Told to stop metformin for ten days as having bowel problems. Concerned BG will increase?

I was put on statins and Metformin, my ability to learn and remember was gone, I wanted to learn a new song for the folk club the week before Christmas and could not - my husband came and asked why I was playing the same thing over and over again. I did just about manage it, but my memory is so bad - I lost the car in the supermarket car park on the Friday before Christmas, walked up and down the lines until I found it and then when I opened the back I found that I'd already done the shopping once, and left it in the car - most of it was OK but the frozen things had defrosted. I still forget things I never did before - taking tablets for my thyroid for instance, but I get up to do something and then can't remember what it was.

Hi again.

I get constipated incredibly rarely, but I have noticed that when I do it is usually a combination of not enough veg and not enough to drink. I still find it astonishing that there is a clear delineation between enough water and not enough. With constipation being the result if I drink less than 3 litres a day. It is like an On/Off switch. . 3 litres seems a lot to me, but it is what my body requires.

When I do get constipated, psyllium husks are my wonder cure. One teaspoon a big glass of water. Then another glass to follow. Wait and see. Repeat if necessary.

You can tip it in soups and stews too, or use it in LCD baking.

I used to add psyllium husk to the mayonnaise on my salads, as I noticed that quite a lot of it stuck to the sides of the glass when I tried to drink it.

I had been on slow release Metformin 500mg twice a day since May last year when first diagnosed, with no ill effects. From about mid October I started having severe diarrhoea problems, no pain, no warning. I did mention it to my GP who suggested it might be something to do with the drugs I already take, but did nothing more. I have now carried out 6 controlled tests of my own omitting one drug at a time. Each time the results have been the same, uncontrolled diarrhoea each time, a couple of times when out which has been very embarrassing. Each time I stopped, the symptoms cleared within 12 to 24 hours. I have now stopped them altogether and will now start to monitor my blood sugar levels although told it is not necessary. At the time of writing this, the doctor has just phoned and says he wants to see me next week.
I am fed up having to change my bed, clothes and washing seat covers and on one occasion the carpet. Through LCHF I have lost just over 6 stones over the last year (I was very overweight), I still have a way to go and am now seeking to reverse my diabetes with diet. Any advice and tips would be welcome.

Fenugreek, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre are all herbs that have been used for a long time rather than the meds that are offered to us by GPs. I use gymnema sylvestre myself - I think it is largely because of this that I have lost my sweet tooth - I read somewhere that it alters how the brain tastes sweet things. I can certainly attest to that - when smelling chocolate I would always get the instant memory of how it tastes - I don't get that now. Weird I know but anything that helps is worth a bit of research.

Maggie/Magpie said:

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.

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Hi Maggie, I'm sorry to see that your having problem with Metformin. Several years ago I had the same problem. For 18 months I was shuttled backwards and forwards between the hospital and the doctors. It got so bad I ended up with a repeat prescription for Immodium that I was taking constantly. Neither the Hospital nor my Doctor had any idea what was wrong, then I started to lose weight really rapidly. I don't mind admitting that I was scared, and I was so preoccupied with what was going on, I didn't realise that my wife and children were deeply worried. We changed all my medications Exept Metformin because they said it was extremely unlikely to be it because it's such a safe medication. After 2 colonoscopies, 2 Barium meals and finally a bowel cancer kit (didn't even make it home to use it, really didn't like the quip of "that was quick) we finally decided to change to Gliclazide (?). Within 48 hours the difference was amazing. Will your blood sugars go up ? Yes, until you get the dosage right. Metformin can cause severe diarrhoea but not with the majority of users, so glad not to be on it and my sugar control with Gliclazide is very good. Hope that helps.

Tiger boy1 said:

Resurgam, I also stopped taking Metformin and Statins due to unbearable stomach pain waking me up early hours most mornings..I went to Doctors several times and was given advice to drink more fluids etc, My aches pains and bowel and stomach problems stopped with in 24 hours.. Asked my doctor for six months diet and exercise, until my next Diabetes review..my Blood glucose with 1500 metformin was between 6.5 and 7,5....with a low carb diet..i test every morning and evening after meals..usually about 8...i know its still la bit high..but so much better feeling than all the pain and suffering on metformin and Statins...i hope i can get it down even more, we will see..

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I wouldn't worry about the metformin, I seriously doubt it's necessary, the thing to appreciate is that the changes to your blood sugar are cumulative and incremental day on day, so it might take a while, but i you stick with the diet you will probably get there in the end without metformin.

Metformin doesnt control or affect your blood sugar/glucose levels
Metformin is used to increase/improve insulin productivity. So basically it kinda gives ur bodies natural insulin a boost.

-beckyb93- said:

Metformin doesnt control or affect your blood sugar/glucose levels
Metformin is used to increase/improve insulin productivity.

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Sorry, that is not how metformin works. I think you are meaning another class of drugs completely.

Metformin has a mild blood glucose lowering effect.
It does not increase insulin productivity at all, although it does increase insulin sensitivity.

This is a quote from this site:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2014/01/how-does-metformin-work/
In every human body, the liver releases small amounts of glucose throughout the day. The primary effect of taking metformin is that this release of glucose from the liver is lessened, resulting in lower blood sugars.
Metformin also works to lower blood sugar in two secondary ways: by increasing your sensitivity to insulin and decreasing the amount of glucose that is absorbed from the food you eat.

But it doesnt directly affect your sugars.
You slso shouldnt believe everything you read on websites especially ones that are not always credible.
Ive worked as a student on a diabetes ward with numerous nurses doctors consultants all of whom say metformin does not affect the blood sugars but affects the insulin sensitivity. (I used the wrong word of productivity before)
I also know numerous people. Friends family etc who have been on metformin

-beckyb93- said:

But it doesnt directly affect your sugars.
You slso shouldnt believe everything you read on websites especially ones that are not always credible.
Ive worked as a student on a diabetes ward with numerous nurses doctors consultants all of whom say metformin does not affect the blood sugars but affects the insulin sensitivity. (I used the wrong word of productivity before)
I also know numerous people. Friends family etc who have been on metformin

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It lowers your blood glucose by reducing the amount of glucose that is released from the liver. And by increasing the uptake of glucose by reducing insulin sensitivity.

However, it does not reduce people's blood glucose by much, compared with some of the other drugs.
That (and the fact that it is a cheap drug) is why it is usually the first drug prescribed to T2s.

I have been on metformin 2x500g twice per day for almost 2 years and have had the same problems as most of you. I test my blood even though I have been told it is not necessary. I have decided to cut them down. I have lost almost 3 stone and hope to get to 10 stone in the next 6 weeks. My blood sugar is average 4.5 to 7 first thing in the morning and has peaked to 9 to 12 in the day but goes down to average 7 before bed. At my last check it was average 6 and cholesterol 5.4 when 'they' tried to get me to take statins which I refused. I stick to LCHF plan as strictly as possible. I attend weightwatchers. Unfortunately my late father had and presently my brother and sister have type 2, and I developed too much sugar when I was pregnant (a very long time ago) How long I had diabetes when I was diagnosed I do not know but I suspect it could have been 4 years due to my lifestyle at the time. I forced myself to eat breakfast as advised even though I wasn't hungry. I only now eat breakfast when I feel like it and it has not affected BS whatsoever. I was informed that I had 24% chance of a stroke if I didn't take the statins, but at my age 70 I think that's quite good odds! I have learned EVERYTHING I have ever needed to know from this website.

Nicksu said:

Fenugreek, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre are all herbs that have been used for a long time rather than the meds that are offered to us by GPs. I use gymnema sylvestre myself - I think it is largely because of this that I have lost my sweet tooth - I read somewhere that it alters how the brain tastes sweet things. I can certainly attest to that - when smelling chocolate I would always get the instant memory of how it tastes - I don't get that now. Weird I know but anything that helps is worth a bit of research.

Click to expand...

C

Nicksu said:

Fenugreek, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre are all herbs that have been used for a long time rather than the meds that are offered to us by GPs. I use gymnema sylvestre myself - I think it is largely because of this that I have lost my sweet tooth - I read somewhere that it alters how the brain tastes sweet things. I can certainly attest to that - when smelling chocolate I would always get the instant memory of how it tastes - I don't get that now. Weird I know but anything that helps is worth a bit of research.

Click to expand...

C

Resurgam said:

I was put on statins and Metformin, my ability to learn and remember was gone, I wanted to learn a new song for the folk club the week before Christmas and could not - my husband came and asked why I was playing the same thing over and over again. I did just about manage it, but my memory is so bad - I lost the car in the supermarket car park on the Friday before Christmas, walked up and down the lines until I found it and then when I opened the back I found that I'd already done the shopping once, and left it in the car - most of it was OK but the frozen things had defrosted. I still forget things I never did before - taking tablets for my thyroid for instance, but I get up to do something and then can't remember what it was.

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Have you considered trying some virgin coconut oil?

Nicksu said:

Fenugreek, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre are all herbs that have been used for a long time rather than the meds that are offered to us by GPs. I use gymnema sylvestre myself - I think it is largely because of this that I have lost my sweet tooth - I read somewhere that it alters how the brain tastes sweet things. I can certainly attest to that - when smelling chocolate I would always get the instant memory of how it tastes - I don't get that now. Weird I know but anything that helps is worth a bit of research.

Click to expand...

Where do you get your gymnena sylvestre from? It is supposed to be very effective and makes a good tea.

Maggie/Magpie said:

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.

Click to expand...

Yep been there! My diabetics nurse took me off Metformin and started me on Gliclazide and then Forxiga. After a year I was put back on Metformin with the other drugs. I have found that provided I take the Metformin during or just after a meal, no problem. However if I leave it too late - diarrhea!

RobertaCheriyan said:

Where do you get your gymnena sylvestre from? It is supposed to be very effective and makes a good tea.

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Healthmonthly.co.uk. It isn't pricy and the postage is free. I can attest to it working - I had an apple turnover the other day (which used to be my Saturday morning treat) - it just didn't give me the sugar hit that it used to. Because of this I went through Christmas without snacking on the usual biscuits and sugar. A medium box of Cadburys Celebrations took me a week to eat (they would normally have been eaten in about 2 days!).