Welcome!
"How much Immodium type drugs do you take if diahrrea becomes a problem?"
~I would use it only as needed. Many ladies don't need it until they get to higher doeses, so I would follow the directions once you start having problems and cross that bridge as it comes.
"Does drinking a lot of water help?"
~ Hydration is really key on met. Not only is it really good for your body, but if you do have the runs, it's important to re-hydrate yourself.
"I also have a book on Insulin Resistant diet coming from Amazon. Is this what most of you follow?"
~ I do, and you'll LOVE IT!! It is the smartest most sensible thing, and it has made a HUGE difference in my bloodwork. I tried using met on it's own, but it did very little until I incorporated the diet aspect. When we are still eating and spiking our insulin, the met has to work so much harder to lower it, so no wonder I was struggling (Smacks forehead).
I hit my goal weight in Sept, and I can keep eating as I'm eating for life and I'm never deprived. Good for you for making the diet/hormone connection. Let me know if you have any questions when your book arrives.
"I am very hesitant to start the medication, and am only being given the met for weight loss opportunity."
~ This line concerns me a little, because met in and of itself isn't a weight loss drug, but weight loss *can* result from getting your hormones under control. There are no real shortcuts with met, except to supplement it with diet and exercise. In my 2+ years on met, I have tried cutting corners, but only in the last year when I got serious about making a whole life change (with diet exercise and my meds), did everything improve for me. My first goal was to get my periods and hormones straightened out, and when that happened, my body followed.
Good luck!
A few questions about met. (Help?) 
