Metformin for Insulin Resistance Syndrome User Reviews (Page 2)

• Daw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2021

"Reading the ones where folks were 'miserable' and had GI issues from it - some people have this from not eating correctly. I immediately noticed a difference in my eating habits. I was full quicker and had more energy. I am bipolar and am on medications for that, but this did help me greatly. I did not want to stop taking Abilify, and my doctor prescribed me Metformin, and I can honestly say I have never felt better. So please make sure if you have these side effects - try eating better for a few days - more protein and way less carbs. All those carbs turn into sugar, etc., so that is why you are not feeling well. My doctor told me this from the start, and I was like no way...and he was right. I reduced carbs the second week of taking this and have not looked back."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2023

"Metformin made me beyond exhausted. I'd sleep 16 hours a day and the rest of the time was too tired to get off the couch. All my hormone and vitamin levels were perfect, so no issue with low B12, low iron, low thyroid, etc. It was 100% the Metformin. Within 2 days of stopping, all of my energy came back. Even though it's not a 'common' side effect, there are TONS of reports like this from other patients. I tried to stick it out and stayed on it for 3 months, but the fatigue never lessened, so I had to quit. My life was being destroyed by the immense fatigue."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2016

"I started metformin on April 28, 2016. The first two weeks, I was taking 1000 mg each morning after breakfast. My doctor then added an additional 1000 mg each morning in the third week. I experienced very mild nausea and stomach upset. Going into the fifth week, I started having this weird thing happen... As I took steps in walking, I would get this quick catch pain on the inside of my upper thigh to the right of my pubic area where the leg connects... and I would be afraid to take long strides. I did lose 9 pounds in thirty days. I'm not craving too many sweets as my appetite has diminished."

• Ren...
• October 6, 2019

"Been taking the max dose of Metformin for almost two years now, despite being non-diabetic and a young female within a “normal” BMI range. Diagnosed with “prediabetes” by my endo and has never officially crossed the threshold for diabetes since being on Metformin. There’s definitely an adjustment curve when beginning this medication; it’s been a while, but I remember the first few weeks were full of INTENSE cramping, nausea, gas, loose stools, and, strangely enough, back pain. The loose stools don’t really go away, but all the other symptoms have pretty much subsided. Despite its unattractive side effects, it has really helped me stabilize my weight (I was randomly gaining exponentially) and even curbed cravings. Thinking about talking with my doc to lower the dosage, though, because I’ve noticed that it’s starting to make me intolerant to alcohol and certain other medications."

• Sad...
• May 22, 2017

Metformin "I didn't have such a good experience with it. Whenever I take it after breakfast, as my doctor prescribed me, I feel nausea and dizziness. In the starting days, I felt severe weakness and pain in my backbone and in my whole body, but as time passed, my feelings are getting changed, just like I like feel vomiting even during sleep. I feel like my heart comes out, I feel dizziness too much, and feel blah. I'm worried about my condition because it is necessary to take this medicine, but the side effects are making my life like hell."

• wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

"I take this to control my glucose tolerance. I take 500 mg three times a day. It has been effective in controlling my blood sugar, and I feel better now. Glucose used to make my arthritis worse, but that has changed for the better now. As for the side effects, I used to feel shivers and lightheaded at times, but the intensity of the side effects has reduced over the one month I have been using it. I don't know how long I will be taking this drug, but I will keep updating you on my future progress."

• BBB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2015

"I'm giving this a 2 because I've lost some weight. To be honest, it's likely that I've lost weight because of the low carb diet I'm now on to 'manage' the side effects of Metformin. This medicine is life-ruining. I've become a shut-in (I only go to work now) because of the constant no-warning need to use the bathroom. I'm trying to stick with it, but it's awful."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2022

"Pill form metformin was very hard on my stomach, even the ER form. Enter topical metformin, which has been a godsend. No more stomach issues, and the med is working beautifully. Around $50 at my local compounding pharmacy."

• SIR...
• October 14, 2015

"I have been on this medication for about 3 years. Up until recently, no problem, it helped me to lose weight and manage my insulin resistance well. Then I got a rare serious side effect: lactic acidosis, which occurs in 1 out of 10,000 people. Unlucky me. Now, after being treated for the lactic acidosis, I try to take the medication again, and it makes me feel really unwell and ill. I miss being able to take it. Maybe I will be able to take something different instead because I can't leave my insulin resistance uncontrolled."

• Gin...
• March 2, 2021

"After a year-long weight loss plateau, I saw my doctor, and she prescribed me metformin, saying that it's sometimes used off-label for weight loss. I don't have any conditions that would warrant metformin, such as PCOS, diabetes, or insulin resistance. I've been on 500 mg once daily for 1 month, and while I believe it has taken effect, it hasn't helped me lose weight. I notice a significant difference in my appetite, which is helping me to remain within my daily calorie budget. And I'm thankful I did not get the severe digestive upset many people report (I got the extended release one). However, in spite of calorie cutting, 30 minutes of exercise a day, making healthy food choices (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, less meat, more protein), and the metformin, I have lost nothing. In fact, I seem to have gained weight because all my clothes fit tighter now. I'll give it some more time, but aside from appetite reduction, it has been unsuccessful in regard to weight loss for me."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2019

"I've had type 1 diabetes for 35 years, since age 5, but developed insulin resistance after being on steroids and subsequently gaining weight. My endocrinologist decided we could try metformin off-label to see if it would reduce my insulin requirements and help me lose weight after I lost nothing on a 1200-calorie low carb diet in four months of strict compliance. I was having blood sugar spikes during the night from 100 to nearly 400, likely due to my liver releasing glucose. That disappeared after my first dose, and I woke up at 102. I'm reducing insulin daily, so I should lose some weight finally. I'm only taking half a dose right now but will increase it soon. Stomachache is pretty much constant since I started this medication."

• fli...
• May 25, 2014

Metformin "I have been on this tablet for 6 months for my polycystic ovarian syndrome, and I am now getting my period every 28 days on the spot! But 6 months into it, I am starting to feel something like a blockage and feeling nausea and vomiting. This normally happens after my dose after dinnertime. I am on 1500 mg a day, and the doctor tells me no way it could be the tablet, so now I have to go for a scope."

• YoU...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2018

"I found out I had PCOS and insulin resistance last year. I tried to lose weight naturally and without success. Started on metformin 500 twice a day after food and had terrible stomach problems, plus depression. My husband noticed I was terribly low. Then the doctor recommended 1000 mg slow release and I have felt fantastic for the last 3 months. Cravings gone, don’t feel lethargic after eating and have much more energy. I have lost 5 kg of fat and been able to build muscle easily with a good meal plan. Very happy but wondering if I should go back to check my glucose tolerance again and if I can or should increase."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2019

"My PCP prescribed this after I've had fluctuations in my A1C for a couple of years, despite diet changes and weight loss. It definitely has decreased my appetite and helped me lose a few pounds. Some issues I have with it are increased fatigue (I already have CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), so didn't need this), diarrhea (I already have mixed type IBS, sooo...) and increased muscle pain (I already have fibromyalgia, etc., so didn't need this either). I'm going to try to stick with it, but not sure for how much longer."

• Maj...
• December 7, 2017

"I've been taking Glucophage 750 mg slow release for almost 2 months to regulate my insulin resistance and 15 kg weight gain after giving birth. Since then, I have lost 5 kg, which is really great since I am trying to lose weight for 5 years. I don't feel food cravings. The problem is that I have serious heart palpitations - arrhythmias like skipping every 2nd, 5th, and 10th beat. Sometimes, I feel dizziness from palpitations. I stopped the medicine for 3 days, and symptoms were almost gone. Then I started again, and palpitations are back. I don't know what to do since I really need to treat my insulin resistance. I have in my family diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, and I am only 40 now."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2019

"Started taking Metformin ER 2 years ago for insulin resistance but found out later I also had PCOS. First time taking Metformin, I had severe diarrhea that was uncontrollable. Now I always take it with dinner, and this seems to have resolved that issue. To be honest, not sure if I physically feel any different. My numbers look better from blood tests, but I don't feel a difference when taking it."

• Pet...
• June 12, 2022

"I have just entered menopause and have been absolutely packing on the pounds. I had gestational diabetes, which I was able to control with diet. I am currently pre-diabetic with all of the weight gain. I have been on Metformin for over a month. It has been awful. My quality of life has plummeted. I tried to stick it out. Feeling sick all of the time, sweats, nausea, I was beginning to get severely depressed. Not worth it. Just going to go low carb and do my best to get steps."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

"I’ve been taking metformin 1000 mg for 2 weeks. I’ve dropped 10 pounds! I’m afraid to eat sugar, lol, so I don’t get the poops. I have also noticed I’m not hungry as I once was, and my portions are smaller. I also am not waking up in the middle of the night starving and eating a midnight snack. Usually, it was sugar. My energy is up, but so are my anxieties since taking this. And I feel it gives me insomnia."

• Mag...
• April 20, 2021

"I have been on Metformin 500 mg twice a day. I have taken it for almost 2 years now. I am also a 5 bypass heart patient with 4 stents. I have high cholesterol and I am a diabetic with psoriatic arthritis. I started off at 170 lbs dieting, exercising every day. Since I started the Metformin, I have gained all my weight back. I am miserable and now I’m at 193 lbs. I am getting depressed. I don’t know what to do now."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2016

"I took Metformin HCl ER 500 mg 2x a day for 2 years. I never felt quite well with it, especially the constant fatigue. So I stopped. Now, 11/16, I was prescribed it again and almost immediately became lethargic, weak, plus experienced extreme muscle pain and stiffness in quadriceps (frontal thigh muscles), which caused my legs to become so weak and stiff that walking was difficult."

• Tig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2018

"Dr. said I was pre-diabetic and prescribed Metformin 500 once per day. I take it at night, and the next morning I have severe, uncontrollable diarrhea. I'm a 50-year-old male and had a sudden cardiac arrest with no heart rate for over 40 minutes, only CPR. While in the ICU, unresponsive for 19 days, they now believe I also had a stroke. The Metformin causes diarrhea so forceful that if I'm not near a toilet, well, I'm embarrassed to say, I end up with a stinky mess. I'm not taking this stuff anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 2, 2015

"I was diagnosed with insulin resistance and put on Metformin (1000 mg twice a day). I keep hearing that people are losing weight with this medicine; however, I have been taking it for a year and still no weight loss. WHY??? My doctor even stated, 'Hum, you're not losing any weight.'"

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2023

"I have type 2 diabetes. My blood sugar levels were always high, and I was constantly feeling hungry. My doctor put me on metformin 850 mg, three times a day. I have been on this dosage for 3 months, and my blood sugar has stabilized, my appetite has decreased, and I am slowly losing weight. I do have diarrhea, which I control with medication. Overall, I am happy with metformin."

• Swe...
• September 22, 2016

"Since taking this med, I am experiencing severe spasms in my right side. It's not my appendix. It is spasms that vary in duration and intensity, feels just like ovarian cyst. Have no ovaries anymore. Anyone experiencing this?"

• ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

"I used this medication for 13 days to treat insulin resistance at the beginning of 2020 and unfortunately could not tolerate it. I had anxiety attacks and insomnia every night after one tablet of 850 mg. I think it stimulated my ovaries since I had high estrogen/low progesterone. This was not desirable at my age (perimenopause). I stopped it and continued with another medication that finally corrected the condition."