Metformin SR Side effects

[Nanof10]

Hi
I am new to the forum but have been lurking for quite a while I have in the last two months been switched from the ordinary metformin to the slow release version and I have also had my insulin changed from Lantus to Humulin M3 42 units in the morning 35 in the evening and my levels are now between 4 and 7 most times i check and if they are a bit higher it is usually because of something I ate. My problem is I am suffering violent bouts of diahorrea which occur after I have eaten a meal usually my lunch and I am wondering if it is still the metformin causing the problem. I was put on the slow release version because of the problem with diahorrea but to be truthful the problem is now worse. Iam taking two in the evening with my evening meal. I have been type 2 for over 15 years now and until recently have never really had any problems. Any help and advice and help you can give me to point me in the right direction would be much appreciated.

 

[magicaldebs]

I still have bouts of diarrhoea on Metformin SR. Not has bad on the usual Metformin but it's still a problem at times.
I'm not sure that there is an answer to this. Metformin is a good drug for lots of reasons. I am trying to cut the meds I have to take by moving o a very low carb diet. It's working so far

 

[Hobs]

It does get better as time passes and you could try splitting the dose to 1 morning with breakfast and the other 1 with your evening meal.
I take the SR version of metfartin and that is in a split dose... :thumbup:

 

[Joe.T]

RE METFORMIN SIDE AFFECTS.

im on ordinary metformin and never suffered from side affects that ive noticed.

have any of you guys ever looked into stem cell treatment for type 2. i am currently looking into it but would love to hear of any others also looking . cheers, joe

 

[Nanof10]

Hi
Thanks for all your advice I've just had a telephone call from the diabetes specialist nurse at my GP,s she's told me to only take 1 tablet a day with my evening meal and has also put on my records that I must not have a generic version in future as apparently it could that which is causing the problem and also if the diahorrea still persists she will take me off the metformin altogether as maybe with the Humilin M3 I dont now need it.
Once again thanks for all your tips.

 

[100nettie]

I was changed to the slow release version and told to split my dose but nothing has changed, I still suffer chronic diahorrea and cramps. I've just had a blood test to see if I have Celiac disease, but I dont think I do. I'm seeing the doctor for the results and I'm going to asked to be taken off it. My life has been a misery for four years while I've been taking Metformin, I hate it.

 

[Nanof10]

Hi
Just to let you all know I was eventually taken off metformin altogether as the side effects became increasingly worse and it got to the stage where I could hardly eat anything without either being violently sick or had violent diahorrea also I was suffering very low blood sugar levels especially at night. The good new is that I am now controlling my diabetes purely with insulin bs levels are within 4-7 have the odd spike but that is usually due to something I have eaten or drunk even over christmas my levels were good. My diabetic specialist nurse at the local hospital is so pleased with my levels she has discharged me and have to go at the beginning of next month for Hb1 test the last one was last August and was 9.0 so fingers crossed it should be down.
As an odd little side note my daughter has polycistic ovary syndrome and was prescribed metformin for that she has had to come off it due to very similar side effects to mine also she says it now states in the leaflet that comes with the tablets that if you are taking insulin to manage diabetes you should not take more than 500mg and preferably shouldnt take it at all so I dont know.
Hope this has been useful I will let you know the results of the blood test.

Nan of ten

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I guess the only reason doctors leave you on Metformin with insulin is to help if you are overweight and need to reduce any insulin resistance. Apart from that I can't see any reason to keep on Metformin so it sounds like you are best without it unless you do have problems with weight?

 

[poohandpiglet]

don't know if this helps but 2 things, our GP put my Type 2 husband on Pancrex V, its a digestive enzyme, it stopped his diahorrea overnight, you take it before each meal, it has to live in the fridge because its live, it basically replaces the enzymes the pancreas doesn't secrete with diabetics. I first put him on some from Holland & Barrett to see if it had an effect because it was effecting our lives, he was constantly smelly, and it was vile, and yes it worked instantly, so he takes 2 before every meal and no smells, and no diahorrea. He also put him on 200mcg of folic acid apparently your body needs folic acid to enable it to get the nutrients out of food, but also they say anyone with diabetis or a gut related issue dont normally have enough, even if they take vitamins, so now he takes 1 multi vit a day with a probiotic, plus an extra 100mcg of folic acid daily. and have seen a big difference.

 

[carophie04]

I was put on Metformin SR last November and during the following month started itching and coming out in a rash. Just after Christmas went to the GP and was taken off Ramipril which had also been prescribed for High Blood Pressure around the same time as I started on the Metformin SR. However here we are in May and with the skin rash continuing unabated, I have now been told I have Lichen Planus - an unsightly condition. Evidently this is quite rare, but I am beginning to wonder whether it is actually the Metformin SR causing the problem and would be interested to know whether anyone else has found they have been similarly affected on this medication. Since I stopped the Ramipril which they thought was the culprit back in January I feel it must be something else causing this as it shows no signs of clearing up and the only other thing I started taking back just before CHristmas was the Metformin SR although I had been on 2 x 500 of the bog standard type for a couple of months before that.