GLUCOPHAGE

Well I am back from the doctors and she said that she wanted me to go on glucophage for 6 weeks and see how I do with diet and exersize, I am borderline diabetic. I am hopeful that anything will work. I am just tired of failing when I do as I am instructed. Have any of you taking this medication before and any side effects that you might have encounted, or even weight loss? Thanks for your help Nicole

Nicole, I was on it for awhile pre-op (1 or 2 years). Not to try to help with weight loss...which, I think I gained another 50 lbs after I was put on it. It didn't suppress my hunger at all. I don't think that is really listed as an effect of it. I was borderline diabetic and the glucaphage was to get my sugar in control. I was to take one in the morning and one at dinner. My sugar got too low though so had to quit doing the morning one. Post-op, I was taken off of it and I ended up being hypoglycemic about 3-4 months out...meaning my sugar would dip way low. The lowest was in the low 40's. Keep an eye on your sugar levels with taking the glucaphage. If it is consistenly lower than 70 (fasting), contact your doctor. If it is consistently higher than 120, it may not be doing enough for you. It is important for your sugar to be in control when you go into surgery. I take it that you had a glucose intollerance test (where you drank that orange 'pop' and blood was drawn for 3-6 hours)? Sherri

Nicole: My husband takes that twice a day for diabetes. It has not done anything for his weight. He takes glucophage together with actos to manage his diabetes. Best Wishes. Claudette

My husband also gained weight after going on glucophage. He is type II and his dr started him on Byetta. It is an injectable that he takes before breakfast and dinner. It works two ways by controling the glucose and it does something to slow the release of food from the stomach so he doesn't get as hungry. He's lost 60 pounds since he's been on it.

I'm on it now (haven't had surgery yet)... twice a day 2 pills, so 4 pills total.... it doesn't do anything weight loss wise but it sure did help with my sugar crashing on me... As far as side effects... it gives you HORRIBLE GAS!!! They're loud and long, my husband and I call those farts phlages because they're crazy... It's like in dreamcatcher if you've seen that move... And it can make your stomach upset when you take it so make sure and take it with food until you get acclimated with it. Jessyca

Hi Nicole My husband took glucophage for a while. he couldn't tolerate it. He kept getting weaker & weaker. It is now listed as an allergy for him. I'm sure this reaction is rare but take good care. Kathy C.

Hi Nicole, I am on Glucophage for Insulin Resistance. I take four a day. In the begining it caused diarrhea but it only lasted a week or so till my body got used to it. I have lost about 10 pounds since I started on it. It is not a magic pill for weight loss. It does help with sugar levels and that in itself can help with weight loss. Good Luck Carolyn

Nicole I just wanted to jump in here and say that I was on glucophage for about 10 years along with other oral meds and insulin five times a days (big doses). I do not recall any after affects nor do I remember it helping me with diet and exercise. I did try and stay off sugar products most of the time. After surgery I just take one shot of 25 units of Lantus at bedtime and my blood sugars are in the normal ranges. I credit that to WLS. Glucophage seems to help control blood sugars. I just wanted to pass on something I have learned over many years of being a Type II Diabetic and that is there is no such thing as a borderline diabetic any more than there is being borderline pregnant You are either diabetic or not a diabetic. I often here the term pre-diabetic these days, which I interpret to mean you are heading for Type II Diabetes. This falls in the take it for what it is category. Good luck in your pursuit of WLS. Dan