Metformin experiences and side effects

I honestly have no idea which doctor is actually going to be willing to write that prescription for you—it’s a toss-up.

There is zero chance you’ll get a medication like Siofor legally in the US without having your own prescription and an official diagnosis for the condition.

As for this lady mentioned a year ago, I sincerely hope she went to her doctor with a pen and paper, because I have never read anything quite like what she wrote.
I really hope she realized that she HAS DIABETES, NOT HYPERINSULINEMIA, which is what’s actually bothering her...
That you can't just "fix" it with metformin the way you would with antibiotics.
That she isn't feeling weak because she cut out bread, but rather because those are symptoms of hypoglycemia.

And regarding the comments on drug pricing—manufacturing methods absolutely dictate the cost. Brand-name drugs are developed and produced in the most sophisticated laboratories in the world, undergoing incredibly rigorous quality control for *every single batch* that leaves the factory, whereas generic drugs don't always follow that same level of scrutiny. That’s why we have US pharmaceutical packaging where the active ingredient might have traveled from the other side of the globe, leaving people to suffer through all sorts of side effects.

People, please think for a second about what you are putting into your bodies. Don't you want nothing but the best for yourselves and your families? I am talking about medications that require a co-pay for reasonable amounts compared to the ones covered entirely by Medicare...

Question: I was just prescribed metformin without ever having my insulin resistance actually tested. It was based solely on my PCOS diagnosis. Should I just start taking it now, or should I push for some bloodwork first? I noticed someone else mentioned here that they take it for PCOS, but only after confirming insulin resistance.
Thanks!

steelhawk20 said:Question: I was just prescribed metformin without ever having my insulin resistance actually tested. It was based solely on my PCOS diagnosis. Should I just start taking it now, or should I push for some bloodwork first? I noticed someone else mentioned here that they take it for PCOS, but only after confirming insulin resistance.
Thanks!

Honestly, there isn't a single unified playbook on this when you look at different medical circles—like what gynecologists think versus endocrinologists, or how things are handled here in the States compared to the European Union.

If your PCOS has been officially confirmed via ultrasound, and you’re dealing with the typical clinical signs—you know, irregular cycles in whatever form they take, weight issues (especially that stubborn belly fat), or hirsutism (excessive hair growth where you don't want it)—then jumping on metformin actually makes a lot of sense.
It's one of those drugs that generally has a pretty decent track record when it comes to side effects, making it a standard go-to for this specific situation.

Sometimes doctors wait a bit longer to run the full battery of insulin resistance tests, and even then, different specialists can be a bit hit-or-miss on how they actually interpret those results. It's a bit of a gray area sometimes.

In my book, starting a little metformin alongside some solid strength training—like hitting the weights at the gym—is a perfectly reasonable way to kick things off. 👍

velvetmoose9 said:Honestly, there isn't a single unified playbook on this when you look at different medical circles—like what gynecologists think versus endocrinologists, or how things are handled here in the States compared to the European Union.

If your PCOS has been officially confirmed via ultrasound, and you’re dealing with the typical clinical signs—you know, irregular cycles in whatever form they take, weight issues (especially that stubborn belly fat), or hirsutism (excessive hair growth where you don't want it)—then jumping on metformin actually makes a lot of sense.
It's one of those drugs that generally has a pretty decent track record when it comes to side effects, making it a standard go-to for this specific situation.

Sometimes doctors wait a bit longer to run the full battery of insulin resistance tests, and even then, different specialists can be a bit hit-or-miss on how they actually interpret those results. It's a bit of a gray area sometimes.

In my book, starting a little metformin alongside some solid strength training—like hitting the weights at the gym—is a perfectly reasonable way to kick things off. 👍

My OBGYN told me my left ovary looks like a "nest" on the last ultrasound, but the right one is fine.
Is that enough to diagnose PCOS? My cycle is totally regular, 28-30 days, lasting about five.
I don't have any of those classic PCOS issues like long cycles or unwanted hair—if anything, I can barely grow any. My glucose is normal, my TSH is normal, and I've never even had my insulin checked... the only thing is carrying some extra weight, but who doesn't? Honestly, I'm extremely skeptical about starting metformin... I haven't even begun taking it yet.

velvetmoose9 said:Honestly, there isn't a single unified playbook on this when you look at different medical circles—like what gynecologists think versus endocrinologists, or how things are handled here in the States compared to the European Union.

If your PCOS has been officially confirmed via ultrasound, and you’re dealing with the typical clinical signs—you know, irregular cycles in whatever form they take, weight issues (especially that stubborn belly fat), or hirsutism (excessive hair growth where you don't want it)—then jumping on metformin actually makes a lot of sense.
It's one of those drugs that generally has a pretty decent track record when it comes to side effects, making it a standard go-to for this specific situation.

Sometimes doctors wait a bit longer to run the full battery of insulin resistance tests, and even then, different specialists can be a bit hit-or-miss on how they actually interpret those results. It's a bit of a gray area sometimes.

In my book, starting a little metformin alongside some solid strength training—like hitting the weights at the gym—is a perfectly reasonable way to kick things off. 👍

steelhawk20 said:My OBGYN told me my left ovary looks like a "nest" on the last ultrasound, but the right one is fine.
Is that enough to diagnose PCOS? My cycle is totally regular, 28-30 days, lasting about five.
I don't have any of those classic PCOS issues like long cycles or unwanted hair—if anything, I can barely grow any. My glucose is normal, my TSH is normal, and I've never even had my insulin checked... the only thing is carrying some extra weight, but who doesn't? Honestly, I'm extremely skeptical about starting metformin... I haven't even begun taking it yet.

Something's gotta give, honestly. That’s just my take on it, but she seems pretty convinced that metformin is actually a decent option to stick with.
I’d probably be looking at things the exact same way myself—and honestly, I bet a whole bunch of other people would too—though, obviously, I don't have the full clinical picture or all the lab results sitting right in front of me to make a call.

velvetmoose9 said:Something's gotta give, honestly. That’s just my take on it, but she seems pretty convinced that metformin is actually a decent option to stick with.
I’d probably be looking at things the exact same way myself—and honestly, I bet a whole bunch of other people would too—though, obviously, I don't have the full clinical picture or all the lab results sitting right in front of me to make a call.

I’ll probably get those tests done sometime this week. I actually checked my blood sugar today—my grandmother has diabetes and keeps a monitor at home—about 2.5 hours after eating, and it hit 6.4. It’s never been that close to the limit during the day before... usually, it stays between 4.5 and maybe 4.8 at most. Clearly, something is brewing under the surface.

steelhawk20 said:I’ll probably get those tests done sometime this week. I actually checked my blood sugar today—my grandmother has diabetes and keeps a monitor at home—about 2.5 hours after eating, and it hit 6.4. It’s never been that close to the limit during the day before... usually, it stays between 4.5 and maybe 4.8 at most. Clearly, something is brewing under the surface.

It sounds like your doctor really picked up on exactly what was highlighted there.

So, based on everything you described, trying metformin actually makes a lot of sense.
And hey, try to get some exercise in, maybe some weight training or resistance work.😉

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor if there's any other option with fewer side effects than metformin for what you're dealing with—it might make things a little easier to stomach.🙂

I’m heading over to see my primary care physician today. Even though my endocrinologist already wrote me the prescriptions, my GP was the one who actually handed me the official paperwork. So, I’m taking everything to her this afternoon because my blood sugar levels were right on the borderline. I want to push her to run some more tests for insulin. Why take the risk? I need that peace of mind before I officially start the pills and move forward.

If anyone happens to have an extra box of metformin lying around, I'm more than happy to buy it off you! Thanks so much!

I’ve been living with PCOS since I was diagnosed about 18 years ago back when I was just 20. About five or six years ago, things really started to spiral because I was prescribed two psychiatric medications, and unfortunately, significant weight gain, bloating, and water retention are major side effects of them. I struggle specifically with stubborn fat accumulation around my midsection, and on top of that, I’m showing symptoms of prediabetes. Despite all this, I’ve hit a wall with my doctors—my gynecologist refused to write me a prescription for metformin, and my endocrinologist, psychiatrist, and even my primary care physician have all turned me down. It feels incredibly frustrating because, given my PCOS diagnosis, I feel I have a legitimate medical need for the medication, yet they just won't budge. Is there any recourse here? Should I consider filing a complaint with the medical board? I'm feeling a bit lost on what to do next, especially since buying it out-of-pocket is prohibitically expensive and nearly impossible to manage.

granitemason55 said:I’ve been living with PCOS since I was diagnosed about 18 years ago back when I was just 20. About five or six years ago, things really started to spiral because I was prescribed two psychiatric medications, and unfortunately, significant weight gain, bloating, and water retention are major side effects of them. I struggle specifically with stubborn fat accumulation around my midsection, and on top of that, I’m showing symptoms of prediabetes. Despite all this, I’ve hit a wall with my doctors—my gynecologist refused to write me a prescription for metformin, and my endocrinologist, psychiatrist, and even my primary care physician have all turned me down. It feels incredibly frustrating because, given my PCOS diagnosis, I feel I have a legitimate medical need for the medication, yet they just won't budge. Is there any recourse here? Should I consider filing a complaint with the medical board? I'm feeling a bit lost on what to do next, especially since buying it out-of-pocket is prohibitically expensive and nearly impossible to manage.

So, have they actually confirmed insulin resistance? If they haven't, why do you feel entitled to that med? And what makes you think it’ll actually help you? 🤔

Also, what kind of symptoms are we talking about for prediabetes? I’m stuck in that phase right now and honestly, I don't feel anything at all... except for the insulin resistance.

Jacob Sullivan91 said:So, have they actually confirmed insulin resistance? If they haven't, why do you feel entitled to that med? And what makes you think it’ll actually help you? 🤔

Also, what kind of symptoms are we talking about for prediabetes? I’m stuck in that phase right now and honestly, I don't feel anything at all... except for the insulin resistance.

I haven't checked my levels just yet, though I’m planning to get that blood sugar reading done very soon. Lately, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading on how metformin can be incredibly effective at helping women manage excess weight when dealing with PCOS—even for those of us who aren't showing clear signs of prediabetes. It seems there is a significant consensus that pairing the medication with genuine lifestyle adjustments, like refining my diet and staying active, yields much more substantial results than simply trying to overhaul my habits on my own. To add another layer to this, I am also taking Seroquel to manage my bipolar disorder, which unfortunately tends to trigger intense hunger, weight gain, and a general sense of lethargy. It actually looks like there is some promising research suggesting that metformin can be used specifically to help counteract those exact side effects caused by antipsychotics, which feels like a small silver lining in all of this.

On top of everything else, the Seroquel has caused this relentless, unstoppable growth in my chest—thanks to elevated prolactin levels and the resulting galactorrhea—which has completely transformed my silhouette. I went from having what I’d call a somewhat disproportionate figure about five or six years ago—back when I was a slender 128 pounds at 5'8"—to a heavy-set shape that makes me feel like I’m constantly looking several months pregnant in almost any outfit I try on. My weight has climbed from that baseline to at least 160 pounds, and frankly, it's becoming a bit of a financial drain; I find myself constantly outgrowing my blouses right down the middle seam, forcing me to buy larger sizes every few months just to stay covered. To make matters worse, the weight seems to have settled heavily around my upper arms, shoulders, and neck, giving me that classic apple-shaped physique.

Jacob Sullivan91 said:So, have they actually confirmed insulin resistance? If they haven't, why do you feel entitled to that med? And what makes you think it’ll actually help you? 🤔

Also, what kind of symptoms are we talking about for prediabetes? I’m stuck in that phase right now and honestly, I don't feel anything at all... except for the insulin resistance.

It seems I’ve been dealing with some rather frustrating symptoms lately: an intense, persistent thirst. To be fair, I tend to get so caught up in things during the day that I completely forget to stay hydrated, but once evening rolls around, the thirst becomes much more pronounced. Even worse, before I can even settle in for the night, I find myself having to get up to use the bathroom three or four times—sometimes every fifteen minutes or so. It feels quite abnormal, especially since this happens every single night without fail.

It feels like I’m being haunted by this absolutely monstrous hunger. It’s relentless, almost overwhelming, and honestly, it’s a bit exhausting to deal with on a daily basis.

On top of everything else, I’ve been battling this relentless, soul-crushing fatigue for years now. It feels like my body is constantly heavy, as if I’m moving through molasses, especially since my metabolism used to be incredibly fast—honestly, back when I was actually healthy, it practically ran like a high-performance sports car. Now, I’m also dealing with sensitive gums and these incredibly frustrating cracks at the corners of my mouth. They go through this endless cycle where they dry out, split open, bleed, and sting, only to scab over and crack again even worse than before. To make matters worse, I seem to be caught in a perpetual loop of fungal and bacterial infections; I'm constantly fighting off vaginal and urinary tract issues, and I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to treat a stubborn fungal infection on my toe for two whole years. My skin hasn't been much better either. Even as I approach forty, I'm still struggling with acne, and over the last few days, a thick, bumpy patch of redness has flared up on my right cheek. It’s itchy, it stings, and it’s even started developing these tiny, flaky scales that peel away. Then there’s the blurred vision. Ever since I started taking Seroquel—which I know can potentially lead to diabetes—my prescription has shot up so rapidly that I’ve had to start wearing glasses. I’ve also been experiencing occasional tingling sensations, most notably all over my face.

Whenever I start feeling hungry, things take a turn for the worse. It isn't just a simple stomach growl; I begin to feel this overwhelming sense of weakness and dizziness that settles in deep. It’s accompanied by this strange, unsettling restlessness—almost like I'm floating or losing my grip on reality, that disorienting sensation of depersonalization. Usually, it spirals into a full-blown panic attack. I have a strong suspicion that this is tied directly to my blood sugar levels dropping, though honestly, it seems to happen whenever I go too long without eating, regardless of what's going on with my glucose.

I also experience these bouts of intense, stabbing migraines, though I suspect they might not actually be a symptom related to my current situation.

There are moments when I’m struck by this sensation of unbearable heat, almost as if I’m running a fever, even though I know my temperature is perfectly normal.

And, of course, my lovely little uterine fibroids decided to chime in and say hello too.

I don't think anyone would actually suggest metformin as a weight loss drug for PCOS. My OBGYN first put me on it back when I was seeing specialists at Mayo Clinic, and then my primary care doctor prescribed it after I had my baby—but strictly because my labs showed insulin resistance and irregular cycles. Basically, both my endocrinologist and the specialists at Mayo Clinic recommended Glucophage.
It didn't exactly help me drop any pounds, but at least I started ovulating and getting more regular cycles.

Susan Martin4 said:I don't think anyone would actually suggest metformin as a weight loss drug for PCOS. My OBGYN first put me on it back when I was seeing specialists at Mayo Clinic, and then my primary care doctor prescribed it after I had my baby—but strictly because my labs showed insulin resistance and irregular cycles. Basically, both my endocrinologist and the specialists at Mayo Clinic recommended Glucophage.
It didn't exactly help me drop any pounds, but at least I started ovulating and getting more regular cycles.

I was diagnosed with PCOS nearly 19 years ago. In all that time, nobody ever even mentioned metformin, let alone tested me for insulin resistance—my fasting blood sugar was always perfectly fine.

Makes sense, though—they never gave me anything to manage blood sugar in the first place.
Looking at my labs, it seems like my PCOS is adrenal-based; my LH and FSH levels sit right around 1:1. It’s possible the whole thing isn't even tied to insulin, but I'm digging into the details now to find out.

Bottom line: there are maybe 4 or 5 different types of PCOS, and they aren't all driven by insulin. There's a real chance metformin won't do squat for some people—honestly, you can find endless stories online about women taking it without seeing any results at all.
http://www.acubalance.ca/blog/which-pcos-type-are-you

They didn't put me on it until we actually started trying to conceive. I stopped taking it right after giving birth, then started back up again once we decided we wanted another kid.

I’ve heard they prescribe it if you’re actually trying to get pregnant. I haven't really hit that stage of life yet 😁

It might just be how our healthcare system works here. From what I gather, over in the States, doctors tend to throw metformin at you even if you aren't looking to have kids. But hey, it doesn't work for everyone—been there, done that.

Did they run insulin resistance tests first, or did they just hand it to you on sight?
EDIT; my bad, just saw you already had the testing done 😁

Yeah, my first result looked solid too, but then my insulin spiked after... maybe 60 minutes? Anyway, that second 😁

quietpilot87 said:I was diagnosed with PCOS nearly 19 years ago. In all that time, nobody ever even mentioned metformin, let alone tested me for insulin resistance—my fasting blood sugar was always perfectly fine.

Makes sense, though—they never gave me anything to manage blood sugar in the first place.
Looking at my labs, it seems like my PCOS is adrenal-based; my LH and FSH levels sit right around 1:1. It’s possible the whole thing isn't even tied to insulin, but I'm digging into the details now to find out.

Bottom line: there are maybe 4 or 5 different types of PCOS, and they aren't all driven by insulin. There's a real chance metformin won't do squat for some people—honestly, you can find endless stories online about women taking it without seeing any results at all.
http://www.acubalance.ca/blog/which-pcos-type-are-you

That is literally exactly what my endocrinologist was saying; early on, your blood sugar doesn't spike, but you start feeling all those other symptoms.
I’ve never had high blood sugar in my life—if anything, it's usually been a little low—but my insulin is through the roof and I've been feeling the effects for 2 or 3 years now.

Plus, I don't even have any of the typical metabolic syndrome symptoms that everyone usually links back to insulin resistance.

Jacob Sullivan91 said:That is literally exactly what my endocrinologist was saying; early on, your blood sugar doesn't spike, but you start feeling all those other symptoms.
I’ve never had high blood sugar in my life—if anything, it's usually been a little low—but my insulin is through the roof and I've been feeling the effects for 2 or 3 years now.

Plus, I don't even have any of the typical metabolic syndrome symptoms that everyone usually links back to insulin resistance.

My insulin came back at an 8 (ref. 2.6-30). Sugar is 5.1. Doesn't seem high to me. What are yours looking like?
Man, I wish they'd just hand me something to speed things up and get my life back on track, but I've got a feeling that's not happening anytime soon. 😁