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metformin and foot pain

T

theonlysbf

Active Member
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Recently been diagnose as a T2 DN started me on 500 mg metformin then upped to 1000mg, since I have started the medication, I have been getting pain in the balls of my feet, I have searched everywhere cant find any link to foot pain with this medication, anyone else got the same issue. I am low carbing.

Really trying with the BG levels I seem to have got some sort of control, started at 14 fasting but can't get them under about the 8 level in the morning and 10 after meals
 
Hi theonlysbf.

Foot pain can be Diabetes related or it could also be down to something like Gout. If you are concerned you should discuss it with your GP.

Known side effects of Metformin.
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (usually transient), abdominal pain, taste disturbance, rarely lactic acidosis (withdraw treatment), decreased vitamin-B12 absorption, erythema, pruritus and urticaria; hepatitis also reported

Here is a link to information about the Diabetic foot. There are other links as well to the complications:
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000922/

Hope that helps.
Ken.
 
Podiatrist would be a good start.

My suspicion is that you may have had the start of peripheral neuropathy, and now your BG is coming down the half-killed nerves are waking up and starting to transmit pain again, not uncommon and should wear off in time.

300 - 600mg Alpha Lipoic Acid and 500 - 1000 mg Evening Primrose Oil is one possible protocol for improving the nerve healing, along with keeping your BG below 8 or so. But I'd get a medical opinion in case it's something unrelated. Prolonged high BG can affect connective tissue and joints too.
 
Omg, I just saw this. I have the same exact problem in addition to my feet hurting like crazy. The bottom are extremely sensitive especially if I don't wear shoes.
 
The R- alpha lipoic acid is a good shout. I'm taking it 3 times daily and it has helped lessen the discomfort from my feet (Peripheral Neuropathy)
 
Shaundra Foree said:
Omg, I just saw this. I have the same exact problem in addition to my feet hurting like crazy. The bottom are extremely sensitive especially if I don't wear shoes.
Click to expand...
The thread you are on was created in 2009. I doubt youll get a reply from any of the original posters.
You could start a new thread and see if you can get some up to date responses
 
My feet are tingling all the time . My podiatrist does not think I have nerve damage at the moment .
can anyone recommend a foot massager to relieve the pain.
They range from £100 to over £400 so do not want to waste money
Thanks in advance
 
I have been on this drug for 3 days & have new, acute pain in both balls of feet. Metatarsalgia? I will try out the evening primrose oil & post back. Whilst this post is from 2009 people are still looking for an answer to this in 2024 so it is still a valid query.
 
Hi @Tallow and welcome to the forum

Just to say if you are on any medication or have other conditions please check that the evening primrose oil is ok for you to use as it does have a few contraindications with other medications & conditions. For example people with epilepsy shouldn’t use evening primrose oil
 
When I was on Metformin I can say that I didn't have any problems with pain in the feet just the odd pain in my shoulder but I found out that one it was a frozen shoulder but that was caused by diabetes but Metformin the only conditions that it causes is loose stools and diarrhea as that's the only things that it causes and effects you with as it's the same with victoza the exact same thing it the same effects and that also makes you feel full as well
 
I have had several bouts of intense pain in my feet from causes other than diabetes. I found that cutting some innersoles from quite thick resilient foam really made a difference. The tendons beneath the foot were tight, so cutting the toe slightly shorter, lifting the ball of my foot made an instant change. It was almost as though the sole of my foot was subject to intense bruising just from walking and the foam reduced the impact.
If that seems familiar, using some sort of padding might help. I was careful never to walk barefoot, and the benefit was such a relief.

I'd advise diluting the evening primrose oil in baby oil or a moisturising cream. Many underestimate the power of plant based extracts and get huge overdoses. In addition to the E P oil, massaging would probably increase any benefits of the treatment.
 
Sadly I have many other conditions including Anasarca so my feet are 4 sizes bigger than 2 years ago. I have to wear huge Kerapeds & there would be no spare room for the foam though it sounds a comfy idea. I have many other foot problems such as bone cysts, avascular necrosis, navicular bone issues etc plus nerve problems from MS. However, the ball of foot issues are 100% down to Metformin as they began the 2nd day of taking it & were quite unlike all existing pains. I would be taking the evening primrose oil orally. I do use black seed oil topically amongst other products. Thanks for the reply.
 
If it is so specifically the Metformin - do you really need to take it?
It is a knee jerk reaction to prescribe Metformin, but it made me very very ill and I stopped taking it, relying on lower intake of carbs only. I used a test meter to find out just how low I have to stay to have normal blood glucose levels, which foods to avoid.
I also do an almost daily routine of massaging my legs and feet after a hot shower to get the blood flowing.
When my feet have been particularly bad I have done that three times a day to get the swelling to reduce, followed by a few minutes lying down with my feet elevated. Several times I watched the swelling deflating to a significant degree.
 
Sadly mine doesn't deflate at all. I am in full compression for Anasarca. Water tabs/elevation don't work. None of my lymphatic system is draining. It's a complex story! They were very insistent on putting me on Metformin from the 3 month test result. I've gone on keto diet & hoping if 1st review shows a remission I can come off it. I'm not keen on Metformin side fx. Especially the mood flattening it gives me.
I have to do a pretty intense skin care regime as it is. However, it'd be nice to have the lymphatic drainage massage I'm allegedly entitled to under the Nhs! In over 2 years the only things I've been given are bespoke compression stockings. Though they take a little pressure off ankles/calves/feet they then unfortunately cause more probs higher up so I can't win.
 
Ah - I cannot bear compression stockings, but obviously my lymph channels are not blocked.
I reacted very badly to Metformin and was very depressed in just a few weeks. I was a danger to myself so do make people aware of your reactions.
 
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