Howdy! Boy, it is hard to say if it is the Met or just a touch of sickness. I could find no "official" side effect of sweating or heart racing. However, I did see it coming up from time to time as something that was going on. These two things are symptoms that can happen with PCOS though. My thought is that sometimes when we start to heal things can get even more messed up for a bit. This could be what is going on. One thing you can do, if you are not on the extended release, is to cut the pill in half, start slower. Then only up it again when you don't have any more side effects. Below is a list of things that might be helpful for you.
I makes me so mad that your doc didn't call you back! Is there a email service for him? Maybe that is more effective.
Keep me updated! Laura
Tips for Taking Metformin (ER)/Glucophage (XR):
*from Laura and Kathy*
Disclaimer: We are not doctors or pharmacists. The following is just what we have gathered over the years and should be treated as such.
*Metformin is neither a weight loss nor a fertility medication. It helps our body use glucose/insulin better. In turn, it helps our body balance its hormones. Some of the "happy" side effects can be weight loss, regular periods, and ovulation. It can also potentially help with our other symptoms. It is recommended that PCOSers take 1500mg to 2550 mg of Met/Gluc daily (after building up).
*****It can take up to 6 months or more on the right dosage to see any effects.*****
*If you are taking the Extended Release version of Metformin/Glucophage, then you should be taking all of your pills at the same time each day. Start the dosage out slowly, like one pill for a week or two and then add another one for a week or two until you are up to your prescribed dosage. They recommend taking it with dinner. What I, personally, have found is that I am better off taking it before bed. But everyone is different! (side note: some who are on the extended release have found that it works better for them to spread the dose throughout the day either because they don’t get the side effects or it help with their symptoms better. If you are not getting good results after the six months on the full dose with the extended release you might want to try this)
*If you are on the regular version of Metformin/Glucophage, you should be spacing your pills out through your day. Start the dosage out slowly, like one pill for a week or two and then add another one for a week or two until you are up to your prescribed dosage. Start taking your first pill at night. Your second pill in the morning. Your third pill in the afternoon. Only up the dose if you are doing well. It can take some time for your body to adjust to the medication. Let it:) *If you still can't handle the med after everything here, talk to your doctor about either switching to the Extended Release versions or another IR drug like Avandia.
*Drink a ton of water!!! About half your weight in ounces. I weigh 170 pounds, so I should drink 85 ounces of water daily. Your body needs to be able to clean itself and water helps it!
*Try to eat good carbs rather than bad carbs (i.e. whole grains rather than white flour products). Try to eat some protein with your carbs. It does help your body use glucose/insulin better. If this isn't enough, try lowering your carb intake.
*Snack inbetween meals. Don’t let yourself get too hungry. Eat something about every 3 hours.
*Take your pills with a meal and make sure you have enough protein. Some do great making sure they have milk as well. Milk has actually been proven to help with IR.
*Think about the timing of when you take your medicing. Try just before you eat, during, or after. Sometimes that can make all the difference.
*Fish oil…omega 3 and 6.
*Milk Thistle
*Diahrea http://www.alwaysyourchoice.org/ayc/articles/diarrhea.php
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