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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 12:24:47
Has anyone had success using Glucophage to treat the weight gain associated with Nardil?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by angels78 on May 6, 2010, at 16:49:38
In reply to Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 12:24:47
Do you exercise often?
Posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 17:17:18
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » SLS, posted by angels78 on May 6, 2010, at 16:49:38
> Do you exercise often?
Not at the moment. I really don't have the energy.
- Scott
Posted by angels78 on May 6, 2010, at 21:21:07
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » angels78, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 17:17:18
I hear you, I also take Nardil, its the second dose that makes me tired, not the first, hopefully this side effect passes in a month or two.
Posted by Bob on May 6, 2010, at 22:10:37
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » angels78, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 17:17:18
> > Do you exercise often?
>
> Not at the moment. I really don't have the energy.
>
>
> - Scott
Boy, I know how that goes!
Posted by morganator on May 6, 2010, at 23:58:02
In reply to Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 12:24:47
If you can get it prescribed to you, I say give it a shot. Some life extensionists take Metformin. I know this is not why you want to take it, but it goes to show that this drug may have some health benefits, especially for those over 40. Metformin may also help ward off certain types of cancer(I know, another drug that might help fight cancer).
If you can't get it there are other things to try that may have health benefits and help with weight loss/control.
Resveratrol-activates AMPK and may help increase insulin sensitivity like Metformin
Bilberry-also activates AMPK and may help control blood sugar
Coconut Oil-Has medium chain triglycerides(MCTs) that are beneficial for weight loss-Cocounut oil also has antibacterial properties and can improve cholesterol levels
Green Tea
Posted by bulldog2 on May 7, 2010, at 15:13:06
In reply to Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 12:24:47
> Has anyone had success using Glucophage to treat the weight gain associated with Nardil?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott
I've read of people using metformin successfully for ad weight gain.
However is does release some serotonin in the gut so be sure you can use nardil with this drug.
Posted by SLS on May 7, 2010, at 15:24:16
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by bulldog2 on May 7, 2010, at 15:13:06
I read that MAOIs may enhance the blood sugar lowering effect of metformin. Hypoglycemia might be an issue. No other concerns regarding the combination were described.
- Scott
Posted by desolationrower on May 7, 2010, at 20:15:28
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 7, 2010, at 15:24:16
well if you are overweight + not exercising probably are insulin resistant to some extent. so it might be good for that.
for weight loss, i think there was one study but it hasn't been replicated.
better to focus on reducing the carbs that are causing the probablem in the first place
for appetite supression, nicotine is a good one. plus having non-calorie things like tea around for when you are bored, and just keeping busy makes it harder to mindlessly eat.
-d/r
Posted by bulldog2 on May 8, 2010, at 8:22:50
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 7, 2010, at 15:24:16
> I read that MAOIs may enhance the blood sugar lowering effect of metformin. Hypoglycemia might be an issue. No other concerns regarding the combination were described.
>
>
> - Scotthttp://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=6512&issue=August_2008&UID=
Posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 1:24:49
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » SLS, posted by bulldog2 on May 8, 2010, at 8:22:50
> > I read that MAOIs may enhance the blood sugar lowering effect of metformin. Hypoglycemia might be an issue. No other concerns regarding the combination were described.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=6512&issue=August_2008&UID="(2) diet: the American Heart Association step 2 diet (<30% calories from fat, 55% carbohydrates, >15% protein"
christ. doctors really do love killing people.
anyway, if the weight loss is small, it is probably from change in water held, since it changes substrate use to spare carbs.
getting blood glucose under control in some way is very important, i'm not really against the idea of metformin, and i don't know the cost, just trying to explain the whole picture.
-d/r
Posted by SLS on May 9, 2010, at 5:10:12
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 1:24:49
> getting blood glucose under control in some way is very important,
It has been normal when I have had it tested. My triglycerides are very high, though. I'm thinking that the Abilify is responsible for that in addition to the weight gain.
i'm not really against the idea of metformin, and i don't know the cost, just trying to explain the whole picture.
Yes. Thank you. So far, well controlled investigations into the use of metformin for treating antipsychotic-induced weight gain have been disappointing.
- Scott
Posted by bulldog2 on May 9, 2010, at 7:51:26
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » desolationrower, posted by SLS on May 9, 2010, at 5:10:12
> > getting blood glucose under control in some way is very important,
>
> It has been normal when I have had it tested. My triglycerides are very high, though. I'm thinking that the Abilify is responsible for that in addition to the weight gain.
>
> i'm not really against the idea of metformin, and i don't know the cost, just trying to explain the whole picture.
>
> Yes. Thank you. So far, well controlled investigations into the use of metformin for treating antipsychotic-induced weight gain have been disappointing.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott
I think a two month trial of low dose metformin would be reasonable. The life extension foundation recommends 850 to 1000 mg a day for life extension purposes. Also seems to aid in taking weight off the waist which is important.The psych drugs probably alter metabolism but also creat carb cravings. A small dose of t3 (10-20 mcg) helps with the metablism as most of our thyroids do become sluggish with age even if we test normal.
For carb craving frquent high protein meals help keep your blood sugar from peaks and valleys. A healthy way to keep bad cholesterol and suck up unwanted calories is metamucil. A couple times a day about 30 minutes before your largest meals a couple teaspoons in a large glass of water will give you the feeling you are full and many eaten calories will get flushed away! This has been documented to also help bring down bad cholesterol.
If you implement the above you will lose weight regardless of the drug you are on. These are lifesttyle changes but healthy ones. While exercise is important I have seen relatively inactive people lose weight on these dieatary changes.
Diet.
Mod-high protein
Mod fat (mostly good oils!!) olive oil and omega 3s
mod-low carb - only whole grains-preferabbly look for sprouted grains (even less processed).
There are books out that list glycemic index of foods. You want foods that don't skyrocket your glycemic index.Make it a game. You can lose weight regardless of the drug you are on.
Good Luck!
Posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 20:46:37
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » SLS, posted by bulldog2 on May 9, 2010, at 7:51:26
its good glucose is still ok.
Triglycerides mean too many carbs for activity level. When liver glycogen is full, the liver repackages glucose into Trig (basically as fat) for use/storage by rest of body. switching calories from carb to fat would be good, even if calories remain the same and there isn't weight loss. legumes and nuts are good replacements for grain or processed food. Sugar is the worst. Probably the drugs are interfering to some degree with signaling to the liver of glucose stores in the body.
if you aren't taking fish oil or eating oily fish often, that is important too.
most likely the way extra fiber helps with lipoproteins is that it ferments to short-chain fatty acids and thus is effectivly a low calorie addition of fat (plus they're antiinflammatory) that replaces carbohydrate.
-d/r
Posted by SLS on May 9, 2010, at 21:42:08
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 20:46:37
> Triglycerides mean too many carbs for activity level.
I didn't know that. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case with me. I have had a heck of a time trying to fight weight gain since I began taking Abilify. The drug is definitely "weight-neutral" for me.
Thanks for the explanations.
> When liver glycogen is full, the liver repackages glucose into Trig (basically as fat) for use/storage by rest of body. switching calories from carb to fat would be good, even if calories remain the same and there isn't weight loss. legumes and nuts are good replacements for grain or processed food. Sugar is the worst. Probably the drugs are interfering to some degree with signaling to the liver of glucose stores in the body.
>
> if you aren't taking fish oil or eating oily fish often, that is important too.
>
> most likely the way extra fiber helps with lipoproteins is that it ferments to short-chain fatty acids and thus is effectivly a low calorie addition of fat (plus they're antiinflammatory) that replaces carbohydrate.
>
> -d/r
- Scott
Posted by PeterMartin on January 31, 2016, at 13:46:39
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » desolationrower, posted by SLS on May 9, 2010, at 21:42:08
Scott did you ever give Metformin + Nardil a trial?
If so how did that work for you in terms of limited Nardil induced weight gain?
Posted by SLS on January 31, 2016, at 16:06:07
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by PeterMartin on January 31, 2016, at 13:46:39
Hi Peter.
> Scott did you ever give Metformin + Nardil a trial?
No. I am taking Parnate right now. If I get stuck trying to lose weight with Abilify, I might ask my doctor about adding metformin.
- Scott
Posted by bp peanut on February 1, 2016, at 21:38:53
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » PeterMartin, posted by SLS on January 31, 2016, at 16:06:07
I took metformin to lower the weight gain effects from geodon. I tried it twice and it made me suicidally depressed and it took me a while to bounce back even after discontinuing the metformin.. I don't even think this is a listed side effect, so it may be something odd about me. The side effect I was worried about most was actually nausea and stomach issues, but I did not experience those effects.
Posted by PeterMartin on February 1, 2016, at 23:12:29
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by bp peanut on February 1, 2016, at 21:38:53
> I took metformin to lower the weight gain effects from geodon. I tried it twice and it made me suicidally depressed and it took me a while to bounce back even after discontinuing the metformin.. I don't even think this is a listed side effect, so it may be something odd about me. The side effect I was worried about most was actually nausea and stomach issues, but I did not experience those effects.
--Thanks for posting your experience. Good to know that's a potential if I ever get to give it a try.
Posted by Lamdage22 on February 3, 2016, at 3:50:52
In reply to Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain?, posted by SLS on May 6, 2010, at 12:24:47
> Has anyone had success using Glucophage to treat the weight gain associated with Nardil?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottAbsolutely, Scott! Not Nardil weight gain but its the same thing.
Posted by Lamdage22 on February 3, 2016, at 14:22:38
In reply to Re: Glucophage (metformin) for Nardil weight gain? » PeterMartin, posted by SLS on January 31, 2016, at 16:06:07
Wow somebody pulled out an old thread:)
This is the end of the thread.
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