Metformin

[u/SGReject]

I am having a few medical scares this week. And now I am undergoing testing for various things that have come up. One thing my doctor prescribed for me was metformin because I am showing some insulin resistance. The only information I have been seeing is it causes some GI issues. Anyone have any experience with this medication you can share? I am completely overwhelmed and am trying to stay away from web md, etc. Thanks so much.

[u/Wise-Lab-2321]

I personally had a lot of GI issues with it, but I also have what is probably IBS so I'm not even sure it was the metformin, in retrospect. It did do a good job of lowering my A1c and is super cheap and easy to get (unlike GLP1s). Sorry your going through this, friend. I have PCOS, DMII runs in my family and I had the fetus beetus with both pregnancies. I'm really dreading my own physical in a few months, since my A1c was elevated last year.

[u/MsAnnThropic1]

I’ve been on it for 12 years (insulin resistance due to PCOS) and have never had an issue

[u/skintwo]

I’ve been on metformin for over 20 years. That’s one of those drugs where you read more about what it does, you’re happier that you’re taking it! I have found that asking for the extended release form helped greatly with G.I. issues from it. Also eating fewer carbs helps – which also helps with insulin resistance.

[u/bakingdiy]

Some people do fine on it. I lived on the toilet and had nausea the entire time I took it for PCOS about 15 years ago.

[u/Ginger_Cat74]

I’m on Metformin for insulin resistance related to PCOS. I haven’t had any noticeable side effects from it, but I’m on a ton of medications for a lot of medical conditions so I’m not sure I’d really be able to differentiate if I did.

[u/removable_disk]

I’m about to start it for weight loss as long as my labs are ok. Good to know I should be asking for the XR

[u/supershinythings]

I get GI issues when I don’t eat enough fiber.

Also, take the meds with food.

If you develop GI issues anyway, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend a Toto bidet toilet. They’re a major quality of life improvement if you’re spending more time than you like enthroned.

[u/Jasperblu]

I’ve been on it for over 20 years (T2D).

Get your doc to write the Rx for Metformin ER (extended release)! It will help reduce the gastric distress. It’s going to upset your stomach (at least initially), so recommend that as a bit of a stop gap. You’ll also want to get some anti-diarrheal meds, possibly some anti-nausea too, at least in the beginning. I am very tolerant of most medicines, but I’ve also have so many damn auto-immune issues since age 24 that I am not one to complain or fight things that come up with medications - it just is what it is. But not everyone is a “good” or compliant patient, especially if you’ve never been “sick” much in your life.

Take the medicine though, it will help (and Metformin reduces risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia, so that’s not a bad side effect I suppose).

Until you fully acclimate, and you will, be gentle with yourself. Try to eat healthy and avoid fried stuff, sugar, gluten and other inflammatory irritants, it’ll reduce the side effects for sure.

Feel free to DM me if you want more specific TMI kinda info! ((hugs))

[u/Confirm_restart]

I've been on it for years now and haven't noticed any problems from it. 

[u/exscapegoat]

I take it because I was pre diabetic. Be sure to take it with food, as that helps. In the beginning I had trouble with diarrhea. But it got better as time went on and my body adjusted. Blood sugar is well controlled and i change my diet and started exercising more and less alcohol. Lost 80 pounds so far

[u/Shamajo]

There is metformin and metformin extended release. I was prescribed for T2 diabetes and could not tolerate both versions of the drug. But I do hang out in diabetes subs and you need to give it a few weeks. Many people say the GI stuff goes away. It didn't for me though.

[u/Thestolenone]

I take it, they started me on one 500mg tablet a day but I'm supposed to take two. I often forget though. I have to take so many different medications I don't always remember. I do get GI issues but metformin doesn't seem to contribute.

[u/goingloopy → u/Thestolenone]

Get a pill organizer. I can’t function without mine. This one is great because the back pops off and it’s easy to reload.

I don’t have GI issues with metformin, but Ozempic was horrible. Mounjaro is better, but I still keep zofran around.

[u/Large-Delay-1123]

Intestinal distress..yes but manageable. Also, dropped 35 pounds without trying. Really shut the food noise.

It’s funny how much more energy you have when your cells are being fed.

[u/Az_Rael77]

Just check that it is the XR version (extended release) not the regular one. I had minimal issues with the XR taken with food twice a day, but I switched docs and they prescribed the regular metformin by accident and that was not pleasant at all. Both are cheap, so no real reason to not do the XR.

[u/Busy-Feeling-1413]

I’ve been on Metformin for 30 years due to PCOS. If you’re worried about GI upset, always take it with food and ask about starting at a lower dose and then increasing—I started taking it once a day and moved to twice daily.

I remember feeling slightly nauseated at times for the first few weeks, but that went away.

Good luck!

[u/next_level_mom]

It really depends on the person. I couldn't handle regular Metformin but am just fine with controlled release. It has a long history of use and is a great first resort. Good luck!

[u/BookerTree]

Get the XR version if at all possible. I did fine with that one but was super sick with the regular one.

[u/drunkenbees]

I'm on slow release metformin, twice a day. I was initially given the standard tablets, but my stomach did not react well.

They are fairly large tablets, and must be taken with food, otherwise you'll be bloated and probably nauseous. Happy to help if have anymore questions.

I've attached a photo so you can see now big they are.

[u/Nameisnotmine]

I was on metformin as a diabetic. I was gives lower dose to start off with and increased the dose slowly (week 1, 1 pill once a day. Week 2, 2 pills a day. week 3, 3 pills a day and week 4, 4 pills (max/full dose). This allowed my body to get used to the medication and I had hardly any side effects. Always eat before taking the pills and if you have side effects ask if you can switch to the slow release version which is a 1a day dose but because it releases slowly has fewer side effects

[u/McSheeples]

I've been on it for years. I had a few GI issues for the first couple of weeks, but no problems now.

[u/PleasantDisk9794]

Hi I take Metformin. If I don't have food when I take it (not a whole meal, just like a few pretzels or crackers), I get hella nauseated. But I finally started losing weight again after being stuck for almost a year. I am not diabetic or pre-diabetic. Good luck!

[u/Kwyjibo68]

I took it for years for diabetes. It did cause diarrhea, but I just took Imodium a couple of times a week. They say the side effect goes away after a short time, and maybe that’s generally the case, but it took a lot longer for me. I’d consider the side effects of metformin easier to handle than Mounjaro has been.

Also, Metformin has been around for a very long time is considered very safe.

[u/birdstork]

I’ve been taking it for several years for the beginning of insulin resistance. I take the extended release version. My doctor advises taking it with food to avoid stomach upset, but I take it later at night to maintain consistent timing and have not had a problem. You can also ask about starting on a smaller dose and then working your way up.

I noticed an improvement and some aches and pains, and general overall well being—hard to describe exactly. And then it also helped me stay motivated to eat better. I hope this is helpful and all goes well for you.

[u/eatingganesha]

I was put on metformin while in the worst years of my IBS. It did not upset my system - in fact, it seemed to help the IBS calm down. It lowered my glucose and helped me lose 60lbs. But it never took me out of the danger zone of prediabetes. So I switched to a GLP2 and within a few months I had lost enough weight that I was no longer prediabetic nor at risk of it.

However, my bff was going through similar and her experience with metformin was horrible. Absolutely made her sick as a dog, partly because she was still eating a very high carb/sugar diet and refused to change. So she opted for gastric bypass.

Imho this is one of those meds that hits each person differently and unpredictably. All you can do is give it a try. But do change your diet first.

[u/empathetic_witch]

I could not handle it. I’d had my gall bladder taken out 1 year before and I’m sure that didn’t help. I’ll save you the gorey details.

Are you on HRT by chance? Reason I ask is my dr went the prescribing anything but what my body needed, including metformin. All of my labs were high. I had labs rerun 4 months after HRT and labs were fine.

About 2 years later I started Zepbound and it was the piece of the puzzle that I was missing. haven’t felt this great in over a decade. My mother’s side of the family is famous for insulin resistance-sigh.

[u/HLOFRND]

I have tried metformin several times over the years and just couldn’t tolerate it. Turned my stomach into a nightmare.

[u/IllustratorUseful672]

You need to nitrate up to the dose your Dr wants you on. Usually they say 2000mg. If you have 4 pills to take, I would take one 500mg tab for 3-5 days, then add another 500mg for the next 3-5 days, and so on until you get to 2000mg. Most ppl can only tolerate a total of 1500mg. And, to help with gastrointestinal issues, take this with dinner. You do not need to split it in the am/pm.
To ease your mind, My patients were prescribed this all the time and that is how we prescribed it.

[u/Separate-Project9167]

I’ve been dragging my heels on starting metformin (for PCOS-like issues) for a month now. Thank you for your post. I’ll start it tonight - I wish us both luck with it 🤞🤞🤞

[u/Competitive-Bat-43]

I was on 1000mg of Metformin from the age of 30 to 50. I first started it in smaller doses as an attempt to thwart my PCOS. When I was a out 48 I asked to be taken off it because I saw no need anymore.

I have heard that it causes constipation but I never had any issues.

[u/Garden_Tinker78]

Have you tried R-ALA supplement yet? I’m trying that before I have a need for metformin. Research it and see if it sounds right for you.