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Metformin side effects

Use to get severe tommy ache when I started taking Metformin (modified release) tablets especially when it was increased to 4 tables a day (i.e. 2 at am and 2 at pm). I seldom have tommy ache and diarrhoea now. My blood sugar is well controlled with just 4 tables a day. I eat a lot of fruits/veg and carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, yam. My blood sugar (fasting ranges between 5.1 - 6.7 most mornings. I only have problems (tommy aches, weakness/tiredness) if I eat late or miss my lunch or dinner.
 
Well just to add my experiences so far, 1 week on Metformin 1 x 500mg, 2 weeks on 2x 500mg. Feeling sick and stomach pains all the time, switched by GP to Metformin SR 2 x 500mg a day. A little better at first but now after 2 weeks, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pains, tired all the time, cold sweats, being sick. I have a bad back with damaged vertebrae and an exercise and stretch regime helps a lots with visits to my sports physio. But feeling so unwell now for 5 weeks not feeling like exercising is not helping. One bonus is that I have lost 4-5lbs.
I have tested now and then with highs of 6 and think have been low a number of times with feeling a bit light headed and dizzy. I had something to eat quickly and was still only 5.6 when I got home shortly after. With the GP now refusing to prescribe testing strips, I have been sparing with the few I have left. I need to look for a tester that has cheaper test strips. Not sure how much longer to carry on before seeing GP, currently told to have a blood test in December.
 
I'd suggest discussing metformin with your GP or nurse asap. It must be miserable

Many people on the forum use the SD Codefree meter, available here:
http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm

... because they have the cheapest test strips on the market. There is a discount code if you buy 5 or 10 boxes, which brings the price down to about £5 for 50 strips.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
 
I was put on Metformin 1000mg twice a day in Feb 2015, I've been lucky no side effects. I've got a controled diet and lost weight and went from 130 to 45 HbA1c in 4 months. I just eat more healthly and read labels more. I do believe you have to let your body adapt to the meds and change of lifestyle - I wish you luck
 
I had this problem with Metformin and ended up refusing to take them. Luckily the Dr agreed and I went months without them, then I saw the Consultant at the Hospital and he suggested I take Alogliptin and this is marvellous No side effects and blood sugar under control.
 
I don't know if it means anything but I have a long term liver disease - I was originally on Metformin but because of "potential" side effects (I actually never had any but the Docs computer flagged up a problem) I have been switched to Sitagliptin (Januvia) 2 x 100mg a day.
 

Hi I have been on metformin now since 2012 and can relate with the side effects you are having. About 6 months ago I started with stomach pains and diarrhoea but as time went on the problem got worse so went to my doctors about 4 weeks ago and explained the problem. He then said I needed to be seen by a specialist urgently and I had an appointment 2weeks later and also needed me to have a CT scan. After seeing the specialist at hospital they said I needed to have a flexible colonoscopy ( tube up my bum) after doing this and having to take laxatives to give them a clear route into my large bowel they had to stop due to a blockage there. I did however get told that I had polyps and my large bowel was inflamed. However I couldn't be given medication for it as they needed to see the whole large bowel so I'm now going in again in October for them to do a full scan and camera but although I'm now off my metformin I am still getting the pains even though the diarrhoea has gone so what I would say is if you are still getting the pains after the metformin is out of your system then go see your doctor and insist on further tests as I wouldn't like anyone to go through the pain I am at the moment as I have other medical problems and taking high doses of morpheme for them but this pain not even the morpheme is strong enough to stop. Talk it over with your doctor as you may need a CT scan to make sure it's all ok inside. I don't want this to scare you in anyway I just thought my problem may help you understand what is happening. As far as the metformin I was taking my doctor has taken me off them until all my tests are complete so it may have nothing to do with you swapping to a different tablet it may just be a knock on effect from the metformin.
 
Back in 2001 I was put on metformin and I had the same issues this was because of the amount of fat within myself my Doctor and nurse worked with me to see what we can do without stopping the metformin after a few months we worked out that if I had fatty foods I would suffer from the side affects.

So I changed my diet swapping high fat foods for healthy eating the side affects dissappear.
 


Hi, I had the same problem as you. Started normal Metformin(cheaper version than SR one) several years ago. Had tummy troubles big time. Then got switched to SR Metformin. Still had tummy troubles for a few months but it then settled down and has been fine since. I do have the occassional tummy upset but it's quite rare now. Try to persevere with it. Good luck.
From Sandy xx
 
CatLadyNZ said:
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.
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Hi I take insulin twice a day as well as Metformin & Januvia (Stiglipin) as I needed a bit of help and after 2 years and upping the Insulin levels a bit my blood glucose levels have now stablelised. I was diagnosed Type 2 eight years ago.
 
Hi Everyone,

Unfortunately for all of us with diabetes, weather it's Type 1, or Type 2, we are at the mercy of doctors and clinical staff, who don't like to be told anything that may be of benefit to us, even though you have investigated the various treatments that are available, at the time. As they have this higher than us attitude, plus when you ask anything of them in the form of a question, they reply with an answer that then leaves one with 2 more question, I believe they do this because they are unsure of what treatment to suggest, or how it will work, themselves.

Because medicine, like diabetes is a case of trial and error, to see what works, as what may work for one, may not work for another, so we must continue to try various things, until we find a solution that works for oneself. This is only my opinion as I don't have a high regard for some Doctors I've come across in the past, with their condescending ways, but we must utilize their abilities so as to gain some sort of control over this condition, that creeps up on us without any warning.

Stemar, (Downunder)
 
Sorry to hear about your tablets those side effects do go with Metformin if you have just started with Type 2 have you asked your doctor if you can go strictly on diet only and nip it in the bud now but you need to be stricter than strict?
 
People will disagree with me Because of my work and my doctor being a little old fashion I just went with the flow then I changed my lifestyle and now without 5 tabs and 1 injection not insulin free. And I feel great
 
Sorry to hear Can you go back to your doctor about the morphine not controlling the pain? Maybe they can bring the tests forward?
 
Sandy_E said:
Hi I take insulin twice a day as well as Metformin & Januvia (Stiglipin) as I needed a bit of help and after 2 years and upping the Insulin levels a bit my blood glucose levels have now stablelised. I was diagnosed Type 2 eight years ago.
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Good to hear your levels have stabilised. What sort of foods do you eat in a typical day? Is your insulin dose adjustable with each meal or are you on fixed doses/mixed insulin. The latter approach is not ideal and can cause weight issues.
 
Hi, diagnosed in July T2, prescribed Metformin 500mg 3 x daily (also prescribed Ramipril for high BP 2.5mg 1 x daily and Simvastatin 40mg 1 x daily for high cholestrol). Immediately following forst dose of Metformin I was experiencing stomach cramps but as I had read the side effects could be unpleasant was expecting some problems. Note that I have always had a 'dodgy' stomach with 'run to the loo at a moments notice' problems so these symptoms were nothing new. After the second dose I experienced severe heamorragic diarhoea (sp.) passing neat bright blood, couldn't get a doctors appointment so immediately stopped the metformin.
When I was able to see my DN I asked for SR Metformin and was prescribed Bolamyn 1000mg (1 x daily). After one bout of upset stomach (not severe) I've settled with the SR HOWEVER for me the following regime seems to work as well as it can be expected to:
morning (between 8-9am) 1 x Ramipril 2.5mg 1 x fenugreek 610mg 1 x chromium picolinate
evening (immediately following evening meal time varies) 1 x Bolamyn 1000mg 1 x Simvastatin 40mg 1 x fenugreek 610mg

I am awaiting a referral for a colonoscopy after scaring my doctor with the photos of my bloody stools, also my DN has booked me for a gluten intolerance test along with my 3 monthly HbA1c and cholestrol. I have very often wondered if I have a gluten intolerance hence my dodgy stomach over many years. If any of you had stomach problems before your diabetes diagnosis and have not had gluten intolerence testing please ask for it at your next routine bloods.

For any of you taking BP and cholestrol reducing medicines please consider that the recommendation is that you DO NOT take them together, and that you take statins at night NOT in the morning.

I have recently been accepted onto the National Exercise Referral Scheme which offers me the option to attend any of 12 exercise sessions per week for 16 weeks. I've managed 1 a week over the past 2 weeks, it's killing me to exercise and my knees are suffering. Prior to the exercise classes I had lost 13lbs in 8 weeks on LCHF, recently I've been lapsing with cutting out all carbs and must say I don't feel as well as I did on strict LCHF diet.
 
I've been told it's important not to restrict gluten in the few weeks before a gluten intolerance test, as it can affect the results.
 
I was given Metformin years ago when I was first diagnosed. Then there was no SR version. I did have some cramps at first but they wore off after a few weeks. However, my big problem with side effects was a rash which started behind by knees and spread up and down my legs very quickly. I did not at first associate it with Metformin and tried various Pharmacy remedies to no avail. Eventually I was put onto Steroids to cure it as nothing else worked, even from my GP. So although rashes are not common, if you are prone to side effects, please watch out for this one; and do not do as I did, try and fix it yourself before reporting it to your GP. Additionally, I did not lose any of the weight I had put on over the previous few months with Metformin, although I know many people are able to do so. When my rash was reported to the GP, I was taken off Metformin and given Tolbutamide. No stomach problems with that medication but it did nothing to help to regulate my Glucose levels - so Insulin was then prescribed. I only take one injection each evening, and the rest of the day my glucose is controlled with diet and exercise.Just for the record my type of Diabetes is an auto-immune one, as I also have an auto-immune Thyroid problem. Hope this information will be of some help to you.
 
jacotomy said:
The only digestive tract problem has been a noticeable increase in flatulance. Any advice would be welcome as would sugestions for alternatives to Metformin.
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Oh my, you and me both. I feel like a hovercraft lol
 
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