Metformin and Pooping. Yep.

garnetandgoldgrace

Hello ladies, 

Let's get right to it.

Do any of you have experience with Metformin? RE is starting me on it and I start tomorrow.... slow release meds and starting off on 500mg and gradually adding on as I get used to it. She wants to ease me into it because the biggest side effect is diarrhea. (yikes!)

I am a bit nervous because I start back up school tomorrow (I am a teacher and we have pre-planning) and the kids come back a week from tomorrow. I don't want to be in the middle of teaching and then have this sudden emergency urge because I can't just leave the kids... ya know, lawsuits and stuff. 

So.... is it bad??? Did any of you get lucky and have no symptoms?

Thankkkkssss!!!!

renbee

I definitely had a bit of the fiery lava poops for the first couple weeks. But I don't remember having any emergencies or anything, just when I did have to go it wasn't pretty.

My biggest side effect was nausea - I had no appetite because I felt queasy all day. Upside - I lost like 15 pounds on it right away!

Everyone reacts differently to it, but I encourage you to stick it out because it will get better. For me it was so worth it because it's really helped my cycles regulate.

nittanyllama

Hi -- I've been on metformin since 2010. I remember a little tummy trouble for the first few weeks and then each time I would increase the dose. I don't remember it being horrible though -- mostly a little cramping, maybe a little more frequent pooping, but it wasn't like OMG SHITTING MY BRAINS OUT type stuff.

I switched to the extended release version after having my son, and that seemed to cut down on tummy symptoms. I understand being nervous about being in front of a room full of kids though. Good luck! 

ETA: Like pp said metformin has done miracles for regulating my cycles and I hope it helps you.

FlamingoBull

I don't have the slow release tablets, so maybe that is why I had side effects in the first week. I had diarrhoea for about a week, and it was an instant need for the toilet - there was no warning lol. It is unavoidable though, and it's benefits way outweigh the side effects (unless you have an adverse reaction to it, of course). 

My suggestion is just to eat super healthy while you are getting used to it, drink heaps of water and maybe tell a nearby teacher about your situation in case you have to run off? Just stick to it though - I get a little nausea and lightheaded now if I don't eat a proper meal when I have the tablet, but otherwise I am fine.

FlamingoBull

Oh also, I just read your other comment on my post where the doctor suggested taking it at night. That could be a good idea! 

nlscroggins

the extended release kind definitely helps, but i still have days of awful nausea and stomach troubles. it gets better- just gotta give it time! 

garnetandgoldgrace

Aaren91011 - oh that's great it helped you regulate. That's the type of stuff I want to hear! I heard about the nausea too... yay to the weight loss? Did that weight stay off?

@nittanyllama - HAHAHAHA "shitting my brains out"... because this is exactly the scenario I have put in my head. Shitting my pants. Another success story though from you so that makes me pretty pumped!!

@flamingobull - yes, I plan on having a back up plan with another teacher just in case. How long does it last? Maybe I can get it all out of the way this week??

garnetandgoldgrace

nlscroggins said:

the extended release kind definitely helps, but i still have days of awful nausea and stomach troubles. it gets better- just gotta give it time! 

Did it regulate you?

And congrats on the adoption!!!!!!

nittanyllama

autumngrace said:

@nittanyllama - HAHAHAHA "shitting my brains out"... because this is exactly the scenario I have put in my head. Shitting my pants. Another success story though from you so that makes me pretty pumped!!

Definite success story here. FWIW (and I know everyone is different) I tried for 12 months with my son, nothing happened, started metformin, and got pregnant 4 months later. This time around, it's 9 months and no BFP... but I still say it's the only reason I got pregnant the first time.

FlamingoBull

The doc mentioned to me today that mine lasts about 6-7 hours or so, but I am not on the slow release ones. I tried googling it but I couldn't see anything! Could you call a pharmacy and ask them? I am sure they would know  

garnetandgoldgrace

6-7 hours after each pill? lol

mrsmac07

I've been on 500 mg for the last three weeks. Week 2 was the worst so far. After warnings from my Dr. and the pharmacist, I started taking them at night. It's seemed to help but I've noticed when I eat something extra sugary(like my birthday cake)I get the lava poops. Like no warning, have to RUN to the bathroom. She seems confidant this will help me so I'm just trying to watch what I eat, drink tons of water and continue taking them before bed.

rachelleck

I'm on day 3, so thank you OP for starting up this convo! So far have felt bloated and a little nausea. No diarrhea yet thank goodness. I take 500mg twice a day with food and water.

My friend lost 30 lbs taking it, but a she also shit her pants lol. She said eating healthier helped a lot.

LexiSophie55

I also agree that it is the reason I have a son.  It helped my cycle start...before it  -  I didn't have a cycle.

This time around - it is helping me stay somewhat regular.

I had bad diarrhea problems.  I found that taking iron at night helped.  It counteracts the loose stool

Good luck!

CaveWmnInBrit

I was on it for 2 months and had to tell the doctor I needed off. I also suffer from IBS and it was too much for my system. Luckily I teach secondary so my kids don't tear the walls down if left alone for 5. Minutes... Luckily I had so,e great TAs one or which knew my situation who would understand when I had to step out with no warning... Or the teacher across would leave his door open keeping an ear out

it was too much for my sad system but your experience may be completely different

mrsb30

I used to take it for my pcos. I was on 1000 mg er. I took it before bed and would wake up so nauseated it was hard to get up for work. Finally I started taking one pill in am and pm and always taking it with something to eat, doing this cut out the nausea completely. I wish I had known that years ago. I never had any other stomach issues with it. Hope you don't have trouble with it!

ELH128

I am on my first month of Metformin. I did 1 dose of 500 mg daily for 2 weeks and added the 2nd dose last week. I've felt pretty crummy since adding the second dose. I am not sick at my stomach anymore, but so SO nauseous. I teach 1st grade & am in a similar predicament! I'm hoping to have more energy next week when school starts back! I. Encourage by the success stories, that certainly helps!

garnetandgoldgrace

@twomomsintx - damn it. now I am nervous. Just took my first one tonight... so far so good... but can already feel myself getting gassy. 

@bellefontaine -- RUN TO THE BATHROOM? Oh lord. And this is when you take it at night too? Have you tried Imodium?

@rachelleck -- SHE LITERALLY SHIT HER PANTS?!? I have already been adjusting my diet for a couple months now and eating low glycemic so I should be ok in that department...

@mrsb30 -- I am hoping the same. 

mrsmac07

autumngrace  I've noticed it's only that bad when I eat something I shouldn't. My Dr has me on a strict gluten free, no sugar diet so it's easy to tell when certain foods trigger it. For instance, on the night of my birthday I ate a giant piece of chocolate cake and in just under an hour I was in a bind! lol! Usually it's not so urgent.

Great post btw! Glad to read all these other experiences and success stories!

garnetandgoldgrace

Well ladies.

I am on day 2 with Metformin and so far so good!