Metformin - any experience with this?

[Emmiedarling]

I have been given this medication today to help with my gestational diabetes.

Anyone using it? Any good experiences/bad/side affects I should be aware of?

Thank you!

One word - constipation!

I know people who have been taking it for years for type 2 diabetes without problems though.

My best friend who has type 1 diabetes takes it. I know she had to build up to taking it 3 times a day, gradualy increasing the dose as it gives her the runs very badly. I don't know if thats a common side-effect though or if she is just unlucky.

Ha wierd x-post!! maybe it's just my unlucky friend then?!

I have been taking it for some years for PCOS. I found the ordinary version (three times a day) gave me frequent stomach upsets, but switching to the slow-release version (Glucophage SR) helped sort that out.

I needed the slow release stuff too as the normal
One gave me an upset.stomach - not ideal with SPD to contend with too!!

I had extreme runs for a week and then it settled down and I've been absolutely fine ever since (for the last 9 weeks). Blood sugar levels are great. Advise staying near the loo week 1 if you can, it was unpleasant.

I took this from about 26 weeks in my last pregnancy - never experienced any side effects! Did start off just taking one with each meal, then increasing it as needed so don't know if this helped? Guess it affects people differently though.