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Metformin 101?
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<blockquote data-quote="purplekat" data-source="post: 270543" data-attributes="member: 34595"><p>Hi, I've answered your questions below, although I do also agree it will vary very much from individual to individual.</p><p></p><p>(1) How long after taking a pill will you know if you are going to have side effects from that pill? - I think it was around day 2 or 3 of taking 1 pill a day. Although, on an ongoing basis, how likely side effects are is tied to what I've been eating more than anything else!</p><p></p><p>(2) How long after your first pill will you know if you are going to have side effects (1st pill, 5th pill, 10th pill)? Same as above.</p><p></p><p>(3) If you do start to have side effects, over a period of days do they start bad and get better, start mild and get worse, stay the same? I worked up gradually from 1 pill a day to 2 twice a day. For the first three pills the side effects started bad, then got better. 1 & 2 pills I was close to normal, 3 pills left my gut more sensitive, and 4 pills I didn't manage to get used to at all.</p><p></p><p>(4) If you do have side effects how long before you know if they are going to wear off or if your should consider SR? I gave the 4 pill doseage 2 months to improve before I discussed it with the doctor. I made the decision based on the fact I was actually scared to eat certain foods, and it was leaving me feeling reluctant to go visit friends, go on nights out etc.</p><p></p><p>(5) How common are side effects related to alchohol? Not drunk on them (except a half glass of beer) so can't comment.</p><p>(6) How common is loss of appetite? Form me, it's standard. And the best side effect ever when you need to lose weight <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> I'd say my appetite was roughly halfed, and I choose to eat less carbs overall as they make me feel bloated.</p><p></p><p>(7) How long does the effect of one dose last? For example with statins Simvastatin is supposed to be effective over several hours, but Pravastatin is supposed to be effective over 24 hours or more. If you are one one dose a day you need to know this to plan the best time of day to take the dose, based on when your meals are and what your general blood sugar looks like throughout the day. Or split the dose in two or more over the day. - Not sure</p><p></p><p>(8) How long before you see a noticeable change in your BG? {Assuming you already have a reasonably stable BG.] Immediate, a week, a month? - I wasn't able to test myself, but the nurse reported improvements from the 3 month check onwards. A friend who was told to monitor saw results within a week, but his was a really high blood sugar.</p><p></p><p>Another thing that might be worth mentioning (in case I'm not the only one who doesn't work this out for themselves!) - if you are on too much metformin, you can end up having a hypo. It wasn't until after the doctor said she thought she could reduce my dose that I realised the reason I was getting wobbly, light-headed and confused if I didn't eat at a set time was because I was having a hypo. I assumed my dose was correct, because that's what the doctor had put me on!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="purplekat, post: 270543, member: 34595"] Hi, I've answered your questions below, although I do also agree it will vary very much from individual to individual. (1) How long after taking a pill will you know if you are going to have side effects from that pill? - I think it was around day 2 or 3 of taking 1 pill a day. Although, on an ongoing basis, how likely side effects are is tied to what I've been eating more than anything else! (2) How long after your first pill will you know if you are going to have side effects (1st pill, 5th pill, 10th pill)? Same as above. (3) If you do start to have side effects, over a period of days do they start bad and get better, start mild and get worse, stay the same? I worked up gradually from 1 pill a day to 2 twice a day. For the first three pills the side effects started bad, then got better. 1 & 2 pills I was close to normal, 3 pills left my gut more sensitive, and 4 pills I didn't manage to get used to at all. (4) If you do have side effects how long before you know if they are going to wear off or if your should consider SR? I gave the 4 pill doseage 2 months to improve before I discussed it with the doctor. I made the decision based on the fact I was actually scared to eat certain foods, and it was leaving me feeling reluctant to go visit friends, go on nights out etc. (5) How common are side effects related to alchohol? Not drunk on them (except a half glass of beer) so can't comment. (6) How common is loss of appetite? Form me, it's standard. And the best side effect ever when you need to lose weight :) I'd say my appetite was roughly halfed, and I choose to eat less carbs overall as they make me feel bloated. (7) How long does the effect of one dose last? For example with statins Simvastatin is supposed to be effective over several hours, but Pravastatin is supposed to be effective over 24 hours or more. If you are one one dose a day you need to know this to plan the best time of day to take the dose, based on when your meals are and what your general blood sugar looks like throughout the day. Or split the dose in two or more over the day. - Not sure (8) How long before you see a noticeable change in your BG? {Assuming you already have a reasonably stable BG.] Immediate, a week, a month? - I wasn't able to test myself, but the nurse reported improvements from the 3 month check onwards. A friend who was told to monitor saw results within a week, but his was a really high blood sugar. Another thing that might be worth mentioning (in case I'm not the only one who doesn't work this out for themselves!) - if you are on too much metformin, you can end up having a hypo. It wasn't until after the doctor said she thought she could reduce my dose that I realised the reason I was getting wobbly, light-headed and confused if I didn't eat at a set time was because I was having a hypo. I assumed my dose was correct, because that's what the doctor had put me on! [/QUOTE]
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