Hmm, that is a very long time to suffer the side effects. The information leaflets often say to discontinue much sooner.
Well, if your doctor was okay with it, then who are internet strangers to judge? If you had the usual non-tolerance GI problems (more frequent than in 1 in 10 patients), I can only admire the perseverance. It takes a lot of self-care from keeping close to a toilet to hydration.
My wife had this problem when she started metformin. After 2 weeks of diarrhea she tried a different approach, she purposely skipped her medication every other day for a week. The she gradually started taking it every day. The problems went away over night. Her doctor was baffled which is…funny.
I think some drugs are more easily tolerated by the body if they are gradually introduced.
I had an experience in a Home Depot, had to briskly walk to the bathroom. Like clenching a quater between your cheeks for a 100 yards. Barely made it.
Anyway, the body adjusts. After 3 or 4 months, all is good.