Metformin

Tinkerjack said:

Hi, I was taken off metformin just before Christmas and have been feeling very poorly, I have seen the local walk in service and they have now given me antibiotics as I am itching so badly my skin is sore all over.
Can anyone advise if they have had similar?
I was stopped straight away and offered no replacement. The doctors are not open again until tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

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I expect someone here can help, but why were you taken if it? BG come down much?

Tinkerjack said:

Hi, I was taken off metformin just before Christmas and have been feeling very poorly, I have seen the local walk in service and they have now given me antibiotics as I am itching so badly my skin is sore all over.
Can anyone advise if they have had similar?
I was stopped straight away and offered no replacement. The doctors are not open again until tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

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it sounds like a kind of servere allergy, and then the only right thing to do is to take you off of it... it can take some time for ones skin to get normal again I would asume... but if it doesn´t get better after some days you need to see a GP again ...

your allergy-like symptoms could also be allergy to something else you have started to eat... if you have changed your eating patterns quite drastically after becomming diabetic... some people do get allergy too for instance from some kinds of nuts... and that can also give servere itching all over ones body... just to make you observe what you have been eating also.. just in case...

there is not that many replacements for metformin... I´ve only read of on type, but did forget the name of it.... and maybe that was even just another similar kind of metformin
the other way to control type 2 diabetes would be going very very low in carbs like under 80 grams a day or even under 20 grams a day. at that level most type 2 diabetics not yet on insuline can control their blood glucose...

I've had very itchy skin for months, particularly lower legs even before I was diagnosed. When I told the nurse and showed her at my first review when she looked at my feet she just told me to put some E45 creams and lotions on. Then mid-October when they put me on Metformin SR 1 a day and was told about it's side effects and to read the advise slip thoroughly and report any severe reaction. My legs still itch like hell but no real rash other than from my continuous scratching, so E45 not helping and I have to stop and use antiseptic where i've broken the skin

When I have eaten too many carbs I get itching, what are you eating? I have also become allergic to Metformin - it makes me itch. I have been given an antihistamine which appears to help.

dawnmc said:

When I have eaten too many carbs I get itching, what are you eating? I have also become allergic to Metformin - it makes me itch. I have been given an antihistamine which appears to help.

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I think Tinkerjack is probably itching as it is one of the symptoms of having diabetes and maybe the metformin contributes to the itch, and yes may needs to look at carb intake too. But certainly needs to go see the DN or GP and discuss this to see what other medication can be given

In my case the itching is worse at night, then again i'm also up to go to the toilet 3 of 4 times a night so washing hands and scratching has pretty much ruined a good nights sleep for a very long time. I think I'll ask about the antihistamine when I see the nurse in January and maybe mention it's got worse since going on the metformin, and I have cut down on the carbs

Tinkerjack said:

UPDATE
the dr thinks it is a severe allergic reaction but doesn't know what to obviously. He doesn't think it's anything to do with the diabetes or coming off the metformin. I'm not so sure and am thinking of getting a second opinion when my usual dr is back who has studied diabetes. I have stronger antihistamines and cream as my skin is breaking where I'm scratching all the time.
I also asked why the metformin has been stopped and it is because my kidneys are getting effected by the meds now. Always something hey.

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Kidneys? Now this is my worry with taking metformin or anything else they can add for the diabetes. What happens when you do have problems with the kidneys taking all of this stuff? Because where i'm concerned there is the two types of tablets for blood pressure, the statin and the metformin. If my BG isn't being controlled, and I am trying (xmas excluded) what will happen if they take me off the metformin with any kiddy problems, am I doomed? This scenario is something I thing about a lot.