new to Met with a quick ?

SABTeacher · 07-04-2008, 10:08 AM

Hi,

My doctor just started me on Met. I'm currently just taking 500mg per day with dinner. I'll add another 500mg in the morning if all goes well over the next few weeks.

I know that over 50% of people have abdominal problems including diarrhea, but I was wondering if this happens right away or takes a few days/weeks?

If you've suffered from the bad stomach/diarrhea side effects how long did it take for them to start up, and when did they go away?

Thanks,
Shari

RNtobe · 07-04-2008, 10:16 AM

When I started met, I took 500mg in the morning and by that afternoon I was running for the toilet. I started right away on 1000mg and would say I had "stomach issues" for a good 8-10 weeks. On the less positive note, I notice that any time I change foods or water (I travel a lot) or try something I am not use to (eating out) that I find myself running for the bathroom. For example, I am in China right now and have been eating a lot of the local foods as well drinking a different water and I have had issue since day one and I am now going on week 5 here.

Hopefully you are one of the lucky ones that escapes the side effects!

splashsmama · 07-04-2008, 12:53 PM

I started right away and then they dissipated after a few days.

island_cyster · 07-04-2008, 03:01 PM

My dr. has me on 250mg and I’m on day five an so far none of the mud butt that everyone talks about. In the next few days I’ll be moving up to 500mg and eventually to 1500mg. Although I think it’s not only the Met that’s causing the whole bowel issues but what you eat along with the Met. I’ve been eating mostly fruits, veg, whole grain bread, steamed fish and yogurt and haven’t had any kind of weird bowel movements. I suspect if I try to eat anything remotely too processed is going to send me straight for the porcelain throne.

SABTeacher · 07-07-2008, 01:35 PM

Thanks so much! I've taken 4 days worth and so far no problems! YAY! I've been trying to eat better, so I'm sure that's helping.

Not sure I'll go right up to 1000 or give the 500 a few weeks to make sure.

Thanks,
shari

MissMatch · 07-07-2008, 03:44 PM

Hi there. I didn't really have many bathroom issues at all. However, I felt nausious almost 24/7 for the first 4 or so weeks. I definitely am happy I had that rather than what some other ladies have gone through. Good luck!

hope2bamom · 07-08-2008, 09:31 PM

I took 500mg a day for 2 weeks and wow did I have the runs! (TMI) So, I stopped taking it, but I really need to take it. Can someone please give me reassurance that it gets better.

SABTeacher · 07-09-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hope2bamom

I took 500mg a day for 2 weeks and wow did I have the runs! (TMI) So, I stopped taking it, but I really need to take it. Can someone please give me reassurance that it gets better.

It's been a week for me at that dosage with no problems. Have you read the thread above about dealing with the side effects? I am taking mine with dinner in the middle of the meal and it seems to be helping. A lot of others have had luck taking it with yogurt.

Hope you find a way to manage with it.

hope2bamom · 07-09-2008, 03:34 PM

Thank you SABTeacher! I was taking mine before the meal and it was usually breakfast. I am going to try taking it in the middle of dinner. Congratulations on your daughter~what a blessing, and good luck with the weight loss.

jadern · 07-09-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hope2bamom

I took 500mg a day for 2 weeks and wow did I have the runs! (TMI) So, I stopped taking it, but I really need to take it. Can someone please give me reassurance that it gets better.

Hope2B - I don't know if it gets better! But I did what you did - had stomach issues the first time and stopped taking it. But I'm back on it now and after reading on this board to always have Imodium AD on hand at all times, it has completely changed my experience this time around. I take one imodium when I have trouble and it's helped SO much!

hope2bamom · 07-09-2008, 04:35 PM

Jade~
Thank you for your help! I am going to go get some Imodium AD today. I know that the benefits of the metformin outweigh the side effects, so I just need to suck it up. LOL!