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Nobody told me Metformin causes explosive Diarrhea

N

NoMoreBeerAnymore

Well-Known Member
Messages
70
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?
 
Something to talk over with your dr, you shouldn’t have to suffer. A couple of things to note immediately though, do you take your Metformin with a meal? That would make it less likely to upset your stomach or you could ask for the slow release version.
 
Hi NoMoreBeerAnymore
Metformin doesn't affect everybody that way, and for those where it does, sometimes the effect i only for a week or 2.
However, there are only 3 ways I know of to reduce this effect in those who get it. Only 2 if you exclude ditching it in favour of an alternative drug.
!. Take it with/just after meals
2. Ask the GP for an slow/extended Release version.
 
Oh dear @NoMoreBeerAnymore I could not live with the consequences of Metformin - I had to turn around and come home several times, luckily the worst 'incidents' were all at home but it was a close thing more than once.
We are unfortunate in that many find they can take Metformin and be fine.
I decided to stop taking the tablets even though I had taken delivery of a professional level carpet cleaner a few days earlier - I was taking Atorvastatin as well and the combination was making life not worth living.
I kept my carb intake to no more than 50gm a day and at the next test was no longer diabetic, so I have refused medication for diabetes ever since.
I could not get my HbA1c down into the 30s, even reducing carbs to under 40 gm, but it doesn't seem to be a problem for me or the HCPs, and I am perfectly happy with the steaks and strawberries regime I am on at the moment.
 
Resurgam said:
Oh dear @NoMoreBeerAnymore I could not live with the consequences of Metformin - I had to turn around and come home several times, luckily the worst 'incidents' were all at home but it was a close thing more than once.
We are unfortunate in that many find they can take Metformin and be fine.
I decided to stop taking the tablets even though I had taken delivery of a professional level carpet cleaner a few days earlier - I was taking Atorvastatin as well and the combination was making life not worth living.
I kept my carb intake to no more than 50gm a day and at the next test was no longer diabetic, so I have refused medication for diabetes ever since.
I could not get my HbA1c down into the 30s, even reducing carbs to under 40 gm, but it doesn't seem to be a problem for me or the HCPs, and I am perfectly happy with the steaks and strawberries regime I am on at the moment.
Click to expand...
Ah..... I am taking Atorvastatin as well. This could be it. I think my cholesterol can cope for a week. I shall try an experiment.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Meanwhile I am going to take spare clothes to work & some fabreze
 
ianf0ster said:
Hi NoMoreBeerAnymore
Metformin doesn't affect everybody that way, and for those where it does, sometimes the effect i only for a week or 2.
However, there are only 3 ways I know of to reduce this effect in those who get it. Only 2 if you exclude ditching it in favour of an alternative drug.
!. Take it with/just after meals
2. Ask the GP for an slow/extended Release version.
Click to expand...
Yes I know. It didn't bother me all when I started. I do take it mid-meal, and if it doesn't stop happening I am going to my doc for some different ones. The last time I went I came back with a carrier bag of the stuff to last me until August, so I would not go back and annoy them again meanwhile.
 
Sometimes it's not the metformin, but the brand that's the problem, as they will use different 'fillers'. Can you remember if the ones you're using now are different to the ones you were first on?
 
In my book Metformin is the work of the Devil! It never agreed with my stomach. A friend of mine takes it with no problems at all. I am convinced that different brands have different composition as some were less bad than others but I could never get the same brand every time.
 
Hopeful34 said:
Sometimes it's not the metformin, but the brand that's the problem, as they will use different 'fillers'. Can you remember if the ones you're using now are different to the ones you were first on?
Click to expand...
Same ones all the way through, they did change my statin a few months ago. I am exploring this avenue.
 
Mods have noticed that there is some discussion in thread regarding stopping prescribed meds. Whilst we understand that some people have difficulties with some medications we would advise that although individuals have a choice whether or not they choose to accept medical advice on what their HCP wants to prescribe, our members should not be suggesting that others should cease prescribed medication. This is specifically mentioned in forum rules, to which we all agreed to on joining the forum. See rule A11.

Community Ethos & Forum Rules

Welcome to the Diabetes.co.uk Forum - the world's largest diabetes community. This is a compassionate, inclusive environment and below are the Forum Ethos and Rules. Please take a few minutes to have a read! Forum Mission Statement/Objective The Diabetes Forum helps people improve their...
www.diabetes.co.uk www.diabetes.co.uk
 
NoMoreBeerAnymore said:
Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?
Click to expand...
Hi,

This might sound like an odd question. No judgment on the answer.

Do you still drink the odd beer? (Or ale.)
Just exploring another possible culprit. I’ve covered for a few colleagues in my time.. ;)
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

This might sound like an odd question. No judgment on the answer.

Do you still drink the odd beer? (Or ale.)
Just exploring another possible culprit. I’ve covered for a few colleagues in my time.. ;)
Click to expand...
Rarely, last time was crimbo. Realise beer and ale include 0% alcoloh. Yes I had one a few weeks ago. Not bad. Could be contributory factor.
 
Last edited:
Pipp said:
Mods have noticed that there is some discussion in thread regarding stopping prescribed meds. Whilst we understand that some people have difficulties with some medications we would advise that although individuals have a choice whether or not they choose to accept medical advice on what their HCP wants to prescribe, our members should not be suggesting that others should cease prescribed medication. This is specifically mentioned in forum rules, to which we all agreed to on joining the forum. See rule A11.

Community Ethos & Forum Rules

Welcome to the Diabetes.co.uk Forum - the world's largest diabetes community. This is a compassionate, inclusive environment and below are the Forum Ethos and Rules. Please take a few minutes to have a read! Forum Mission Statement/Objective The Diabetes Forum helps people improve their...
www.diabetes.co.uk www.diabetes.co.uk
Click to expand...
I will ask my GP if I can stop taking my Atorvastatin for a couple of days to see if this evil stops. I will also not drink 0% beer because it is still beer.
 
NoMoreBeerAnymore said:
I will ask my GP if I can stop taking my Atorvastatin for a couple of days to see if this evil stops
Click to expand...
It’s my understanding from my endo, (T1 consultant.) that there are 5 different statins prescribed on the NHS?
I empathise that quality of life should not be compromised.
I recommend professional consultation exploring all avenues..

Best wishes.
 
There are other meds that you can be given in place of statins should you find that’s the problem. I’m officially allergic to statins because my liver goes haywire on them, I’m on a drug called ezetimibe which works differently on cholesterol, it’s only works slightly on its own and it can be taken alongside statins which is how its usually prescribed. I’ve had no problems with being in this at all

www.nhs.uk

About ezetimibe

NHS medicines information on ezetimibe – what it's used for and key facts.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk
 
lovinglife said:
There are other meds that you can be given in place of statins should you find that’s the problem. I’m officially allergic to statins because my liver goes haywire on them, I’m on a drug called ezetimibe which works differently on cholesterol, it’s only works slightly on its own and it can be taken alongside statins which is how its usually prescribed. I’ve had no problems with being in this at all

www.nhs.uk

About ezetimibe

NHS medicines information on ezetimibe – what it's used for and key facts.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk
Click to expand...
I'm not allergic to them. I just need my life back, or some bicycle clips.
 
lovinglife said:
Sorry @NoMoreBeerAnymore, Wasn’t assuming you were- I was just pointing out that there alternatives if you don’t want to or find you can’t take statins for any reason, no offence meant
Click to expand...
None taken at all. It is a good suggestion and have made a note of that one as it might be something to try.
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

This might sound like an odd question. No judgment on the answer.

Do you still drink the odd beer? (Or ale.)
Just exploring another possible culprit. I’ve covered for a few colleagues in my time.. ;)
Click to expand...

Beer causing explosive diarrhea? Hmmm. Pubs and pub toilets, and general drinking beer practices would look very different if that was the case!

But anti-diabetes drugs, on the other hand, nearly always have what is nicely called gastro intestinal side effects listed as a possibility..... hmmmm... is it the beer? Or the meds? Hmmmmm......
 
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