Not everyone chooses to take medications.. There are wholistic approaches to controlling these kind of things too.. but it's debatable under certain circumstances how well they take care of certain things, vs RX medications.
Regardless, I decided to make a few posts about the different medications that are popular/commonly used to control Insulin Resistance, PCOS, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension... basically used to control anything that can cause weight gain or that was caused by weight gain.
This post is about the drug Metformin (aka: Metformin SR, Glucophauge, Glucophauge XR, Riomet, Fortamet, Glumetza, Obiment, Gluformin, Dianben, Diabex, and Diaformin.) ('SR' after a drug means slow release, and 'XR' means extended release... They are typically in capsule form, rather than a tablet.)
Metformin is used as a weight loss aid, along with diet and exercise (and other medications/treatments), to help control whatever condition it was prescribed for.. Which is typically a disease/condition that can be either cured or controlled by weight loss. (Pre-Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, IR, etc..) It's also been used to treat PCOS, NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), and pre-mature puberty.. All 3 of which are conditions that are associated with Insulin Resistance.
The way it has been explained to me by a couple doctors is, with Insulin Resistance, your pancreas produces insulin.. your cells just don't react to it. So instead of your body metabolizing the food you take in and using it for energy, it gets stored as fat. This medicine helps control high blood sugar by limiting how much sugar is created by your liver, and helps your cells be more sensitive to the insulin your body creates.. That way your body actually uses the food you eat properly, if that makes sense, haha. For some people it also suppresses their appetite, so they aren't always super hungry (which note: can be a side effect of high insulin levels, too). That doesn't apply to everyone who takes the medicine, though.
Side Effects of Metformin:
- Upset Stomach (diarrhea, cramps, nausea, gas, and vomiting.)
- Lactic Acidosis (Which is a build up of lactate in your liver, that can be harmful.Symptoms of Lactic Acidosis are: Muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in arms or legs, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, stomach pain, nausea, slow or uneven heart rate, Anxiety, Lethargy, anemia. Although a rare side effect, it is advised that you get immediate medical help if you experience this.)
- Headache or Muscle Pain
"Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects." **
Info about Metformin:
- Obviously, don't take it if you're allergic to it; or if you're in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- If you need to have an X-ray or CT scan using dye, you should temporarily stop taking Metformin to prevent Lactic Acidosis due to how the liver processes the dye as well as the medication.
- Before you start taking Metformin, make sure your doctor is aware of any liver disease, or history of Heart Disease.
- Metformin should be taken with meals, unless your doctor says otherwise. Follow whatever directions your doctor says, along with whatever is on the RX bottle.
- Don't crush crew or break an extended release pill.
- Don't change your medication dose or schedule without your Doctors knowledge/advise.
That's about it.. (:
If you are prescribed this medication, take it as prescribed and see how it works for you. Keep in touch with your doctor, let them know if you experience any side effects, and ask them any questions that you have about the medicine.
Hope you all are having a great day, and I'll be back on here soon! (:
-Ashley<3
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