IBS

[mazbee]

I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes since 2009.
I have been taking Metformin since 6 months after my initial diagnosis.
I am on 1500mg per day.

I have been having tummy and bowl problems for about 4 years now, which got worse as my dosage was upped over the years.
I have since been diagnosed with diverticulitis, irritable bowl syndrome, and duodenitis.

Earlier this year, I had a really nasty tummy bug, and could not keep my medication down, for a few days. When I recovered, I noticed that my IBS and other symptoms were gone.
I re-started my metformin medication and back it came.

So I reduced my metformin to 500mg per day, and once again my IBS and other symptoms disappeared.
2 weeks ago my DN asked me to increase my met forming again, so I did.

Wham!!! Back to explosive black diarrhea and painful lower torso cramps.

I will be making an appointment to see my GP next week.
At the back of my mind I am wondering if metformin may cause or aggravate IBS and my other bowel issues?

I have always taken metformin after eating, and I also have long realise metfornin.

Any one else experiencing these or similar problems?

 

[bulkbiker]

I would say you have answered your own question... I had dreadful stomach problems for the three weeks I tried to take it so I stopped.. Did LCHF instead and have pretty good blood sugar control by diet alone.

"At the back of my mind I am wondering if metformin may cause or aggravate IBS and my other bowel issues?"... really?

 

[Indy51]

Metformin is known to cause these kinds of issues for some people unfortunately. I'd be concentrating on using diet to try and control your BG levels.

 

[Mep]

yep, you've figured out the cause by the looks.

My IBS actually started when I was placed on metformin. I didn't have any GI issues prior to metformin. Since being off metformin though my symptoms haven't stopped and have worsened. I've been diagnosed with IBS and other conditions from 2008 onwards. I was only on metformin from 2005-2010... actually less than 5 years when I think of it. I did have about 3 gastro bugs end of 2007 where I was hospitalised for 2 of them, and things got a lot worse from there. My guess is my digestive system was weakened or something. But with metformin I was sick on that the entire time with nausea and diarrhoea most days. I often wonder if I never went on this drug whether I'd be ok today or not. It's a fair question for me.

I think some are ok with it and have short term side effects if at all, and others just can't seem to get rid of the side effects no matter what dosage or type they take. We're all so different.

I wish you the best and hope things get better.

 

[JenniferG]

I was on Metformin 2000mg a day. Caused me chronic diarrhea.. eveyr single bowel movement was water for 2 months straight. I was also injecting 120 units of insulin a day.

2 months after LCHF no more Metformin and no more diarrhea.. only nice solid bowel movements (I'm quite proud of them actually). And also no more insulin injections! 40 pounds lost, half the feeling back in my limbs, blood sugars normalized to A1C of 5.8 from A1C of 9 to 11 for four years.

Jennifer