Well this is fun!!!!

I was prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin and after a month I was suicidal, so - just be careful.
I binned the tablets after 5 weeks, and then found I never needed them. My HbA1c was just at the top of normal after 6 months low carb, and it is 2 points higher 7 years later. I think it is working well for me.
The side effects were bad almost at once, and did not get any better during the time I took the tablets - some people have no problems at all, for some the effects reduce to be manageable, but not for me.
Cramp was down to dehydration - some nights I sat on the loo and downed 2 and 1/2 pints of water before the cramps in my legs released.

I’m not on Metformin now, however I took it for six years. I did have a stomach upset at the start but it settled down after 10 days. Just checking that you’re taking them with a meal? That helps.

Have you gone low carb? I found I was getting night cramps on low carb, I solved them by using magnesium spray. Magnesium deficiency can cause night cramps but is better absorbed through the skin than orally. I no longer need the spray but use Himalayan pink salt in place of normal salt as it contains magnesium amongst other mineral salts.

retrogamer said:

As mentioned in other posts I've been prescribed Metformin. I was told by the doctor that I would possibly have an upset stomach with them. I thought, yeah yeah, just reeling off typical side effects! I'm never normally affected by these with any other medication I'm on.

Well..............

My god its bad! Fortunately I've been told it's only temporary but let me put it this way, it's a good job I live in a bungalow with a bathroom just outside my bedroom door!

Even that isn't much use when I wake up at 4.30am with severe cramp in my feet and I can barely stand never mind run to the bathroom. Cramps are another major issue at the minute. I've done some reading about electrolytes and magnesium supplements etc but not sure if it's something I should be looking at yet.

Anyway I really hope my symptoms calm down pretty quickly because I'm totally exhausted after just 1 day of this!!

/Rant

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in regards to the cramps in feet, i have had quinine tablets prescribed from my gp and they work, but if you like tonic water try drinking that as it has quinine in x

retrogamer said:

As mentioned in other posts I've been prescribed Metformin. I was told by the doctor that I would possibly have an upset stomach with them. I thought, yeah yeah, just reeling off typical side effects! I'm never normally affected by these with any other medication I'm on.

Well..............

My god its bad! Fortunately I've been told it's only temporary but let me put it this way, it's a good job I live in a bungalow with a bathroom just outside my bedroom door!

Even that isn't much use when I wake up at 4.30am with severe cramp in my feet and I can barely stand never mind run to the bathroom. Cramps are another major issue at the minute. I've done some reading about electrolytes and magnesium supplements etc but not sure if it's something I should be looking at yet.

Anyway I really hope my symptoms calm down pretty quickly because I'm totally exhausted after just 1 day of this!!

/Rant

Click to expand...

As a Type 11 Diabetic I was prescribed 2 Metformin/Diformin morning & evening. I did nor have any stomach issues but my kidneys developed problems. Now I am on one each twice a day!

Ask if your GP could change Metformin to Metformin S/R it may help you bit better than normal Metformin

retrogamer said:

As mentioned in other posts I've been prescribed Metformin. I was told by the doctor that I would possibly have an upset stomach with them. I thought, yeah yeah, just reeling off typical side effects! I'm never normally affected by these with any other medication I'm on.

Well..............

My god its bad! Fortunately I've been told it's only temporary but let me put it this way, it's a good job I live in a bungalow with a bathroom just outside my bedroom door!

Even that isn't much use when I wake up at 4.30am with severe cramp in my feet and I can barely stand never mind run to the bathroom. Cramps are another major issue at the minute. I've done some reading about electrolytes and magnesium supplements etc but not sure if it's something I should be looking at yet.

Anyway I really hope my symptoms calm down pretty quickly because I'm totally exhausted after just 1 day of this!!

/Rant

Click to expand...

Hi Retrogamer, I was on Metoformin SR (slow release) for nearly a month & had an awful time on it as well. My GP said it was side effects bingo! Anyway got it changed to Gliclazide (not good but bearable) & Sitagliptin. I’ve gone lower carb (150g a day) got a Libre sensor & upped activity (a bit - more walking) & lost 11lbs so far. My HbA1c has gone from 104 to 44 in 4 months so have just come off the wretched Gliclazide. Hope to ditch the Sitagliptin in 6 months. So my advice- keep a note of your symptoms. If nothing changes in 10 days - 2weeks or they are really bad let the GP know & they will change you. I found the pharmacist really helpful & supportive (no need of an appointment). Cramps - have a glass of water by the bed. I am writing this at 3am b/c I forgot mine last night & cramping . Paracetamol also helped me.
Note I found it very easy to loose weight on the Metformin (no appetite) but put it all back on with the Gliclazide so had to start again.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.

(edited by mod to remove quote of deleted post)

You most certainly can have too much magnesium. And salt, if not taking water to balance.

magnesium is a laxative (Milk of Magnesia, Epsom salts etc0 so is the last thing you need to consider at the moment. Salt is a better electolyte to supplement at the moment since this is being depleted by the toilet runs.

I had very bad tummy cramps with Metformin and was changed to the slow release variety, even then although they weren’t as bad it did take a week to settle and now I have no symptoms. I take electrolytes dissolved in water and it doesn’t cause any ‘toilet’ issue. You can also take cream of tartar in water.