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Type 2 Gut problems

Mandi05

Mandi05

Well-Known Member
Messages
62
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I’m Type 2 on metformin 500mg twice daily.
I was diagnosed in December 2017 and I’ve been on metformin since then. Some time in April this year (2020) I had gut problems, I was passing loose stools with blood for about 2-3weeks, a stool sample was taken for testing and the results were all clear. My GP said it was gastro-enteritis and he put me on Ciprofloxacillin and it cleared after a while.
It has come back now as I speak, it has been over 2 weeks and I feel really ill. A stool sample was taken again for testing and the result is the same, all clear. I’ve been put on another course of Ciprofloxacillin and I’ve nearly finished the course this time with no much improvement.
I’m wondering, could this be as a result of taking metformin for the past three years? I’ve heard that it’s no good for the body in the long run. Has anyone experienced gut problems with diabetes or taking metformin long term?

Worried, Mandi
 
I took it for 3 weeks and could hardly leave the house.
Stopped and problems immediately ceased.. dramatically changed what I ate and T2 went away!
 
I had explosive incontinence with Metformin. I bought a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner and slept wrapped in two towels but still needed to change the bed each morning. I think it started after 2 or 3 tablets, taking one a day.
I wonder if the problem might be more to do with the things added so as to be able to make tablets. The makers have had to change the fillers as they can't get the ones they usually use and several people have reported sudden reactions where they had none before.
When I stopped the tablets I found I did not need them in the first place, just low carb worked for me, but I stuck to the low carb because the tablets were pretty bad.
 
Mandi05 said:
I’m Type 2 on metformin 500mg twice daily.
I was diagnosed in December 2017 and I’ve been on metformin since then. Some time in April this year (2020) I had gut problems, I was passing loose stools with blood for about 2-3weeks, a stool sample was taken for testing and the results were all clear. My GP said it was gastro-enteritis and he put me on Ciprofloxacillin and it cleared after a while.
It has come back now as I speak, it has been over 2 weeks and I feel really ill. A stool sample was taken again for testing and the result is the same, all clear. I’ve been put on another course of Ciprofloxacillin and I’ve nearly finished the course this time with no much improvement.
I’m wondering, could this be as a result of taking metformin for the past three years? I’ve heard that it’s no good for the body in the long run. Has anyone experienced gut problems with diabetes or taking metformin long term?

Worried, Mandi
Click to expand...
For me, the runs with blood started right after taking the Met. If you want to try going without for a bit, and see whether that fixes anything (and do give it a few days to leave your system), and you want to keep the T2 under control, change what/how you eat. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ will probably be of help with that.

Good luck!!!
Jo
 
Hi. I've been on Metformin SR for 15 years with no problems at all. I've not read anywhere that there is a long-term problem with Metformin and some say it has long-term protective effects. As Metformin only gives marginal improvements to BS, agree with the GP to stop taking it if it gives you problems.
 
Resurgam said:
I had explosive incontinence with Metformin. I bought a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner and slept wrapped in two towels but still needed to change the bed each morning. I think it started after 2 or 3 tablets, taking one a day.
I wonder if the problem might be more to do with the things added so as to be able to make tablets. The makers have had to change the fillers as they can't get the ones they usually use and several people have reported sudden reactions where they had none before.
When I stopped the tablets I found I did not need them in the first place, just low carb worked for me, but I stuck to the low carb because the tablets were pretty bad.
Click to expand...

Thank you. It is quite a nasty experience.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. I've been on Metformin SR for 15 years with no problems at all. I've not read anywhere that there is a long-term problem with Metformin and some say it has long-term protective effects. As Metformin only gives marginal improvements to BS, agree with the GP to stop taking it if it gives you problems.
Click to expand...
Same here
However, not everyone can tolerate drugs in the same way. Where this doesn’t work then there should be alternatives whether different drugs or dietary changes. You shouldn’t rule out a drug just because of what others have said but it seems odd that the issues have occurred now where it seem to have been well tolerated thus far

It is certainly possible as others have alluded too that something in the formula, or a different manufacturer has changed things.
 
Andydragon said:
Same here
However, not everyone can tolerate drugs in the same way. Where this doesn’t work then there should be alternatives whether different drugs or dietary changes. You shouldn’t rule out a drug just because of what others have said but it seems odd that the issues have occurred now where it seem to have been well tolerated thus far

It is certainly possible as others have alluded too that something in the formula, or a different manufacturer has changed things.
Click to expand...

I understand that this could be unrelated to metformin and I’m not ruling it out hence I wanted to know if there’s anybody who has experienced this at some point. We all react differently to different things including medication. I’ll be going back to my GP this week as I have finished the course of antibiotics with not much improvement and hopefully I’ll get some help in the end.
 
Mandi05 said:
I understand that this could be unrelated to metformin and I’m not ruling it out hence I wanted to know if there’s anybody who has experienced this at some point. We all react differently to different things including medication. I’ll be going back to my GP this week as I have finished the course of antibiotics with not much improvement and hopefully I’ll get some help in the end.
Click to expand...
I'd suggest stopping the metformin for a week or two and see if the problem goes away once you have finished the antibiotics (they too can have an effect on the microbiome of the gut). Then you'll know for sure.
 
bulkbiker said:
I'd suggest stopping the metformin for a week or two and see if the problem goes away once you have finished the antibiotics (they too can have an effect on the microbiome of the gut). Then you'll know for sure.
Click to expand...

Thanks bulkbiker, I’ll definitely try that.
 
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