Why is metformin causing symptoms of hypoglycemia?!

[jaydennn_327]

I've been taking metformin for about a year now (not for diabetes, for pcos) and almost everyday I've felt sick. I get a headache and cant stand up, then when i lay down my heart beats out of my chest. It doesn't end until i "sweat it out" like a fever. It's pure misery for 10 minutes to even an hour.

I read up on Metformin and saw some stuff about hypoglycemia. My question is, is it causing the hypoglycemia? or if i have it, was it pre-existing?

What should i do to prevent it, i always eat something with the pills and i've started carrying sugar tablets/squirt frosting in my purse for when it happens in public. It works pretty well, but how can i stop it from happening all together?
I'm 17, no other health problems besides PCOS. I'm slightly overweight (20-25 pounds).
**my doctors haven't been much help.
they said the only option was to go off it all together, but its worked so well i really want to keep that as a last option.

[tinmuning]

Hypoglycemia is one of the side effects of metformin. It can happen if you're taking other drugs (aside from metformin) that also lowers your blood sugar or if your taking a dose higher than you should have.

It can also happen is you have diabetes, unknowingly---but I am assuming that you were in a clean bill of health prior to metformin therapy.

If your doctors seem not to be of any help, you have the option to seek another doctor's opinion. Meanwhile, while you're on metformin, make sure that you take your meds on schedule, preferably with meals & keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar.