My doctor wants to try me on metformin 500mg twice daily but i am scared and skeptical of the entire thing. id be more willing to try GLP-1 inhibitors but i am looking for advice on metformin. Success or horror stories are welcome

I've been on metformin 500 mg twice daily for a bit over a year for pre-diabetes. I had some digestion issues at the start for about a week (not unusual with new medications) and even lost about 8 pounds. It's done a good job at keeping my blood sugar closer to normal.

I was put on metformin, when I was diagnosed with diabetes, several years ago. It worked well. It improved my blood sugars. In addition to taking metformin, I started the keto diet. I lost 62 pounds in about 3 months.

Of note, I started having hair loss. I don't know if it was the metformin, the diet, or the weight loss, but that's when I started losing my hair. I stayed on the metformin until the day of my surgery. The hair loss continued, even though I had stopped the keto diet and regained a bunch of weight.

My advice is the get the “extended release” ER. It’s easier on the bowels.

I has IBS before surgery so could never tolerate it for long periods.

It’s an older med with verifiable track record. I’d try it way before the injectable stuff.

On 6/21/2023 at 7:29 AM, Fred in Pa said:

My advice is the get the “extended release” ER. It’s easier on the bowels.

I has IBS before surgery so could never tolerate it for long periods.

It’s an older med with verifiable track record. I’d try it way before the injectable stuff.

Thank you for the advice, looks like I do have the extended release version! Excited for the journey

On 6/21/2023 at 7:24 AM, Jeanniebug said:

I was put on metformin, when I was diagnosed with diabetes, several years ago. It worked well. It improved my blood sugars. In addition to taking metformin, I started the Keto diet. I lost 62 pounds in about 3 months.

Of note, I started having Hair loss. I don't know if it was the metformin, the diet, or the weight loss, but that's when I started losing my hair. I stayed on the metformin until the day of my surgery. The hair loss continued, even though I had stopped the keto diet and regained a bunch of weight.

That is great to know! Those are some impressive numbers . Congratulations! I am bald already so hair loss won’t affect me much! Thanks for sharing your experience