Does Metformin have more side effects than claimed?

[VickyHW]

Had first dose of metformin yesterday evening, only one 500g tablet with my dinner. This morning I am so spaced out to the point where I am finding myself stood or sat being completely vacant. Last time I had this was when the Dr started me on Gabapentin which thankfully soon passed. I know from Google that others seem to feel this. Is it a known side effect or just a coincidence and I actually have some sort of brain eating parasite or been through alien abduction?

 

[trophywench]

Er, so what's the Gabapentin to treat? (- sorry to ask so bluntly - cos I'm only kind-of used to hearing about the drug to treat diabetes complications affecting nerves like eg neuropathy in feet, but you've only been diagnosed with D for 5 minutes)

 

[Drummer]

I had the combination of Atorvastatin and Metformin and thought that I would be in a home for the perpetually bewildered by my next birthday, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that your symptoms are a side effect.

 

[Grldtnr]

As with any Pharmaceuticals legal or illegal they all have side effects, that's why I try not to have to take medication, but some to just have too.
Hopefully I can lower my Bloods ,so that I don't need to take Metfartin, it's a struggle, but I am just above the threshold, on 53 , 48 is the goal, but lower would be the holy grail.

 

[rebrascora]

I too wondered if you had also been started on a statin as I believe it can have that effect. Not aware of Metformin alone causing that brain freeze.

 

[trophywench]

Having looked a bit further, Vicky has Fibromyalgia and has told us that part of that for her, is 'brain fog' - so presumably would have already considered whether it's 'just more of that' before asking us whether it could be the Metformin.

Hence, has that answered my own Q, - was the Gabapentin prescribed re the Fibromyalgia.

Plus I will also say that brain fade is not one of the side effects discussed on diabetes forums in connection with Metformin.

As such, Vicky - I do think you ought to report what has happened to your medical team - both whoever looks after your D, and also your F; though I'm not sure whether you should Yellow Card metformin for this, or not.

 

[Drummer]

Having looked a bit further, Vicky has Fibromyalgia and has told us that part of that for her, is 'brain fog' - so presumably would have already considered whether it's 'just more of that' before asking us whether it could be the Metformin.

Hence, has that answered my own Q, - was the Gabapentin prescribed re the Fibromyalgia.

Plus I will also say that brain fade is not one of the side effects discussed on diabetes forums in connection with Metformin.

As such, Vicky - I do think you ought to report what has happened to your medical team - both whoever looks after your D, and also your F; though I'm not sure whether you should Yellow Card metformin for this, or not.

I was in a dreadful state after taking the two tablets for a while and was told that, as I was taking two medications a report could not be made as it was not possible to put the blame on one specific tablet - so no record was made anywhere. I have had a couple of phone calls trying to get me to take the tablets again, and I had to explain the problems each time.

 

[VickyHW]

Having looked a bit further, Vicky has Fibromyalgia and has told us that part of that for her, is 'brain fog' - so presumably would have already considered whether it's 'just more of that' before asking us whether it could be the Metformin.

Hence, has that answered my own Q, - was the Gabapentin prescribed re the Fibromyalgia.

Plus I will also say that brain fade is not one of the side effects discussed on diabetes forums in connection with Metformin.

As such, Vicky - I do think you ought to report what has happened to your medical team - both whoever looks after your D, and also your F; though I'm not sure whether you should Yellow Card metformin for this, or not.

The Gabapentin is for nerve pain I’ve been having in my legs for a while which was also making my restless legs worse and codeine wasn’t cutting it any more. I do have a trapped nerve in my lower back which produces symptoms that come and go. I recall reading somewhere that Gabapentin can enhance the action of some other drugs so there may be a combination thing going on. My dr is fully aware of what I’m on so you’d hope he accounted for that!
Statins might be next as my cholesterol is up at 6. Dr has given me three months to get used to the whole diabetes thing then if my cholesterol hasn’t come down by then…. Heard a few things about statins and not sure I like the sound. My Dad survived a widow maker about five years ago though so it’s a really serious thing. Unfortunately my good cholesterol is very low so even the balance side is out. I knew I’d put weight on during lockdown but not to the extent I’d thought it would be harming. Goes to show that what’s happening on the inside is what really counts. I reckon that if the NHS put people through those internal fat machines regularly they would save billions treating all these diseases caused by visceral fat.