Metformin

[Orangesandlemons77]

I don't have diabetes, but have recently been prescribed metformin to help with weight caused my some meds I'm taking. Just wondered if anyone else was on this and how they found it?

More here https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-metformin-a-wonder-drug-202109222605#:~:text=For%20decades%20we've%20known,with%20diabetes%20lose%20excess%20weight.

I’m on metformin for pre-diabetes. It’s used for loads of things like weight loss and pcos too. My doctor said it’s great all round - also have general anti cancer and anti aging benefits. Some people say they can get some diarrhoea or tummy upset when starting - but I found if I take it with food I am generally ok. I also started on one tablet once a day, then moved to twice a day after 2 weeks. Also has made my hair thicker. I like it

Been on it for 4 years, won’t go as far as to say it is weight loss. It just stables someone’s blood sugars although I’d heard of it used as a fertility drug when Saxenda was a thing. Hasn’t rid me of diabetes, lost me masses without doing anything and certainly doesn’t seem to have stopped me going against the change at 42 and the weight issues that will cause alone.

Proceed with caution. I remember being advised to take immediately with food and the first years periods in 2020 being very painful and two a month. Fibroid time from 2022. Not a coincidence of course.

I have diabetes. Metformin is the first line treatment for T2D as it is cheap as chips and safe. Some doctors think they should consider going straight to the GLP-1 injectables as they are more effective, but they are expensive, so health systems and insurance companies are not so keen on the idea.

Before I developed full blown diabetes I took it for PCOS, so I've been on it a long time. It's notorious for gastric/intestinal upset as it speeds digestive transit. The official figures are 25% but many doctors think it's higher. Still, not everyone gets that. I did lose some weight on it. Not loads. Do take it with or right after meals to help minimise stomach upset.

Thanks for the replies, all welcome! I started it yesterday and had a little upset tummy they first time, but today all seems fine. I have it one a day for the first week, then twice, to be taken with meals.

I'm on co-codomol for a pain problem long term so that can cause constipation, that actually seems to have eased today so maybe it will be OK with that. Going to check in with the doctors in one month and see how it's going.

Yes they were quite keen to send me to tier 3 weight management and for injectables as my BMI is close to 40 (embarrassing) but said it would take forever and asked me if I had considered them privately but I can't really afford them right now, not for months anyway.

I will see how it goes and report back. Best of luck to everyone. Oh and please keep posting if anyone would like to!