I have been on Metformin since diagnosed with type 2, a decade ago. Soon after, I developed a recurring issue of diarrhea, to the extent that I often had very little notice of a bowel movement with embarrassing consequences. I was also on a fair cocktail of other drugs for heart issues, blood pressure, beta blockers etc etc all with stated side effects of 'stomach' issues. I just suffered it as a process of not being in great health, and increasing age!
However, a new diabetes consultant before Christmas referred me to a gastroenterology specialist, and the first thing he did was a trial of stopping my Metformin (substituting Gliclazide instead). Within 10 days, every symptom that had plagued me for 10 years disappeared. I could now go out on a full day without planning my life round where the nearest public toilet availability was.
However, being a thorough consultant, I was sent for a colonoscopy (3 previous ones have found nothing more than a few polyps, all removed as of 3 years ago), where a diagnosis of bowel cancer was discovered. So, my operation is in 2 weeks, and it's possible that one of the side effects will be a return to the symptoms I have just got rid of! Oh well, **** happens!
However, a new diabetes consultant before Christmas referred me to a gastroenterology specialist, and the first thing he did was a trial of stopping my Metformin (substituting Gliclazide instead). Within 10 days, every symptom that had plagued me for 10 years disappeared. I could now go out on a full day without planning my life round where the nearest public toilet availability was.
However, being a thorough consultant, I was sent for a colonoscopy (3 previous ones have found nothing more than a few polyps, all removed as of 3 years ago), where a diagnosis of bowel cancer was discovered. So, my operation is in 2 weeks, and it's possible that one of the side effects will be a return to the symptoms I have just got rid of! Oh well, **** happens!
