Brad, if you want my personal opinion, based on what I read, metformin
is a great drug for those who are IR. Hence, I recommend that you take
it. I am confused though, as you did mention before that you hav
diabetes, and now you say that you do not have it.

i

have you thought about increasing your fat consumption to reduce the
hunger your feeling?
it IS  possible that you are not eating enough.

Personally, I wouldn't take Glucophage if I didn't need it for health
purposes other then losing weight.  I take it for PCOs and because I am
insulin resistant.  It has many side effects which you may not like:
Stomach bloating, pain, diarreah, liver issues (I get blood tests for my
liver 2x a year), etc.  Also, per a post from JMA, some people can suffer
depression from it.  I am pretty used to it since I've been taking it for
years, but it was hell until my body adjusted.  I always felt sick and
nauseous.  Have you actually tested your blood to see if your sugars are
high??

"Brad Sheppard"

In my case it reduced my hunger by making me nauseous and too tired to do
anything.  It's an uncommon reaction, but it happens.

Jenn

i've been taking glucophage for more than a year. I didn't lose weight
until I started my current WOE. I am hoping to stop taking it as my
blood sugar has stablized, again since I've been on my current WOE.

Me, too. The glucophage has not done anything to ease it. But, YMMV.

here are some links discussing glucophage and possible weight loss:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/13/earlyshow/saturday/main600283.shtml

"Glucophage is sold as Metformin and is used to treat Type 2 diabetes.
However, doctors have found that patients taking the drug often lose
weight. But the drug is by no means a "silver bullet." People who
don't have Type 2 diabetes often don't experience the same amount of
weight loss as people who have the disease. Like Orlistat, it can
cause digestive problems such as diarrhea."

http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/59/66845?z=1667_50910_6504_00_23

Glucophage /Metformin

A clinic trial conducted by the National Institutes of Health called
the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) found that people who have a
high risk for developing type 2 diabetes(borderline diabetes or
prediabetes) could reduce that risk by 31% when using the prescribed
medication Glucophage. While this is significant, the study also
concluded that these individuals could have reduced this risk even
further -- by 58% -- through healthy lifestyle changes alone.
Participants in the study had blood glucose levels that were higher
than normal, but not yet diabetic. This is a condition that often
precedes diabetes, called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

The average participant was classified as being obese and in the study
they were asked to loss at least 7% of their body weight with exercise
and diet. This program effectively reduced the risk of developing
diabetes by more that half.

Other studies have suggested that the weight loss drug Xenical and the
diabetes drug Precose might delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/50/40502.htm

this link said glucophage can be prescribed to prevent weight gain in
patients who take certain antidepressants.

As always, YMMV. Also, consult your doc.  

Kasey
365/282/???

Brad,

There was an interesting study done several years ago about glucophage for
prevention of diabetes.  The results were interesting.  It said that diet
and exercise were still superior to glucophage for lowering insulin
resistance.  In those who were non compliant with lifestyle changes, it did
give an edge.  For those who were compliant with lifestyle changes, they had
a slightly greater improvement than lifestyle and exercise alone but nothing
really spectacular.

I considered taking it when I read the study.  At the time, it was very
difficult to lose weight due to IR.  It was truthfully several months before
I could lose weight in spite of major changes.  It was like I was immune to
the laws of physics.  In the past six to eight months, weight has been
coming off at a comfortable rate with no real discomfort or deprivation.  My
body tends to regulate my caloric intake better - if I over eat at
breakfast, I am less hungry for lunch.  If I had to choose only one
lifestyle change and do away with the rest, it would be exercise.  Even when
I over do the carbs, I handle them better than I did in the past without
excessive hunger.  I had gotten to this point before and sort of took
advantage of it and ended up responding poorly to them again so I still try
to watch the GI and GL of the foods I eat.

I don't think glucophage will hurt you.  It's mechanism of action is such
that it doesn't lower blood sugar that is already in normal range so there
is little danger of hypoglycemia.  It will not make you lose weight all by
itself.  It will help your blood sugar and insulin levels and if you respond
to them with hunger and over eating, it may be of benefit.  Me, personally?
I try to avoid drugs with side effects such as gastric distress.  Life is
too short!

j

I have the same fat waist problem (runs in the family, as does
diabetes). I would like to back to my 20-Yr weight as well.  But at
49, my waist has crept up over the years from 32 in highschool to 42
now (down from a tight 44 last October).  My goal is a 36 waist at
this point, but I'd settle for a 38 by year's end.

Check out this link that I just read, I found it interesting.  I used to be
morbidly obese and I have PCOS:

http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0005/ea0005p106.htm
Introduction
Metformin is being increasingly used in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome where it improves the metabolic and reproductive parameters through
the improvement of insulin sensitivity. Observations noted that it also
tended to prevent weight gain or even facilitate weight loss. Trials carried
out have positively enforced this in obese patients as well as those with
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
We were interested to see if a similar favourable effect could be replicated
in a District General Hospital and thus implemented into routine clinical
practice.
Method
Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and/or Obesity (BMI>30) attending
the Endocrine clinic were initiated on Metformin 500mg twice daily, and
referred to a specialist dietician. They were then followed up four monthly
for assessment, during which they were reweighed, and had Metformin dose
adjustments. Notes were made of symptom change (Menstruation, hirsutism,
acne), side effects, further medication and satisfaction.
Results
Data was successfully collected for 24 patients. Of these 18 had PCOS and 6
were Morbidly Obese. Their average weight at the start was 122 SD 44kg.
Average weight at the end was 115 SD40 kg with weight loss being 6 SD12kg.
The duration of treatment was on average 15months with the majority having
been on for 6 months. 3 patients gained weight and 2 remained static. The
average dose used was 2 grams. 9 developed side effects on the Metformin but
only 3 needed to discontinue. 11 Females had more regular menstrual cycles
but hardly any felt that their hair growth had lessened.
Conclusion
This suggests that Metformin used in aid of weight loss in obese patients or
in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is beneficial. The weight loss improves their
self-confidence and renews their determination to persevere. Side effects
are possible but the majority tolerate it reasonably well.

"Brad Sheppard"