Metformin is the best thing ever! Despite the nasty side effects, this is the best I've felt since I was first diagnosed w/PCOS & IR. I've lost 25 pounds since May 2002 and I'm starting to feel like myself again.
Immodium AD helped me get through the worst of it. By all means - do make sure that you work up to your full prescription SLOWLY!!! It took me 6 months to get up to 500/3X. I read somewhere that up to 20% of the people who are prescribed metformin, go off it because they can't handle the side effects. Hang in there - it does get better! (unless, of course, your symptoms don't seem to be lessening - in which case - see your doc!)
Every now and then the side effects still hit me - so I'm definitely going to try some of the tips you all posted above.
One weird side effect that I have to mention is occasionally not having any desire to eat - and sometimes just the thought of food makes me gag! Do any of you out there experience that?