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Muscle cramps

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fogeymum

Newbie
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3
Hi. This is my first time on here so I hope I'm in the right place :?
A year or more ago, being overweight, I started using sweeteners in my coffee and tea.
After a while I started getting bad aches in my right shoulder (to the extent where I couldn't get my arm behind me to undo my bra ).
I was looking on these pages and discovered that aspartame could be the problem, so I changed my sweetener to one that doesn't have aspartame in it and YAY, the problem in my shoulder quickly went away.
Recently my diabetes has got to the stage where I now have to take Metfornin, and my shoulder problem has returned.
Can anyone tell me if there is something in my Metfornin that affects me the same as aspartame did, or is it merely a coincidence?
 
Hi. I've never come across anything saying shoulder problems could be a Metformin side effect so I think it's unlikely? Shoulder problems are very common from 'simple' fibromyalgia to full-blown frozen shoulder that my wife suffered from. The causes seem to be largely unknown and I guess the GP needs to advise.
 
Hi fogeymum,

I've never experienced problems like that on Metformin, but as you did before going on them, just ask your GP to check it out.

Helena
 
Helo Fogeymum..Im type 2 on metformin and i have aches and pains in my shoulders..I also use a sweetener in my coffee, but it doesnt contain aspartame, its made with sucralose ( splenda) so i think it could be the metformin.
 
I have just had surgery for a frozen shoulder ( it failed so back under the knife next week ) and it is a common thing caused by Diabetes i'm told, in my case it can't be Metformin as i have only just started taking them (in addition to both Basal and Bolus insulin) and my shoulder problems started 6-8 months ago. Could there be a link to Aspartame? possibly..i do drink quite a bit of Sprite Zero which contains aspartame and have done so for a few years now so maybe there is a long term effect.

russ
 
Hi.
With regards to the lack of mobilty/movement in the shoulder.
I have had the diabetic frozen shoulder twice needing the cortisone injection treatment which cured this.
It occured in 6 monthly phases twice last year.
Best to pop down to see your GP and let him/her steer you in the right direction.
As if its 'not' the statins or sweetners causing this, you will be walking up the wrong street and messing about with medication that you do actually need.
Can you rotate your arm around to get arm in a coat?
Twist arm up to unclip / do up the bra?
Wash and brush your hair easily?
Reach up to higher shelf and lift things down?
Drive and push/pull gears into gear without pain or discomfort?
These are all things I was unable to do...
Hope this helps?
Anna.x
 
I had shoulder problems, and did wonder whether it was to do with changing insulin. However, it turned out to be because I was lacking in Vitamin D of all things! So it could be any manner of things causing it. Best thing is to speak to your GP who can check it out for you. Hope it gets better soon.

Emma
 
Thank you all for your replies. I will be asking my DN next week.
I know it was the aspartame first time round and was very glad to be free from the cramp as soon as I used Splenda instead of Canderel.
I didn't know there was "diabetic frozen shoulder".
This site is a well of information, it was here I found out about aspartame in the first place.
Keep up the good work
 
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