Starting Metformin this week...any advice?? Type 1

[LucySW]

Just persevere. It's a really good drug if your stomach/gut can tolerate it, so ALWAYS build up the dosage very slowly, and NEVER up the dose too soon. (I did once - ow ow ow.)

 

[amgrundy]

Hi I was diagnosed with Type2 in Jan this year. I am on Metformin 500mg 1 daily for first week bloated and indigestion. Second week increased to 2 daily these side effects are gone now, no runs though made me more constipated if anything, not too bad you will be fine, but yes ask for the slow release ones if you are worried.

 

[elaineglasgow]

I was on 100mg X 3 slow release of Metformin and had bowel problems and was sick quite a lot with it, After quite a period I got used to them.Then my nurse changed me to Linagliptin 1 per day I get on fine with them but I am slowly putting on weight. Should I ask to be put onto Metformin again as my weight will be controlled.

 

[RAPS_od]

I'm a T1. My doctor gave me metformin to increase my sensitivity to insulin, but it acted too well. I ended up in the hospital with an extremely low blood sugar twice. That was all it took for me to stop taking it.
Additionally, metformin can make you anemic, so be sure to check for that periodically and take iron pills if necessary.

 

[midnightvelvet]

I am starting Metformin hopefully this Friday, as my Maternity Diabetes Consultant feels I benefit from this....oh and the fact that it has been spoken about for the last 3 years.....ermm I dont know what to say but is there any tips or advice that anyone could give me???

Thanks x

Buy extra toilet paper as it can cause loose bowels and wind :O

 

[dbr10]

I am starting Metformin hopefully this Friday, as my Maternity Diabetes Consultant feels I benefit from this....oh and the fact that it has been spoken about for the last 3 years.....ermm I dont know what to say but is there any tips or advice that anyone could give me???

Thanks x

I found problems passedin 2-3 days, but not everyone is so lucky. Always eat with food.

 

[Lornylou5]

I am starting Metformin hopefully this Friday, as my Maternity Diabetes Consultant feels I benefit from this....oh and the fact that it has been spoken about for the last 3 years.....ermm I dont know what to say but is there any tips or advice that anyone could give me???

Thanks x

Hiya Metformin really messes with your bowel so be prepared.

 

[amgrundy]

I'm a T1. My doctor gave me metformin to increase my sensitivity to insulin, but it acted too well. I ended up in the hospital with an extremely low blood sugar twice. That was all it took for me to stop taking it.
Additi onally, metformin can make you anemic, so be sure to check for that periodically and take iron pills if necessary.

Hi

I'm a T1. My doctor gave me metformin to increase my sensitivity to insulin, but it acted too well. I ended up in the hospital with an extremely low blood sugar twice. That was all it took for me to stop taking it.
Additionally, metformin can make you anemic, so be sure to check for that periodically and take iron pills if necessary.

Hi I didn't know Metformin can make you anaemic, I think I will ask my doctor when I go if I should be taking some sort of iron.

 

[markemark]

I am starting Metformin hopefully this Friday, as my Maternity Diabetes Consultant feels I benefit from this....oh and the fact that it has been spoken about for the last 3 years.....ermm I dont know what to say but is there any tips or advice that anyone could give me???

Thanks x

I have been on Metformin for about 9 years now. Take with breakfast and dinner each day. Also take Glimeperide.

 

[markemark]

I

Hiya Metformin really messes with your bowel so be prepared.

have had no bowel issues and have taken Metformin for 9 years plus. U must take it with food. . . Always.!

 

[Brihaze]

I am starting Metformin hopefully this Friday, as my Maternity Diabetes Consultant feels I benefit from this....oh and the fact that it has been spoken about for the last 3 years.....ermm I dont know what to say but is there any tips or advice that anyone could give me???

Thanks x

I am confused here why you would be on metformin if you are type 1 surely you must be using insulin

 

[Mikejayuk]

x

I didn't really have any side effects worth noting but I may have been lucky. Just take Metformin while or just after eating. This will improve its effectiveness and minimise any side effects.
Metformin is eliminated from the body by the kidneys and has a half life (that means it has lost half of its effectiveness) in about 6 hours. If you eat irregularly this is useful to know so you can decide whether or not you need to take another tablet. Roughly 94% of the drug is removed from the body in 24 hours.

 

[YorkshireAli]

I am confused here why you would be on metformin if you are type 1 surely you must be using insulin

Quite a lot of T1s are prescribed Metformin in addition to insulin to help with insulin resistance.

 

[scaryanne]

Hi, I was diagnosed as T2D in late Nov and was prescribed Metformin yesterday 1 tablet per day. 1 thing I have noticed is my erratic and untimely bowel movements. Will this cease after a period of time as I see a lot of you have experienced this also? My stomach does feel a little bubbly/gassy but other than that quite normal.

 

[tonyo49]

Hi, I was diagnosed as T2D in late Nov and was prescribed Metformin yesterday 1 tablet per day. 1 thing I have noticed is my erratic and untimely bowel movements. Will this cease after a period of time as I see a lot of you have experienced this also? My stomach does feel a little bubbly/gassy but other than that quite normal.

Yes it should ease off, my experience of 10 years on 3 X 500 mg a day (recently reduced to two a day) has been really good, good control and little or no side effects

 

[kiritshah]

Also if for any reason you are de-hydrated eg because of sickness or diarrhoea whilst on holiday I would suggest to stop taking metformin tablets and re-start when you are well re-hydrated again otherwise it could affect kidney function.This is stated on the PIL but not always explained to patients.It will not affect your diabetes control.

 

[MarcoRiveira]

I am confused here why you would be on metformin if you are type 1 surely you must be using insulin

I was confused earlier too, but metformin is also supposed to increase insulin sensitivity ...

 

[MarcoRiveira]

Hi

Hi I didn't know Metformin can make you anaemic, I think I will ask my doctor when I go if I should be taking some sort of iron.

Same here, I didn't know. Checked and one article said there is no correlation between iron and metformin, but there is one with Vitamin B12, which will cause some sort of anaemia.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/328669-metformin-b12-iron/

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/719043_3