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Metformin side effects and how to cope

L

Laneygreen

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I am on Metformin and Linagliptin but am getting awful side effects has anyone got any tips
 
Had the well known side effect off Metformin in end asked to come off it, as the insulins were working better.
cut down form 4 to 2 a day then 1 now I just dont use it no bother
 
Laneygreen said:
I am on Metformin and Linagliptin but am getting awful side effects has anyone got any tips
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I had a dreadful reaction to Metformin and it got so bad I stopped taking it - it was Christmas, and at the first retest after diagnosis I was no longer in the diabetes range so just stuck to low carbs.
Prescribing Metformin is the kneejerk reaction to type 2, but if you are suffering then maybe argue for time to see if you can cope without it.
 
I was getting the diarrhoea side effect that’s now subsided but still there sometimes I am now getting bloatedness which is unbearable which then leads to anxiety and breathlessness
My diabetic nurse has said to bear with it but it’s getting so bad
I have been on them around 18 months I am on 2 twice a day so maximum dose
 
I assume you take it with meals?

I would talk to your nurse again and tell her the side effects are too much. Maybe you could ask about trying a lower dose, or an alternative medication.

I couldn’t tolerate Metformin, and eventually had to stop taking it.
 
I took Metformin for 4 or 5 years after diagnosis, and then switched to another medication for reasons other than side effects as I tolerated it very well. Due to shortage of my new med I then had to switch back to Metformin and this second time I got bad bloating and stomach pains, so switched to Rybelsus which I’ve been on ever since. I tell my tale as you can’t go on suffering like this, you need to insist on a review until you find something suitable. I have no experience of Linagliptin so don’t know if you are getting side effects from that.
 
Thank you everyone I will try talking to my nurse again about it or maybe the GP it’s been happening for around 6 months now it never really goes away and it’s really getting me down
 
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My Hba1c is 51 and I occasionally take my blood sugar which does vary around 7 I bought my own as it’s not recommended in our area
 
Laneygreen said:
My Hba1c is 51 and I occasionally take my blood sugar which does vary around 7 I bought my own as it’s not recommended in our area
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ask your nurse or Dr to come off metformin there are other things you can use. Yell them why and how it is getting you down. I was so bd with it I had to plan any journey around where there were toilets
 
I personally haven't had the common side effects, but a good friend of mine did and despite asking to change meds several times their GP practice was resistant. In the end they had to insist on a change and bluntly (but politely) informed the prescriber that they would simply not be taking the metformin and they needed to find an alternative
 
A medication review would be what I would be requesting from surgery, or pharmacist.
Not just for the Metformin, but also for any other meds. Bear in mind that some diabetes meds can make you prone to hypos, so need to take extra care to check blood glucose levels particularly if you are going to drive.
 
I have made an appointment to see diabetic nurse and going to say please help my life is suffering now and my family. I think trying it for nearly 2 years is long enough and want my life back and to start living with diabetes and not the side efffects of medication
Thank you all for your advice it has made be brave enough to challenge
 
Laneygreen said:
I have made an appointment to see diabetic nurse and going to say please help my life is suffering now and my family. I think trying it for nearly 2 years is long enough and want my life back and to start living with diabetes and not the side efffects of medication
Thank you all for your advice it has made be brave enough to challenge
Click to expand...
Let us know how it goes, @Laneygreen .
 
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