Metformin for PCOS?

Question

My doctor has recently prescribed me Metformin for my PCOS to help regulate my cycle..
I started taking this drug July 27th, the first two days of taking the drug i felt fine just had a little headache the second day, but the last two days i have had nausea all day long and some diarrhea, i know these side effects are normal, but is it normal to last all day long for two days in a row????
My doc has me taking 500mm 3x a day...I also wanted to know when exactly to take it like is there a time frame?? I take mine ever 71/2 to 8 hours??? Like i'll take one at 7a.m then i'll take another at 3p.m, then again at 11p.m??? Should they be spaced so far apart? Or should i take then a little closer together??
I was simply put on to help regulate my cycle and possibly restore fertility ( hubby and i have been trying for over a year), i DO NOT suffer from excess facial/body hair, obesity, weight gain (im a perfect weight 5'2-5'3 and i weigh 107-108lbs)????please help

Answer 1

It is very normal to experience nausea with the medication. You might notice that you will wake up in the mornings with a metallic taste. You might also experience diarrhea but until your body gets used to it.
One pill is meant to last 8 hours so you will get coverage in a 24 hour period. I suggest to watch your diet (even though you are not overweight) low glycemic foods and some type of exercise. I know people who got pregnant the first month on being on Metformin. goog luck

Answer 2

While my daughter is 22 and NOT trying to conceive, she was diagnosed earlier this spring with PCOS and has been on Metformin and Ortho TriCyclen since then. She had severe reaction (horrible headaches, constant diarrhea, painful cramping, bad gas - generally feeling very sick all the time) for many days in a row to taking just one 500 mg Metformin pill once a day. She ended up having to start with 1/2 a pill once a day. Every few weeks, she tried another 1/2 a pill and always had a repeat of the bad reaction, but has now gradually worked her way up to her doctor's prescription of 2 pills once a day. Gas and headaches still give her problems, but not on a daily basis any longer. The use of Metformin in women with PCOS is to help treat insulin resistance, a common occurrence. Studies show that controlling the insulin resistance does seem to have a positive correlation to regulating menstrual cycles in women with PCOS. Metformin is a common drug used in the treatment of diabetes. My daughter struggles with excessive weight and suffers with difficulty in losing weight no matter what she tries. She also has unusual hair growth, male pattern baldness on her scalp, and had irregular (basically non-existant) menstrual cycles. She does have ovarian cysts as detected by an ultrsound. It will remain to be seen if she suffers infertility until she is ready to have a child. I would suggest that you call your physican to report your side affects. Your doctor may recommend starting out with a lower daily dose of medication and gradually working up to the 1 pill 3 times per day. He/she can also tell you if there is suggested length of time in between pills. Your pharmacist can also help you with this question. I know that starting out slowly with the medication worked pretty well for my daughter. ADDED: I just remembered that my daughter always takes her Meformin with food and that helps her tolerate it better.

Answer 3

Because Metformin can cause upset stomach, my doctor had me start off by taking only one (she only precribed me 500mg twice a day) for the first week.

When I added the second dose the following week I didn't have any problems. I would call the doctor and ask if it would be okay for you to start with 2 a day and add the 3rd after a week.

Answer 4

Metformin is actually a drug that treats diabetes! The reason you're taking it is to help your body become less insulin resistant! Insulin Resistance is one cause of PCOS!

I couldn't help you as for as when or how to take your drugs, because everyone is different and what works for me might not work for you!

If you have questions about how and when to take it, call your doctor!

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have PCOS and took Metformin for a year. At first, my body couldn't tolerate it at all so my dr. put me on the Extended Release (XR) kind which is much easier on the stomach! I had to take mine 3 times a day, so I took it at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's easier to take it with a meal (so you remember to take it).

It never did help me though. I never ovulated on it.

Answer 6

until ur body adjusts to the medication take it every 8 hours to help with ur body adjusting to it. and the metformin works to get pregnant it helped a family member and her son is almost 2