Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Low-Carbing and taking glucophage / metformin

Question:

This sounds just like me. My BG was doing so well on LC that I split my 45 mg Actos. My BG is between 80-113. Soon I will be off it completely. bethm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Metformin, but not while lowcarbing. I was nearly chained to the throne. I haven’t taken any glucose meds for a year or two. It took 2-4 months for my blood glucose tome come down to normal levels (less than 120).  Just now I got 90. 100 to 120 tyical upon rising provided I’ve been a very good boy. This is about what I run – between 100-120 for FBS and about the same when measured 2 hours after meals.  I’m very pleased with it as I’ve been diabetic for 10 years and it hasn’t progressed at all.  My doctor recently pronounced me "in the very early stages of diabetes" after my HB1a results came in. But one carby meal sends the glucose into the troposphere and puts on several pounds. When I eat completly off low-carb, my blood sugar goes nuts – can’t do it without oral meds.  I find myself exhausted constantly, have a "foggy" brain, need a lot of naps, have no energy at all and any exercise at all requires inordinate amounts of willpower to accomplish.  I also tend to get sick easily off low-carb. But when I’m on low-carb (for me that is 20-30 grams per day), I have found if I have a huge carby meal for dinner, by the next morning my blood sugar is stable again.  This is *only* so if I stay on low-carb most of the time and only "cheat" once or twice a month – and in a CAD-like manner (eat carbs balanced with fat and protein and eat it all in an hour or less). Apparently, my body can handle some minimal abuse as long as I treat it well the majority of the time.

Response:

I’ve been on Metformin, but not while lowcarbing. I was nearly chained to the throne. I haven’t taken any glucose meds for a year or two. It took 2-4 months for my blood glucose tome come down to normal levels (less than 120).  Just now I got 90. 100 to 120 tyical upon rising provided I’ve been a very good boy.

This is about what I run – between 100-120 for FBS and about the same when measured 2 hours after meals.  I’m very pleased with it as I’ve been diabetic for 10 years and it hasn’t progressed at all.  My doctor recently pronounced me "in the very early stages of diabetes" after my HB1a results came in. But one carby meal sends the glucose into the troposphere and puts on several pounds.

When I eat completly off low-carb, my blood sugar goes nuts – can’t do it without oral meds.  I find myself exhausted constantly, have a "foggy" brain, need a lot of naps, have no energy at all and any exercise at all requires inordinate amounts of willpower to accomplish.  I also tend to get sick easily off low-carb. But when I’m on low-carb (for me that is 20-30 grams per day), I have found if I have a huge carby meal for dinner, by the next morning my blood sugar is stable again.  This is *only* so if I stay on low-carb most of the time and only "cheat" once or twice a month – and in a CAD-like manner (eat carbs balanced with fat and protein and eat it all in an hour or less). Apparently, my body can handle some minimal abuse as long as I treat it well the majority of the time.

Response:

I too have PCOS and insulin resistance – I started 1500mg on Monday – as well as low carbing. So far I seem to be keeping my grams in the 40-60 range and I exercise 4 days a week. The stomach thing was terrible the first day but not to bad today. I take my meds with my protein shakes for breakfast. I’m not weighing in until Monday — but I feel good I hope the Glucophage does the trick for me — these insulin levels suck. Kirstin 253/253/130ish The chief cause of unhappiness and failure is trading what we want most … For what we want at the moment… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Metformin, but not while lowcarbing. I was nearly chained to the throne. I haven’t taken any glucose meds for a year or two. It took 2-4 months for my blood glucose tome come down to normal levels (less than 120).  Just now I got 90. 100 to 120 tyical upon rising provided I’ve been a very good boy. But one carby meal sends the glucose into the troposphere and puts on several pounds. —  Widget need a Brain Drain?  Check out Industrial ZMODEM(Tm)    Omen Technology Inc      "The High Reliability Software" 10255 NW Old Cornelius Pass Portland OR 97231     503-614-0430

Response:

I have been low carbing and am on 1500mgs of glucophage XR.  I had a little tummy trouble in the begining.  Nothing to get too upset about though.  It amounted to a couple of late nights in the potty – but at least it happened at night and not during the day.  I take the glucophage with supper. I find it helps me lose weight – the combo of low carb/glucophage that is.  I am on it for PCOS.  I am not diabetic but I am insulin resistant.  Personally I haven’t had any troubles I cannot live with and I believe it’s helping me greatly.  Prior to glucophage and low carb I could eat a horse and wonder what was for dessert because I was still hungry 2 hours later.  So the appitite stuff others are complaining about – is really wonderful for me in my opinion. I still get cravings for Chocolate…I used to be able to take it or leave it but now that I am in my 30’s it’s like the stuff has taken on a whole new meaning.  Oh well… As far as the insulin or lack there of – it has not been a problem for me that I can tell.  My grandmother – however, who was diabetic, had extremely low blood sugar when she ate some low carb meals with my parents.  (Who had just started low carbing at the time.)  So I guess it is something you’d need to watch out for – though I am no expert on the subject. -low carb fan 270/235/199 (mini goal) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone low-carbed while taking metformin/glucophage? I’ve just got a prescription for it, and want to check there’s no nasty side-effects I should watch out for (it levels out your insulin / blood glucose, which might be a problem if you’re not eating anything that causes insulin production … ?) thanks Rachel

Response:

I’ve been on Metformin, but not while lowcarbing. I was nearly chained to the throne. I haven’t taken any glucose meds for a year or two. It took 2-4 months for my blood glucose tome come down to normal levels (less than 120).  Just now I got 90. 100 to 120 tyical upon rising provided I’ve been a very good boy. But one carby meal sends the glucose into the troposphere and puts on several pounds. —  Widget need a Brain Drain?  Check out Industrial ZMODEM(Tm)    Omen Technology Inc      "The High Reliability Software" 10255 NW Old Cornelius Pass Portland OR 97231     503-614-0430

Response:

I’ve been on Metformin, but not while lowcarbing. I was nearly chained to the throne.

I couldn’t stand the metformin for the same reason. Now I take Actos. I haven’t taken any glucose meds for a year or two. It took 2-4 months for my blood glucose tome come down to normal levels (less than 120).  Just now I got 90. 100 to 120 tyical upon rising provided I’ve been a very good boy.

You are a hero to me. I can’t wait to get away from the meds. But one carby meal sends the glucose into the troposphere and puts on several pounds.

Carbs tend to suck water. Great going! BethM

Response:

Did you get really thirsty when you started metformin?

I drink a LOT of water anyway – at least 3 litres – so I don’t know if I get thirsty or not! I do know that when I get busy, or don’t have my water bottle with me and only get a litre or so, I sure notice it and want more! That doesn’t happen often however. My water bottle goes everywhere with me. Squeezle

Response:

Hi Rachel, I wrote that post just after moving up to 2250 (had been at 1500mg previously). Since being on 2250, my appetite has gone on vacation and in fact, I’m finding it hard to eat enough and am actually gaining again. That extra bit of dosage made the difference in feeling well and not tolerating it. My endo says to stick with it, because I’m still not seeing results for the reason I’m taking it (namely PCOS). I’m really trying to stick it out, but am getting worried about this anorexia. Protein shakes made with whole milk seem to be the trick for me, so I’ll keep doing that and hope I re-adjust soon.

Yeah, lack of appetite (particularly at lunchtime) is my problem too.  I think perhaps we’ll have to invest in a protein shake again (stopped because the money got too tight) as it’s a handy filler-upper when you don’t feel like anything else. Did you get really thirsty when you started metformin?  I’ve been chugging back the water like there’s no tomorrow this week.  I figure it could be one of three things: 1.  I was retaining tons of water after a high-carb blowout for 10 days previously/pre-TOM 2.  It’s the metformin 3.  It’s starting back at induction again Sunday and Monday I was purging water like crazy, fortunately didn’t get cramps though.  I figure it was either the TOM/retaining water thing, or finally catching up from stopping taking spironolactone a few weeks back (even though I weaned myself off it ever so slowly).  (spiro is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which I was on for PCOS but gave it up as it seemed to be a waste of time and I was trying to get off all the pills) cheers Rachel

Response:

Hi Rachel, I wrote that post just after moving up to 2250 (had been at 1500mg previously). Since being on 2250, my appetite has gone on vacation and in fact, I’m finding it hard to eat enough and am actually gaining again. That extra bit of dosage made the difference in feeling well and not tolerating it. My endo says to stick with it, because I’m still not seeing results for the reason I’m taking it (namely PCOS). I’m really trying to stick it out, but am getting worried about this anorexia. Protein shakes made with whole milk seem to be the trick for me, so I’ll keep doing that and hope I re-adjust soon. Squeezle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m on 2250mg (worked up within 8 weeks) and have had minimal problems. I eat about 75-100g carbs per day though, so I may have eliminated the low blood sugar problem by eating enough carbs. Losing weight though!! YAY!! Not even strict lowcarbing worked without the Met, so I’m quite happy with my results. That’s pretty much what I’m hoping for by taking it – I haven’t been losing even being quite strict (trying to stick to induction levels for 10 months) so I’m hoping this will kick-start the weight loss. Of course I’m currently enduring the initial adjustment period stomach upsets … I’m on a much higher dose than last time I tried it, as I’ve since found out that the optimum / minimum dosage is 1500mgs and I think I was only on about 500 per day.  But at least I’m not constipated, for a change!!! ) Rachel

Response:

I’m on 2250mg (worked up within 8 weeks) and have had minimal problems. I eat about 75-100g carbs per day though, so I may have eliminated the low blood sugar problem by eating enough carbs. Losing weight though!! YAY!! Not even strict lowcarbing worked without the Met, so I’m quite happy with my results. Squeezle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone low-carbed while taking metformin/glucophage? I’ve just got a prescription for it, and want to check there’s no nasty side-effects I should watch out for (it levels out your insulin / blood glucose, which might be a problem if you’re not eating anything that causes insulin production … ?) thanks Rachel

Response:

I’m on 2250mg (worked up within 8 weeks) and have had minimal problems. I eat about 75-100g carbs per day though, so I may have eliminated the low blood sugar problem by eating enough carbs. Losing weight though!! YAY!! Not even strict lowcarbing worked without the Met, so I’m quite happy with my results.

That’s pretty much what I’m hoping for by taking it – I haven’t been losing even being quite strict (trying to stick to induction levels for 10 months) so I’m hoping this will kick-start the weight loss. Of course I’m currently enduring the initial adjustment period stomach upsets … I’m on a much higher dose than last time I tried it, as I’ve since found out that the optimum / minimum dosage is 1500mgs and I think I was only on about 500 per day.  But at least I’m not constipated, for a change!!! ) Rachel

Response:

Has anyone low-carbed while taking metformin/glucophage? I’ve just got a prescription for it, and want to check there’s no nasty side-effects I should watch out for (it levels out your insulin / blood glucose, which might be a problem if you’re not eating anything that causes insulin production … ?) thanks Rachel

Response:

I’ve just got a prescription for it, and want to check there’s no nasty side-effects I should watch out for (it levels out your insulin / blood glucose, which might be a problem if you’re not eating anything that causes insulin production … ?)

That’s been my biggest problem with low-carbing honestly. I’m on metformin for PCOS and I take 1500 mg/day. I have found that sometimes I get very physically ill if I don’t eat enough carbs and take my meds. I’ve also got the problem of having no appetite whatsoever so it’s a serious struggle to get the proper amount of calories each day. Other than that, it’s tolerable, and it will help you lose weight while LCing. I hope your experience is better than mine with it, the sickness I’ve experienced with it has been enough to make me quit lowcarbing for a while. Now I’m back and hopefully things will be different. I’m considering getting an insulin tester just to make sure I’m not completely out of wack. Good luck! Erika RollerGirl

Response:

I tried Glucophage for my Diabetes and PCOS and couldn’t handle it. I had sever intestinal upset. I had to switch to Actos. You will know within a few days if ou can tolorate it. BethM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone low-carbed while taking metformin/glucophage? I’ve just got a prescription for it, and want to check there’s no nasty side-effects I should watch out for (it levels out your insulin / blood glucose, which might be a problem if you’re not eating anything that causes insulin production … ?) thanks Rachel

Response:

Filed under: PCOS Weight Loss

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