Metformin side effects

dave69

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?

Dizz, When I got diagnosed and put on Metformin and all the other meds, I had loose and I mean loose bowels and IBS for over 2 yrs before , touch wood, it went away.
 

Ellis79

Well-Known Member
Messages
54
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?

I too had the same trouble with Metformin and you might be interested to know that recently while buying the medication Januet XR, which contains SR Metformin, the pharmacist serving me made a suggestion I never heard of before (and neither has my GP or any of the specialists to whom I related it). According to her, if you're taking the tablet once a day, you should take it after a carb - free meal. This, she claimed, can reduce the outbreaks of diarrhoea. I've tried it a couple of times at breakfast and simply did without bread or any other carb at that meal - just had some salad and an egg or something like that - and then ate as usual during the rest of the day and it seemed to be OK. You can, of course, opt to take it in the evening and have a carb - free meal then. Worth a go anyway. If that doesn't help then you're obviously one of those people who can't tolerate Metformin, like me, and you should talk to your GP or diabetes consultant about suitable alternatives.
 

ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
Metformin..you want to know,? well here goes, they tried me on the rubbish some 14 years ago, diarrhoea, throwing up, stomach cramps, muscle ache vision disturbance....after 1 pill. Anyway a stupid doctor lied to me 6 years or so later, and said they wanted to try a new pill and wanted me to be in hospital to monitor. Pill 1, serious cramps, diarrhoea, muscle problems, visual disturbance, next pill, now cannot focus, cannot eat, having dificulty in moving, in extreme pain all but screaming out. They gave me morphine, third pill, what with the morphine, stomach cramps,sickness etc managed to get sitting on side of bed. could not call for help. No more pills. next day nurse let me see what they had given me ...bloody morphine, still cannot focus cannot use glasses, cannot focus even on a TV. Took six weeks before I could ride my motorcycle, 4 weeks to drive my car at about 40 mph max, could not read until 6 weeks. To think that I was taking morphine for a week after three of those poisonous little pills. They would not let me leave the hospital for 3 days after taking the poison. Other symptoms are severe vitamin B12 loss causing clicky finger etc (that however also maybe a dibetes problem),false heart symptoms, total loss of libido which after several years has never returned. Sure take the ****, however it is possible the problems may be worse than the insulin which I have been on now for 14 years. I have problems with that, even now found that chest pains are relieved with desloratidine. Have been taking that for over 10 years. My dad had problems, yet the medical will not listen, he ended up on porcine due to various problematical pains. They will not try me on that, oh no, just keep increasing the insulin, 46 morning, if I eat midday, 46, if not nothing, evening 60-66 depending what we have and 44 going to bed. BS am 5-9 normally evening normally 5-7.
So sorry to hear you had those horrific experiences :( I take it you now do your own reading before starting any unfamiliar drug? Is there any formal compliant or legal action you can take about what happened? If it were me, that would help me deal with it emotionally. I would also let future doctors know what happened because if you are allergic to one drug you may be at risk of problems with related drugs.
 

maureen5752

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,052
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Never had any trouble with metformin! But gliclazide makes my life hell, hot sweats, exstreme itching, headaches, joint pain, you name it, I get it! But I keep taking it, regular diet helps, I eat normal healthy diet (no cakes or sugary stuff but I eat carbs,fruit, porridge ect and got my cholestral down to 3.3 from 8 & trycli writes (can't spell that) down from 1.9 to 1 and my hbc1a down from 24.3 to 7.4. In just under 3 months. So just keep trying. Good luck to you all. We are all different so keep trying
 

ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
Never had any trouble with metformin! But gliclazide makes my life hell, hot sweats, exstreme itching, headaches, joint pain, you name it, I get it! But I keep taking it, regular diet helps, I eat normal healthy diet (no cakes or sugary stuff but I eat carbs,fruit, porridge ect and got my cholestral down to 3.3 from 8 & trycli writes (can't spell that) down from 1.9 to 1 and my hbc1a down from 24.3 to 7.4. In just under 3 months. So just keep trying. Good luck to you all. We are all different so keep trying
Hi Maureen

You might find that if you reduced your carbs enough you would be able to go off the gliclazide (in consultation with your HCP). If not, insulin can be a better option for some people.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people

Stemar

Well-Known Member
Messages
145
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?

Hi Dizz,

Sorry to hear you're not feeling too well, after taking your prescribed Metformin, I hope things get better soon.

I'm from Sydney, Australia, so I'm not sure if this will help, but I thought I should let you know anyway. I was put on Metformin about three months ago, without any side effects at all, but the type of Metformin I take is a slow release tablet (Metformin XR 500) and I take 2 each morning before I do anything else. So I hope they have a slow release version that you could ask your Doctor for, if your symptoms persist. As I've never had any problems since I started taking this version of Metformin.

So I hope your able to get some control over your side affects as soon as you can, as it's bad enough having this condition let alone be put through added problems just for taking the medication that is suppose to be helping, not hindering your recovery. I wish you all the best with your situation and hope you and your Doctor, can find a solution as soon as possible, so you don't have to suffer more that what is required, when you have this condition, so take care and good luck with your future.

Stemar, (Downunder)
 

Wayne78

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Wasting my time on frivolous matters
Hello.
I was put on Metformin SR,I had problems for about three months,feeling sick ,stomach pains,and I was only on 1 x 500mg.
I did search other meds but decided to continue.
Reading round the forum I dont think 1 x 500mg does a lot for blood sugar,but I didnt know any better at the time,now I am used to them and have no problems I will continue to take them.
Changing the way I eat has done wonders,I have gone from 58 to 44 HbA1c in a year,following a lower carb diet.
I could come off the Metformin now,but decided to continue because If I ever had to go on them again at a later date I would have to go through the problems again.
All the best
 

Rog

Well-Known Member
Messages
248
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?
. Anyone had a rash around neck from met formin , itchy too ?
 

Wayne78

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Wasting my time on frivolous matters
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?
 

Wayne78

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Wasting my time on frivolous matters
Those are just some of the side effects of metformin. I get mood swings and irritable when i take them.
Started to exercise regulary and seeing improvement in my blood glucose control. You might want to start doing that to reduce your dependency on metformin.
 

Wayne78

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Wasting my time on frivolous matters
I was diagnosed just over a month ago and put on metformin. From the first pill and the first 8 days I suffered from diarrhoea. At the time I was taking 1 500mg twice a day. The nurse advised I drop down to 1 per day for a couple of weeks to help my body adjust to metformin.

I have been back on 2 per day just over a week and no issues so far so may be worth asking your doctor about reducing but don't just decide to do it of course get advice
Speak to your doctor about and exercise program or seek a holistic nutritionist/ dietician
 

pmailkeey

Member
Messages
9
I as diagnosed with diabetes 2 July 2015 after the NHS health Check but had no symptoms of diabetes apart from high blood sugars. I was put on normal Metformin and with 2 days I got every side effect listed on the information leaflet and felt awful the longer I was on the tablets. Not actually been able to see my doctor or anybody at the practice since (long story).

Feel free to DM your long story - I'm v. interested in that! Thanks.
 

fobbletops

Active Member
Messages
34
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Was started on the normal Metformin on diagnosis just over a month ago, had the common side effects of bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Eventually had had enough and asked to be switched to SR version which my GP agreed to. Changed to the new tablets on Wednesday and thought I was going to be OK, but unfortunately had another really bad tummy today, so I'm just wondering if I'm going to have trouble tolerating these as well. Has anyone else found that it still took a little while for their tummy to settle after switching?
I had a very bad time on Metformin. Blamed irritable bowels for my problem for a year as did my doctor. However stopped it 4 months ago and immediately lost a terrible seediness,nausea and my diarrhoea improved.I still get some irritable bowel symptoms but markedly improved than I was,No seeddiness or nausea which is wonderful, for 4 months.
 

ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
Speak to your doctor about and exercise program or seek a holistic nutritionist/ dietician
I'm not sure that holistic nutritionists/dieticians have the training needed to advise on diabetes. What does "holistic" mean?
 

ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
I had a very bad time on Metformin. Blamed irritable bowels for my problem for a year as did my doctor. However stopped it 4 months ago and immediately lost a terrible seediness,nausea and my diarrhoea improved.I still get some irritable bowel symptoms but markedly improved than I was,No seeddiness or nausea which is wonderful, for 4 months.
I'm so saddened to hear that you had issues for a whole year because your doctor didn't realise this is a common side effect of metformin :( I've learned over the years to consider any new or increased drugs first when I get a new symptom of anything.
 

maureen5752

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,052
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Maureen

You might find that if you reduced your carbs enough you would be able to go off the gliclazide (in consultation with your HCP). If not, insulin can be a better option for some people.
Hi cat lady. I only eat wholemeal, and brown bread, rice ect, but not loads only a balanced diet, but I will try what you suggest, I do eat fruite but careful which fruite, but any advice I'm open to thanks, I'm sure I wS a diabetic for years had symptoms but took blood test for loss of hair for my doctor to realise, hair is falling
out in handfuls! Of to get thyroid test now so I will close now must rush out
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people

SheilaN

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Giving out personal information on the internet because it leaves me vulnerable in my personal and professional life.
Hello.
I was put on Metformin SR,I had problems for about three months,feeling sick ,stomach pains,and I was only on 1 x 500mg.
I did search other meds but decided to continue.
Reading round the forum I dont think 1 x 500mg does a lot for blood sugar,but I didnt know any better at the time,now I am used to them and have no problems I will continue to take them.
Changing the way I eat has done wonders,I have gone from 58 to 44 HbA1c in a year,following a lower carb diet.
I could come off the Metformin now,but decided to continue because If I ever had to go on them again at a later date I would have to go through the problems again.
All the best

Before you continue with Metformin, are you aware that Metformin carries a high risk of Vitamin B12 malabsorption and that low B12 can cause demyelination of the nervous system. The effects of this have often been tragically mistaken for diabetic peripheral neuritis and diabetic associated dementia. I am doing my best to make people aware of this because my family and others I now know have suffered enormously as a result of ignorance about this. See, for instance, https://candobetter.net/node/4463 "Incurable Alzhemiers or treatable Vitamin B deficiency", the short film, and the references, notably the book Sally M. Pacholok and Jeffrey J. Stuart called, Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses (2007) (2011)
 

rinfrance

Well-Known Member
Messages
63
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have been on Insulin from word go. They tried the Glucophage and similar and had serious side effects after just 1 pill. The doctor tried all. However, when you consider I went to her and said I have got diabetes and she said no urinary infection so was sent of to the hospital and as the doctor came in said Diabetes, he said yes how did you know. My dad had it so we suspect did my G/dad. They put me in hospital and did tests and ended up on insulin, I had some serious side effects with most insulins, chest pains however being on humolog 30 and having desloratidine has stopped that. Do bs 3 or 4 times a day and NORMALLY they are between 5 and 10. very rarely lower or higher. More likely at 7 - 8 being the norm.
I do have problems with many drugs, eg tramadol, some Lilly insulin, allergic to penecillin etc. I am told that they are not all allergies, just an intolerance. I have tried to get a differential of the difference between an intolerance and allergy, but so far not even the so called doctors can give a sensible answer, they all start "Well" which is politician speak for "I am now about to spiel out a load of bxxxxxks which I do not even understand what I am saying!"
 

ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
Before you continue with Metformin, are you aware that Metformin carries a high risk of Vitamin B12 malabsorption and that low B12 can cause demyelination of the nervous system. The effects of this have often been tragically mistaken for diabetic peripheral neuritis and diabetic associated dementia. I am doing my best to make people aware of this because my family and others I now know have suffered enormously as a result of ignorance about this. See, for instance, https://candobetter.net/node/4463 "Incurable Alzhemiers or treatable Vitamin B deficiency", the short film, and the references, notably the book Sally M. Pacholok and Jeffrey J. Stuart called, Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses (2007) (2011)
I have read that metformin can cause low B12 after 3 years of use. This condition can be detected with a simple blood test and corrected with B12 injections. So if people ensure that they get tested they should be ok. They should ask for a folate test at the same time, as this can be depleted like B12 can.