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Metformin and hives

T

Tessa11

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I have been taking 1 tablet of metformin per day since my T2 diagnoses in 2017 . However, I recently started with an outbreak of hives across my neck and chest. It was really very itchy to the point that I wanted to rip my skin off. I tried changing, shoer gel, shampoo, soap powder etc and nothing helped. Then I stopped metformin and immediately the hives started to clear up. I discussed this with my diabetic consultant and we agreed I could have a 4 week break from metformin then he would see if it made any change to blood sugar levels. 2 weeks into this the hives have mostly cleared up except for 1 small patch which is very persistent .
I actually feel very well overall.
Has anyone else had any similar experiences?
 
I was only on Metformin for about five weeks, but used to wake up with weals around my shoulders and hips where I had been scratching - but I was very ill on Metformin and Atorvastatin.
I had an odd change in taste - I still cannot taste tea as I used to, and I used to work for Allied Lyons doing storage testing. There were aches and pains in all the joints and muscles of my legs, and my shoulders ached, I walked around in a mental fog too. Best thing I did was to throw away those tablets.
 
I have been taking slow release Metformin since about 18 months after I was diagnosed nearly 20 years ago without issues but some years ago my doctor added Sitagliptin and I now have Bullous pemphigoid antibodies an inflammatory condition where the body’s immune system attacks the skin. I have only recently discovered that there may be a link between Sitagliptin and pemphigoid. I was put on prednisolone initially so there went my glucose control, then I was reduced on them, gradually stopping, and put on Azathioprine which suppresses the immune system. I was doing well until July this year and it flared up again, worse than ever. It is the most horrible thing ever, my whole body from knees to shoulders constantly itches. am seeing my GP on Wednesday and the Dermatologist on 12th of this month. In the meantime I have stopped taking the Sitagliptin. I am going to ask GP about liraglutide. Tessa11’s experience with the aches and pains sounds like Polymyalgia which I had before the BPA’s. I was put on prednisolone for that, and it went into remission and the BPA flare up came just after I came off the steroids so they put me straight back on them. My niece who is T2 on insulin and Metformin has just been diagnosed with lupus, and my understanding is that these conditions together with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis are all somehow related.
 
I have just seen my identifier says I am insulin dependent. I must have pushed a wrong button somewhere - I am not!
 
This is an update. My diabetic nurse has taken me off Sitagliptin and gliclizide and transferred me to a Victoza pen administering Liraglucide, which I am adjusting well to on a functional level. However, the Dermatologist has put me on a short course low dose (5 mg) of prednisolone so my blood glucose readings are quite high, I am eating carefully but will have to accept this. I am hopeful that by the new year my skin will be back to normal and I can get on with my life. It has started to feel better already, and I am feeling more positive.
 
Jankiff said:
I have just seen my identifier says I am insulin dependent. I must have pushed a wrong button somewhere - I am not!
Click to expand...

I see you as insulin dependent too.
It is a glitch on the system that we have been trying to correct for a long time now, but it is proving very elusive!

Don't worry, you can change it in your profile settings. :) Simply go into your profile and choose the other option for type 2 diabetic. :)
 
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