Starting Met -any advice on how to work up to 2000mg?

shayros07 · 08-25-2006, 08:42 PM

Hi there all,

I was prescribed Metformin (the regular one not the XR), and told to start out at 500mg and work up to 2000mg daily. The pills are in the 1000 mg strength and I was told to start out at 500mg by splitting the pill in half.

Can anyone tell me the best way to handle this? I want to have the least side effects possible so if it mean staying on 500 mg for an extra week for my body to adjust, I will gladly do that.

So, if someone could give me an idea of how to go about this. For instance, if someone could tell me something that worked for them like stay at 500mg for 2 weeks then go to 1000mg for another two, etc. Something along those lines would be SOOOO helpful

**Also one more question- Would it be good to take the met morning or night and with food or without?

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!

Marie

MommyJenny · 08-25-2006, 09:05 PM

I had really bad side effects the first few times I tried Met (yes, I tried then gave up -- repeatedly -- but eventually was successful). I got pregnant with Met and went off it at the end of my first trimester. Now I'm back on it. This is what *I* did to reduce my side effects this time -- I've been at 1500 mg (my target) for one full week now with only one day (first day) of side effects.

My Successful Metformin Strategy

Before I began: reduced fat, refined carbs, and sugar in my diet (I went on the Weight Watchers Core Plan three weeks prior). So, in essence, I mildly detoxed first. I also began drinking at least 50 oz. of water per day.

First week: Took 500 mg at bedtime with a snack, such as sugar-free/fat-free pudding or a skim milk & fruit smoothie.

Second week: Took 1000 mg at bedtime with same snack.

Third week, days 1-2: Took 1500 mg at bedtime with same snack. At this point I experienced side effects.

Third week, days 3-4: Took 500 mg during morning meal of high-fiber, low-fat (i.e., Fiber One cereal). Immediately prior to taking the pill, I eat two spoonfuls of fat free yogurt with live cultures (for the GI side effects). I also have 1000 mg at bedtime with the same yogurt and a snack.

Third week, days 5-7: One 500 mg during morning meal, one 500 mg pill during midday meal, and one 500 mg at bedtime. All with the yogurt and all with food.

I'm also taking a prenatal vitamin and drinking 80-100 oz. of water per day.

Hope this helps!

shayros07 · 08-26-2006, 03:06 AM

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! That is very very helpful.

Lots of good advice and I am glad to see you say it reduced your side effects! Hopefully I will have the same thing happen. lol.

Thanks again!

Marie

ryanandwendy · 08-26-2006, 03:16 AM

my suggestion is to drink lots and lots of water, and no sodas i've noticed it makes gi promblems worse. and always eat when taking it.

KamiraQ · 08-26-2006, 10:02 AM

I started out with 500mg pills and my doc recommended:

500mg for two weeks

1000mg (one pill in the morning, one in the evening) for the next two weeks

1500mg (one in the morning, one mid-day and one evening) for two weeks

and finally, 2000mg (two 500mg pills in the morning, and two in the evening)

I had to eat when I took mine, or else I would get bad nausea. I still got side effects, but I made it through that! I do fine now, except when I eat stuff I shouldnt. Tomato based stuff really gets me.. like spaghetti or some pizza. Now I can get away with taking my doses with a glass of milk if I don't have time to eat. Good luck!

shayros07 · 08-27-2006, 02:12 AM

Again HUGE THANK YOUS to you all. You have really helped me out. It was exactly what I needed to answer my question.

Good luck to everyone on it!