I take metformin 500 1x per day.  I had stomach problems at first but noticed that if I eat right after taking it there seems to be no problems.  I have two co-workers that take it and they both have trouble no matter what they do.  I think it also matters WHAT you eat.  I have been eating a healthier diet and seem to have less problem.  But if I "cheat" and have fast food my stomach reacts negatively :-(

Loratadine is Claritin - not sure how that would help with being nauseaus, but if it works - cool.

 

I'm on metformin 500 mg 2x a day. It does say to take with food; I found that if you don't at the very least it doesn't help with BG as much as it should. The first week I was on it I had pretty sever diarhea - but once I got my eating habits under control; I haven't had a single problem at all. It is important though to not think that the medicine will cure all with no dietary changes; you still have to limit carbs and junk food, and not exchange the carbs for overly fatty substitutes. I hate sounding like a pompous nutrition freak - but in spite of my resistance to all the health nuts out there - it does help control BG

 

Laura

 

I've been taking metformin for about 7years now  I ran out the other day so I had to wait about six days/ten days( I get my meds though theV.A.) My body felt better( im going ask my doctor about it)

I was on Metformin for 3 yrs. I needed to take it with a meal as part of the meal. I could not tolerate any more than 500 mg at a time and no more than 3 x a day. I was put on glyburide to assist in lowering the BS, then taken off both and now use insulin. I have eaten yogurt daily as a main staple for years. My daughter noticed the improvement in my colour, energy and mood control almost immediately when switched to insulin. I noticed, much to my relief, better blood sugar control, better food digestion, less stomach cramps and less diarrha. I guess that would improve anyone's mood :-).

I was on metformin for a year and at first it gave me strange stomach cramps and I had a couple of incidents when I couldn't eat in traffic, and although I had some quick recovery glucose, I needed some food and almost passed out.  After a few weeks the stomach cramps mostly subsided.  I also learned to keep a package of peanut butter crackers and some dried fruit in my car.

 

Metformin helped, but after a little over a year, it seemed to stop being effective.  I tried a couple of other meds, but ended up on diet and exercise.  It's rough, and I'm not always effective.