Started Metformin today

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2005
Started Metformin today
4
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 11:29pm

Hi all

After trying to control my diabetes with diet and exercise, my doctor prescribed me Metformin today because I fell off the wagon and my BG levels were all over the place. I allowed my stress to totally overwhelm me and when im stressed......... I eat ! so i have been eating lots of carbs....

Im a bit scared..never had to take meds before...also worried about the side effects. I am taking 1/2 a tablet three times a day, which the doctor said was a low dose.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 1:16am

Hi,


What is the dose that you are taking? What size pill are you cutting in half? I can't make a comment about your dose until I have more information. But I must tell you taht you must take this medication with food in your tummy. So take it after you have eaten your meal. Gastric side effects are the most common side effect and it takes your system about 2 weeks to get used to the medication. Hang in there because it will get better! Hopefully you will also lose weight because metformin decreases your appetite.


I look forward to hearing from you again,


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2005
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 2:32am

Hello Mary Frances

I think it is half a 250mg tablet 3/day. I took my first pill with dinner today and the effects hit me tonight..hence why im sitting here writing at 11 PM rather than sleeping... i didnt think it would hit this fast.

However carbonated water seems to have settled my stomach. I look forward to it settling down and the weight loss! I had gained back the 10 pounds I had lost before and ONE more :(

Thank u for your response and support.

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 2:33pm
Good luck and let us know how the meds work

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 12:13am

Hi,


So often doctors start people on too large a dose and that causes real problems. That is not happening in your case. The literature says that 5% of people on metformin get nausea and diarrhea. I think that number is grossly under reported. But as I told you usually the side effects end within two weeks. I immediately noticed that I couldn't eat as much as I had been eating. In fact I lost 8 pounds that first month and my doctor wanted to know if I was eating. My appetite has never return to the pre-metformin level.


Good luck and let us know how you do.




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