Metformin and weight loss

[tinagordon]

Yesterday was pretty bad for me, however today (after reading the post last night) I seem to be doing better... LOTS of water and no sugary foods or snacks. Thanks a bunch for your advice!!!!

[healthyinchi]

I have been reading the thread on Metformin and at this point I am debating on whether I should start to take this drug or not. I've been prescribed 500mg doses of Metformin to take up to 4x daily. I went to a doctor who specializes in obesity and the regimen he has put me on (diet, exercise, low carbs/sugars and metformin) is supposed to be helpful in preventing diabetes and aid in my weight loss. In a year's time I have lost 25lbs through diet and exercise however, my weight has plateaued and I can't seem to rid my body of the excess belly fat or 30-40lbs needed to be a "healthy" weight for my height. I am a 30yr. old African American woman(which already puts me at increased risk for diabetes) who is not diabetic who wants to lead a healthy life free of drugs and diseases bought on by obesity and improper diet. I have several questions and I'm wondering if any of you can shed some light... Does anyone know how long you should take this pill or is this a pill that should be taken for the rest of your life? Has anyone had any long term side effects from the use of this drug? From reading the posts it looks like this drug does help non diabetics lose weight but the side effects such as lactic acidosis (rare but does occur) prove to be 50% fatal... hmm... I don't really prefer to take pills but if this will assist me in being healthy so I don't have to be sick or on meds in my later years I'll certainly consider it. Just wondering your thoughts and opinions and sharing my hesitation for taking the pill.

Thanks!

[perruchin]

Well I´ve been on metformine for about a month and a half, at first my stomach was upset... but right now is fine.... I´m taking 850 mg  twice daily.... I´ve insuline resistance, and I was prescribed the metformine, plus on my dad´s side some are diabetics, and seing my dad well I prefer to prevent than to have to deal with diabetes...  I´m starting to experience some sort of anorexia, because I notice that I´ve to force my self to eat, not felling hungry anymore, or with cravings, which is great because I have always been hungry and had tons of cravings, and I hope it helps me out loosing weight...  now that I´ve read all the tread I feel more relaxed becuase I now is part of the simptons some of your experiences

[asiangal]

I started Metformin (250 mg once a day with the heaviest meal of the day) about 6 weeks ago for insulin resistance. My doctor told me that by doing regular exercise and watch my diet , I can keep medication off. Since that day I jog for 45 mins 3 times a week in the evening and do light workout for 30 mins 3 times a week in the morning. I also cut off all sugar drinks and limit my pastry consumption (I love cakes). I have lost 11 lbs and hope to lose another 5 lbs. I weight 112 lbs and stand 5 ft 11. But I'm not sure if my weight lost is due to metformin or my exercise routine.
By the way I never knew Metformin helps in weight lost until I saw this forum. Thanks :)

[RenLit]

If you are 5ft. 11 and weigh 112 pounds, then what in the world are you worried about?  You need to gain some weight honey!!

[asiangal]

Hi RenLi

Thanks so much for your concern, that was a typo error, it should be 5ft 1 only (approx 1.56 m).  :)

[TDAVIS1223]

First off, thanks again for your posts.

Now an update on my experience with MET.  I am taking it for weight loss.  I started the first week 3/23/08 taking 1 500mg at bedtime.  The second week 500mg in the morning and 500mg at bed time.  The third week I started 500mg 3 times a day.  All with meals.  I try to take it before I eat, but it varies due to me not always remebering to take it before my meal.  I think I lost 8 lbs b/s I weighed 210 when I started and now I'm holding at 202.  I need to lose about 32 to 37 more lbs.  

As far as diet mine varies.  I normally have a home made fruit smoothie (fruit, 1 gogurt, water, ice & 2 tbsp of joint juice supplement) plus 1 500mg MET.  Lunch varies, but I haven't been eating bread or rice.  Also 1 500mg MET, and pretty much the same thing for dinner.

NOW.....This week I have had cravings for my favorite carbs (bread & potatoes).  So I went off my diet a little.....partly due to my cycle coming next week.  I had really cut alot of the sugar out.

I have been working out.

Side affects......can't say I have had any.  I wish I did have loose bowels.  I actually feel kind of constipated.  I take BCP, Calcuim and Centrum Silver daily.  Maybe that is why?  

Well like I said I need to lose about 32 to 37 more lbs.  I will continue to take MET.  I plan on doing the first phase of Dr. Ian Smith Fat Smash Diet which is detox.  You simply eat fruits and veggies for 9 days.   I tried the fat smash diet before and lost about 15 lbs and I have keep off about 10.  I would love to see the scale go under 200.  That would truly make my day, week, month!

Cravings......Like I said this week I have had some, But again it's probably due to my cycle coming next week.  My appitite......I still have one.  Sometimes I do feel funny if I over eat.  I hope things start looking up.  I honestly think I lost the 8 lbs b/c I went back to work after being off and down for 30 days.  I'm just hanging out with 202 now.  I really don'tthink I can do much else.  I plan on doing two a day work outs next week.  

Well sorry I took so long.  I'll keep you all posted.  Maybe I'll start my 9 day detox Sunday and come back and let you all know how that works ofr me.

Oh one more thing...I found some bread that may be good to try.  It's call light bread.  You can have two slices vice the one slice with way less carbs and sugars.  I'll look it later and post the brand later.  Tastes fine.   You can tell it's a little different, but it's good to me.  I just started eatingit this week every other day.  

Happy weight loss to you all.

~Keep your head up!

[asiangal]

You said you took Metformin for weight loss, do you mean that your doctor prescribed them for weight loss purpose and nothing else?  I saw your earlier post, you said you had PCOS and cushing, but you're off them both already, right? So now you're on Met for weight loss? Why not other real weight loss drug instead? I thought weight loss is only the "side effect" of Met, I didn't know they are prescribed for weight loss purpose. I'm just puzzled. I managed to loss some pounds after taking Met, but it never cross my mind it was due to the drug until I saw this forum, I thought my weight lost was attributed to my diet and exercise regime. I just need some assurance. Thanks and wish you well.

[xabsolutionx]

I, like many of you, was excited to find this forum!  It seems like everyone has a very unique experience with Metformin, so it was intriguing and somewhat scary reading all of your stories.

About me:
I am a 32 year-old female who was prescribed Metformin by her primary care physician specifically and for the sole purpose of weight-loss.  At 5’9” tall, I weigh 165lbs, and I’ve plateaued for the last year at this weight, after dropping down from 225lbs.

I am very savvy about health, exercise, and nutrition, but my body’s chemistry is just sabotaging me at this point.  I have terrible genetics.  I have hypothyroidism which is kept in check with a daily Levoxyl pill 150 mcg., if that helps at all, and I have never had any children.  (My doctor told me it’s very difficult for women my age to lose weight who have never had children, because our biological clocks know that time is almost up, so they hold on to every ounce of fat trying to prepare for that baby that’s never coming.)  Also, it’s a survival mechanism.  Some people are just very efficient at storing fat to sustain themselves over a caveman winter.  So I have a Darwinian advantage.  Great.

Anyway, after seeing an endocrinologist to make sure my hormones and everything else metabolic was in check, and it was, my doctor put me on Met.

Prior to this point, I food journaled religiously for two months.  Worked out with a personal trainer.  Ran two races, and did practice runs 4 times a week.  I work out at least 10 hours per week, and I’m a vegan (no animal flesh or by-products including dairy) who doesn’t eat any refined starches.  Mathematically, I should have been losing 2 lbs per week.  I had a 7,000 calorie deficit every week.   Instead, my weight