Glucophage 850mg

rodneycope

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Hi

I have been on Metformin 1 x 500mg 3 times a day for 9 months and my blood sugar levels were rising so my nurse has put me on glucophage 850mg 3 times per day despite me telling her that the metformin were giving me an upset stomach occasionally.

Also my levels are high in the mornings between 8.5 and 9 and going down during the day to about 7
I thought she was going to put me on the slow release tablets but apparently not.

I have only been taking them for about 5 days but still rushing to the toilet and not been feeling too good in general. Do you think I should go back and see her or give them a few weeks to settle.

Thanks.
 

cugila

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Hi.

I can understand the Nurse increasing your doseage if your Bg levels are going up. Hopefully that will stem the rise ? You could wait and see if it settles down but if you are having problems then I think I would ask the Nurse/GP to put you on the Modified Release version of the Glucophage.(SR)

These tend to have less of an effect if you get my drift.....? :D
 

rodneycope

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Thanks will see how it goes for a week or so. The nurse did say some time ago she was thinking of the slow release tablets so dont really know why she didn't prescribe them.

When she said i will change the tablets I thought that was what she was giving me.
 

Angela09

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Hi, I recently changed to SR Metformin because of the same problem. I have also started drinking Actimel as it is supposed to help increase the healthy bacteria in the gut. I have had a slight improvement but I still make sure I have Immodium handy at all times! I should have shares in the company I think. I have an irritable bowel in general (not IBS) and have to be careful how much fruit and veg I eat (hardly any) which isn't very helpful when trying to eat a healthier diet. Hope your problem improves with the SR Metformin. :)
 

hanadr

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I think they always start with the "normal" Met, because it's cheaper, but if you can't adjust to it, go back and ask for the SR.
Hana
 

Spiral

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Angela09 said:
Hi, I recently changed to SR Metformin because of the same problem. I have also started drinking Actimel as it is supposed to help increase the healthy bacteria in the gut. I have had a slight improvement but I still make sure I have Immodium handy at all times! I should have shares in the company I think. I have an irritable bowel in general (not IBS) and have to be careful how much fruit and veg I eat (hardly any) which isn't very helpful when trying to eat a healthier diet. Hope your problem improves with the SR Metformin. :)

Watch the carbs in those probiotic drinks. The Actimel range goes from 3.7 up to 14.3 carbs for a serving :shock:

Live yoghurt would probably be a less carby alternative.
 

FordPrefect

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Only problem you might find is that I was told the max daily dose of m/r metformin is 2000mg, 3000mg for normal metformin. Although there are other options. Ultimately if you arent happy with any aspect of your care you need to speak to your doctor and/or specialist as appropriate. Its your life and your body and ultimately you have to find the best way to live with your condition with the assistance of your diabetes care team. If there is an aspect you cant live with you need to dicuss with them and get it changed, its your body so ultimately its your choice, the medical professionals are there to provide you with choices.
 

rodneycope

Newbie
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HI

Saw the nurse today who insisted the above were slow release even though the chemist told me they were not.

She has now prescribed Glucophage SR 750mg and told me to take one three times a day after meals. The chemist then queried this saying it is only usually two per day and actually telephoned the nurse but she insisted the dose was right as my sugar levels are about 9 or 10 in the morning and about 7 in the after but on the leaflet it says no more than 2000 mg per day.

I am thinking of taking only 2 per day and keep testing my sugar levels to make sure they are OK, dont know if it is safe to take 3, i dont have a lot of confidence in my nurse now.
 

cugila

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Hi.

This from the BNF, the prescribing 'Bible' for all HCP's.
GLUCOPHAGE SR
Dose Initially 500 mg once daily, increased every 10–15 days, max. 2 g once daily with evening meal; if control not achieved, use 1 g twice daily with meals, and if control still not achieved change to standard-release tablets.

I suppose she must have her reasons...... :?: After all, she is a Nurse. :twisted: