I have just recently been diagnosed with PCOS and Type 2 Diabetes. My doctor started me on Metformin 500mg 1 tab for 2 weeks, then 2 tabs for 1 week, and then 3 tabs indef. Well I'm still on my 1 tab for 2 weeks and I'm getting sick to my stomach, I have bad diarrhea, and I seem to get hungry at night after taking it (I don't eat, just get hungry). I need to know if these symptoms are going to worsen or if my body will get used to it. Thank you.
I have the same problems - except for the hunger thing.. Mine has gone on and on, but I think the key is to stick with it and our body gets used to it. It's really inconvenient though, huh! Good luck
Many people have bad gastric reactions to metformin, which is why a lot of doctors will start you off with such a low dose and increase it so gradually.
For almost all the people who experience side effects they go away after about a month, which is how long the met takes to reach full strength in your system anyway.
I've noticed, too, that met seems to 'punish' you for eating bad carbs....if I eat really bad carbs like McD's, baked goods, white pasta, things like that I was soooo much more likely to have (TMI here) the runs or bad gas from it. Even to this day, and I've been on it two years for diabetes, if I'm bad with my carbs I don't feel so well and I blame it on the met.
I consider that met's own special way of helping me stay on the right path!! lol
I know it sucks, but stick with it....it'll go away. One thing that helps is to be sure to take the met WITH food, NOT on an empty stomach. Also try to cut the greasier foods and the more refined foods out of your diet if you haven't already, that may save you some punishment.
When I started my metformin I had similar symptoms with loose stools. I was nauseated and it actually took away my appetite. Now I'm on 500mg three times a day and the side effects are much better! Just stick with it and I'm sure it'll get better for you!
Thank you all so much, it really does help me to know that someone else is/was having the same problems. I thought I was going to have to switch off it. Thanks again!
Just to let you know, there are certain foods that will cause the problems to worsen also. Watch the fatty foods and dairy foods. I take mine about an hour after I eat breakfast and right before i go to bed, but I've been on it a while. Also, to let you know, everytime the doc bumps up the dosage it may worsen for a week or so. hth and you aren't alone...we all experience it. I am going through it with byetta right now...yuck.
__________________ DX 1994-told to lose weight by GYN,Suffered 12 years before seeking treatments: REDX 2006 by a family doc sent to endo July 31, 2006 and glad I went; Byetta, 2000mg Metformin, 28 units of levemir, fish oil, 1000mg calcium. Type 2 diabetic and high cholesterol dx March 05, psoriasis dx 1992. Married 20 yrs 2 kids: girl 19 yrs old and boy 17 yrs old.
Metformin 
