Metformin side effects

[Songbird9]

Hello,

Had an appointment with my fertility consultant today and have been put on Metformin to help with my PCO and weight loss whilst I try and get my BMI down. Have just taken my first tablet and have had a sudden wave of terror of possible side effects. Would love to hear from others who have taken this.

Thanks xx

[E_05]

I’ve been taking it for 4 months now and was warned that it may cause diarrhoea, I occasionally get an upset stomach but that’s nothing unusual for me so I wouldn’t say I have any side affects tbh xx

[Songbird9 in reply to E_05]

Thank you. I started imagining symptoms but seem ok. Will wait to see what the next week brings x

[E_05 in reply to Songbird9]

I think that’s natural when you first start new tablets. Everyone told me how awful the diarrhoea would be and I kept thinking when will it start then lol long as you increase the dose slowly you should be okay, what dose are you on? Xx

[Songbird9 in reply to E_05]

I'm on a 1000 dose in the evenings only. No mention about any increase at all just that I will be taking these until I basically give birth - a comment which scared me enough! Maybe it's because he said I only have moderate pco but struggling to lose the weight? Xx

[E_05 in reply to Songbird9]

Try not to worry, my consultant said I’d take them until then as well as pregnancy can affect your insulin levels which isn’t good if you suffer from PCOS xx

[Songbird9 in reply to E_05]

Thanks that's reassuring xx

[saraht23]

Hi,

I’m a pharmacist so see this drug used day in day out, mainly for diabetes, but also for people like yourself with PCOS.

Usually side effects occur mainly when you first start taking it, or following dose increases. Once your body has got used to it the side effects will subside, most people experience some degree of upset stomach or flatulence within the first few days but this usually subsides within a week. If you experience these but it’s bearable, try to stick with it as chances are it will improve quickly. And make sure you drink plenty of water too to stay well hydrated.

Hope this helps x

[Songbird9 in reply to saraht23]

Thank you Sarah. I've been put on a dose of 1000 daily. Most of what I have read people have been put on increasing doses but the consultant told me to just take that 1 tablet daily basically until I give birth - if I'm lucky enough to get there. I hope that's also normal now?

[Songbird9 in reply to saraht23]

Thanks for the tip about water as I'm really bad at drinking enough x

[Hidden]

I was on this and I never had any side effects but I know you can get upset stomach but I was told it wouldn’t last long if I got it and to stick with it if it happened x

[Tbop]

I’ve been on it for about 3 years for the same thing- to help regulate my cycles and reduce symptoms of PCOS. I’ve never had any side effects but I can say it worked really well for me. My only issue is that the tablets are huge! I have to take one twice a day... I’m not very good at doing it at the moment as I feel like they stick in my throat and give me nausea

Good luck with it and all the best for your journey x

[Songbird9]

Thank you hun, all the best to you too xx

[Bonita928]

I have PCOS and been on metformin for years. My consultant doubled my dose for ivf from 500mg twice a day to 1000mg.

I found the side effects worse when I ate too much sugar so just keep an eye on it.

I’ve been through ivf now 6 weeks pregnant and been told I can reduce and come off it over the coming weeks.

Good luck xx

[Songbird9]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Thank you I'll bear that in mind. My consultant said I would still have to take it throughout pregnancy but that could change if and when I guess xx

[ickleone]

Hi. I started taking metformin last weekend and slowly increasing to 3 tablets a day to help with PCOS and weight loss. Only had minor side effects - my stomach has felt unsettled. Still waiting to see what success i have. Good luck