Type 2 Headache and Nausea

[Fifthavenue]

I was diagnosed as Type 2 19 years ago. I am usually well controlled although BG is high in the mornings. For the last couple of years I have been suffering from diarrhoea, nausea and headaches. I have had the camera both ends and nothing was found - but my symptoms continue. I wake up feeling lousy and sickly every morning and it takes me hours to settle down. I have been prescribed Mebeverine to treat IBS but I am not convinced I have IBS. My meds for my diabetes are Metformin 2000mg per day and Alogliptin. I also suffer from High Blood Pressure and raised cholesterol and I am on treatment for both conditions. I am reluctant to go back to my GP as he puts my problems down to being stressed. I am stressed but only because I cannot get myself well not because there is anything stressing me out in my home life. I wondered if any members are suffering from the same conditions as I am and whether they have managed to resolve it.

 

[Brunneria]

Have you checked the list of possible contraindications for Metformin?
Diarrhoea and IBS type symptoms are on the list.
Some (a minority) of patients experience them, either temporarily, or permanently, and others find that they develop over time.

There are a number of options, if Metformin is your problem - either stop the standard metformin and swap to a slow release version, or your doc can prescribe a different medication, or you can tighten up on dietary control and maybe manage without the Metformin at all.

You are not the first person to arrive on the forum with what they suspect is a long term gut problem.
And some of those people find that stopping quick release Metformin makes the symptoms miraculously resolve...

 

[Fifthavenue]

Thank you for your advice. I have taken steps to get my symptoms under control by eliminating medications which have nausea and diarrhoea listed in the side effects. I have halved the Metformin to 1000mg a day, stopped Omeprazole, Codeine and reduced my caffeine/coffee intake. I am nearing the end of a course of iron supplement and I believe that this medication contributed to my gut being upset. After 5 days on this regime I am feeling much better and my BG is remaining more consistent at 7.7, even in the mornings, which I am pleased about. I am feelng hopeful that I have cracked the feeling of being unwell all the time.

 

[Rose22]

Thank you for your advice. I have taken steps to get my symptoms under control by eliminating medications which have nausea and diarrhoea listed in the side effects. I have halved the Metformin to 1000mg a day, stopped Omeprazole, Codeine and reduced my caffeine/coffee intake. I am nearing the end of a course of iron supplement and I believe that this medication contributed to my gut being upset. After 5 days on this regime I am feeling much better and my BG is remaining more consistent at 7.7, even in the mornings, which I am pleased about. I am feelng hopeful that I have cracked the feeling of being unwell all the time.

It is horrible to have that unwell feeling what feels like every day! I totally sympathise as I have had the same thing for past year. I felt unwell when blood sugars where too high, then put on metformin. Oh dear my poor tummy! Plus had the feeling of being very very green! Then went to slow release metformin as I was spending my days planning if where I was going had a toilet! Not ideal! Had similar symptoms with slow release, although after few weeks eased a little. I tried on off to take metformin a few times. Sometimes have to decide if the side effects are too much. I was eventually referred to consultant who I told I have felt unwell past year I just want to feel well! And he was very understanding and put a plan in place.
Your blood sugar levels seems good, I’d be pleased with that level too! Well done! Iron is known to cause tummy troubles..when I was severely anaemic a brilliant midwife said steer clear of the tablets from gp, try liquid iron. I used spatone sachets, natural and faster absorbing gentle on tummy. Used them on off over the years. I think it sound s,ike a good plan to strip back what you can and see how you feel over a few weeks and then introduce something and see if start to feel unwell again. It’s not easy finding the perfect mix and feeling good, I wish you lots of luck, you will get there I am sure! Once feeling better it’s amazing how put up with feeling bad for so long.