Does anyone else have have side effects of Metformin

I had an answer drafted for you - but I deleted it for fear of offending you. I'd hoped someone would word it better than me, but no-one has, so here goes:

If you're not hungry, don't eat. There's a lot to be said for intermittent fasting, and a day without eating might do you good, as well as bring your appetite back. You need to ask yourself if you're eating because you like eating, or eating because you're hungry.

Eating porridge and cereal is VERY BAD for most T2s (like me). If that is all you are eating, that is why your numbers are 12+. You've got to get these numbers down.

A metallic taste in the mouth is usually an indication of some kind of mineral deficiency. Maybe you could get tested for this.

You should avoid pasta - like porridge and cereal, this is not good for most T2s.

You should take these complaints to your GP. It does seem odd that you are only on Metformin, when you say that your pancreas has completely packed up. (Metformin increases your sensitivity to
the insulin your pancreas is producing - so if it is producing NONE, what is the metformin doing?)

I hope this helps - but I would DEFINITELY go to your GP if I was you.

As Patch has said, if your pancreas has packed up completely, You need insulin and Metformin alone will not help you.
A diet high in starch will make the situation worse.
I know zinc deficiency causes a metallic taste in the mouth, but you need a doctor to get you tested for minerals.
In yyyour position, I would ask to see a specialist.
Should you find yourself feeling very ill and with high blood sugars, I would go to A&E immediately.

I read your post several days ago but did not have a chance to reply.
I was in the unfortunate position to suffer from depression before I was identified as a Type 2 diabetic.
The reason for me wanting to reply is that I loved cooking and eating but with the advent of my depression I didn't enjoy anything, I would start a meal and after two or three mouthfuls I would give up eating because I couldn't be bothered. I also has disturbed sleep resulting from my deprression. I was off work and medication helped my depression.
I moved house, changed doctor and with the new practice, and the blood tests that you get when you join a new practice, I was diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic.
Having done some reading, I could have had high blood sugar for a long time which may have contributed to my depression. I also suffered with thrush type infection (yes, even a bloke) which had it's own effects. As soon as I was diagnosed and got my blood sugar under control I improved on all these fronts.
I'm on metformin,follow a low carb diet and test regularly. My blood sugar is usually in the 5.4 - 6.5 mmol/L range occasionally creeping up to 7.4.
I do feel a lot of empathy with you but controlling your blood sugar is paramount and under control may contribute to lifting your mood. I do think discussing the depression with your doctor would be advisable because I'm sure they are all inter-linked. Hope your health care help is as good as mine.
Hope this helps and wish you well.
Ken

Porridge MAY be bad for you. Without testing at 1, 2 and 3 hrs YOU will not know if it is good or bad.

I cannot tolerate the amount of carbs in Porridge at all as it shoots my Bg levels up, despite being slow release. After 3 hrs my levels are still in the clouds !!

Test and see.

Ooops !
Should have also said, test just before eating the Porridge as well.

yes i did yr doctor can change yr tablets they made me sick bad sore head could not keep my food down 2 go 2 yr doctor get them changed hope this helps u kevin

Personally I find that putting on just 6 pounds in weight renders Metformin ineffective!! Watch your weight - this is probably the most important thing for Type 2's that are not on insulin.

I agree with earlier postings about porridge, pasta - add bread, cereals, fruit, cakes, potatoes, root veg to that list. They all make levels shoot up. The odd fasting is cool - but keep taking the metformin whilst you do so.

Good breakfasts - kippers or bacon (no fat) & scrambled eggs. No toast! Good dinners - steak/chicken/fish + lots of green veg (no spuds or roots). It sounds hard, but well worth it.

There is also some truth about combinations of foods. I can have a Little Chef (sorry) Olympic Breakfast every now & then (bacon, chips, mushrooms, sausages, tomatoes, fried eggs, toast) - with little effect (Metformin 1000mg morning, ditto evening) - but the same portion of chips on their own will make my levels sky-high.

Everyone is different. BMI makes a huge difference. Exercise makes a huge difference - when nobody is around try some energetic dancing to the radio/tv - good fun, and works!

Test often & take control - you'll be able to work out what works for you. But don't tempt fate with regular high carb food - it's a phsycological thing as much as anything else. Don't become too self-obsessive - worry & stress will raise your blood sugar levels.

As regards the trots with Metformin - remember that many sweeteners (not just in "diabetic" foods) have that effect - steer well clear. Food labelling - it's the carb content that is vital, and the ingredients. The nearer the top of the list - the higher the amount. Sugar content can be calculated in many ways - and can often be misleading. If the product contains fructose, corn syrup, malt syrup, sugar, lactose, gluclose - and the sugar content is stated as 4mg per 100, then it's probably wrong! And carbs end up as sugar anyway.

I can't comment on the insulin & metformin regime though.

You say that you are insulin resistant. Why not ask your doctor for an alternative? My brother, who is Type 2 and lives in North Essex, is an HGV driver. He feared going on insulin because it means automatically losing your HGV licence. His doctor has put him on some new type of injection - not insulin - taken once a day at any time (same time every day), with or without food and because it's not insulin he keeps his licence. He also has to take Metformin. So, pester your GP. There are alternatives available.

Hi,

Metformin almost always gives you 'the bloat'. You should *NEVER* take it without food. You should not really drink alcohol on Metformin and never ever on an empty stomach with or without Metformin. The bad metal taste should go after a few weeks. Also, *very important* is to *NEVER* get dehydrated while using Metformin. You must always drink a good amount during the day. Tht is vital. If not, you run a serious risk of increasing your chances of some very nasty and dangerous side effects... and even lactic acidosis.

Metformin is one of the best treatments for insulin resistance. It is also the medication with the least harmful side effects (unless you are very unlcuky and cannot tolerate them at all).
I take 3 tabs a day and nothing else. Maybe you should record what you eat. Perhaps certain foods can make Metformin's wind producing abilities afr worse. Try to avoid mixing starches and proteins too much. As above..less carbs is far better. Eat porridge is small amounts. It's very good for cleaning arteries and lowering LDL Cholesterol. Try to loose weight.../sigh...it's hard! But never give up. If your side effects do not subside after all this...then tell the doc to change your meds OR ELSE!

For me, I have very painful aches when I try to do any exerices. This improves when I drink more. Especially at night... BUT never 100% goes away. It's very hard for me to exercise and I am only 73kilo's, so I can exercise.

Metformin does decrease your appetite and it is one of it's benefits. My T2 Diabetes really has me wanting to eat way too much. I was going to lower my dose with Dr's consent, because my HBA1C is 4.2-4.7 and in the 'excellent' according to my Dr...but my hunger and control went sky high. I think T2 Diabetes is another name for food addicts. If you are addicted to a substance you cannot control the desire for it. Seriously though, I think the insulin imbalance causes appetite issues BIG TIME. I believe it's a circle. Fat=insulin resistance.. =hunger= FAT!

/sigh
HUGS and never give up... things will improve!

....but.. if you have dreadful experiences like the last person to post.. see your DR and get off the **** things!

lyndsaychocolate said:

Guess not then as no one has replied.

Click to expand...

My husband as similar problems with metformin, he's depressed, seems likes cross between dementia or a mini stroke, also his sugar levels are up and down