Gestational diabetes and metformin

[YukoandHiro]

It's my second GD pregnancy. First time I was diagnosed late (33 weeks) and found it easy to diet control.
This time I've been diagnosed and diet controlled since 18 weeks and now I'm 33 weeks... and my readings have started creeping up this week. I'm going to call the team tomorrow but I'm really scared about starting meds. I hate taking any meds, I always get side effects. Metformin (I think the drug they use first) is apparently really bad for stomach issues and I had hypermesis til 20 weeks this time. I'm so fed up.
Has anyone been on metformin and found it helpful and not too bad?

Anyone?

Hi - I had the same fear! I actually put off going on Metformin because I was so worried about being sick on it! I was actually fine - perhaps attributed to looser stools but it really wasn't as bad as I thought and I didn't feel sick at all.

I'm now I'm metformin twice a day and 16 units of insulin. A bit different from my diet controlled first pregnancy!

I was on metaformin. I didn't get any kind of sickness in my pregnancy though. I was constipated throughout and so when told it could possibly cause diarreah I was relieved if anything. It had no impact on my stomach or guts etc, I found it a straightforward medication to take. Although there are two types, I had the slow release which I believe is better.

I skipped the metformin and went straight to insulin as I have IBS and was concerned about the gastro side effects adding on to an already dodgy digestive system! Doctor was happy to prescribe it, and I believe it works more quickly than metformin, as it can take a few days for levels of metformin to build up.

If you're not already joined up there is a great Facebook group for GD mums, Gestational Diabetes UK. Super helpful in terms of dietary advice, some trusts treat GD mums like T2 diabetics which doesn't actually control levels well. Also lots of other women going through the same things and from seeing other posts, a lot of women find the slow release metformin easier to handle in terms of nausea and diarrhoea.

Hi. I'm on metformin. I have one tablet in the morning and two at night. I did have loose motions for first few days but that's it. It's bought mine under control and I'm now 37+3 and shouldn't need insulin. I don't have any stomach issues now apart from chronic indigestion but that's because my boy is going to be another big lad and there isn't much room left..

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. Haven't heard from my team yet but they are looking at my readings today. Only a few are over target so will see what they say. I know I'm in the hardest weeks now.
I have struggled with constipation with this pregnancy so actually looser bowels wouldn't be the worst thing. It's nausea and vomiting that I've been worried about, so good to hear others haven't necessarily had that.
Yes, I'm in the FB group. No way I would have stayed diet controlled for so long without it - it's amazing. It's just lots of people on there seem to really struggle on metformin!