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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on July 5, 2003, at 3:06:37
Just a note of caution. I came across a large number of citations not just from Pub Med, but also from a number of online psychiatry databases I get access through school with regarding Glucophage/metformin. If you are on this med, and having bad anxiety/depression even though taking regular psych meds, talk to your doctor about this. Many of the articles come to the conclusion of taking a cautious approach, as this med has some strong mental side effects. If you *must* take it, other links on here suggest ways to lessen, but not rid, of side effects. IMHO..YMMV..etc.
For myself, it got quite bad a number of times, and the SI and horrid anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks esp on my last dose last night. I am just starting a new med also, so that made me even more depressed, thinking I'd *never* leave this disease outside for awhile.
It was my fault...as I kinda pressured my doctor into it (he was open and is so, because I am one of his most treatment-resistent cases.) But...at least on the upside..I tried. After my last dose last night, about an hour after that, I had to take a whopping 10mg's of Zyprexa and 6mg's (yes..that's right!) of clonazepam. PHEW!!!..man that is all I can say!
Best..and peace...
Jay
Posted by Dinah on July 5, 2003, at 13:06:06
In reply to Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by jay on July 5, 2003, at 3:06:37
Do you have some of those links? I've suspected it myself, although it's hard to say, because life circumstances have hit me like a ton of bricks lately. But if it's true, I need to bring the information to my internist and pdoc because I asked them both about whether the drug could cause mood problems and both answered an emphatic no.
It's really interfering with my ability to work and function normally. If the depression decreases the anxiety skyrockets and vice versa.
Which is another theory of mine that's neither here nor there.
Posted by jay on July 6, 2003, at 0:36:41
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.. » jay, posted by Dinah on July 5, 2003, at 13:06:06
(warning..a bit of talk of eating disorders here..)
Dinah I am posting from work right now, so I can't send the bookmarks. But, just goto Pub Med
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed and type in metformin and any type of mental illness...like try anxiety or depression.I also don't want to alarm anyone though, like I said to Nikki above, that it is still all a pretty small sample size, and these effects haven't undergone major scrutiny in many journals.
One other thing too...and that is I wanted to apologize to you for being a jerk in the past...or atleast trying to cram my beliefs down your throat. I am not doing too well on the Prozac, but back when I was on Effexor (for the last 5 years or so) it made me hyper-irritable. It was clearly drug induced, though, and I guess the only benefits from Prozac is what it *doesn't* do, and that is make me really anxious and mad. I honestly think I have some 'borderline' characteristics, and if I recall, you know how hard those are to treat.
Anyhow..if I find more Metformin info, I will pass it along, and send the links when I get home. My weight is a really, really bad problem...at 34, I am coming into prime heart-attack age, esp. with high cholestorel(sp?), and a very odd hypoglycymic reaction to 'comfort' foods. I mean, sometimes I just let the hunger and pain build (like with a headache..etc..), then I will go and pig out on a Wendy's Double Cheeseburger, fries, nice large ice-y Coke, and Frosty, downing some strong narcotic pain killers and benzos with it. After that..Oh man...! Feels good...but I don't purge. It really feels like my Prozac has emptied my brain of 'feel-good' chemicals, and the food and some extra pills really make up for it.
OK..sorry for going off-topic..I just wanted to see if anyone can relate to this behaviour. I wonder if I should 'up' the Prozac, but I also read going higher can cause even more weight gain.
Oyyy...Anyhow..best and peace...
Jay
Posted by Dinah on July 6, 2003, at 13:04:27
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.. » Dinah, posted by jay on July 6, 2003, at 0:36:41
Thanks for the apology, Jay. I understand how Effexor can be. It made me itchy crawly and cost me a month of my life. It's all forgotten, and I'm happy to start over. Hi Jay. I'm Dinah. :)
Sorry to hear Prozac isn't doing well for you. It looked as if you were hopeful for a while. I think all SSRI's can lead to weight gain. I gained 50 pounds my first year of Luvox, then didn't gain or lose an ounce after that. I've lost about ten pounds recently, but following my diabetes diet made me so crabby that I've gone off it.
I had done a google search on glucophage and depression and anxiety and didn't come up with anything. I'll use the link you gave me directly. Thanks.
Dinah
Posted by Ethel Basset on July 6, 2003, at 21:09:44
In reply to Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by jay on July 5, 2003, at 3:06:37
Hi All
Oh Pleeeze don't say the Metformin causes anxiety and depression. This is my last hope for losing weight. I have always had a weight problem, but had it under control until I was put on Paxil for depression. I gained 20 pounds. I switched to Celexa, which doesn't cause as much weight gain, but now I am REALLY depressed because I feel so fat and ugly. And the one thing that raises my moods is to EAT! Dieting seems to starve my brain and make me crabby and depressed. It is really a vicious cycle. And to answer someone else's post, I took Meridia and Wellbutrin and they did nothing except maybe make me hungrier and more spacey and irritable. I quit them altogether. I really prefer not to be on medication, unless it helps or I really need it. My endocrinologist seems to think that I have insulin resistance and the Metformin will help. I have titrated (sp?)myself up to 1500 mg. of Metformin (the side effects have finally gone away) so I am hoping to see some weight loss. And it hasn't been that I haven't been using self-discipline, either.
I have been watching what I eat and exercising and lifting weights and my weight just keeps creeping up.
I have heard many testimonies from people that have lost weight (gradually) with Metformin, so I am hoping it will have some effect. These testimonies also state that they have more energy and their moods are more stable. Hope springs eternal.
I will let you know my results.
Posted by Caleb462 on July 7, 2003, at 0:10:07
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by Ethel Basset on July 6, 2003, at 21:09:44
> Hi All
> Oh Pleeeze don't say the Metformin causes anxiety and depression. This is my last hope for losing weight.
Well keep hope! We all respond in different ways to meds. One person's anxiogenic may be another person's mood stabilizer, if you know what I mean.
Posted by Ethel Basset on July 8, 2003, at 7:32:42
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by Caleb462 on July 7, 2003, at 0:10:07
Thanks for the encouragement. God help us all.(nm)
Posted by ChuckG on July 17, 2003, at 9:15:47
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by Ethel Basset on July 8, 2003, at 7:32:42
I have been on Prozac for about 10 years with great overall results, although I continued to experience situational depression that would last anywhere from a couple of days to 2 weeks. About 8 months ago I began a low carb diet and to my surprise felt fantastic, better than I have with prozac alone. All was well until my doc diagnosed me with type II diabetes and started me on metformin (only 500mg/day). Aside from the typical stomach upset, I have been experiencing severe depression/anger that seems pretty consistant. It is just too coincidental since I have gone off, and then back on the metformin with a corresponding relief, and then resurgence of the depression.
I have scoured the internet looking for any corrolation but this thread is the only one I have found. Have you found anything (anicdotal or otherwise) that would support my experience?
Thanks,
Chuck
Posted by Ethel Basset on July 17, 2003, at 18:09:44
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by ChuckG on July 17, 2003, at 9:15:47
I am really sorry about your problem with metformin. I am taking it, and have finally increased my dosage to the proper amount, but, I, too, have been having problems with it. I am tired and bloated and seem to be feeling lethargic and depressed, too.
The one ray of hope that I can give you is that many people say that the side effects go away after a few months of useage. And if depression is the side effect, perhaps it will go away.
There is also a PCOS webpage that discusses just PCOS medications (metformin is one of those medications). It has a lot of good information on it. I don't have the address, (I am away from home right now and using a MAC) but perhaps you can do a search on PCOS and find it .
I also know that they have other medications for type II diabetes, so I would suggest you discuss it with your doctor. No one should have to suffer...there are other medications.
gotta get off the computer. good luck.I have been on Prozac for about 10 years with great overall results, although I continued to experience situational depression that would last anywhere from a couple of days to 2 weeks. About 8 months ago I began a low carb diet and to my surprise felt fantastic, better than I have with prozac alone. All was well until my doc diagnosed me with type II diabetes and started me on metformin (only 500mg/day). Aside from the typical stomach upset, I have been experiencing severe depression/anger that seems pretty consistant. It is just too coincidental since I have gone off, and then back on the metformin with a corresponding relief, and then resurgence of the depression.
>
> I have scoured the internet looking for any corrolation but this thread is the only one I have found. Have you found anything (anicdotal or otherwise) that would support my experience?
>
> Thanks,
> Chuck
Posted by Dinah on July 18, 2003, at 8:59:33
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.., posted by ChuckG on July 17, 2003, at 9:15:47
http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/glucophage-metformin-pcos.html
This is the only place I have found anything, and it only mentions malaise. If it's true, it's one of the best kept medical secrets.
That being said, I too experienced an upswing in depression and anxiety, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. I have absolutely no choice but to stay on the medication because of diabetes II but I hate it with a passion!!!!!!
Posted by Ethel Basset on July 18, 2003, at 17:52:25
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depression.. » ChuckG, posted by Dinah on July 18, 2003, at 8:59:33
Hi
I am definitely feeling the malaise right now. I slept three hours today and I am on vacation and should be at the beach! I wasted a day of vacation.
But I have a great doctor and I am going to give her feedback and see what she says. She told me previously there are other type II diabetes medications such as Avantia/Avandia (sp?) or something like that and such that can be tried and that we can try something else. What about talking to your doctor? I have also heard that with exercise and a low carb diet, type II diabetes can often be controlled without medication. I am not a doctor, but I don't think you should give up hope.
God Bless You. Something will work out, I am sure.> http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/glucophage-metformin-pcos.html
>
> This is the only place I have found anything, and it only mentions malaise. If it's true, it's one of the best kept medical secrets.
>
> That being said, I too experienced an upswing in depression and anxiety, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. I have absolutely no choice but to stay on the medication because of diabetes II but I hate it with a passion!!!!!!
Posted by gabbix2 on July 20, 2003, at 18:42:55
In reply to Re: Metformin (Glucophage) causes anxiety/depressi, posted by Ethel Basset on July 18, 2003, at 17:52:25
When I started glucophage my printout from the Pharmacy said right on it, that it may cause anxiety, depressed mood, I didn't suffer any of that though, it just gave me an awful taste in my mouth.
This is the end of the thread.
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