• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Diarrhea

M

Mark Rawlinson

Well-Known Member
Messages
97
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I am on Toujeo insulin and also metformin (I have cut down to 2 a day) slow release Glucophage one morning one evening with food
every week at some point I get diarrhea without fail sometimes twice a week. So sick of it stopping me from doing things I want to. Does any one know if there is an alternative I can use please
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
I am on Toujeo insulin and also metformin (I have cut down to 2 a day) slow release Glucophage one morning one evening with food
every week at some point I get diarrhea without fail sometimes twice a week. So sick of it stopping me from doing things I want to. Does any one know if there is an alternative I can use please
Click to expand...
Hi @Mark Rawlinson Are you on slow-release Metformin? If not, this might be the problem. Many Type2 Forum members have found slow-release solves this problem. Good luck.
 
How long have you been on the Metformin? I’ve been on it more years than I care to remember (long before my T2 for something not diabetes related) I still very occasionally get a tummy upset.

I agree it’s a very common side effect of Metformin but getting a bad tummy may not always be down to just the medication but sometimes it’s hard to look past that with the rep that met has.

I’ve found that certain foods can upset me & it’s more what I eat than the medication, fried mushrooms on their own, if I eat too many of those, i love them on low carb toast, that can trigger me, I’m fine with them in food in general such as sauces, curries, even as a side dish on a meal such as a breakfast, but on their own no. Hot chicken just on its own does it for me too, any other time is fine but eating hot roast chicken just in its own, again it can trigger tummy upset.

Maybe keep a food diary to see if there’s a pattern to your diarrhoea? If it’s only happening a couple of times a week you may have a trigger food or something else is triggering it? Usually when it’s a side effect of the meds it is all the time. I was also advised by my GP that it’s safe to take Imodium when I need it, I was on Gliclizide at that time (not now) but not insulin so maybe check that it’s ok to take Imodium first with your pharmacist or GP
 
lovinglife said:
How long have you been on the Metformin? I’ve been on it more years than I care to remember (long before my T2 for something not diabetes related) I still very occasionally get a tummy upset.

I agree it’s a very common side effect of Metformin but getting a bad tummy may not always be down to just the medication but sometimes it’s hard to look past that with the rep that met has.

I’ve found that certain foods can upset me & it’s more what I eat than the medication, fried mushrooms on their own, if I eat too many of those, i love them on low carb toast, that can trigger me, I’m fine with them in food in general such as sauces, curries, even as a side dish on a meal such as a breakfast, but on their own no. Hot chicken just on its own does it for me too, any other time is fine but eating hot roast chicken just in its own, again it can trigger tummy upset.

Maybe keep a food diary to see if there’s a pattern to your diarrhoea? If it’s only happening a couple of times a week you may have a trigger food or something else is triggering it? Usually when it’s a side effect of the meds it is all the time. I was also advised by my GP that it’s safe to take Imodium when I need it, I was on Gliclizide at that time (not now) but not insulin so maybe check that it’s ok to take Imodium first with your pharmacist or GP
Click to expand...
Re Immoduim I use shops own Shops own Loperamide (much cheaper) had the weekly call of the DN today I asked please can I come off the metformin she said we dont like taking you off this because it works how about trying one a day then went on to say go up to 40 units Trujeo and if not in single figures next week we may be looking at a bolus insulin too
 
Yes much cheaper :) sounds like your DSN is willing to work with you to find a solution so that’s a positive
 
Back
Top