Starting metformin tonight

I am starting on 500mg (1 pill) tonight and am so nervous
The nurse told me to take it WITH dinner - Is this correct?
I will take 1 pill for a week, then increase to 2 pills (1000mg) next week, and finally to 3 pills (1500mg) on week three. She told me to take the pills at the same time - not spread them out. I thought I read that some of you spread out your pills.

Any info on how to avoid side effects would be GREATLY appreciated!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Everyone reacts so differently to the Met. I take my first pill with my breakfast in the morning, and then take my last two pills together right before bed. That's what works for me. The only time I changed when I took my last two pills was during the week I was on Clomid. I didn't like taking them together because I would get really bad headaches, so I would take my clomid at bedtime and my two met pills about an hour after dinner.

ETA: I learned the hard way about the side effects, but I found if I really watched my sugars and carbs, I was okay. If I ate something with too much sugar, carbs, or fat, I was running to the bathroom.

Message edited 1/21/2008 5:02:58 PM.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Yeah I knew I have to cut down on my sugars and carbs Of course, they are my favorite.

Do you think it matters how I take the pills? If the 2 pills/3 pills at a time upset my stomach, can I spread them out like you did? Not sure why the nurse said to take them together...

Re: Starting metformin tonight

that you'll be as lucky as I have been! If I eat something I REALLY shouldn't, I get some stomach upset, but nothing near what I was expecting.

Good luck, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ya!!!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

You can definately spread them out. The funny thing is, when I started the Met, the nurse told me I could not take them together, and then another nurse told me I could.

The only reason I take the two together is that I'm really bad about remembering to take medications, I would never remember to take it with my lunch. I'm VERY bad about it on the weekends because my schedule is so off.

Also, you will find if you watch your sugar/carb/fat intake, if you have had any weight problems in the past, the met will actually help you with weight loss...I know it did in my case. Not alot of weight, but I found that before I was diagnosed, nothing I did would help me to lose weight, I just stayed the same, didn't gain, didn't lose. Once I started the Met, the weight slowly started to come off.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

make sure you don't take them with something greasy. Or over the top carbs. I started by taking mine when I went to bed... I still take 2 before I go to bed. I take 3-4 a day, 1 or 2 in the morning and 2 at bed time. I seem to do fine with them now.
The first couple of weeks might not be that great--- but if you monitor your diet closely you should be ok.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

I take all three together and haven't had a problem. Good luck to you.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

I am on a different protocol now b/c I am not insulin resistant. But, when my old RE prescribed me Metformin, I took them all at once and in the evening. I preferred them in the evening b/c while your body is getting used to the meds, you will notice in the beginning that you will become very REGULAR!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

I was told that it helps if you take them with a big glass of milk and to stay away from salad

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Any idea why they tell you to stay away from salad? I have NO idea what I am going to eat on this medicine! I absolutely LOVE carbs!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

my only guess is that there's a lot of water in lettuce. the odds are that you'll be using the bathroom more, so that might be why.

ETA: you can still have carbs but in moderation and when you can try to have whole grains instead of whites. Ie: whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta or whole wheat bread instead of white bread.

Message edited 1/21/2008 6:45:49 PM.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Are you supposed to drink more water on metformin or less?

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Re: Starting metformin tonight

I take mine throughout the day. If I eat a lot of sugar or carbs (like today) I am running to the bathroom and reaching for the immodium. Its hard for me to stay away from those things.

I have found it to be worse for me if I take more than one pill at the same time.

I think I once read on a PCOS message board that some people have issues with salad while on met, but salad has never given me a problem.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Thanks for the input, ladies. I am so nervous to start the meds tonight and eat!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Posted by babyquestion

Thanks for the input, ladies. I am so nervous to start the meds tonight and eat!

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Just took my first pill - I am sitting here in panic mode. I know I will probably be fine, but I'm worried about feeling the effects later.

Why can't this be easier???

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Posted by babyquestion

Just took my first pill - I am sitting here in panic mode. I know I will probably be fine, but I'm worried about feeling the effects later.

Why can't this be easier???

Re: Starting metformin tonight

how are you doing so far????

Re: Starting metformin tonight

Re: Starting metformin tonight

So far, so good. But I only took one pill I am slightly nauseous this morning, but that could be because I'm hungry and need to eat. Now I'm afraid to eat

Re: Starting metformin tonight

definately eat something! I found that if I didn't eat, I felt worse. As soon as I ate something, I would start to feel better. My guess is that it had something to do with my blood sugar.

Re: Starting metformin tonight

I just ate something - and so far, so good. When do the side effects usually hit you (IF they affect you)?