Am I having side effects of metformin?

[Ali H]

A reduction of meds with readings between 9 and 15?? Surely not, those readings are really not good, you might want to get in front of a GP and try to figure out how to reduce those figures. I am shocked and amazed at the advice being given by healthcare professionals and the total lack of ignorance when it comes to recommending starchy carbs morning, noon and night to diabetics. Really really poor after all the recent information that has come to light about the damage being caused by high carb diets.

Ali

 

[Jjack]

Thanks everyone, the response to my question has been great. Giving me a lot to think about. I never realised there was this kind of support out there. I Really do have a lot to learn, getting my head out of the denial bin is going to be difficult but important. Since I asked my question i stopped the medication and have felt slightly better with some ease from the pain, although still bad I'm able to cope better with it and im getting a bit more sleep. Maybe it was the right thing to do. Waiting for my meter to arrive and will start checking my levels. Thanks again x

 

[Jjack]

I wonder if the OP wasn't also given statins along with the metformin as the muscle aches etc. could be down to those. It's a very common thing to prescribe both to newly diagnosed diabetics.

I wasn't offered statins, but I would have refused to take them. I know they do a good job but they damaged my mums kidneys so not for me.

 

[Jjack]

Hi Jack. I have been diabetic (Type 1) for 30 years this year and on Metformin (in various forms) for 14 of those years. I thought that I was having the same side effects as you, but it turns out that I have Coeliac Disease... Diabetes and Coeliac disease are often related as they are both auto-immune diseases. I Thought for many years that it was just due to the Metformin in all of the forms that I have taken it, but it was something completely different. Since being diagnosed with Coeliac disease I have felt SO much better. I wish you well on your journey. It is a learning curve that never ends, but from it, we can teach others. Get some more blood tests including your HBa1C and a meter to test your sugars. Dependant upon where you live you may (or may not) be prescribed testing strips on the NHS. As you are Type II IDM you should only need to test a couple of times a week. I am also a Specialist Practitioner so not exactly un-used to helping folks out. Good luck my friend

Coeliac disease is in my family. But I have never been told that I have it. Maybe it's somethin I should asks the GP? Thanks

 

[dawnmc]

What's your diet like? Are you reducing the carbs in your diet? Meds like Metformin won't reduce your BS by much. Metformin works a different way to insulin. By far the best thing you can do is reread daisys advice and reduce your carbs.

 

[SpaceChick]

I agree, reduce your carbs.

I'm on Metformin (not SR) and when I have had too many carbs is when I get gastric distress!!

I'd also recommend exercise. I obviously don't know how active you are, but being physically active keeps my BS in good control.

The last time I saw my consultant he told me to keep to keep doing what I'm doing, as he'd never have believed I was diabetic had he not have seen my test results around diagnosis!

 

[Ali H]

I low carb and still cannot tolerate Metformin SR!!!

Ali

 

[Jjack]

Well is been two weeks since stopping Metformin. As I said earlier there have been some improvements with pain in joints. Unfortunately I still have sleepless night and dreadful pain in my shoulders so I think now it may be else that I needs som investigation.
I bought an Accu check monitor, let it sit for a couple of days before I used it. My first reading was 4.8 before a meal two hours after the meal it was 5.6. Yesterday morning (first check of the day) after a cup of tea no sugar with skimmed milk it was 7.6 breakfast was porridge with skimmed milk I had three chocolate biscuits, (I forgot myself) lunch was at 1.30 pm checked my level it was 4.7 before my evening meal it was 5.0. I didn't check again until just now, first check of the day and it is 6.3. My diet has improved this week and I have been much more active.

 

[Mike d]

Good numbers ..... some would kill for those figures

As for the shoulders, do you do any exercising (swinging arms etc)? It sure works for me. Took a week or two to take effect and now have no issues

 

[Jjack]

Hi Mike
No I don't do any specific exercises for my shoulders, they are just so painful all the time. It also hurts down my arms and tingling in my hands and fingers! If I lift my left arm above my head the pain is too much to stand. I will make an appointment with GP as I really need to sort out Meds.
I am very pleased with my levels, I'm actually wondering if I need the medication? I'll keep checking levels for another week and keep a food diary, who knows I might start loosing weight and get healthy! L

 

[dawnmc]

Are you on statins? also you may have whats called fibromyalgia (not sure if you said this before).

 

[Jjack]

Are you on statins? also you may have whats called fibromyalgia (not sure if you said this before).

Hi dawn, no I'm not on statins and I haven't had a conversation with my GP yet. My symptoms came on over a few months and suddenly got worst a short time ago. There have been slight improvements in the last couple of weeks but my shoulder pain etc has not gone. Will look up symptoms of fibromyalgia. Thanks for the info.

 

[choklit buttons]

I hope you get this sorted soon. Nothing worse than a nagging pain.