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Metformin and side effects...

MightyMacs

MightyMacs

Member
Hi there,

I was diagnosed as type 2 on Thursday last and have been given Metformin (2 tablets per day) ...today I have had bad diarrhea and am worried about lactic acidosis (although, as yet I haven't had any symptoms)

I'd really appreciate someone who has been there and experienced the same thing, let me know if it eventually sorts itself out...or whether I should be heading straight to the doctor ?

Thank you
Carole x
 
Hi and Welcome.
A few people have problems when they start on Metformin, but try and keep at it as the problems usually go away in about a week..
Try and take it during or directly after your meal, if you are not already doing so.
If the problems are still there in 2 weeks, you can get a slow release type Metformin SR, or they could try something else
Hang in there and good luck
 
hi Jack...was thinking of doing that to be honest...along with a change in my diet and exercising I thought maybe one a day would be good for a week...but the doctor has said 2 and of course, it's difficult to imagine she would be giving me the wrong dose...although when I asked her how they worked , she had no idea...lots of researching going on at the moment x

thanks
 
I had a real problem getting on Metformin and I only had 1x500 mg SR .I did reserch other medication but decided Metformin was the best.as it didnt cause hypos,so I continued ,sorry to say it took several weeks,but ok now.
Dont even think about lactic acidosis,its very rare and usually conected to people with kidney problems.
Dont get anxious.
Pat
 
Why
MightyMacs said:
hi Jack...was thinking of doing that to be honest...along with a change in my diet and exercising I thought maybe one a day would be good for a week...but the doctor has said 2 and of course, it's difficult to imagine she would be giving me the wrong dose...although when I asked her how they worked , she had no idea...lots of researching going on at the moment x

thanks
Click to expand...
why is it difficult? She is giving you the wrong dose or you miss heard her
Recommended is start with one
 
I will copy some of my post that I posted on another thread yesterday.

I was diagnosed in late April and put on 2000 mg of Metformin, to be built up slowly over the span of four weeks. I asked for the slow release from the beginning because I already suffer from IBS. It took me two solid months to get used to this med. I'm not trying to alarm you in any way, but rather to give you some tips on how I found a better way to take it.

1. I always eat 1/2 my meal, then take the pills with a *FULL* glass of water (at least 8 oz.), then eat the rest of my meal.
2. I do not drink any fizzy drinks with my meal as it seems to upset my stomach even more.
3. I never take the meds with a tiny meal or a snack. Since I take it at breakfast and supper, these are my more substantial meals.
4. Water. Did I mention water? I drink a lot of it before and after my pills.
5. For the first few weeks, I was popping the store-brand Imodium like crazy.

I still occasionally will have stomach upset. However, remember I am taking 2x the medication you are, and I had IBS to start with. From all the threads and research I've read on the subject, most people seem to be fine in a few days to a week. I know it's difficult and I sympathize!
 
...I guess you always think the doctor knows best...and it's such a shock at the time you don't challenge things...but I'm going to reduce it to one and then onto 2...

Thanks Patricia and Ally x
 
Thanks Fallgal...the problem I have is that I live in France and although the doctor speaks English, I got the feeling she was pretty unsure as to what to do...anyway...I also had IBS before starting but this has been pretty drastic and fast...I am taking my pill once I finish my meal but think it's a good idea to do it halfway through...seems sensible :)

I've just been given a sheet of paper telling me some do's and don'ts but my main concern is to get the balance right in my diet as I realise the pills and food need to work together and not counter productive.

x x
 
MightyMacs said:
Hi there,

I'd really appreciate someone who has been there and experienced the same thing, let me know if it eventually sorts itself out...or whether I should be heading straight to the doctor ?
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, you'll get a lot of support from this and similar forums.

As for Metformin, it seems to affect different people in different ways and from what I've read on another forum, it can affect people who've never had a problem before. My personal experience is pretty awful, the consultants warning of a bad stomach for a few weeks dragged on for 5 years. I have to say the situation improved when I had to take cocodomol (opposite effect) and when I cut right back on carbs. I eat about 80gms of carbohydrate a day and that has helped a lot. There is also the Sustained Release version which I think has already been mentioned.

You might like to report any issues with this and other drugs, prescribed or over the counter at this site https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. I've only just been told about it
 
MightyMacs said:
Thanks Fallgal...the problem I have is that I live in France and although the doctor speaks English, I got the feeling she was pretty unsure as to what to do...anyway...I also had IBS before starting but this has been pretty drastic and fast...I am taking my pill once I finish my meal but think it's a good idea to do it halfway through...seems sensible :)

I've just been given a sheet of paper telling me some do's and don'ts but my main concern is to get the balance right in my diet as I realise the pills and food need to work together and not counter productive.

x x
Click to expand...


I meant to say I am already on the slow release version. I asked for it from the start. I haven't gotten very good advice from my doctor either, and relied on this awesome forum for most of my info.

I know it might sound silly and sound like it won't make much of a difference if you take the pills after the meal or 1/2 way through, but for me it made a huge difference. I'm not sure why, but as long as it works, I'm not questioning it! :D

I agree a change in diet (cutting out most carbs) really helps as well with the stomach issues. Good luck to you. :)
 
Hi, Carole,

Much of what needs to be said already has but I found the slow release ('SR') sorted me out, after I'd had problems with the normal Metformin. I started off with 1 tablet, going onto 2 after a fortnight (which is the normal start-up procedure). I now take 2 tablets, one with breakfast, the other with my evening meal (usually towards the end or immediately after each meal) and I've not had any further problems.

Metformin (aka 'Metfartin' because of another effect it has on some people) has been around for quite a while and has a good track record regarding other potential contra-indications. It's also supposed to help with weight loss, which is something many of us T2s battle with. :(

Hang on in there, good luck and let us know how you get on .......
 
When I was started on metaformin I was told one tablet a day for a week, two tablets a day for the second week, building up to the three on the third week. Always taken with food (and washed down with cold water, nothing else). I have diverticulitis so a stroppy stomach that doesn't take easily to changes. I'm also on other medications for prostate, statins and allergies. So, pill popping is a routine. But I haven't had any issues whatsoever as I stuck to the doctors instructions. Now on third month of taking it and so far, so good. It appears to be doing it's job, along with diet and exercise to bring my BS down to around normal levels.
 
Hi
When I was first diagnosed it was 2 a day for a week then 4 a day for the second week and after but the pharmacist had to keep checking on me for 2 weeks due to some new rule to make sure I wasn't having problems so try checking with your pharmacist before you go back to your doctor. I have reduced my metformin to 1 a morning following diet and exercise routine so there is hope you can reduce it.
 
Hi. You really need the SR version. The NHS is stupid and tries to save money by using the slightly cheaper plain version then spends money with repeat visits by patients with stomach problems; insist on SR if it doesn't clear up. Metformin works by reducing insulin resistance in the muscles and by slightly reducing the output of glycogen (glucose) by the liver. There isn't a similar drug and it only has a small effect on blood sugar. It is best for overweight T2s. It does have some protective properties hence most diabetics of all types take it e.g. me.
 
I don't trust Metformin one bit. Hopefully your side effects disappear soon but I couldn't tolerate the stuff. Happy pill-popping lol
 
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