Horrible weekend on Metformin.......

[ashleighnb]

I started my Metformin Thursday night because I didn't know how it would effect me. Well I woke up Friday morning extremely nauseous(sp?) but I felt better after I ate so I took my second dose. After that it was all down hill. I was vomitting and had diarrhea (TMI?) all day long. I couldn't even keep down water. Same thing all day saturday. Saturday night I was able to keep down a few crackers and water so I didn't go to the doc figured the medicine was leaving my system. Sunday I was really groggy and a little dizzy still had diarrhea but I was able to eat a little. Monday and tuesday I have been fine unless I missed a meal, then I would feel dizzy and get a headache. After Fridays dose I have not taken anymore of my metformin because I am scared of it happening again. I called my doc and let hime know what happened but he hasn't called back to let me know what I should do about taking the meds.

Has this happened to anyone?

[lmcrt]

I took metformin extended release 1500mgs with no problems except occassional diarrhea. I started out taking 500mgs twice a day and then after a week increased my dosage. I also always ate a full meal before taking it and the nurse told me to not eat dairy products with it. Try always eating a full non dairy meal before taking it and start at a lower dose if you have to and titrate up.

[lucy19]

I was on 1500 mg of metformin like moni81.  My dr had me follow the same protocol as her so that I could build up to the 1500 mg.  I always ate a full meal before taking the pills. Sometimes I will still feel a little nauseous, but that was usually when I didn't eat as much. Good luck.

[moni81]

I am also on Metformin since 4 months 1500mg/day. My doctor said to take 500mg for the first week when I started, 1000 mg for the second week and 1500mg from the third week till date. So you have to take little dose and gradually increase the dose so that our body gets adjusted to it.

[ashleighnb]

Im pretty sure it wasn't a bug. I was completely fine before I took it. The first dose I took just right before bed, but the second I did eat breakfast first. I also read the pamphlet it came with and I had most of those symptoms.  Im thinking it was just too strong for me. Thanks for your input ladies. Im still waiting for the RE to tell me what to do about taking the medicine.

[mommyoftwo28644]

I am on Metformin and it does that with my stomach never had the diziness or groggy. Ask your RE about a possibility of taking a extended release pill. I take 1000 mg at night after my meal so it will not upset my stomach and its helped me loose about 15 lbs which I needed to anyway. :o) HTH

[ALT76]

Sounds awful!  I'm so sorry you had to go through that!

Are you sure you didn't have some sort of bug that coincidentally hit you when you started the metformin?  At my RE on Monday they said there's been some sort of stomach flu going around.  I've only ever had diarrhea with it - no nausea or vomitting and I could certainly be wrong, but I've personally never heard of anyone else throwing up with it either.  I've even been on the highest dose - 2000mg.  However, I know everyone is different and I'm not trying to demean what you went through - I'm sure it was horrible and I'm really sorry you went through it - I'm sure there's a chance it could've been the metformin.  I'd ask your doc, but you may want to give it just one more shot - maybe it was just a coincidence.

Also, I was switched to Glumetza - a brand name extended release form of metformin.  Unfortunately, my ins doesn't cover brand names, so I pay $60/mo for 120 pills (4/day) - but I definitely tolerate it much better than the generic stuff.  You may want to look into it.

good luck!

[msniki412]

im on metformin too, but never had a reaction quite like that. How do you take the med? I normally take mine just after I eat so I dont get sick. I take it 2x a day 500mg. Maybe your dose is too strong for you? I know my first week i had dirahhea (sp?) and got it on off for about 1 month (been on it now since September).