How long does it take to recover from Metformin Fatigue

@leigha67 welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. All meds have side effects and Metformin is no different. A lot of people have some trouble adjusting to Metformin at first. It is usually gastrointestinal problems. I’ve not heard of back pain and fatigue being associated with Metformin. It is good that you are looking into an appointment with your doctor. Is that the doctor who prescribed the Metformin in the first place? Perhaps your doctor can adjust the dose or prescribe an alternative medication that will be better suited to you.

Hi Cheryl,

I hadn't heard of it either until I read the 'if these symptoms arise, stop taking immediately' information on the metformin website. I called my regular doctor for an appointment, so I'm looking forward to meeting with them.

Yes, I noticed fatigue when first started taking metformin years ago. I started with the lowest dose and built up to taking 4 extended -release 500mg pills per day over a period of about a year. Stuck with it because I felt I needed it, but it never did as much for me as daily exercise.
I just "pushed through" it, and probably noticed it less as time went by. Tried to stay active and not "give in" to the fatigue. T2 27 years.

I started with the regular (non-timed release) and experienced horrible nausea and inability to keep anything down. After about a month, I was switched over to the timed-release Metformin 500 mg per day. That didn't go much better and the fatigue was horrible. I gave up on both Metformin and the statin I had been taking, as I wasn't going to take anything that made me feel like I was 110 years old. Without them I was able to increase my exercise routine and retake control of my life. My PCP never agreed, but she didn't have to live in my body.

You do need to be your own advocate, be detailed and as accurate as you can be when describing issues to your physician. Metformin regular helped me somewhat, but the XR version was like taking nothing at all. In the early days I also had an allergic reaction to one manufacturer so it does vary depending on which phama made it. Track everything and keep good records - I learned that the hard way.

Thank you for sharing that! I may try the xr. 🙂

Hi! I was on Metformin for 5 days and developed a horrible burning itchy rash. (SDRIFE) I was told to stop and then restart after a week to see if it was Metformin. I restarted for two days and stopped once the rash started to reappear in other places. Although its been two weeks since first dosage, my rash is healing but the fatigue is horrible. I would feel fatigue and out of it each time I started Metformin. Im pushing thru my workouts because I know they will help with this but this fatigue is so unusual for me. I wake up feeling like I could sleep all day. Has your fatigue resolved?

Hi Leigha! Just saw your post, wonder how things worked out.

I've been taking metformin for several years now and it works for me pretty well with minimal problems. I mostly control things by diet and exercise, with the metformin my blood glucose number and A1C generally stay under even pre-diabetes! Unless I cheat ... too much ...

When I saw your post my first question is what your blood glucose numbers were. Metformin helps but it doesn't fix everything and what can make you feel fatigued can be blood glucose numbers that are really high.

Best wishes.

Hello and thanks. I had to go off it. It was making me sick. I take Berberine instead now. Thank you for asking!

Yes. I went off Metformin and started taking Berberine instead. I feel much better. Hope your rash went away!!