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Metformin and its side effects

Hi BeanyBaby and welcome to the forums. I have no personal experience with metformin but I'm sure those who do will be along soon to advise.

From what I've read, no metformin side effects is a really good thing....
 
Some people have quite severe side effects, others experience fairly mild side effects that disappear after a while, many tolerate Metformin really well and do not suffer any side effects at all.
Metformin is a mild drug that helps a little but if you are waiting to see a noticeable improvement, you may be disappointed.
Metformin works by restricting the amount of stored glucose released into your blood from your liver, it also helps to improve your insuln resistance a little.
What it will not do is make much of a difference to the sugar that gets into your blood from your diet.
The glucose you get from eating carbs will cause your blood sugar to rise, Metformin can not help with that.
To actively reduce blood sugar levels, more effective drugs are needed, like insulin or drugs that force your pancreas to produce more insulin.
Most of us find that reducing the amount of carbs in our diet is a far more effective way to reduce our levels.
 
catinahat said:
Some people have quite severe side effects, others experience fairly mild side effects that disappear after a while, many tolerate Metformin really well and do not suffer any side effects at all.
Metformin is a mild drug that helps a little but if you are waiting to see a noticeable improvement, you may be disappointed.
Metformin works by restricting the amount of stored glucose released into your blood from your liver, it also helps to improve your insuln resistance a little.
What it will not do is make much of a difference to the sugar that gets into your blood from your diet.
The glucose you get from eating carbs will cause your blood sugar to rise, Metformin can not help with that.
To actively reduce blood sugar levels, more effective drugs are needed, like insulin or drugs that force your pancreas to produce more insulin.
Most of us find that reducing the amount of carbs in our diet is a far more effective way to reduce our levels.
Click to expand...
I heard that Metformin can seriously impact Cardiorespitaory performance and can compromise Mitochondria performance by up to 50%. Would be interested to understand if anyone has experienced this.
 
I’ve been on metformine now for over a year and at first had really bad grippy(?) tummy so they put me on Gastro slow release metformin. It took about a week to settle down and was much better tolerated when taken with a meal. Now I have no symptoms at all. It‘ll be working, you’re just a lucky one :cool:

That reminds me - I read that if you’re taking metformin it’s imperative you also take vitamin B12 supplement. Has anyone been advised by a medical professional to do this?
 
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Yes I work with a naturopath and she put me on b12 since long term metformin use apparently depletes b12 .
 
No side effects for me either although not sure they doing my kidneys any good/
 
Its five months now have been on Metformin,but for the first three weeks it was not easy,my tummy,oh my goodness!! And am losing weight badly,don't know why?
 
MissMuffett said:
I’ve been on metformine now for over a year and at first had really bad grippy(?) tummy so they put me on Gastro slow release metformin. It took about a week to settle down and was much better tolerated when taken with a meal. Now I have no symptoms at all. It‘ll be working, you’re just a lucky one :cool:

That reminds me - I read that if you’re taking metformin it’s imperative you also take vitamin B12 supplement. Has anyone been advised by a medical professional to do this?
Click to expand...

My diabetes nurse suggested it, yes, and I’m doing it, just in the form of a multivitamin. I’m alarmed to read the many ways in which Metformin messes about with metabolism- but the next-line oral meds are even pokier so Im sticking with it for now! Gut side effects noticeable but manageable for me
 
This website

www.drugs.com

Metformin Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term

Learn about the side effects of metformin, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals.
www.drugs.com www.drugs.com

lists a number of metformin side effects that are rarer than the more common nausea/anorexia/diarrhoea. One is redness of the face, neck and arms.
 
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