Hello metformin plus Pain

I have prescribed a lot of metformin; some people get some discomfort, but pain as bad as you describe is somehting that I have never seen, (which does not mean that it does not happen ever). Did the pain start at the same time as the metformin? If the pain and the metformin are at the same time, then it might be worth a trial of the MR metformin, but if folk have severe side effects from the metformin (generally diarrhoea), then the MR often helps but does not fix the problem completely. 160 mg% after meals is about 9 mmol/L so it is not awful and your glucose level seems better than when diagnosed; so a switch to a different tablet rather than add on might be OK, and would let you see if the pain goes - worth you and your diabetes proffessional discussing this. There are alot of other causes of abdominal pain, so one would want to be sure that it is from the metformin.
There are concerns about all drugs' safety if one is sensible, but the gliptins such as the sitagliptin in janumet is under close scrutiny and seems safe; in particular, the EMEA are clear that they are keeping an eye on it and the gliptins appear safer than some others such as the sulphonylureas.
It will be interesting to see what others think of metformin causing abdominal pain
Best wishes

I had a terrible time with Metformin. Shocking chest pain, possibly upper gastric pain, which made me very breathless and I struggled to do anything, to the point of climbing the stairs with three rest breaks and then having to have a 10 minute sit down at the top.

The entire family came down with a sickness bug sometime before Christmas, and we could not keep down anything but sips of water. I quit taking Metformin for those three days, and started to notice a reduction in pain. I advised my nurse I would not be taking that drug again in any form, and am now on Gliclazide. Not only can I climb the stairs now, I can run up.

It may well be worth your while looking at slow release or other drugs if Metformin impacts on your quality of life. Make an appointment to discuss with your GP or Nurse, as not all drugs are suitable for all people.

I wish you the very best of luck, I know how crippling the pain can be, and you could be looking at trial and error before you find a diet/drug/excercise regime that suits.

MTS1980 said:

Does gliclazide causes hypoglycemia and what is your experience with it?

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Yes - gliclazide causes hypoglycaemia; it causes less hypos than glibenclamide, but more than tolbutamide, probably.
All in all for a youngish person, gliclazide would be the sulphonylurea of choice - nice comparison by A Harrower in scotland a few decades ago showed better HbA1c, fewer hypos, less likely to fail at one year than glibenclamide and chlorpropamide (yes - a very old study).
Knowing that this is a problem, one can address it by being on look out for funny turns, and ensuring never miss meal.
And if on Sulphonylurea, would need to test glucose level before driving a car
Best wishes

MTS1980 said:

Great info sir I like metformin but the problem is its Giving me lot of belly aches so I was hoping gosmonw could guide me how to handle that issue your post is very informative and helpful

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That is most kind of you; thanks; best wsihes, Simon.

I've never had a hypo on Gliclazide. 80mg am and 80mg pm. There is a requirement to check blood sugars, and I was given a meter. Legally, the DVLA needs to be informed and blood sugars need to be over 5 to drive.

I tend to hover at about 5 to 7 until I fall asleep and levels rise, typically 8 or 9 at 3am and on waking. I must do some very energetic dreaming....

Hello from a different time zone! I don't know what cgms is, sorry, but all I can suggest is that you ask about different drug options with your health professional because standard Metformin is not the only drug available - just the first one doctors turn to as it's usually benign.