Side Effects? How Long Will They Last??

hi
I was having the same problem, so we switched to a similar product called glumatza. very pricey, but the "going" issue was cut back to just a couple times in the morning. hope that helps.

I know nothing about Metformin. But when I was on the pill, dont remember which one, been years ago. I did nothing but bleed. But you can go to webmd and learn about its side affects. It will tell ya how sever they are. Here is the website to webmd, I entered your med and just did the metformin oral. There is more then one search for Meltformin. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-7061-METFORMIN+-+ORAL.asp...
If you want to see the other ones, to get the one you take. Go to www.webmd.com then under drug and supplements, then click on find a drug. I love this site. It has helped me out alot since I have MS I'm on alot of different medications, and there is alot your doctor or phamrmacy doesnt tell you. Take care.

Metformin does cause a person to have soft stools. I can't remember if the side effect ever stopped as I misbehave and have not taken the Metformin for a couple of years now. The pill and the change in dietary habits is going to cause you to lose weight as well. Unfortunately that side effect didn't last long enough for me. lol Good luck to you.

hi, i took gucaphage wich is the same thing. yes i lost wait on it. i had some side affects that included using the restroom more afton, and after a while a very upset stummick. i had to stop taking them do to the fact that they started to couse me to have really low blood sugar.

I've been on metformin for over a year. I had major stomach issues with it at first and we had to adjust my dose, but I do pretty well now. I had diarrhea and stomach cramps, especially when I ate fried food or other foods that I shouldn't have been eating anyway. I did lose weight quite a bit when I was first on it. With the right dose I still have occasionally stomach issues, but its not bad, totally manageable.

I have been on Metformin for about 6 months now, and if I don't take it with a big meal then my stomach still gets upset. Problems occur about once every 4-6 days or so. In the beginning, I was much like you...I also had nausea though. It lasted for about a month and half (the every day stuff that is) cause my doctor phased me into my full dose. Metformin is just hard on the stomach. I hope you feel better soon!

I know just what you are going through! I am on Metformin as well and I have suffered the same side effect (as well as food not tasting as good, nausea, and not feeling like eating at all). I have lost about 16 pounds on Metformin, I don't know if it is because of the Metformin exactly, more that I couldn't stand eating most foods. I can say that it got better for me, it seems like it takes a few weeks for your body to adjust to the medicine. I had the side effects come back when I went to a higher dose of medication but they subsided eventually. I was prescribed Metformin to help me get pregnant and it worked, along with a really high does of Clomid. Now my intestinal upsets are back, but I think it is more the pregnancy hormones at this point. I wish that I had better answers for you, I know that upset stomach and diarrhea are common side effects of Metformin so it is probably nothing to worry about. You can try going on the BRAT (bread, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet for a couple of days and see if it helps, but it's hard to stay on such a restricted diet for too long. I hope that you feel better soon!

I've been on metformin for several years now because the reason it works for fertility is that those fertility issues are related to pre-diabetes, which means you need the medication even after you have your baby. I have had plenty of diarrhea while taking it, and sudden urges, they did get better for me over the first couple of months that I was on it. Also when I complained my doc switched me to an extended release form, which helped. Metformin helped me get pregnant and it helped me lose the baby weight afterwards, and then some. I'm still on it (my daughter is 2) and I'm losing weight at a rate of about a couple of pounds every couple of months, which is fine by me. That's without a rigorous exercise program and being only sort of careful with my diet. So for me it's a miracle pill and despite the side effects I'm all for it.

I had the same issue and changed to the extended release also. It really helped the side effects go away. For me, (I have PCOS so it helped us get pregnant, even with a surprise third one and also Type II diabetes that has been managed with Metformin). I was really worried at first by the cramps and the pooping, but my body finally adjusted. Maybe you need to ask about starting with a lower dose or breaking your dose between morning and night and then once you adjust, increasing the dose. That's what I did. I still have issues if I eat too many sweets or miss a dose or take them too close together. But I've also learned to go to the bathroom if I have even the slightest hint of having to go. Not the easiest with little ones, but I found the glucose control and the slight weight loss are worth it. If you don't like the answers you are getting from your doctor, don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Have a great endocrinologist if you want a referal.

Are you taking it as a diabetes medication or as a fertility medication, because it is originally designed as a diabetes medication but it can reset you reproductive system if you are having problems. I took it a year or so ago as a reproductive help. The side effects were so bad that I quit taking it. I was constantly in the bathroom, so coupled with the female problems I was having, it felt like I was living with the toilet. Diarriah is a side effect of the medication. Because of the problems I was having, I didnt loose any weight. None. I finally quit taking it when I couldnt stand it anymore. Now, my dad takes it for his diabetes. He also has the same side effects, and is constantly in the bathroom and late for things because the need to go sneaks up on him. I do not believe he has lost any weight either. He is a big guy. I dont think it is worth it, personally, having been there. But he takes it every day. The benefit of the medication should outweigh the side effects, and with metformin, I am not sure they do. Good luck, and I hope you get feeling better

Oh, I totally hear you :) They do go away. It also makes a difference how close to a meal you take it, too. I can't remember if it's right before or right after that makes it worse, but I know one of them has that effect. I have begun taking mine in the morning without food, especially if I need to go somewhere. That way, there aren't any side effects.

Either way, for me at least, it did eventually go away. If you're still having that effect after a few weeks, though, I'd definitely ask your doctor about it.

Good luck!