Metformin question

[Jaxx01]

I'm only on 500mg a day at the moment but I posted the other day about a tummy bug I had. I stopped the metformin that day and was fine yesterday so felt well enough this morning to take my metformin again as usual.. Well I'm back to the same situation I was the other day I've been taking it for three weeks with no side effects. Do you think this could be caused by them or am I just really unfortunate to have two stomach bug in quick succession lol

 

[Grazer]

This is a known side effect of metformin. Can come on after a while. If it continues, ask your doctor for metforminSR (slow release) which doesn't normally have the same effect. The doctor doesn't give it to us unless we ask because its a tad more expensive.

 

[Jaxx01]

Thank you! Argh I can't go through this everyday it's horrid just seemed odd that it took 3 weeks to come out x

 

[paragliderpete]

Hi It might be worth trying to change how you take your tablets. If you are taking them before you eat, try taking them when you have just finished your meal, or even part way through. This simply change has helped many. I find that when I take my metformin, I have to keep the carb content of that meal as low as possible , otherwise it will upset my stomach.
I also find that every now and then they will upset my stomach for no apparant reason, will last for a couple of days then settle down again.
If the above simple tricks don't help, then as grazer said , ask your doctor to put you on the slow release variety, My suggestions about when you take them will still hold good for the sr type

 

[Jaxx01]

Ooh thanks for the tip!! I take it with my breakfast which is normally porridge as it said on the packet to take in the morning but I might try taking with my evening meal? Which tends to be lower carb. Thanks guys

 

[paragliderpete]

Hi I would suggest that you change your breakfast to lower carbs rather than taking you meds at night. The standard form of Metformin is fast acting and will be at its most effective a few hours after taking it. To take it before you go to bed will means that its working whilst you are fasting and are asleep.
It might be worth asking your gp to slit your meds to 250mg twice a day say at breakfast and evening meal

 

[GraceK]

Hi It might be worth trying to change how you take your tablets. If you are taking them before you eat, try taking them when you have just finished your meal, or even part way through. This simply change has helped many. I find that when I take my metformin, I have to keep the carb content of that meal as low as possible , otherwise it will upset my stomach.
I also find that every now and then they will upset my stomach for no apparant reason, will last for a couple of days then settle down again.
If the above simple tricks don't help, then as grazer said , ask your doctor to put you on the slow release variety, My suggestions about when you take them will still hold good for the sr type

Is Metformin a carb-blocker of some kind? Because there has to be some reason why it affects some people badly and not others. I've had no problems with it at all but I did start LCHF diet at the same time as I started the Metformin. It would be good if others who've had toilet issues with it could let us know if they're low carbers or not? Anyone?

 

[paragliderpete]

hi Grace, My understanding is that metformin has two functions, it improves insulin sensitivty in your cells and slows down the bodies absorbtion of carbohydrate. Its this second action that causes the stomach upsets. I think some of the bio chemists on the forum will be able to explain the full process. The bottom line is the more carb in a meal the bigger the reaction i.e the bigger the stomach upset. Thats assuming you have a reaction to Metformin many people do not

 

[BioHaZarD]

Hi It might be worth trying to change how you take your tablets. If you are taking them before you eat, try taking them when you have just finished your meal, or even part way through. This simply change has helped many. I find that when I take my metformin, I have to keep the carb content of that meal as low as possible , otherwise it will upset my stomach.
I also find that every now and then they will upset my stomach for no apparant reason, will last for a couple of days then settle down again.
If the above simple tricks don't help, then as grazer said , ask your doctor to put you on the slow release variety, My suggestions about when you take them will still hold good for the sr type

Is Metformin a carb-blocker of some kind? Because there has to be some reason why it affects some people badly and not others. I've had no problems with it at all but I did start LCHF diet at the same time as I started the Metformin. It would be good if others who've had toilet issues with it could let us know if they're low carbers or not? Anyone?

I started LCHF at the same time as metformin, I had toilet issues. I don't think it's a carb blocker, it's an appetite surpressor as well as other things.

 

[orchidlady]

Glad someone posted this question, I started on Metformin a couple of weeks ago and only now getting side effects, feeling really sick especially in the afternoon. Don't know why I am bothering, now completely lost my appetite ,did not even take last night pill as had nothing to eat, heard it was really bad to take on an empty stomach. And after all this not even started to make a difference sill reading in the mid teens. Sorry for the rant (

 

[Hobs]

Metformin belongs to a class of drugs known as biguanide medications and works in several ways.
The tablets reduces the amount of sugar made by the liver, limits the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet, and makes insulin receptors more sensitive so helping the body respond better to its own insulin.

All of these effects above cause a decrease in blood sugar levels, so if you are able to stick with it, you should be better for it.

 

[revenant]

This is a known side effect of metformin. Can come on after a while. If it continues, ask your doctor for metforminSR (slow release) which doesn't normally have the same effect. The doctor doesn't give it to us unless we ask because its a tad more expensive.

I'm on maximum dose metformin SR (4 tablets a day). Metformin has never given me stomach upsets but the laxative effect - especially of the regular metformin - was alarming at first. SR is better but still mildly laxative. Don't be surprised when the inert tablet material carrying the metformin pops out of the oither end still whole. No one warns you about that. It's not a problem, just a bit weird.

 

[GraceK]

This is a known side effect of metformin. Can come on after a while. If it continues, ask your doctor for metforminSR (slow release) which doesn't normally have the same effect. The doctor doesn't give it to us unless we ask because its a tad more expensive.

I'm on maximum dose metformin SR (4 tablets a day). Metformin has never given me stomach upsets but the laxative effect - especially of the regular metformin - was alarming at first. SR is better but still mildly laxative. Don't be surprised when the inert tablet material carrying the metformin pops out of the oither end still whole. No one warns you about that. It's not a problem, just a bit weird.

Gawd ... that's a new one on me. Learn summat new every day on this forum. :lol: :lol:

 

[Defren]

I started LCHF at the same time as metformin, I had toilet issues. I don't think it's a carb blocker, it's an appetite surpressor as well as other things.

No, it's not a carb blocker, it is a well known appetite suppressant, it decimated my appetite for a while, but I didn't have any other symptoms. I am still on the bog (no pun intended) standard ones and never have an issue.

I would speak with your GP and ask for the slow release version, I would also advise you take your Metformin with a meal.

Good luck.