By your description, you are "obese", not merely 20 or 30 pounds overweight. This tells me you have developed some bad habits at your young age and will have to work extra hard to overcome them. Bringing down your weight may allow you to stop diabetes in its tracks and get off medication. Another Metformin side effect is weight gain!!
With your doctor's help, you should sign up for a (free, if possible) diabetes education class. They will teach you about eating in small portions. (I like to have several small meals throughout the day, spaced 2-3 hours apart. Not only does this plan allow the body to produce insulin in small doses that can be easily absorbed, but it keeps me from overeating since I know there's another meal coming shortly.)
Collect literature you can refer to often regarding the carb contents of each food and the portions suggested to stay within your meal's carb allowance.
Talk to a nutritionist. Do research on your own to keep motivated. Click on some of the side panels on this site.
Join a diabetes support group and share helpful ideas. Since diabetes seems to affect everyone differently, you can learn a great deal from others' experiences.
Join Weight Watchers for safe exercise regimens at each stage of your weight loss. (Weight Watchers also has a separate diabetes group if you're interested but I think the other suggestions I've listed are sufficient.)
Remember, conquering this condition is more of a marathon than a sprint.
Good luck and keep us informed!
Rose
Met is available in an extended release ER version that some people tolerate better.
There is NO other drug like met. There are other drugs to help with BG but I and many people think they are bad for the pancreas. talking of Sulfonylureas class of drugs. Drugs that FORCE the pancreas to put out more insulin.
I'd like to add something to the good advice given by Millard:
Metformin has a reputation for causing diarrhea and dizziness. It is not for everyone and you may be someone who would benefit from a different med. Discuss with your doctor the option to sample other drugs.
Do you take a BG reading in the mornings? When I feel the way you describe, minus the diarrhea, my BG level is usually 80 or below. I start having kaleidoscope vision, hot, dizzy and if I don't eat something then my heart speeds up and I become flush and dis-oriented. I found some fast acting glucose tablets and I'll just eat one of those and everything starts getting better.
Good luck and I hope this helps.