Newly diagnosed possible metformin problems

[MMM2]

Hi everyone

It’s great to join a forum like this with some much information. I was recently diagnosed as type 2 (about six weeks ago). My lifestyle before was terrible and I have made significant changes since then. Together with trying to eat less and medium carb, I have noticed something strange occurring. I take 500mg Metformin in the morning and 1000 at night, but I get strange „attacks“ everyday about 1,5 hours after having lunch. I can only describe them as very similar to panic attacks- complete fight of flight reaction and feelings of vertigo. Could this be a hypo? I know that such hypos are not really expected with metformin?! Is my body reacting weirdly because it’s getting metformin with the other meals and not with lunch? Has anybody had this?
My lunches are usually not very big and always include protein.
Thanks and nice to be here!

 

[Antje77]

but I get strange „attacks“ everyday about 1,5 hours after having lunch. I can only describe them as very similar to panic attacks- complete fight of flight reaction and feelings of vertigo. Could this be a hypo?

A hypo is unlikely, but with the diet changes a 'false hypo' is very well possible!
If you suddenly have blood sugars lower than you're used to, your body can perceive that as too low, even when they're healthy numbers.

Have you considered using a glucose meter to see what is happening after meals? It's a very useful tool to find out how many carbs your body can deal with.

 

[MMM2]

Thanks for your response. It’s legitimately the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced! Just bought the monitor, so it should be here by Friday

 

[MMM2]

Some more clarity! An update to my situation - blood glucose monitor bought and my problems are certainly not hypos. Blood pressure also normal so the only thing I think it can be is a late-onset side effect from metformin. These days it is not so much “attacks” as described in my previous post, but rather complete and utter dizziness! This makes it impossible to do anything else (like exercise, which is good apparently )

Anybody else experienced extreme dizziness as a metformin side effect?

 

[catinahat]

I was to busy sprinting to the toilet to notice any dizziness
Here's a list of common and not so common possible side effects
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/metformin-side-effects#more-common-side-effects
The problem with Dr Google is you can convince yourself you have every condition under the sun if you're not careful.
If I were in your shoes I would stop the metformin for a few days and see if there is any improvement. Would probably be a good idea to discuss your problem with a Dr as well. If you can manage to get an appointment

 

[MMM2]

Thanks for your advice @catinahat. I think I will try this solution! Did the side effects get better for you?

 

[shelley262]

Some more clarity! An update to my situation - blood glucose monitor bought and my problems are certainly not hypos. Blood pressure also normal so the only thing I think it can be is a late-onset side effect from metformin. These days it is not so much “attacks” as described in my previous post, but rather complete and utter dizziness! This makes it impossible to do anything else (like exercise, which is good apparently )

Anybody else experienced extreme dizziness as a metformin side effect?

Hiya sorry to hear about your dizziness and pleased you are monitoring your blood pressure and sugars to make sure they are not causing it. When I lowered my blood sugars I also lowered my blood pressure but was still on bp meds I had really bad dizziness when stood up quickly until came off the meds. Maybe a talk with your diabetic nurse or gp to mention the dizziness.
Also wanted to mention that I was exceptionally stressed when diagnosed initially and had huge problems with vertigo dr checked my ears etc but eventually worked out it was stress related at that stage I have a stress related tooth grinding habit which starts up dizzy spells for me! Stress management can also help you to manage sugar levels too and these days it’s a priority for me.
Good luck in tracing what’s triggering yours and moving forwards to managing your health.

 

[catinahat]

No I'm one of the few people who just can't tolerate metformin, for me the side effects were intolerable so I decided that low carb/keto was the way to go

 

[MMM2]

Thank you @shelley262! I have already made an appointment and will definitely be discussing this with her. I hear you about the stress, and will keep watching that as well. It’s nice to know there is such a nice community here for support.

 

[Donhalli]

Hi everyone

It’s great to join a forum like this with some much information. I was recently diagnosed as type 2 (about six weeks ago). My lifestyle before was terrible and I have made significant changes since then. Together with trying to eat less and medium carb, I have noticed something strange occurring. I take 500mg Metformin in the morning and 1000 at night, but I get strange „attacks“ everyday about 1,5 hours after having lunch. I can only describe them as very similar to panic attacks- complete fight of flight reaction and feelings of vertigo. Could this be a hypo? I know that such hypos are not really expected with metformin?! Is my body reacting weirdly because it’s getting metformin with the other meals and not with lunch? Has anybody had this?
My lunches are usually not very big and always include protein.
Thanks and nice to be here!

Thanks for your response. It’s legitimately the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced! Just bought the monitor, so it should be here by Friday

Ive been getting the same thing and aura migraines.

 

[Donhalli]

Yes. I lost a lot of weight during lock down and put my diabetes into remission. I worked so hard at it then after about 2 years of taking Metformin, I had one of these episodes that you describe at work one day and thought I was having a stroke. The feeling is like losing control of your sense of balance and space. It's very much vestibular in nature and it felt horrendous. This attack then left me very unwell, with repeated attacks and lots of other contant symptoms in between the attacks, including aura migraines, eye symptoms, such as poor gaze stability and anxiety. I was freaked out by this constant feeling of unsteadiness, so much so that I stopped my Metformin for a long while, did not manage my diabetes very well and put weight back on and consequently did no favours in managing my condition. I believe the first attack caused me to induce PPPD, that has complicated the whole vestibular and headache issue, that may or may not been influenced by Metformin. Getting back to the point. When I started back up with my Metformin, I noticed more attacks, one a day, like you say, a few hours after taking Metformin. Sometimes its the strange vertigo attack and sometimes just the aura and headaches, along with the constant symptoms that are there all the time. It is very frustrating and miserable. I feel for you and anyone else suffering with these symptoms. I believe that it has something to do with Metformin that caused my attack in the first place and by me freaking out I acquired PPPD. Its been 2 and a half years since the start of these symptoms. That said, I have no idea really. Just a hunch. Its exhausting. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Donhalli]

Sorry for the lengthy rant. I could just see a correlation. All the best.