Controlling Metformin Side Effects

JLWallace · 04-03-2009, 07:49 PM

Ladies,

I am starting Metformin tonight. My script is for 500 mg every 12 hours. I am a little nervous with all the side effects I've read about... seems like a lot of people are really struggling with it. Have any of you found particular foods/beverages that help with Metformin the most? As in keeping you from getting sick or preventing other side effects?? My doctor just told me to be careful and really monitor what's going on... and the pharmacist was like, "keep checking your blood sugar!!" Umm... okay. lol. Any ideas? Thanks!

JonesWife · 04-03-2009, 11:31 PM

I would say just drink a TON of water and dont jenx yourself lmao. I took my first pill and NOTHING, I felt GREAT.. then went and bragged about how good i felt... took the 2nd one and boom! Was nausous all night and had diahreah today. I just took my 3rd one tonight and I'm waiting for the effects..... But deff drink alot of water, try to stay away from fatty foods.

JLWallace · 04-04-2009, 01:27 AM

Thanks so much! I did notice a metal taste in my mouth and I got SO THIRSTY suddenly! I drank a LOT of water. This all happened about an hour and a half after taking the first pill. I also lost my appetite. Otherwise, I do feel fine, but I will not jenx myself!

JonesWife · 04-04-2009, 02:30 AM

i have noticed the metal taste, altho I try to ignore it or just keep drinking water to make it go away. I'm loving the decreased appetite!! I can live with this!

JLWallace · 04-04-2009, 11:22 AM

This morning I took my second dose and my breakfast went right through me about 10 minutes later. I felt some sharp pains in my stomach and then it was all out. UGH.

rmd36 · 04-05-2009, 01:27 AM

I started Met today 500mg. Three hours after I took my first pill the nausea hit me. Don't mind so much, because I went over three hours without colasping for want of food. The diariha kind of sucks, but I have IBS so hate to admit it but I'm used to it. What I don't like is knowing that I am making myself nausous. Haven't tasted metal yet, hope I don't. Have been burping a lot though, that's weird.

Cindy84H · 04-05-2009, 02:09 AM

The first time I took it, I had some stomach cramps and diarrhea. A week later, I only have that if I eat too many simple carbs or greasy food. I've tried to increase my fiber, increase my whole grains, and pray I don't poop my brains out at work. I went up to 750mg today and so far I've had one bought of diarrhea.

Good luck to you!

JLWallace · 04-05-2009, 09:48 PM

So far it is only giving my the runs in the morning. When I take it with dinner, I'm fine all night. But with breakfast, it's a nightmare. I had a wave of nausia hit me today while at the park with my family. Otherwise, I've been "okay" so far. About to eat dinner and take my next dose...

JonesWife · 04-18-2009, 12:16 PM

I'm now up to 500mg twice a day and no side effects other than decreased appetite. I'm very sad to say that I haven't lost anymore weight since the first week

I'm stuck at -6 pounds and wont go down anymore

(Even with working out)

CaliAmandalyn1981 · 04-19-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLWallace

Ladies,

I am starting Metformin tonight. My script is for 500 mg every 12 hours. I am a little nervous with all the side effects I've read about... seems like a lot of people are really struggling with it. Have any of you found particular foods/beverages that help with Metformin the most? As in keeping you from getting sick or preventing other side effects?? My doctor just told me to be careful and really monitor what's going on... and the pharmacist was like, "keep checking your blood sugar!!" Umm... okay. lol. Any ideas? Thanks!

Just a few tips for ya:

Don't EVER take Met on an empty stomach!! It will only make everything worse! I usually take mine right before I take my first bite or in the middle of my meal.

Eating yogurt for breakfast helped...I was never a big breakfast eater before, so I couldn't do anything *heavy*.

Avoid anything greasy and things you *know* you should stay away from.

The beginning stages of Met are when you will really get to know yourself! You will find out what types of foods make you ill or have to go to the potty RIGHT after eating them (who knew your digestive system could work so fast?!).

Oh, also...pepto bismol was my BFF! If I had to be anywhere away from a potty or anywhere my stomach upset would be inconvenient I would take some. It stops ya right up! LMAO.

Good luck Met newbies!

JLWallace · 04-20-2009, 03:30 PM

Thanks for all the tips ladies; I've done a lot better lately on the Metformin. No more sickness unless I have too much sugar or too much starch. Otherwise, I can still have sugar and pasta, just have to be weary of too much.

lilredvixen81 · 04-21-2009, 03:23 PM

Oh i just love the S/E's... not... i have been on met for a month now and i have lost 10 pounds.The s/e at first were horriable, but i have grown to understand what i can and cant eat. but i am still learning. I used to have the metal taste but its gone now. I am on 1500mg a day. i take one with each meal. One thing that i think will help. is if you have a fiberous breakfast. I have been eating oatmeal everyone more since i started and i belive that helps a lot.