[Rana]

Yes, try it. I have also heard it's a common side effect of too many carbs.

Try having a day where you just eliminate the unhealthy carbs, like white rice, bread, and pastries/cookies/cakes/candy and see if that helps. Then start reducing potatos, etc. until you find a combination that works for you.

You shouldn't worry too much, since it is "normal" and like others have said, it may take a while for your body to get used to it.

What Metformin is doing is making you more sensitive to the insulin your body is producing. This is a big change to what you're probably used to in the past. Just keep hydrated and balanced with your electrolytes (that's NOT Gatorade!).

[claristotle]

I had similar side effects like you when I was first put on a low-dose formula. Your symptoms should subside after you've taken it for an extended period..mine went away after a month or so.

There are a couple things that helped me lessen the severity of the side effects:
Definitely take it with food. I wanted to die when I took it on an empty stomach! (Now I can take it whenever with no side effects)
Don't take it with high-carb foods. Again, my side effects were more severe when I ate carbs and took metformin. And come to think of it, even if I eat a carb-loaded meal now, I'll get mild symptoms like when I first started.

I wouldn't up your dosage until your symptoms start subsiding. But I had symptoms like yours and they eventually went away.

[fromshantoslim]

I just started metformin for PCOS and insulin resistance. So far, I have lost my appetite (but also going through a massively painful breakup) and I have diarrhea and nausea sometimes but it hasnt been bad. I take 500mg with breakfast. Did you all have the bad side effects right away or did they develop over the first few weeks?

[astrophe]

You take it with food. Make sure you do. And make sure you are eating balanced meals and nothing overly junky. Nothing like a round of pizza to give me Metformin revenge. Ugh.

That said, you can change to the "other" -- if taking plain met, go with extended release. If taking extended release, go with plain.

You can also change to a different one with your doc's help -- fortamet, glumetza -- they are absorbed in different parts of the body like stomach or small intestine and that may help you.

Hang in there!

A.

[scorpgrl11]

I even went back to phase one of South Beach trying to take it.

I gave it up. Waiting on doctor to return so I can call him and talk to him about it.

I just felt terrible on the drug. Even before the stomach issues, I was just tired and hazy headed on it.

[scorpgrl11]

Doctor finally back from vacation!

Here's the scoop:
They have to start everyone on Metformin for insurance to pay. He said most ppl can't hack it. So then he puts you on the name brand, Glucophage.

If I can't hack that one, then there is another drug altogether--can't recall the name of it, but it also starts with a G.

But in order to have a prayer of your insurance picking it up, you gotta go through the paces. The last drug is super expensive, they said.



I'm a poor grad student. May end up on no meds due to funds. My insurance really sucks.

But thanks, everyone, for the support. I appreciate it. Just wanted to update you.

[Violet73]

Is this specific to your insurance? Most insurances will pay for this med without having to take generic first. All the doctor has to do is write "brand name only" on the prescription.

[ghlover]

I'm on 1500 mg of Metformin daily, been on it since about 2005 - when I first started I would get nausea, headaches (still do sometimes) Now all i get is diarrhea so i take it at night after dinner.

[PghGal]

I just started Metformin ER 500mg ... I had taken regular Metformin in the past and had HORRIBLE stomach/nausea issues. My MD prescribed the ER version which has DEFINITELY helped.

It's not perfect. I still have some tummy issues, but not to the extent that the regular dose caused. I take mine at about 9PM with a small snack and I have found that it helps taking it that way (shortly before bed).

Good luck!