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Type 2 Metformin Tiredness

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Rachel6456

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Hello :)
I joined this forum a few years ago and have been lurking in the background reading all the great advice. I now need some help of my own!

I have recently restarted taking slow release metformin (sukkarto) 2000mg per day. I take two tablets with breakfast and two with evening meal. I have come through the other side of the digestive issues except for the delightful flatulence!! My problem is tiredness. Since I've started taking them again I just feel so tired. I'm struggling to get out of bed and falling asleep in the afternoons. I've gone from being a satisfied by 7.5 hours a night early riser to needing 10-11 hours and waking up tired. I naturally have low level fatigue due to my liver disorders (detailed below) and that hasn't changed. I wouldn't really classify this added level as fatigue, just sleepiness. It's making me crave sugar and carbs which is counter productive if you ask me!! I am trying to lead a low-carb active existence to help lose the podge but this isn't helping me!!

I guess my question is if anyone else has experienced this and knows if it will go away with time?
Is it just the change in BG levels?

I had the same issue when I took them last time which was part of the reason why I stopped... even longer story haha!!

Bit of background - I am 38 and type 2, officially diagnosed 2 years ago after being taken for an overnight hospital stay because my BS level was 22 (they had sent an ambulance for something unrelated!)
I had a stroke aged 33, have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and also an autoimmune liver disorder.
I take anti-coagulant meds, anti- depressants and a therapeutic dose of steroids. I'm finding it really hard to lose weight :(
(Sounds like a really strange lonely hearts ad!!)
 
Hello and welcome. This is just to bump your thread to stop it being lost in the list.
 
Hi @Rachel6456,
You describe a number of possible factors for your tiredness symptoms.
? side-effects to Metformin ? B12, deficiency ? acidosis, or to steroids - e.g. muscle wasting. potassium loss ; (see drugs.com)
liver problems; possible high blood sugars and their consequences; a low carb diet ? with possible questions about sodium and magnesium levels also may be queried.
To sort this and other possible causes of a thorough history. examination and testing by a competent GP or specialist would seem to be in order.
 
kitedoc said:
Hi @Rachel6456,
You describe a number of possible factors for your tiredness symptoms.
? side-effects to Metformin ? B12, deficiency ? acidosis, or to steroids - e.g. muscle wasting. potassium loss ; (see drugs.com)
liver problems; possible high blood sugars and their consequences; a low carb diet ? with possible questions about sodium and magnesium levels also may be queried.
To sort this and other possible causes of a thorough history. examination and testing by a competent GP or specialist would seem to be in order.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I would say that the tiredness has correlated directly with me starting metformin.
I have my bloods taken regularly to track my liver disorder and for the last year everything (b12, triglycerides, LFTs, cholesterol) has been under control with the exception of blood sugars. I'm due another blood test for my liver consultant in the next couple of weeks so I'll see what that throws up.
 
I have read that it is difficult to lose weight on a low carb diet if one is iron-deficient.
Not sure how iron deficiency woukd be associated temporally with Metformin but i assume the tests last year would have identified if there was anaemia ?
Anticogulants can sometimes cause mild intestinal bleeding and anaemia but again not sure where Metformin figures in such a scenario.
It is becoming like a detective story !!
 
Rachel6456 said:
Hello :)
I joined this forum a few years ago and have been lurking in the background reading all the great advice. I now need some help of my own!

I have recently restarted taking slow release metformin (sukkarto) 2000mg per day. I take two tablets with breakfast and two with evening meal. I have come through the other side of the digestive issues except for the delightful flatulence!! My problem is tiredness. Since I've started taking them again I just feel so tired. I'm struggling to get out of bed and falling asleep in the afternoons. I've gone from being a satisfied by 7.5 hours a night early riser to needing 10-11 hours and waking up tired. I naturally have low level fatigue due to my liver disorders (detailed below) and that hasn't changed. I wouldn't really classify this added level as fatigue, just sleepiness. It's making me crave sugar and carbs which is counter productive if you ask me!! I am trying to lead a low-carb active existence to help lose the podge but this isn't helping me!!

I guess my question is if anyone else has experienced this and knows if it will go away with time?
Is it just the change in BG levels?

I had the same issue when I took them last time which was part of the reason why I stopped... even longer story haha!!

Bit of background - I am 38 and type 2, officially diagnosed 2 years ago after being taken for an overnight hospital stay because my BS level was 22 (they had sent an ambulance for something unrelated!)
I had a stroke aged 33, have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and also an autoimmune liver disorder.
I take anti-coagulant meds, anti- depressants and a therapeutic dose of steroids. I'm finding it really hard to lose weight :(
(Sounds like a really strange lonely hearts ad!!)
Click to expand...
How are you getting on now, I too am suffering from fatigue since starting slow release, does it pass?
 
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