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Metformin SR side effects?

MCMLXXIII

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,838
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello.
A few weeks ago I had a post Diabetic check-up phone consultation with my G.P because my blood sugar was high (I'm type 2).
We agreed to double my dose of Metformin SR to 2 x 1000mg tablets daily (so 2000mg per day).
I'm a little worried for the last week I've suffered from some gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, loss of appetite and stomach pain. It's been a discomfort.
Is this related to my increased dose or could I get some advice please.
I also tested for Covid twice in the last fortnight and was negative.
Perhaps related to this I'm finding it difficult to sleep.
Yours sincerely
Chris
 
Hi. Metformin SR is usually but not always well tolerated by the stomach/bowel. It's possible the dose increase could be the cause of the upset but may be something else. If it continues you may want to suggest to the GP that you go back to the lower dose. Metformin is a good safe drug but doesn't affect BS that much. I was on 2000mg SR for many years and luckily had no problems.
 
MCMLXXIII said:
I'm a little worried for the last week I've suffered from some gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, loss of appetite and stomach pain. It's been a discomfort.
Click to expand...

For some people metformin is the drug from hell.

I was tied to the house for 3 weeks so chucked the pills in the bin and completely changed what I ate.
7 years later still in remission.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Having spoken to the Doctor earlier today, I am dropping back to 1000mg a day and reassessed in 3 weeks.
I'm curious.. Changing eating habits and pills in the bin?
Vegan perchance. I tried this with success for 3 years. Perhaps something I need to go back to.

Cheers
 
MCMLXXIII said:
Vegan perchance. I tried this with success for 3 years. Perhaps something I need to go back to.
Click to expand...

I smiled when I read your response to one of our most committed carnivores. I'm guessing you already know this, but a lot of posters here successfully reduce their levels by reducing the carbs in their diets.

Here's my favourite into to low carb and T2.

JoKalsbeek's blog | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community

And here's a link to the low carb vegetarian section of this forum. You don't have to eat meat to low carb.
Vegetarian Diet Forum | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community
 
ChristieM said:
Also, could try pro biotics. Worked for me and my brother.
Click to expand...
Just probiotics? Nothing else?

Thanks for the flurry of other replies.
Sincerely appreciated and any further advice or help to get off this ****** medication gratefully received..
 

Hi
I had same problems
Was then prescribed sukkarto again same problem stopped taking them
I was talked into reducing dose didn’t work
I’m now on Trulicity and inject once a week not perfect but I think better
I’m going for check up soon so will see
I’m diabetic type 2
 
Honestly never heard of a type 2 injecting medications before.
My apologies if this sounds terribly naive of me.
I'm also looking at how to reduce my blood pressure before they pressure me into stations as it's a little higher than normal.
 
I have been borderline diabetic for years fluctuating from 42-50. Because I want to go onto Semaglutide to lose weight my doctor said that I needed to go onto Metaformin first. I started with one a day (500mg) which was fine but after a week was told to take two a day. Well...I have never felt so bad. Constant Nausea, sleeplesness, stomach upset, depression (awake at nights trying to work out how my partner will cope when I go !!) ridiculous tiredness. I stopped taking two a day after a week and I have felt much better, symptoms gone. I have spoken to my pharmasist who has told me to speak to my doctor but cannot see him for another week.
 
I was diagnosed as T2 in 2019 after being pre diabetic for about 12 years and first tried ordinary Metformin. I had such awful gastrointestinal results that I could t leave the house. I was transferred to SR and things didn’t improve at all. I lost 2 stone and was able to come off the tablets altogether and I got my life back. I’ve got a review coming up and have lost another 2 stone and will not go back to the tablets whatever the result. I’m following a low GI diet and will persevere with that. Metformin is not for me and I know it’s not for some other people either. There are other tablets you could try if you ask your doctor.
 
I have been on Metformin since 2007. Everything was fine for a few years until I began to get abdominal cramps and diarrhoea, I stuck with it for a long time but at an annual diabetes check up I was switched to Metformin SR. Again things were fine for several years, then again the gastrointestinal problems emerged. My annual reviews were done by phone for a couple of years because of the Covid pandemic, when I finally had a face to face review I was told I was anaemic and my blood glucose was high. I was sent for a gastroscopy, which showed no problems, I am on iron tablets for the anaemia and I take only 1 x 500mg Metformin SR, twice a day, instead of 1000mg twice a day. My gut symptoms are greatly relieved, I feel very much better, no longer fatigued and breathless, thanks too the iron, but I have no idea of my blood glucose.
 
I was diagnosed with T2 a year ago and was told to take metformin, increasing from 1 tablet a day to 4. By the time I got to 4, I kept having awful symptoms, really bad bloating, stomach churning and nasty, sulphurous belching. It was disgusting. I've had to stop eating baked beans ever since, lemonade set it off, I kept finding more and more food which set it off. I'm now off metformin and trying to control things with my diet (omnivore here) and thankfully the symptoms have almost gone, but not quite, so I'm still avoiding beans and lemonade! Probiotics did help, I take a capsule every day and try to drink a probiotic drink like Actimel, or the cheaper shop's own brand.
 
Yes
Eventually after stomach problems I was given the option of truilcity which I could take once a week using injection or be on daily tablets
Getting into the age bracket of forgetfulness I chose injections simple store in fridge
I still have bowel and stomach problems but far better
I would recommend
 
I have never heard of truilcity. diagnosed in june 2021 on Metformin for 3 weeks before getting an operation where they found an asbestos related tumor on the colon (half removed). So did not have time to dwell on the Metformin side effects afterwards. However, I think it contributes to my not being able to leave the house unless I take a powder. One way I want to stop since I get absolutely no monitoring/advice from the GP but I am unsure. It could contribute hightly to my current situation.
 
When you say your BS was high, do you mean HbA1c or do you mean morning fasting level, or do you mean testing after a meal? Personally, I'd not want to double the dose suddenly like that. If I had to increase my dose, I'd do it more gradually, like when you first went on the drug. If my blood sugars went up for no reason, I'd change what I am eating first, if possible, to lower the carbohydrates. If that can't be done then maybe up the dose but not by doubling it all at once. Ask yourself, are you eating too many carbs for the amount of medicine and your levels? Especially sugar itself will cause the gastro cramping and loose stools as the metformin later gets rid of it. Metformin made me to just stop eating foods containing sugar - it is not good for us and it's not worth the discomfort later. Good luck to you. (Some people's bodies wake them when they get too hungry.)
 
I took a low dose of Metformin for 5 years for T2 with constant stomach upsets. Since I also discovered that I was lactose intolerant, and intolerant to real vanilla and pineapple, it took a while to sort out the causes and real culprits. In March ‘20 I stopped my Metformin completely and now control my glucose levels with diet only. I’ve lost 22 lbs and am doing well controlling my glucose. Some things shoot it up - pain, stress, or even having cortisone - but it’s well down from the old days so my GP and eye specialist are happy.
SR Metformin was suggested but I live in Germany and that form isn’t available here.
 
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