Nobody told me Metformin causes explosive Diarrhea

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

Was diagnosed with T2DM in September 2022 whilst working in Ireland, with HbA1c well over 100. Was immediately prescribed metformin, Atorvastatin and Ramipril, for blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure respectively. Metformin did not suit my bowels and after a month, I saw an endocrinologist in Dublin who stopped metformin and put me on Sitagliptin and Empagliflozin instead. Result, no more toilet carnage.

I have cut out sugar and carbs as best I can, but I'm not particularly anal about carbs, still eat rice, spuds and pasta once or twice a week. I do avoid sugars and snack on pork scratchings and peanuts instead of choccy bars. I drink whisky and water and have the occasional beer once or twice a week. My HbA1c was 38 a year ago and is now 41. My doctor has now stopped the Sitagliptin and subbed the Atorvastatin 10mg for Rosuvastatin 5mg as I suspected Atorvastatin was giving me skin problems. I have also gone from Ramipril 5mg to 2.5mg as my BP is now 115 / 75.

I am now convinced that exercise is key. I'm working as a home delivery driver for a large supermarket and my weight has gone from 17st 3 to 16st 2 in eight months. I get 13k steps a day in when I work. I'm 69 and look forward to being 79, if I'm spared... I wouldn't go back to my sedentary computing job for any money. My doctor is considering cutting Ramipril as well, contingent on my BP remaining stable. I look forward to being on no pills at all but as Meatloaf might have said, two out of four ain't bad!

You sound very similar to me, similar weight and was fed the same cocktail - I got the same outcome. I am going to take your lead and see if my doctor here will swap my metformin for something else. There has been a comment on this section that Avorstatin and Metformin combination is brutal on the inner plumbing. As a northern Scot I am fond of Porridge, Le Pomme Frits and a medicinal dram. I do like beer, but it's liquid bread so I avoid. My blood pressure has been 160/100 but it is a lot lot better now I am on that Ramipril and a beta blocker, its a 140/90. Slàinte Mhath

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

When I was first diagnosed I was immediately put on 'regular' metformin and the result was severe 'gastric distress'. I was switched to the prolonged release version (currently Sukkarto SR 1000mg x2 daily with meals) and this has worked well for me. I take one tablet with breakfast and one with supper. On the odd ocassion where they've had to pause the drug, my levels have been very high so it's obviously helping the insulin do its thing. Good luck.

Metformin is a godsend, my A1C was 120 before. Like most things in life, has to be a downside for every upside.

 

[JoseEvans]

Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?

I had the same problem, so has another friend who thought she must have cancer of the stomach. I insisted I was given Metformin prolonged release and it is much better. I get the occasional attacks, but nothing like it used to be. If I’m going somewhere special I take a couple of anti diarrhoea tablets. Don’t buy the expensive ones the cheap ones are just as good.

 

[reteps]

I had the same problem, so has another friend who thought she must have cancer of the stomach. I insisted I was given Metformin prolonged release and it is much better. I get the occasional attacks, but nothing like it used to be. If I’m going somewhere special I take a couple of anti diarrhoea tablets. Don’t buy the expensive ones the cheap ones are just as good.

My Dublin endocrinologist, bless him, said "Why take another tablet to cure a problem the first one caused?" and changed my meds. I did my part and changed my lifestyle.

 

[AloeSvea]

Believe me I ran pubs & bars for many a year and I can concur with @Jaylee observations

Goodness gracious! And, well I never. Big TY for the info.

 

[Carptastic]

i had to come off metformin for that very issue! i couldn't tolerate them i was ok at first on 1 but my doctor increased them to 3 that was it for 3 weeks it was dire ive never taken another since an wont! evil **** tablets they are!

 

[Mijas_pueblo_]

Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?

Had to come off of Metformin. Chronic upset stomach. Gave it a good go though.

 

[Saxonia]

Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?

I found this when I first started Metformin. I was put on modified release metformin and that helped a lot.

 

[dudleydave]

Hi,

I got diagnosed last year. I am doing my best to get from a HBA1c of 120 down to 45-50, after working hard its 56, so just about there.

I am finding that metformin is becoming more and more of a problem, it causes my insides to blow up even when eating something quite tiny.

If I stop taking it, the problem goes away. Sometimes, I take a cheeky holiday from the stuff. This is bad behaviour, and I will only have myself to blame.

The latest was at work yesterday when I was in a meeting and I reached across the table to take a bit of paper.


"Houston we have a problem".


I was supposed to be presenting - the strategy I used was to fain a mobile phone call and make for the door.

My thoughts now are: did everybody realise that I had a personal issue? and what the hell caused my bloated discomfort to outburst like it did?

Am I compatible with Metformin, can I get smaller ones (I have half gramme ones) and spread them across the day?


Is it time for a Metformin II that doesnt do this ?

I am sorry to hear of your current issue - it's one of the worst side effects as I personally found out too!
I was initially given 500mg slow release for a while, with no issues. My GP upped the dosage to 1000mg to be taken with breakfast - that's when my problems started. Like yourself, difficult times. It took me a few weeks to work out it was the metformin causing the issues as I was on various pills but eventually worked out it was the metformin causing my issues.
It was then I started to take 500mg with breakfast then 500mg with evening meal and.... problem sorted!
Then only problem was that my diabeties was getting worse so I was put on 1000mg in a morning and 1000mg with evening meal but I do not get the 'blow up' symptoms any more!
Sadly, my diabeties is still quite bad but I still drink beer every day which I know is a problem.
Good luck with your issue and hope you can resolve this very soon!

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

I am sorry to hear of your current issue - it's one of the worst side effects as I personally found out too!
I was initially given 500mg slow release for a while, with no issues. My GP upped the dosage to 1000mg to be taken with breakfast - that's when my problems started. Like yourself, difficult times. It took me a few weeks to work out it was the metformin causing the issues as I was on various pills but eventually worked out it was the metformin causing my issues.
It was then I started to take 500mg with breakfast then 500mg with evening meal and.... problem sorted!
Then only problem was that my diabeties was getting worse so I was put on 1000mg in a morning and 1000mg with evening meal but I do not get the 'blow up' symptoms any more!
Sadly, my diabeties is still quite bad but I still drink beer every day which I know is a problem.
Good luck with your issue and hope you can resolve this very soon!

I had the same problem, so has another friend who thought she must have cancer of the stomach. I insisted I was given Metformin prolonged release and it is much better. I get the occasional attacks, but nothing like it used to be. If I’m going somewhere special I take a couple of anti diarrhoea tablets. Don’t buy the expensive ones the cheap ones are just as good.

Thank you. This is a very sensible suggestion. To keep moderators happy I will of course consult my GP before taking anything that might makes matters worse.

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

I am sorry to hear of your current issue - it's one of the worst side effects as I personally found out too!
I was initially given 500mg slow release for a while, with no issues. My GP upped the dosage to 1000mg to be taken with breakfast - that's when my problems started. Like yourself, difficult times. It took me a few weeks to work out it was the metformin causing the issues as I was on various pills but eventually worked out it was the metformin causing my issues.
It was then I started to take 500mg with breakfast then 500mg with evening meal and.... problem sorted!
Then only problem was that my diabeties was getting worse so I was put on 1000mg in a morning and 1000mg with evening meal but I do not get the 'blow up' symptoms any more!
Sadly, my diabeties is still quite bad but I still drink beer every day which I know is a problem.
Good luck with your issue and hope you can resolve this very soon!

Ah.. thanks for that. Its something to try out which might do the trick (and will be glad when I find that sweet spot). You need to check for yourself, but somebody on this web forum said they make low-carb beery beverages (I say that, not going to be Black Isle Red Kite heavy, or Happy Chappy light ale, both of which are made with Scottish whisky making malt barley and English Hops. i.e. liquid bread).

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

Had to come off of Metformin. Chronic upset stomach. Gave it a good go though.

That is a shame because it is good apart from that.

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

My Dublin endocrinologist, bless him, said "Why take another tablet to cure a problem the first one caused?" and changed my meds. I did my part and changed my lifestyle.

I am on the bog standard NHS, we are herded into the waiting room, literally just told to "lose weight", "take these tablets" and "come back in 6 months".

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

I found this when I first started Metformin. I was put on modified release metformin and that helped a lot.

I am waiting for an appointment so I can say that to my GP. Although I am probably going to be in trouble because I am weaning myself off some highly addictive meds (Duloxetine and Gabapentin), after being told not to. I cannot suggest to anybody else this is a good idea, its just my own pig-headedness.

 

[Angela64]

Well I gave up on metformin too, couldn’t bare it. My digestive system does NOT like it and changed to Empagliflozin, didn’t make any difference before or after meal.

 

[Davidden]

In 2019 I was prescribed Metformin to try and reduce my blood sugar for a biopsy, but I, too, found it made me ill, with vomiting added to the diarrhoea. I stopped taking it, but managed to get the biopsy done anyway, though the following year I needed surgery so again was told to reduce my blood sugars, though this time they gave me Janumet 50/1000, which is a combination of Metformin and Sitagliptin, and this worked, and I still take it today (in generic form) with my Insulin to control my blood sugars.

 

[greekqueen]

My husband had been on it for years, the normal tablet, when what seemed like suddenly he had diarrhea on a daily basis for around three months. We realized it was because his sugar level was near normal, so the GP just told him to stop taking Metformin and the diarrhea stopped

 

[IslanderUK]

Hi, I have been on 2 x 1000mg of Metformin before my main meal since 2007 and have not suffered any diarrhea

 

[NoMoreBeerAnymore]

Hi, I have been on 2 x 1000mg of Metformin before my main meal since 2007 and have not suffered any diarrhea

It looks like for some people it has no side-effects whatsoever, and it does it's job perfect. I am going to try taking it before my meals, and see that helps. Good suggestion. I always take mine with dinner or just after it with tea or water. But I took it for a year with no major bother. I must be doing something different now vs back then.

 

[Hopeful34]

But I took it for a year with no major bother. I must be doing something different now vs back then.

Not necessarily. It could be the brand of Metformin that isn't agreeing with you. Different brands have different 'fillers' that maybe your body can't tolerate. Or maybe the company has changed something in the make up of the tablet. Or maybe your body has changed, and could cope with it for years, but now can't. I've experienced all these scenarios many times unfortunately.