oh I feel your pain. The doctor that originally put me on meds said "you have to take it around the same time with food and just gut it out". Obviously pun was intended. It did get better for me, it's not constant. Occasionally it will return but I haven't really figured out any reasoning behind it. May not be too helpful but know your not alone.

Since starting on it, it has made me lactose intolerant, which apparently is normal. I used to get the worst stomach pain and diarrhea, but since cutting out all dairy products I have been fine. Even large amounts of lactose free milk gives me the same effect, so i limit myself to a small glass occasionally, otherwise I avoid it at all costs. Might be worth noting what foods make it worse for you and eliminating different types of food to judge what effects it.

I am on 1000 mg a day, 500 mg in AM and 500 mg in PM. When I started taking it I slowly increased. I started with 250mg in AM and 250mg in PM. That was week one. Week two I did 500mg in AM and 250mg in PM. Week three I did the full dose - 500 mg in AM and 500 mg in PM. That really helped a lot.

I started taking Metformin almost 5 years ago and for 5 years I've been sick. That is to say GI distress followed by diarrhea. It's awful. I started at 500mg a day and then progressed to 750mg twice a day for a total of 1500. I was getting so sick.

The only function of the Metformin, truly as I understand it, is to keep our insulin in check. We, unlike diabetics, produced too much and in conjunction have normal to low blood sugar levels. In keeping our insulin in check the Metformin is keeping our Pancreas from burning out on us or early onset diabetes. At least this was how it was explained to me by my specialist.

I finally decided to give myself, really my GI a break. I've been off metformin now for 4 weeks. My GI feels normal again. I also have been really consciously eating healthier. I've been sticking pretty close to the Autoimmune Protocol, cutting out carbs, sugars, most dairy, soy and so many others. I've joined a gym and started working out. And after 4 weeks I feel stronger, I know I've built muscle, built in 4 weeks I've gained 4 pounds. I can only assume that is because I am not taking anything to keep my insulin levels in check. So, experiment over, I am going back on daily doses of Metformin hoping that will help with the weight loss. I of course will titrate up to a dose, but my GI isn't looking forward to it. I feel your pain but I see no other choice. I have to get the weight off.

When I was on Metformin (off and on for about seven years), I avoided salad at all costs. If I ate salad, I would literally become a salad shooter within 45 minutes! I also had the same reaction to Chinese food. I also noticed that the intestinal issues were way worse in the summer. The heat made me really sick. The diarrhea was so bad, I called it "liquid fire." I eventually stopped taking it because the side effects were so terrible and urgent it was effecting me at work and my social life. For me, the negative outweighed the benefits and I will never take it again.

i have been on 1000mg of metformin past 4 months(not so long), but my side effects where worse the first month but later they subsided but gradually occurred if i had carb rich food...

I second the Metformin ER - it makes the side effects more tolerable!!!

Well if this is a side effect maybe that is what I've been experiencing and figured was fructose going right through me. I wanna get off of it. I am not diagnosed PCOS because no Dr. has ever done real testing. I'm on metformin because my A1C was a little elevated into pre-diabetic range. They didn't come down with 500mg at night so my NP increased it to twice a day but then when the pharmacy called to refill they sent it to my old pharmacy at the old dosage. Drama!!! I more believe it based on the occasional month of serve ovulation pains. Its not every month but alternates at times. Well that is when I have my period every month. lol I don't mind not having it but the really bad one 3-4 months later gets on my nerves.

I did notice when I ran out because of this pharmacy screw up and me not getting out to pick up on time that 2 days without I wasn't running to bathroom with intestinal cramping. Its not like diarrhea because its not that frequent but the intestinal cramping is horrid.

I'm on the extended release and I'm still having the explosions. I took 500 mg daily the first week, now I'm on 1000 mg daily, next week I go up to 1500 mg daily.

Which foods trigger the explosions for everyone?

I just reread your post and saw you were a new metformin user. It will take a few weeks for your body to adjust to the medicine. It does get better in time, I promise! I've been in it 5 years and as long as I avoid my trigger foods (found over lots of trial and error unfortunately) I feel pretty good and my sugars stay more leveled out.

You will have to experiment to see what foods affect you. Everyone is different.