When someone is at first put on Metformin they are usually 'weaned' onto the medication, starting initially with a lower dosage and if they don't experiance any 'side effects' then the dosage is increased.
Metformin is a first choice in diabetic medications for type2 diabetes control, but that said it doesn't always agree with everyone and there are many possile side effects.
I myself experienced most of them, and a few more besides, but over time I gradually became accustomed to taking Metformin, which I still do.
As I have said, not everyone can get used to Metformin in it's standard form, and as an alternative there is (Slow Release Metformin - SR) which if that prooves to be needed is also available as an alternative, as is many alternatives to Metformin.
If you search this site you will find countless postings by people taking Metformin for the first time. many without any problems..