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LivingLightly

LivingLightly

Expert
Messages
5,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello Everyone

I'm a retired London lady.

I am new to this forum, but not new to diabetes mellitus. I was diagnosed with type 2 whilst undergoing surgery as a hospital inpatient in April 2003 and prescribed a sulfonylurea tablet called gliclazide. Issued with a glucometer, I adopted a low carbohydrate, healthy fat lifestyle. As my health improved, I was able to halve the dose to 40 mgs, but was advised by my GP practice nurse not to reduce it further. In 2010 metformin was added.

In December 2018, I was advised to wean myself off gliclazide. My metformin dose was increased to 1000 mg twice a day to compensate. This higher dose has caused diarrhoea most days, which has never settled. I would really like to reduce the daily dose of metformin. Has anybody experience of doing this?

Sending well wishes to you all.
LivingLightly
 
Hi LivingLightly and welcome to the forums.

I have never been on any kind of diabetes medication, so have no personal experience of stopping it.

However I know there are lots of people on here who have stopped taking medication - usually after adopting a low carb way of eating. I'm sure somebody with that sort of experience will be along shortly.
 
Yep. Personally the side effects of Metformin, being unable to leave the house were unacceptable for me. Gliclazide for me had fewer side effects, and a low carb diet has helpedreduce the glic dose.
 
LivingLightly said:
Hello Everyone

I'm a retired London lady.

I am new to this forum, but not new to diabetes mellitus. I was diagnosed with type 2 whilst undergoing surgery as a hospital inpatient in April 2003 and prescribed a sulfonylurea tablet called gliclazide. Issued with a glucometer, I adopted a low carbohydrate, healthy fat lifestyle. As my health improved, I was able to halve the dose to 40 mgs, but was advised by my GP practice nurse not to reduce it further. In 2010 metformin was added.

In December 2018, I was advised to wean myself off gliclazide. My metformin dose was increased to 1000 mg twice a day to compensate. This higher dose has caused diarrhoea most days, which has never settled. I would really like to reduce the daily dose of metformin. Has anybody experience of doing this?

Sending well wishes to you all.
LivingLightly
Click to expand...
I was on metformin, then gliclazide, then just diet-only... So it can potentially be done, especially if the metformin is giving such gastro-intestinal problems. How is your diet? Low carb could mean anything, so if there's any wriggle room, maybe take it down lower? Think you could do that? Maybe talk us through what you eat and drink in a day? Be as specific as you pssibly can, please... Who knows, maybe we can help!
 
Thank you Kenny A and Lakeslover for your replies.

Because the diarrhoea occurs first thing in the morning (30 second warning!), I'm fully prepared and able to avert a pants disaster most of the time. I'm certainly not tied to the house all day. That said, I'm concerned about possible nutrient loss, so would like to reduce the dose.
 
JoKalsbeek said:
I was on metformin, then gliclazide, then just diet-only... So it can potentially be done, especially if the metformin is giving such gastro-intestinal problems. How is your diet? Low carb could mean anything, so if there's any wriggle room, maybe take it down lower? Think you could do that? Maybe talk us through what you eat and drink in a day? Be as specific as you pssibly can, please... Who knows, maybe we can help!
Click to expand...
 
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