Alternatives to Metformin

My Psychiatrist started me on Metformin to counter act the weight gain I have gotten from Seroquel. In the months I have been on Seroquel I have gained about 60lbs . I weight 210lbs now my normal weight is like 150lbs maybe highest was 170lbs.

The Metformin is supposed to counter act the weight gain from the Seroquel but the only problem is since I have started taking it a few days ago I have noticed stomach problems. And having to go number 2 a lot.

Is there any alternatives to Metformin I can use to counter act the weight gain from Seroquel? That does not cause stomach problems.

I so wish I had a suggestion for you. I have gained 125lbs. on Seroquel. I think the stuff is poison and I am so sorry I ever started taking it. I am working on going off of it, but of course, that's a slow process.

No doctor has ever suggested Metformin to me. I really don't know why, since I've gained so much.

All I can offer is that my older sister was on Metformin and had very difficult side-effects from it, including hair loss. But she is not on any psych meds and does not have a weight problem. She was just showing some signs of pre-diabetes, so her GP prescribed Metformin. My sister no longer takes it.

Berberine perhaps?

Berberine: A Powerful Supplement With Many Benefits

Although maybe also give Metformin some more time? I'm on it too but have 0 side effects now, my system adjusted to it after a few weeks.

A tapered start is also a good idea with Metformin.

glucatrol

I'm tempted by alternative medications. The problem is, unless one can afford an expensive holistic health practitioner, we have no way of knowing how alternatives will interact with our medication. I once had a frightening experience with black cohosh. It interacted with the SSRI I was on. I fear that many people believe that herbal medicine is harmless, and that is not necessarily the case.

I knew someone who would take Seroquel right before she went to bed, and she lost a lot of weight.

I started doing the same thing a few days ago. I eat dinner a few hours before and then take all my meds and immediately go to bed. It works great for controlling hunger.

I also take it before bed. But still got a lot of weight gain.

I am up to 500mg of Metformin twice a day now for about 3 weeks. No weight loss yet. will wait and see the stomach problems went away.

If you're on the instant release metformin, that tends to cause more gastrointestinal distress than the extended release. Perhaps try giving the extended release version of metformin a try, and see how that treats you.

I can totally empathize with you on that, I was on 2000 mg metformin and it was like anything I put in me went straight through me... it was awful. I had to get off of it.

Topamax sometimes works. The first time I took it I lost 50 pounds. The problem is that you have to stay on that or else the weight will come back on quickly. I’m thinking of asking my doctor for either topamax or metaformin.

It looks like this actually can cause weight gain.

In what time frame did you lose the 50 pounds? how many months?

were you also on seroquel at the time.

I will ask my doctor how long were you on it? how much weight did you lose? were you also on seroquel.

I see you are also on topamax did that help you with weight loss?

It was about 5 months. That’s when I went off it. All the weight came back on in 8 months.

I wasn’t taking seroquel at the time. I was taking lithium though.

ok I researched that drug and found Qsymia is similar . I will ask my doctor about all this thanks for your input.

Did you notice any bad side effects from the drug Topamax like a dulled response and other mental sluggish side effects.

Just started taking Saffron for depression but it turns out it's also amazing as an appetite suppressant.

I restarted topamax. My doctor actually suggested it to me before I asked him about it. In the past I had been on 50 once a day. This time I’m on 50 twice a day. I took it today and based on this one dose it seems to have helped. I also started Xanax which seems to be a good appetite suppressant.

do you get any bad side effects from Topamax at that dose?

I am starting Nutrisystem soon to see if that helps lose weight.

Also going to see if I can get extended release Metformin.

Metformin seems to reduce my appetite and also I seem to get fuller faster. And also food seems to go right through me once I eat it. So I think its working and preventing any more weight gain from Seroquel.

I just took the second dose. I did find it weird to be started at 100 milligrams right away. But I’m trying just to trust that my doctor knows what he’s doing. My stomach has been off some of the day. My stomach hurts kind of bad right now. Also soda tastes flat. It has helped with reducing my appetite. But except for the slight stomach issues and annoying soda issues, I don’t think I’m having any side effects I don’t want. My doctor also said it will help with my moods.

My stomach issues were kind of bad today. I’m pretty sure it’s from the topamax. I just took my night dose and my stomach is kind of queasy again. I still like it though. I’m sure the nausea will go away.

thanks for the feedback.

I had stomach issues from Metformin when I first started it as well then I got more used to it. Will be taking an extended release version which hopefully should help

Update on this thread.

I have changed to Taking Metformin ER 500mg twice a day. And now I don't really have any side effects.

I believe it is helping me prevent any new weight gain that could be caused by the seroquel I am taking 400mg at night. I think it also decreases my appetite a bit so I don't get cravings for food.

I am using the Metformin in combination of a Nutrisystem diet and exercise and have lost more then 10 pounds so far.

That’s great news!

I have lost 15-16 pounds since starting topamax. I want to lose another 20.

And my stomach issues are gone.

This sounds positive. Keep up the good work.

that is good for you. How long did it take you to lose the 15-16 pounds?