| Sandmcd,
In relation to the Met, I'm on the same dose as you are, and I can relate to what I call the explosive bowel syndrome (EBS) but it only happens to me if (A) I take met before eating (B) Eat greasy foods (C) Eat a large meal, at which time the world falls out of my bottom (sorry for being crude). That said, I have not had any nausea and only had the EBS about 3 times in last 15 weeks. I'd recommend you always eat first, now I tend to eat a meal and then wait 30 minutes before taking the Met.
In relation to testing, I agree with the others, you have to have a meter in order to know how foods work for you and how your BG levels are doing. For me the meter is THE most important tool, without it you are shooting blind and relying on A1c tests, which will mean it will be hard to improve your A1c results. I'd strongly recommend getting a meter, the manufacturers often just give them away and then you have to get strips. But I feel it is essential to have one to be able to control your BG.
__________________ 
" This above all,--to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
William Shakespeare
Diagnosed Type II on 26th November 2007
Metformin 500mg twice daily
Enap 5mg
Initial A1c (14th Dec07): 11.6%
15th Jan'08: 9% 
3rd March'08 6.8% 
6th June'08 6.1% | 
