Feeling poorly on Metformin

[birdandbee]

I have been advised by my fertility clinic to take Metformin before I start IVF... Increasing the dose weekly from 1-2-3 tablets per day.

I'm on day 5 of taking 3 per day and feel dreadful... Can barely eat, feel nauseous, cant stand smells of things I usually love (meat, houmous) and craving things such as orange juice which I would have thought would make my stomach feel worse but it seems to help.

Will obviously speak to my clinic and take advice tomorrow but I wondered what others experiences were? If I keep taking it will the symptoms eventually settle??

[Flixy102]

I've been taking 3x500mg of metformin daily for the last few weeks now, and it's still a bit hit and miss whether it leaves me feeling nauseous or not.

What I find works for me is taking my first tablet at lunchtime, so I've had a chance to eat and drink and let my stomach settle. Then I take the second one with dinner and the last one at as I'm going to bed.

I take other medication too and am finding it really hard to take both without sickening myself so some days I only take 2 metformin tablets. I am loosing weight on them though so that's a bonus!

[birdandbee]

Thank you for replying so speedily. I will give not taking the 1st one until lunch time a go... Anything is worth a try!!

Saying that I actually don't feel too bad this afternoon ( only taken 1 tablet so far today though). Felt dreadful this morning..

I have been eating and drinking all afternoon... Felt better after a big roast dinner at mother in laws yesterday too... Am wonder if some of the nausea is due to not eating enough?? Hmmm

I guess it's trial an error.

Good to know I'm not the only one feeling alittle green on the Metformin

[Leopardspots]

I've been on metformin for two years now as I'm type 2 diabetic and I take 6 tablets a day!

When I first started them I was quite nauseous and (sorry tmi) had diarrhoea quite often too. However it did settle down after a couple of weeks.

I always take with food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) but sometimes feel unwell if I haven't eaten enough or if I've eaten high carb, fat or sugar (I was sick last night after a lovely meal but sometimes you just have to put up with the unpleasantness as I know the met is doing it's job). Oh and alcohol can make me feel ill too.

If you are still struggling you can ask for slow release met - I personally haven't had this.

Good luck and persevere, it will get better!