I stuck to it for a month. I could never get to the recommended dosage because the diarrhea never stopped. I finally stopped talking it and now control my blood sugar through a lower carb/paleo diet. I rotate between the two. Like pale when I have carbs it is vegetables. I have been slipping into fake food lately via sugarless gum. It is my newest weakness.

I experienced mild side effects the first time I tried metformin. I don't remember my specific dose, but it was the traditional form that you take multiple times a day. Currently, I am tolerating the "extended release" version without any problems. Around New Years, my doctor started me at just 500mg to take once daily, and she plans to order new labs in a few months to monitor the dosage.

I can't tell you any of my PCOS symptoms are improved. (Acne and irregular/absent periods are my worst problems - besides all the extra weight, which probably can't be 100% attributed to PCOS.) Honestly, I haven't noticed a difference in how I feel since re-starting metformin, but at least there haven't been any negative side effects.

Anyway, if you want/need to try metformin again, you might want to ask for the "extended release" version. It seems to be a lot more tolerable on the GI system. Good luck!

Okay... so my doctor made me take MF gradually (adding a pill every couple of weeks or so) until I got to the recommended dosage first. By taking the regular kind, I dropped 20 pounds in only a few months. I honestly believe it was because it made me sick all the time. I then started to lose my hair which scared me. So when I talked to my doc about it, he switched me to the extended release (ER) form. I still get sick to my stomach when I have a lot of sugar, and I have to avoid non-zero sodas, but it is a lot better now.

I dont know if my symptoms have improved any but I have been able to maintain my same weight for 3 years now without having to work much on it (which is a huge blessing). Now I am actively trying to lose more weight, so we'll see how it goes.

My recommendation: stick with it for a little bit if you can stand it. Avoid sodas and watch what you eat more. And ask if you can switch to the ER version.

Hope this helps!

I'm on it not only for pcos but also for diabetes. I've found that if I take it right when I'm eating that it doesn't upset my stomach as much. Or if you forget, take it with some pretzels. Also, increase your fiber. I tried adding more fiber by taking metamucil and it actually does help with the diarrhea. Anyways, it like helps slow it down.

I took it for almost a year, and the only side effects I had were that my blood sugar would go too low to where I was hypoglycemic. I decided to go off it and try just a low carb diet and working out 6 days a week to see if I can lose weight and restore my periods without constantly bottoming out my blood sugar. (I was only on 500 mg per day for ovulation, not diabetes). I also never experienced any digestive side effects, but maybe that is because I take it at night with my dinner, which is almost always protein and low GI carbs.

Metformin is not for everyone. Keeping that in mind most side effects last around 3wks. As with any drug your body has to adjust to these changes. I take it for diabetes and PCOS and truly it has helped a lot. But saying this I have went off of the drug for a few months at a time due to "bathroom issues" everyone once in awhile I will switch for about 3months to actos or glyburide and it seems to help. I agree with the others ER is the way to go; it really truly cuts down on the adverse effects. I wish you tons of luck and my best advice is to ask your doctor his/her opinon as no one but you and your doctor know your history.
good luck and God bless~