Metformin side effect relief

Hi, I have been started on met for PCOS, 1000mg per day. After each tablet so far I’ve had horrible upper stomach cramping, the craps and feel sick for hours after (took 500mg at 1pm and still feel dodgy now). Each tablet I have taken with food, which has so far been pretty protein heavy stuff (chicken etc). I do have the normal version and unfortunately I won’t be able to get the ER version, atleast not within this year now. So I need to try and make do with what I’ve got. Couple of questions - best relief for the stomach pains and nausea? Seen Imodium mentioned a few times but I don’t have diarrhea, well not to bad anyway. It’s the cramps and nausea that are doing me in. Can I take the full 1000mg immediately before I knock myself out with a sleeping tablet each night to avoid the hell? Or with it being instant relief does it have to be taken only with meals or otherwise will not work or do anything? Thanks