Insulin Resistance and Metformin

[Erin]

I was just diagnosed with Insulin Resistance 4 weeks ago and the dr. put me on 500mg of Metformin 4x daily. I have only worked up to taking 3x daily with my dinner. I am also doing the PP plan faithfully. My problem is: I just don't feel right. I feel a little shaky and sometimes just out of it. I feel exhausted in the day but I can't seem to sleep. I also seem to need to drink alot of water. I was wondering if anyone else is on Metformin and if they have experienced any of this or am I lacking something from the diet.

[Reverie]

Do you have a blood sugar meter? Feeling shaky sounds like a low blood sugar feeling. You might benefit from eating 4-5 smaller meals per day. You should mention it to the doctor. Maybe you can take a smaller dose as long as you stay around 30-40g ECC. Keep drinking the water. I think the body has to go through some adjustments. Hopefully, you will sleep better soon. Are you taking the recommended vitamins and supplements like potassium and magnesium?

I did not like being on metformin and I have full blown type 2 diabetes. By staying at about 30g carbs daily, I can keep my blood sugar down. Yah, I've had to give up a lot, like bread, fruit and dairy but drugs really do nothing to fix the underlying problem.

I hope you stay with it! I'm sure you will feel better soon.

[Mitra]

Welcome, Erin. When did you start to follow PP? A major reduction in your carb intake is likely to change the dose of metformin that you need, so if you have changed your diet since getting the prescription, you need to tell your doctor, and maybe you can work together to measure your blood sugar and adjust the dose if necessary.

[Belfrybat]

Welcome. I've been on Metaformin for 18 months while being 90-95% faithful to Protein Power this past year. I began with 500 mg twice a day and transitioned to 1000 mg taken morning and evening. I didn't have any problems with the 500 mg., but it took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the higher dosage. I felt slightly nauseated and a bit shakey during the day, but the symptoms passed. In the last couple of months, I've backed off to 500 mg in the morning, but kept 1000 mg at night and my blood sugars are pretty stable.

My advice is to check your blood sugar when you feel shakey to make sure you aren't experiencing hypoglycemia. I wasn't -- it was just my body getting used to the higher dosage.

I hope you will become a part of our little cyber community. It's a great place to hang your hat and get some great support.

[YokoRose]

I started Metformin as a solution to treating my PCOS. I've been on it for 3 months and found I had no energy(blood sugar levels are normal) and my hair starting falling in clumps at a rapid rate.

I've stopped the Metformin, because I'm going to try to control my insulin levels through diet and exercise.

Finger's x'd this will help!

[Mary]

Hi, Erin. I'd definitely talk with the doctor about your concerns. I, too, follow PP and have for the past 7 years. I began metformin in 2003, and I now take 2500 mg/day. I have severe insulin resistance w/PCOS.

YokoRose, the metformin has regulated my hormones completely. So, in regards to treating the PCOS and all of the associated nuisances, it is working. My blood sugar has fortunately never been an issue, but I suspect that's because of my l/c lifestyle.

[WakefieldWendy]

I didn't know that metformin helped to regulate hormones. How does this work, and which hormones are affected?

[Mary]

Hi, WW. Basically, any hormones that are affected by PCOS metformin can help. (Typically PCOS women produce too many "male" hormones, so it helps to bring those under control and thus assists in restoring ovulation for PCOS women where infertility was an issue.)

[cyncort]

For those people taking Metformin, it does come in an extended long acting version (ER - it's also available in the generic form). This helps even out some of the side effects and provides once a day dosing. I'm also on 2500 mg a day and understand that I have very high insulin resistance. Unfortunately, Metformin will probably be the last medication that I take that will be reduced or elminated as I lose weight because of the insulin resistance.

[msgq]

Erin - I was on Metformin to get pregnant -- worked great. I didn't experience the shaky thing. But, my friend, who is diabetic did. She had to get used to the dosage, and she finally did.

[~Am~]

Erin, I've been on Metformin for about three years for PCOS/IR. I felt pretty run-down for at least 5 weeks, and that was when I was following the diabetic guidelines (which turned out to be too much carbohydrate for me.) I think some fatigue is normal when you start Met for IR.