Metformin concerns

Dot27 said:

I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed Type 2 in August 2012. HbA1c was 52 at diagnosis and 6 months later through diet and exercise was down to 43. Sadly due to other health issues affecting my ability to exercise for a time, my latest test this month came in at 56. I have now been prescribed 2 x 500mg Metformin. I am not keen on taking this drug and not at all comfortable with the possible side effects. I expected some gastric issues but I also feel sleepy/tired and wondering if anyone else has this too? I am also worrying about the rare side effects mentioned in the leaflet. I have already gone back on a low carb diet and doing regular exercise so I am thinking about stopping the meds and re-assessing after next blood test in August?

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Hi Dot27,

I am also on Metformin. 1000mg twice daily. The starting dose is usually 500mg twice daily, & is prescribed when diet alone isn't having the desired effect controlling high blood glucose levels. Like yourself, I was reluctant to take any medication. But, I quickly decided that if oral medication could aide me by reducing & stabilising my BG, then it had to be better than the possibility of diabetic complications associated with high blood glucose levels. Yes, I did have some diarrhoea when I was first prescribed Metformin, but that subsided within 3-4 days. My DNS planned to prescribe me the sustained release option of Metformin should my gastric problems have persisted. Apparently the sustained release version is gentler on the stomach & less likely to cause problems. I've also continued to lose weight with Metformin, which has helped my overall general health as well as stabilising my blood glucose levels. However, my plan is to eventually reduce & stop all of my oral medication. And I'll do that gradually under the supervision of my GP & nurse specialist.

If you have concerns about taking Metformin, may I suggest you go back to see your GP or DNS & discuss it with them. With your elevated hba1c, it is important to regain better control of your BG levels in order to prevent possible diabetic complications. So, perhaps you need to decide whether Metformin may be the way to go for you in the short term. I don't experience sleepiness/tiredness with Metformin. Are these symptoms that appeared since taking the Metformin, or were they around beforehand? I hope you take the opportunity to discuss your concerns & seek advice from your healthcare provider before stopping your medication. Good luck & I do hope you feel better very soon. Best wishes.

Alison. X

Hi. Metformin is known tobe a very safe drug and with very few side effects for most of us. The bowel problems with the standard version either fade after a few weeks or you can ask for the SR version which I've been on for 10 years and have never had any side effects from Day 1. If your low-carbing brings you into the right bs range ask for the prescription to be stopped?