Maggie/Magpie
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 279
- Location
- Isle of Wight, U.K
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Butternut Squash, Cabbage and confrontation.
Hi All,
I was prediabetic on 1500 normal metformin a day. Turned diabetic had metformin increased to 2G per day and put on slow release. Was working well with LC diet as well went from Hba1c of 53 to 40 in 3 months.
Always had constipation problems, but just recently changed to 5 days constipation then stools normal and then 2 days roughly of diarrhea then constipated again. Gp thought diarrhea was overflow and I was told to take cosmocol which is basically like fibergel. But it didn't improve Gp has now advised to stop metformin for ten days to see if diarrhea stops. I presume if so he will stop it all together, if not then he will investigate further. My concern is if I stop metformin will my blood sugars go up again? Does anyone have any experience of any of it? Or can anyone advise whats liable to happen? Feel rather in the dark and scarred of stopping it to be honest. Any advise would be appreciated.
Sorry for the unsavory subject matter.
I am sorry you must be having so much unpleasantness and discomfort!
Metformin is a useful drug in many ways, but it has less impact on blood glucose than most people think. Dietary control has much more effect!
What dietary measures do you have in place to control your blood glucose?
And similarly, what dietary measures do you have in place to treat your constipation/diarrhoea?
My personal view is that these can have a much better effect than medication, but the trick is to find out what works for you, since we each seem to have remarkably different requirements for gut health.
Hi, firstly I wouldnt worry to much about stopping your 1500 mg of metformin as even the highest dose of 2000 mg per day is only going to drop your bg levels by between .5 and 2 mmol/L.
Secondly did you start off on the 1500 mg dose or did you start off on 500 mg per day for a week or two and then increase it by 500 mg every couple of weeks as if it is started this way it often helps avoid the side effects you mention.
There is the prolonged release version of metformin which may suit you better and or other drugs that can be prescribed, follow your docs advice and stop the metformin for a couple of weeks and see if your symptoms ease which I imagine they will and then see your doc again and ask about the prolonged or SR version with a gradual increase rather than straight onto a high dose.
Hope this helps and good luck.
As others have said, Metformin isn't a miracle drug. It only helps with blood glucose levels to a limited extent. It doesn't promote insulin production. It works on the liver to help reduce the amount of glucose the liver produces, but again only to a limited extent. It is mainly an appetite suppressant that helps with weight loss. Unless you had other health issues when you were pre-diabetic (such as PCOS) I am very surprised you were prescribed it. Even with a diagnostic HbA1c of 53 I am surprised. Most newly diagnosed with that level are normally told to diet and exercise, come back in 3 months and we'll see how you are. That was certainly the case for me. My HbA1c was 53 and Metformin has never been mentioned, at any time.
I would do as your doctor says and keep an eye on your levels before and after meals - especially before evening meal.
OK but @Maggie/Magpie are your concerns less now that you have read all that has been written?
You seemed very concerned about stopping the meds for a while but I don't think it will do you much (probably no ) harm at all.
I'm guessing the vast majority of your improvement has come about by changing your diet rather than the pills.
I stopped taking Metformin and statins and decided to rely on low carb, as I was in a dreadful state just before Christmas.
I test before and after my evening meal and the average is now down to 7.5 mmol/l. I have taken a few tablets this year as I find them a most effective laxative, but they make my insides hurt, so I will probably bin the remaining pills.
As long as you are not eating carbs and pushing your blood glucose up after meals then you should be OK.
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