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Metformin SR

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Noellecraggs

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Has anyone else had problems getting DN to prescribe Metformin SR? I am on 850mg twice daily and after 4 months I am still suffering bad stomach side effects. I have asked about going onto SR and have been told there is no difference. Why would there be a SR option available - is it down to cost?
 
The SR version is a little more expensive but not a huge amount. Just persist, keep telling your doc your body will not tolerate the regular metformin. Hopefully, he/she will eventually prescribe them.


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I had exactly the same problem with metformin could not leave sight of a loo for over 3 months and after numerous trips to the doctors pleading with him to change the tablets finally he changed me onto Galvus (vildagliptin) . This is quite an expensive medication here in Spain where I live and costs 56 Euros per month which I pay 10%. Persevere asking to change as there are alternatives.

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Hi I'm on sr metformin. My nurse told me that as my bloods were 7-9 (my tests). She told me to up tablets (500mgeach) from 2 to a max of 4 until my pre-meal numbers are less than 6. The problem I have now is that mornings are always 7+ but by eve meal in Theyre -6. I'm taking 3 tabs atm with eve meal. I get hypo-ish mid afternoon with-5 figures. I think a 4 th tablet will make me struggle in the afternoons. If anyone has any ideas please advise .. Thanks [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]


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I have been really struggling on metformin. The doctor prescribed 850mg twice a day from the start, no ease into it. I have been suffering bad tummy cramps and diarrhoea for over a month now and went back to see the doctor to ask for the slow release tablet. He first of all said I was already on them , but I am not. Then once we had established that I am not on slow release, he said that he couldn't change me over to slow release as he was not the doctor who originally prescribed the talents and as he was a locum he wasn't prepared to change them!?
He said I had to wait until I go to the diabetic clinic on 30th August and they might change them. He changed my dosage to 500mg once a day for a week and then twice a day.... I had quite an argument with him but he wouldn't budge.
Will the diabetic clinic nurse be able to change me to the slow release? I am not a happy bunny at the moment!


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Sounds like I was lucky had bad side effects for a month went to doctors he made appointment with nurse and she changed me to Sr

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You need to persist with your diabetic nurse. I had many problems with Metformin but they all disappeared when I got the SR version. Ask specifically for Glucophage which worked for me.


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Sorry, sent before I finished! I was really annoyed cos he really didn't seem to know what he was talking about and just refused to change my medication even though I told him that I couldn't live with the constant side effects everyday and would stop taking the metformin altogether if he didn't listen to me and change it to the slow release!
I will have to wait and speak to the diabetic nurse on 30th August and hope she will listen to me!


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I was diagnosed June 2012 with fasting levels of 12.5 and prescribed metformin. I started on 2x 500 and worked up to 4x 500. I didn't have any gastric problems but my problems were during the night; frequent urination bad leg cramps, hungry and night sweats. I had my first ever 6 monthly review Dec 2012 and mentioned this to the GP diabetic specialist who thought it was the metformin and put me on 2x 1000 metformin SR. What a difference I have no obvious side effects I'm now sleeping well and my glucose control seems good with morning meter readings of between 4.8 and 5.5. This week however I was contacted by my local pharmacy and told my local health board were doing a medication review to cut costs and they want me to go back on the regular metformin. I haven't even seen my GP for my 6 monthly review. Why is a pharmacy telling me this will be my last script for SR? My GP practice said they don't know anything about this and I have only used 7 out of 12 repeat prescriptions. I feel good on the SR and don't want to change back to regular met. so it does seem to be about cost as NHs health boards in Wales are under pressure to break even and continue to cut costs of medication.
 
Metformin there is a difference in the fact it is slow release. Your nurse does not know what she is talking about and needs to be told.so demand it if you still dont get it see the dr.it makes me sick some of these medics are very ill informed.i started on plain metformin and had digestion problems mostlfey eleviated by metformin sr

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