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Metformin Medication

Michael2457

Active Member
Messages
32
Location
Warrington
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Rude,Ignorant people.Manners & respect for others cost nothing.
Please can anyone help me ? I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have been given Metformin 500mg daily for a week, then up it to 1000mg daily.

After three days if taking the first dosage I am feeling worse,more tiredness,weak, than before I took them.Can anyone tell me,Is that normal? IF so,when does it wear off please? I am so weak at the moment,I cant even go out and walk!

Your comments appreciated,Thank You.
 
Hello michael2457,welcome to the forum ,i'll tag @daisy1 for the info for new posters , have a good read and come back with your questions,clive
 
This has never happened to me, been on them 15 yrs. I do get very tired but dont really associate that with the metformin. Hope someone else can help more than I have.
 
I,I on 20th a day and have had no problems
 
Hi michael2457, sorry didn't see you already had the new poster info,can you give more info on your weight/ height / blood pressure and blood sugar levels ,and what you are currently eating drinking,then we may be able to help,clive
 
Thanks for the welcome and replies everyone.Appreciated. Unfortunately Clive I have only been diagnosed (Thursday) as T2,and was told over a rushed Doctors apt.

I have an apt to see the Diabetic nurse in 3 weeks and no other information.Thus I have not got a BG testing kit,nor a BP monitor. I have just been given the Metformin and now on the third day of taking. I been eating Bran Flakes/raisins for Breakfast, soups,vegetables,eggs,2 slices of wheatgerm bread, meat dishes with veg,no potatoes etc and bananas/oranges.
 
Ok i understand Michael2457, this really is the key,using a meter, testing on waking before you put a foot on the floor,immediately before dinner,then 2 hrs after dinner, i have attatched graph to show you the bs ranges from normal to diabetic,please keep asking questions,clive
 
Mike your tiredness is probably due to insulin resistance,have a look at this around here.
As for the Metformin I am on the same regime , started off on one 500mg per day then up to two per day.Standard procedure.The reason being that some have problems of the explosive run to the loo kind until it settles down.So they start off on a low dose.If you have stomach pain or the above there is a SR or slow release version of Metformin but it is much more expensive.So they will always see if you can tolerate the cheap one first.
My blood sugar would stay high on bread,cereal,rasins,fruit other than berries and orange juice is a fructose fest.
Have a look at the "what have you eaten today" thread for alternatives.
 
Hi...I am Type 2....started on glucophage...a brand of metformin After 6 weeks of increasing it slowly...weekly...am now on 2000mg taken over the day...1 morning...1 lunch and 2 dinner...all taken with the food .I think it's important to low carb to lessen any stomach problems with the metformin...see the different food choices in this forum. Also a lot of us check our blood glucose with a meter...I use a code free from Amazon as its cheap and testing strips , are cheapish too .A lot of GPS will not supply a meter as they don't believe you should test if only on metformin...However,it can act as a guide to see how different foods affect your blood sugar.My GP told me not to test as it would make me anxious!!It doesn't...it makes me in control and informed so I can make good choices.
I test on waking...and before all meals and 2 hours after...particularly as my glucophage dose is altering. Take time to read around this forum...lots of advice re food,testing....numbers etc..Good luck with your DN.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I think with regards to the tiredness it maybe the metformin but side effects generally get better over a week or so .It maybe your sugars are falling but I have days when I am very tired too. When my sugars have been high ...over 15 ..I have actually been full of energy and a bit "high" but it didn't feel good as I wasn't sleeping well at all.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 

In my humble opinion... and I'm not a medical professional... I have been led to believe any change will take between 8 -12 weeks to show as the blood contents run in 12 week cycles. I am guessing its a GP who increased the dosage that quickly.. my endocrinologist was horrified when our nurse was increasing my medication after just two weeks trial.
 
I would find out your sugar reading or HbA1c when you see the nurse and if you can invest in a meter and start testing yourself as some foods will send your sugars high and this impacts on how you feel .Hope this helps but loads of help on forum if you can just spend some time browsing.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 


Hi Clive, I have read your reply with interest... I am wondering where you got that scale from? I am interested because it differs from the levels my GP works with and the levels my endocrinologist uses . Also, I note the hypoglycaemia levels start at 3.9 , I did a two day education course where I mentioned to the tutor I was getting " weird things going on " when my sugars dropped below 4.5. She showed me the new DVLA rules stating any diabetic should test before getting in the car to drive, and if results were less than 5 , they should take steps to increase it and not drive until the levels had been over 5 for 40 minutes. Any ideas on that one? I checked with the DVLA website as our practise nurse dismissed that information, it did not confirm it.. so I challenged the tutor.. she rang the DVLA and they confirmed it on the phone... they said the website needed updating. Any ideas on that one as the chart you have shows 5.6 and over as pre-diabetic but the DVLA say less than 5 is not fit to drive for a diabetic. I'm confused .
 
Hi sujane,just retired to bed will give you proper answer tomorrow,clive
 
The DVLA guidance says not to drive if blood glucose is less than 5 AND you are taking medication that may cause hypos. Although 5 is normal, the idea is probably to have high enough glucose levels so the medication can't lower them so much that you have a hypo whilst driving.
 
Hi Michael, I was recently diagnosed with T2 and was started on Metformin too. I felt the same as you described. It took me about 8 days to get used to Metformin and get my energy levels up. Just take one day at a time.
Everyone on this forum is very helpful and supportive with great advice.
 
Thanks for your advice everyone.Really appreciated. One week later,with major adjustments to diet and Metformin,Im feeling less tired . This is a wonderful helpful site. I would be lost without it.Thanks guys n gals.
 
Has anyone tried Glumetza-ER (Metformin -extended Release) & noticed any difference on Fasting Blood Sugar ?
 
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