| I've been on metformin 500 mg 2 times a day since being diagnosed 8/31/06. Have had no problems with it. It, along with diet and exercise, has brought my a1c from 9.6 at diagnosis to 6.2 3 months later, and i've lost 40 lbs.
I know many people who are on metformin, none who have had much problem with it (the main problem being diarrhea when they eat something they shouldn't).
I think the XR metformin (extended release) is supposed to limit the gastric side effects, and you only take it once a day. I've done fine with the twice a day dosage myself. | 
