOS support and information, if you haven't already checked it out.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had a similar problem, but well before I was trying to conceive. I was taking 5/day at that point. Really the only things I can suggest is to eat sufficient fiber, raisan bran is a good choice, whole wheat breads and pastas. Drink lots of water to keep things moving through your system quickly enough it doesn't sit around. For the bloating, have you noticed a difference in your sodium intake or possibly even pop. I noticed there was a difference for me because I started craving salt more after going on metformin, not sure why though as it was lowering my insulin and sugar levels.

One thing I wonder, when a person is put on metformin for pcos treatment, since it is a blood sugar and insulin lowering drug, do you need to get tested everyday like a diabetic would taking the same medication? I was taking it for pcos at 18, 5 pills/day and my mom was taking it at the same time at 53 for diabetes. We both had to test everyday, but I also had/have hypoglycemia so i am not sure if that was the only reason I had to test or if it was because of the meds.

Answer 4

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RE:
PCOS, Glucophage/Metformin and bloating?
I have PCOS and I'm on the second week of a gradual increase of 1 pill a week until I'm up to the full 2000mg (4 pills a day). I'm currently up to 2 pills at a time since last Thursday. I've lost about 5 lbs already but I feel so bloated and my lower GI has been nuts, random...

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Pcos Bloating

Answer 7

The upset stomach is totally normal for the first few weeks of Met! I think I spent most of my 1st week in the bathroom lol.

I found that the best thing for me was to take it with a full meal and a glass of milk, once I started doing that my stomach calmed right down!

I have been on Met for about 5 months now and I still get bloated and gassy if I mess up my schedule or dont eat with it. The schedule and food are really important!

Answer 8

I'm on Glucophage and it is the worse, sure it brings my sugar level down but at what cost. My stomach feels awful all the time, the bloating is very uncomfortable and after I urinate it feels that it strips every nutrient and vitamin out of my system.

Answer 9

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avaP9

First of all you should never just stop your medication expecially metformin....and go see your doctor...if thsi medication is causing you pain there may be alternatives....

Answer 10

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