AW: Metformin- Foods to avoid

MegannJay

I'm starting Metformin as soon as my prescription arrives.  I know there are nasty side effects so I'm expecting that.  And I read the post below about how well people tolerate it but I'm curious... what foods should I avoid ( I remember someone saying lettuce was really bad for them?).  What kind of foods do you eat now that you're on it?  Does eating smaller meals throughout the day help or just 3 regular meals? 

Any other advice?  I know this has been asked a million times but searching doesn't come up with anything. 

Thanks!

ashleyann82

Everyone's bodies react to it differently, I'm one of the lucky ones and thankfully have no food aversions, but I have heard lettuce and leafy greens of any kind can cause upset, so I would just be careful with that.

firewife9278

When I used to take it:

Fried foods and spicy foods really made me sick. Also, anything made with white flour was generally not good. For the first couple of weeks I was literally nauseous all.the.time. It evened out after that.

Lettuce never bothered me, and I eat big salads often. I was lucky!

It really didn't help me at all, so they took me off it. The worst side effect for me was the hair loss. It made my hair fall out a lot. I recommend baby shampoo because it's less harsh.

MegannJay

firewife9278:

When I used to take it:

Fried foods and spicy foods really made me sick. Also, anything made with white flour was generally not good. For the first couple of weeks I was literally nauseous all.the.time. It evened out after that.

Lettuce never bothered me, and I eat big salads often. I was lucky!

It really didn't help me at all, so they took me off it. The worst side effect for me was the hair loss. It made my hair fall out a lot. I recommend baby shampoo because it's less harsh.

hair loss??  I haven't heard of that one! 

mikeandangie

I only had side effects in the beginning. Now I can even have sweets with no particular problems. Well, occasionally still have gas that is different from the normal GI issues (if that makes sense), so I know something I ate didn't agree with the Metformin.

I would say for the first days, try to follow the South Beach diet, phase II. So no carbs, sugar, alcohol. That should definitely lessen some of the side effects. Good luck!

firewife9278

MegannJay:

firewife9278:

When I used to take it:

Fried foods and spicy foods really made me sick. Also, anything made with white flour was generally not good. For the first couple of weeks I was literally nauseous all.the.time. It evened out after that.

Lettuce never bothered me, and I eat big salads often. I was lucky!

It really didn't help me at all, so they took me off it. The worst side effect for me was the hair loss. It made my hair fall out a lot. I recommend baby shampoo because it's less harsh.

hair loss??  I haven't heard of that one! 

Yeah, it's crazy. I know that hair loss is sometimes a symptom of PCOS, but I only experienced it when I was taking Met. Now that I haven't been on Met for 7 months, I hardly lose any hair   I really was freaking out about it too ... it was literally handfuls of hair every day in the shower.

hootie123

I just started my first pill today - she has me on 500mg for 10 days, then 1000mg for 10 days then 1500mg for 10 days.   Is that what you are doing?

 So far so good   I'm interested to see if I have any side effects - since it seems to vary widely. 

I really hope this helps me - In some of my research people got pregnant just by taking metformin and ovulating on their own.   

MegannJay

hootie123:

I just started my first pill today - she has me on 500mg for 10 days, then 1000mg for 10 days then 1500mg for 10 days.   Is that what you are doing?

 So far so good   I'm interested to see if I have any side effects - since it seems to vary widely. 

I really hope this helps me - In some of my research people got pregnant just by taking metformin and ovulating on their own.   

I'm doing each dose for 7 days and then stepping it up if I can handle it.  If not, I'll stay on the lower dose for a little longer.  I'm going up to 2000mg.  Let me know how things go for you.  I hope it helps you too!  Good luck:)

MegannJay

firewife9278:

MegannJay:

firewife9278:

When I used to take it:

Fried foods and spicy foods really made me sick. Also, anything made with white flour was generally not good. For the first couple of weeks I was literally nauseous all.the.time. It evened out after that.

Lettuce never bothered me, and I eat big salads often. I was lucky!

It really didn't help me at all, so they took me off it. The worst side effect for me was the hair loss. It made my hair fall out a lot. I recommend baby shampoo because it's less harsh.

hair loss??  I haven't heard of that one! 

Yeah, it's crazy. I know that hair loss is sometimes a symptom of PCOS, but I only experienced it when I was taking Met. Now that I haven't been on Met for 7 months, I hardly lose any hair   I really was freaking out about it too ... it was literally handfuls of hair every day in the shower.

Eek!  Hopefully I'll avoid that one.  DH was freaked out by this more than any other thing I told him that you ladies mentioned:P 

MegannJay

mikeandangie:

I only had side effects in the beginning. Now I can even have sweets with no particular problems. Well, occasionally still have gas that is different from the normal GI issues (if that makes sense), so I know something I ate didn't agree with the Metformin.

I would say for the first days, try to follow the South Beach diet, phase II. So no carbs, sugar, alcohol. That should definitely lessen some of the side effects. Good luck!

I'll look into the SBD!  Thanks:) 

MegannJay

ashleyann82:

Everyone's bodies react to it differently, I'm one of the lucky ones and thankfully have no food aversions, but I have heard lettuce and leafy greens of any kind can cause upset, so I would just be careful with that.

I hope I respond the same as you!

SpceCadet

After the adjustment period, I can eat anything I want.  While stepping up to the 2000mg dosing, my body had a really hard time adjusting to the blood sugar controls.  I had to carry a dried fruit bar in my purse all the time (still do!) because I would feel a crash coming on quickly.  If I ate something higher in sugar, I didn't get the weak knees, passing out feeling.

I agree with the more protein-based  diet especially in the beginning.  It was very helpful for me.

mdluv21

Lots of smaller meals help me and I can't have anything high in sugar.  No cookies, cakes or even large amounts of fruit.  My stomach goes crazy.