Metformin side effects

OTE="Dizz, post: 896197, member: 186512"]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?[/QUOTE]
Was

IE="Valcairos14, post: 956417, member: 162797"]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.[/QUOTE]
I have been on both metformins my stomach was bad all the time ..don't take anymore now trying gliclazide

Well it has finally hit me again my tablets for diabetes were changed a little while ago to Metformin the second time they have tried me on these. Since last Wednesday I have been slowly getting weaker. I thought it might be the way I have changed my workouts. But yesterday I had job to walk muscle cramps all down my right side. Then late evening all my left leg was cramped. This morning all my left side was muscle cramped from my neck to my foot. So it is round the doctors to find out what they can do.

Dizz said:

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?

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I was on Metformin for years and had your side effects when I first started, but they eased off when I took them with meals. However, over the years, I've suffered hair loss, hot flushes, sleep disturbance and a balance problem. I came off Metformin 4 weeks ago and cant believe the difference. I feel so well, my hair is thickening and the hot flushes have gone and I'm sleeping much better..its so great! I certainly wont go back on Metformin, or any other tablets again. I use insulin as well, so I hope to control the diabetes with that and diet. I'm on a reduced calorie & portions eating plan and have, so far, lost 21 lbs.

stormy2015 said:

IE="Valcairos14, post: 956417, member: 162797"]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.

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I have been on both metformins my stomach was bad all the time ..don't take anymore now trying gliclazide[/QUOTE]
I have just had a spell on gliclazide and it gave me muscle problems hope you do better.

An update to my post #30.
I switched to metformin slow release and within a week the diarrhoea had gone and the stomach cramps settled down and levelled out. Since then I have now gone 5 days without any stomach complaints so fingers crossed that I can tolerate the slow release tablets.

Dizz said:

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?

Click to expand...

How many Metformin SR are you taking? I can only tolerate 1 x 500mg, and am also on Insulin.

I had side effects when I first went onto metformin and they swiped it to the slow released ones and I been on them over 3 yrs now and they great they have just upped my dosage to 1000mg but I've been fine maybe ask ur diabete nurse about slow release ones hope you get sorted x

Mike IBS said:

An update to my post #30.
I switched to metformin slow release and within a week the diarrhoea had gone and the stomach cramps settled down and levelled out. Since then I have now gone 5 days without any stomach complaints so fingers crossed that I can tolerate the slow release tablets.

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I got put on the slow release ones too and they also worked for me I've just had my dosage upped and all is good

Dizz said:

I was on 2 a day, then down to one a day but I've stopped taking that now too. However, my BG has risen since stopping them so I may need to try again, perhaps I didn't give it long enough.

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Metformin is not the only way to reduce blood sugar (and it doesn't do that by much anyway, it does other useful things). But IMO if your body doesn't tolerate metformin then there's no point persevering with it. Better to look at reducing carbs and if necessary, asking about other meds.

doramar said:

I was on Metformin for years and had your side effects when I first started, but they eased off when I took them with meals. However, over the years, I've suffered hair loss, hot flushes, sleep disturbance and a balance problem. I came off Metformin 4 weeks ago and cant believe the difference. I feel so well, my hair is thickening and the hot flushes have gone and I'm sleeping much better..its so great! I certainly wont go back on Metformin, or any other tablets again. I use insulin as well, so I hope to control the diabetes with that and diet. I'm on a reduced calorie & portions eating plan and have, so far, lost 21 lbs.

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Well done on losing 21 lbs!! I'm new to this forum and joined to find out more about metformin side effects. I've been taking 4 a day for 4 years but as I haven't really dieted or exercised my diabetes has just stayed stable or gone up. It's only now that I've read about metformin that I've realised how many side effects I suffer with but thought I was just feeling low the the past few years. I'm also wondering if being on metformin gives me a safety net causing little or no motivation to actually do anything about my condition. Therefore I'm keen to stop taking them all together, go on very low carbs and excercise. Hoping I start to feel healthy again.

Did you just STOP metformin or gradually ween yourself off?

Les

I started Metformin SR 3 weeks ago. 500 once a day. Then 500 twice a day. Today I started on 1000 twice a day. I have had slime minor stomach problems and weakness but not terrible effects. I'm worried about today and forward. 1000 twice a day. I'm 61 and had Nirmal glucose and insulin until this year. I need to lose 15 kg 30-33 pounds. Any advise from the group?