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Metformin Side Effects

Mimi1212

Mimi1212

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Other
I was recently prescribed metformin and started on 1x 500mg every day for two weeks and then went to 2x 500mg every day.
I haven't felt so ill since I last had a sickness and diohrreah bug a couple of years ago! I have had constant diohrreah, neuasea, spaced out-ness, bloated-ness, and tiredness to the point of falling over (not experienced since pre-diagnosis) since day one.
I've stopped it at the three week point (after looking it up in the BNF to see if it was ok to stop just like that) because I can't take any more and I need to work and can't function on the metformin. I have an appointment with my doctor in a week, to see how I'm getting on, but would like to ask if anyone can suggest what I should be asking to try next by way of blood-sugar lowering medication?
Has anyone who's experienced this situation found the slow-release metformin any better?
Thank you in advance
Mimi1212
 
@Mimi1212

Hi Mimi and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you have been in such a bad way.

I have no first hand experience of metformin, but do understand that many people who can't tolerate "fast release" can cope with slow release, but there are some who can't handle any metformin. The only thing you can do, if you want/need medication, is give it a try.

However, there is another alternative, going on to a low carb diet. There are many people on this forum, my husband James is one, who have given up all diabetes medication and have returned their blood glucose levels to normal by giving up all sugary things (cakes, biscuits, sweets, jams, fizzy drinks, fruit juice and most fruit etc) and severely restricting bread and other flour products, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals. How much or little of these things you need to give up is something you have to test and experiment with, to find out what suits you. You will need to to get yourself a blood glucose meter and test strips (there's one called Code Free on Amazon) and test before and after meals, until you become familiar with the effects of different foods.

If you are completely new to all this, it's rather a lot to take on at first. Take it gradually, have a good look round the forum and the main site and ask as many questions as you need - even silly ones, because we like those best, because they're easiest to answer.

good luck
Sally
 
Hi, I'm on slow release and found it ok
I wouldn't raise the dose by the week but when all side effects subside.
I had the squirts and heart burn for a few days, so I was lucky
 
Hello Sally and James
Thank you for your advice. It's funny that you should mention low carbing, as I managed to keep myself in the 5% club for a while doing that but I've let things slip quite drasticly in the last couple of years and find myself where I am today. It's time to get the Bernstein book out and start from scratch I think. This experience with metformin is the push I need to get things back on track (hopefully).
I know my GP (also a diabetes researcher) will be keen to get me started on something that will help with the difficulties my kidneys are under at the moment, so I'll ask him about slow release metformin when I see him.
I'll also have a look at the low-carb forum for some more ideas. I used to use the forum regularly but have had my head in the sand for a couple of years and feel really bad about it.
Thanks again
Mimi
 
Hello Jack
Thanks for that info, especially waiting for the side effects to subside before moving the dose up. I think slow release will be the next option.
Mimi
 
Mimi1212 said:
I was recently prescribed metformin and started on 1x 500mg every day for two weeks and then went to 2x 500mg every day.
I haven't felt so ill since I last had a sickness and diohrreah bug a couple of years ago! I have had constant diohrreah, neuasea, spaced out-ness, bloated-ness, and tiredness to the point of falling over (not experienced since pre-diagnosis) since day one...
Mimi1212
Click to expand...

Mimi, by all means discuss advice given in these forums with your doctor but don't take them as gospel. I love the Low Carb High Fat diet but I'd be reluctant to urge anyone else to go on it just like that.

It sounds like you've been introduced to metformin in the usual manner and having reached normal dosage, you're still not acclimatized. There is an older thread you may be interested in looking at - a discussion of alternatives to discuss with your doctor: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/is-there-an-alternative-to-metformin.39843/

I do know what you're going through. I did successfully adjust to the point where I've been taking 3x1000mg daily (and it really improved my glucose levels in a way that diet and exercise hadn't) without difficulty - after that initial period of adjustment. I had a CT scan during the week, which involved stopping metformin until it I was clean. I'm now back going through the whole induction again and I'm back with the bloating and the runs again. Woo-hoo! I've stayed at home the weekend within reach of The Littlest Room.
 
Belzedar said:
Mimi, by all means discuss advice given in these forums with your doctor but don't take them as gospel. I love the Low Carb High Fat diet but I'd be reluctant to urge anyone else to go on it just like that.

It sounds like you've been introduced to metformin in the usual manner and having reached normal dosage, you're still not acclimatized. There is an older thread you may be interested in looking at - a discussion of alternatives to discuss with your doctor: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/is-there-an-alternative-to-metformin.39843/

I do know what you're going through. I did successfully adjust to the point where I've been taking 3x1000mg daily (and it really improved my glucose levels in a way that diet and exercise hadn't) without difficulty - after that initial period of adjustment. I had a CT scan during the week, which involved stopping metformin until it I was clean. I'm now back going through the whole induction again and I'm back with the bloating and the runs again. Woo-hoo! I've stayed at home the weekend within reach of The Littlest Room.
Click to expand...
Belzedar said:
Mimi, by all means discuss advice given in these forums with your doctor but don't take them as gospel. I love the Low Carb High Fat diet but I'd be reluctant to urge anyone else to go on it just like that.

It sounds like you've been introduced to metformin in the usual manner and having reached normal dosage, you're still not acclimatized. There is an older thread you may be interested in looking at - a discussion of alternatives to discuss with your doctor: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/is-there-an-alternative-to-metformin.39843/

I do know what you're going through. I did successfully adjust to the point where I've been taking 3x1000mg daily (and it really improved my glucose levels in a way that diet and exercise hadn't) without difficulty - after that initial period of adjustment. I had a CT scan during the week, which involved stopping metformin until it I was clean. I'm now back going through the whole induction again and I'm back with the bloating and the runs again. Woo-hoo! I've stayed at home the weekend within reach of The Littlest Room.
Click to expand...
 
Hello Belzedar
That older post was helpful, thank you.
I'd forgotten how helpful this forum can be when a person's struggling.
Mimi
 
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