Metformin

My mother has been ill since early June.  She has seen several different doctors and had everything from a stress test to an MRI done.  The last doctor was 3 days ago, I took her to the ER after she passed out.  Every doctor up til this point stressed how important it was she remain on HCTZ and metformin, despite 3 treatments of IV fluids for dehydration and many many visits with complaints of vomitting and inability to eat, lethargy, confusion and a 40#+ weight loss.  This doctor took her off all her prescription meds which  stimulated my husband and I to look up Metformin and were shocked to discover her symptoms matched a serious side effect called lactid acidosis.  She is now only taking a potassium supplement.  My question is, has anyone else experienced this and if there are any withdrawal symptoms of it.  The last 3 days she has been trembling, fighting constipation(she hasn't had a bowel movement in over a week-taking Correctol, sipping prune juice-about 4 oz a day and tried an enema)and unable to leave her bed but the quick trips to the bathroom which is right by her room.   She has an appointment on Tuesday to check her potassium levels and after what I have read I want to request a check of the metformin levels in her blood as well.  
Thanks,
Pumpkin

[BetaBuddy]

with metformin the lactic acidosis side effect is possible and occurs in a tiny percentage of users, it sounds like your mother may be one of them. there are no known or fixed withdrawal symptoms but its not strange to have a hard time changing meds. how is her blood sugar?

[pumpkinb93]

It's running a pinch high but not worrisome high.  She's still not eating well but at least eating something.  I have a post on the Gastro forums when we thought it was a stomach issue, but CAT scan showed her stomach and intestine to be tumor free, a small kidney stone and some kidney degradation was all that was shown.
Pumpkin