getting back on Metformin--side effects still bad?

[carly2007]

I just had to take a two-month break from Metformin and am about to start taking it again. I was wondering if anyone has had to get off and then back on Met—are the side effects just as bad?

Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience…I’m dreading the stomach problems!

[heatherh80]

I don't know if this will help, but I just started taking Metformin for the first time on Saturday. My doctor told me to take one pill a day to start because it could make me sick. So I waited until the end of the day, not wanting to ruin my day off, and I felt fine. I took one yesterday at lunch time and felt fine as well.

I did get a little nauseous off and on yesterday. Nothing worse then a slight motion sickness feeling. It could be because I ate a very light dinner. I had a granola bar and that seemed to help.

My suggestion for taking medicines that you're supposed to take with food, take it with milk or yogurt. That always helps me with any meds.

[Snoldy]

It might depend on how you reacted when you started before. Did you have alot of tummy issues or blood sugar lows? I did and I've definitely had to go slow, and had reduced my dosage awhile ago because my system really wouldn't tolerate it (and there were some other issues that I needed to deal with). I didn't actually go off, but had to go slowly the second time my dosage was increased.

Also, it might depend somewhat on whether you're taking XR or not. The XR is a bit easier on the system. But everyone's different. I would definitely recommend taking it with a meal, though.

[Chuckles76]

What is XR? I had a real issue with Metformin because it irritated my IBS so badly that I was puking 3 times a week. I am trying to find another alternative to Metformin, but had not heard of any other options. I am interested! Does it do the same thing?

[wolfsong]

XR is the Metformin Extended Release. It is meant to even itself out in you system for a longer period.

If you had stomach problem before I would take it slow. Some people CAN jump right back into it though. It always best to give your doctor a call real quick though. Better safe than ouchy.

[duckysleepover]

be careful when you take the met and to read the labels. my doctor thought she put me on the extending release; when in reality, walmart issued me the reg. i started taking 1500 all together( 3 weeks later), my blood sugar bottomed out. i was so sick.
other than that i didn't have too much side effect. just the being gassy and diarrhea. meh. no fun. good luck tho!

[duckysleepover]

oh i forgot to mention..i end up splitting the dose up to morning, lunch, and dinner meals. it work ALOT better. some ladys on this form suggested it!

[daniesha f]

i'm taking synthroid and wear a hormone patch viville dot 0.1 also 750 er metformin 2x a day... having trouble sleeping and problems with anxiety... has anyone else experienced this?

[duckysleepover]

i have problems sleeping too. i don't really have anxiety tho.

[daniesha f]

not real sure why I am having issues with anxiety... but it seems to be getting worse... don't want to get caught up taking sleeping pills at night, but if I don't, I can toss and turn for up to 2 hours after going to bed with a real weird feeling going through my body... had my thyroid levels check and currently taking synthroid... seems my hormones are all out of wack.. really scary!

[duckysleepover]

are you up to try something natural? like an herb? my husband drink Chamomile tea when he can't get to sleep and it knocks him out. You could try the tablet or capsules and see how it works. you can find Chamomile at walmart, gnc, vitamin world, etc. they probley even sell them at cvs and eckerds. i hope this helps

[Lori G]

I started to have problems with anxiety when I went back on it this time. I was having nightmares and just wanted to cry all the time. I did a little looking around the web and you might want to try a B vitamin supplement. Met can cause absorption of B vitamins. I started taking it and I feel like a new woman!!! No more nightmares and I can relax in the evening without crying for no reason or anxiety attacks!

[daniesha f]

Thanks for the info. Heard a lot about metformin and how it depletes the absorbtion of vitamin B. Going to add B6 and 12 to my vitamins and see how it works out. My doctor prescribed me a mild sedative to take when I start to feel that anxiety stuff coming, but I REALLY don't want to start taking that stuff and become dependent on it. Definitely will try the chamomile tea at night. I know I need something to work quick, because lack of sleep adds to problems with my weight as well as blood sugar levels rising.