Nauseas after four weeks on Metformin

GrokRockStar · May 2014

I've been taking Met (1000mg 1 x daily) for a few weeks now and was fine. I've heard that the symptoms are usually in the first week, but I hadn't experienced any symptoms. Now four weeks in, I feel light-headed and nauseas.

Has anyone else had this experience, or have suggestions in getting through it?

Thanks, Felicia

GlucernaBrand · May 2014

You're right that usually people have symptoms soon after starting Metformin, and those symptoms usually go away after a week or two. This is a good question to ask your doctor and get her input. Perhaps you've changed your eating habits and exercise, and you're losing weight and that's playing a role in how you're feeling. Are you testing your blood sugar levels, and have you noticed any changes? ~Lynn /Glucerna

GrokRockStar · May 2014

You're right that usually people have symptoms soon after starting Metformin, and those symptoms usually go away after a week or two. This is a good question to ask your doctor and get her input. Perhaps you've changed your eating habits and exercise, and you're losing weight and that's playing a role in how you're feeling. Are you testing your blood sugar levels, and have you noticed any changes? ~Lynn /Glucerna

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I test fasting and mid-day and I am significantly lower. I went from 260 fasting, and now I'm at 130. I also lowered the carbs to about 70g carbs per day. Perhaps that is why? I have a doctors appointment next week and will bring it up.

gaelicstorm26 · May 2014

I've had a similar experience. I felt fine for my first three weeks and now I go through long periods of time where I can't eat or I will experience severe (very severe, like that I feel I might have to go to the hospital) stomach/intestinal pain followed by very frequent and intense bowel movements. I've had little/no appetite lately. For example, from the time I woke this morning (7:30 am) until 4:30 pm I had a cup of coffee with creamer and a light Greek yogurt. I have an appointment in two weeks and I'm going to ask. I hope this all evens out!

Lizzym911 · May 2014

When I started it took a couple weeks then I started getting stomach cramping ans nausea after my meals when I took my metformin it lasted a few months then went away .

Gentyl · May 2014

I went through the same thing on Metformin. After a few weeks I started to have terrible gastrointestinal issues. This is a Common side effect of Metformin. What usually helps is to switch to Metformin XR. It's time-released and sooo much kinder on the stomach. Ask your doctor to switch you to the extended release version.

GrokRockStar · May 2014

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I will have a conversation with my doctor about this. It seems when I eat a little higher carbs, the nausea goes away, but then my readings are obviously higher. It sounds like this could potentially last a while, but hopefully, I'll have some relief soon.