OK Girls, talk to me about metformin...

RFBsbride · December 2009

I finally got a call back from my (new) RE regarding my glucose and insulin and she told me my insulin level is 27 - I'm pre-diabetic. Glucose was normal. She is calling in a prescription for me for Metformin and I'm to take 1/2 tablet a day until my "body adjusts to it." She told me to expect a lot of diarrhea - yippee. I'm also instructed to give up "white foods" immediately (and just in time for the holidays!)

I know I've seen a lot of girls on here that are on met - any info is appreciated!

Thanks!!!

jnennapooh@aol.com · December 2009

I know for me it took about 2 weeks for the diarrhea to clear up. It was really bad and I was crampy a lot too before I ahd to run to the bathroom. Besides that I have noticed I lost a lot more weight on it because of diet and the met as my Dr said. GL!

ashonkwiler09 · December 2009

Not to make you feel worse but honestly Metformin has been one of the worse medications I have ever taken. I know everyone is different. I experienced the worst stomach cramps, diarrhea, and I threw up non stop. I had to stop taking it because I couldn't make it through 2 weeks of it. I was told that the symptoms would subside after a few weeks but could not get through them. I would be out in public and barely made it to the restroom a few times I had to go so bad (TMI sorry) Hopefully you don't experience any symptoms because I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. Good luck.

georgiagirl1212 · December 2009

I've been taking met for 3 months to lower my testosterone level. I did have diarrhea at first, and still do if I eat too much sugary/carby food. It's really not too bad, though, and I've also lost about ten pounds since starting w/out really trying. I've also given up alcohol since I started, b/c drinking can mess w/ your blood sugar levels while on met, but I know others say it doesn't bother them. GL on it and I hope it helps you!

BeccaLandes · December 2009

I had no problems with it until I was up to 1500 mg/day. My biggest issue was a constant feeling of nausea, but I never threw up or had diarrhea. I might have lost a little weight from feeling nauseous but I was not overweight to begin with.

The idea is good to start really small and build up slowly as your body can tolerate it.

Sunshine05 · December 2009

I took 750mg of the Extended-Release version of Metformin for a week in order to get used to it... I take it at night just before going to bed which helps minimize side effects. After that, I went up to 1500mg and take 2 of the 750mg pills just before bed... no need to space them out since they're extended-release. If yours aren't the ER version then you're supposed to stagger them throughout the day. I would suggest the ER as it supposedly has less side effects. You will have some GI side effects at first until you get used to it, so I always had some Immodium in my purse just in case.

Changing your diet will help immensely. I cut out white carbs, eat more whole grain wheat products instead... lots of fruits, veggies, salads, eggs, meat, cheese. You'll have to kind of test out foods. Some people can eat salad, some can't... some can handle yogurt, some can't... I was really frustrated when I tried to ask what I could eat because I got conflicting info. You really just have to see what works for you! I follow somewhat the South Beach approach, but not as strict... limiting higher glycemic index foods and sticking with more natural or whole grain products. HTH! If you have any other Q's, just ask!

baloneydisc · December 2009

I normally have LOTS of issues with s/e from meds, so I was really worried when I started Met. I was nauseous for the first week, but that was it! I've been taking 1000mg for about a month now.

susanc07 · December 2009

i didn't really change my diet and i never had any GI issues.

if you find that you are having them, they also have metformin XR, which is the extended release. some people have better luck with that version.

GL!

orange1414 · December 2009

I started at 500mg, did that for two weeks, stepped up to 1,000 and repeated stepping up at intervals every two weeks until I was at 2,000mg. I take the extended release and take all four pills before bed (they make me sleepy).

I had to avoid potatoes, white bread and sugary drinks at the beginning. I'm now ok with everything but lettuce. For some reason it doesn't play nice with the Met for me. Oh, and I can't have more than two drinks at a time. You're not really supposed to drink while taking it.

I kept chewable imodium tablets on me at all times for the first two months until the diarrhea stopped. On the upside, I don't have many side effects anymore, and I ovulated on my own this month!

firewife9278 · December 2009

I don't have any insulin issues, but my doc has me taking met anyway ... I started taking it in July. I also started with a half dose (750mg) for the first two weeks.

Those first two weeks were miserable. I don't have any diarrhea issues, but I was nauseous ALL.THE.TIME. I couldn't really eat anything, and drank a ton of peppermint tea and ate a lot of minty tums. Those things (especially the tea) helped me a ton.

When I doubled the dose after two weeks, I was sick for a couple of days again, but since then I feel great!

I agree with not eating "white foods" ... for the most part. Once in awhile I can still eat things like chocolate and other sweets in extreme moderation. White pasta/bread etc however definitely makes me sick, as does spicy/greasy/fried food.

GOOD LUCK!!

Mrs.AmandaMqn · December 2009

My advice, carry a small can of Lysol in your purse and toilet seat covers, I found some in the camping section at Wal-mart. They are my lifesavers when I'm on Met!

I never learned my lesson and still ate crappy food so I was constantly running to the bathroom. But, I did lose 4 lbs right off the bat!

shanaeden · December 2009

My gyn put me on met about a year ago and I worked up to 2000mg. I had occassional problems which were made worse because they were unpredictable. When I went to the RE he told me I could take them or leave them -- that he didn't really think it helped. So i compromised and now take 1000 mg and have no side effects. (Though the smell of the pills always makes me a bit nauesous when I open the bottle...)

ohiostategal · December 2009

Met and I have a love/hate relationship. I had already started the south beach diet for 1 month prior to starting to take met so I thought my diet would be alright for the met. Well the first night on 500, I was having a modified SBD pizza and I was soooo sick and miserable. I have found that ANY grease is bad for me. I have not had a burger or pizza since and don't have as many problems. I did 1 week at 500, 1 week at 1000 and then when I switched to 1500 I had major problems. My OB told me I could go back to 1000 but I powered through and after a couple of weeks things got better. That said, these last two weeks I have started having issues again and have no idea why. I avoid white carbs, sugar, and greasy foods. No clue what is causing the problems.

That said, it is all worth it to me and I still take it. Hope all these comments haven't scared you off too much. I would just avoid eating much in public at first until to find out how your body will react.

Stones07 · December 2009

I was prescribed Met b/c of my polycystic like ovaries and having some symptoms of PCOS, no insulin issues. I started with 500MG the first week, 1000MG the second and went to 1500MG the third. I was ok up until I hit the 1500MG dosage. I went back to 1000MG that still messed with my GI so I'm taking the 500MG without any issues. My problem was diarrhea and it was miserable on 1500MG. I want to ask about the other kind that is supposed to be a little easier to take. You just have to find what works with you food/dosage amount wise.

GL to you!

njdcgirl · December 2009

OK...now I'm scared! My RE wants to put me on this too. I've been doing SB for almost 2 weeks now, which he said should help - but apparently everyone is different based on these answers. I hope we both are the ones with little-to-no side effects.

I'm definitely going to ask about the extended release kind.

PoeticJustice · December 2009

I am on XR. I worked my way up to my dosage. after about 2 weeks I got used to it.

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