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Hi! new type 2 - problems with metformin

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Snowy9

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi.
So after a long time of being 'pre-diabetic' hb1ac in the low 40s, I was diagnosed type 2 in November with 58.

This happened after I had covid in October, and I think the issue might be that I certainly upped my consumption of chocolate/cake/sweets etc and did zero exercise while I was ill.

Had a chat with the diabetes nurse at our GP and have decided to try diet change. So I've not eaten pasta/rice/potatoes/bananas/blueberries since diagnosis - all things that were staples in my normal diet. Pretty much had no chocolate (couple of bits of 95% lindt), only a few biscuits and small amounts of xmas pudding/sherry triffle over the festive period.

GP prescribed metformin telling me to start with 1 tab a day then move up to 2 after a couple of weeks. Taking the 1, I had a few stomach upsets and felt very tired but nothing too bad. But as by then getting close to xmas held off stepping up to 2 because travel/family visits/etc and reports I'd read of diarrhoea.

Finally got around to going up to 2 tabs/day last Saturday and have had dreadful experience - but not what expected.

Full on constipation, painful trapped wind and really violent vomiting. To the extent that I pulled muscles in my chest and side.
I really have had a torrid week, Didn't really sleep until thursday, couldn't even keep down water monday and tuesday.

GP suggested either modified release version or just give it a couple of weeks to see if symptoms subside.... (I'm sure swearing is frowned on, so I'll omit my view on that one)
For the moment I've said that I'm not prepared to take metformin at the moment and that we can review in a couple of weeks when I am due to have more blood tests. Hoping that the diet change has made enough difference.

Is this a really unusual response to metformin? What have others with similar situations done instead? Or have you fought through those symptoms?

Thanks for reading

🙂
 
I had similar issues with regular Metformin, as opposed to slow release, when I was first diagnosed two years ago. Recently I began taking it again and immediately had a bit of a problem. I quickly switched over to slow release and felt a bit better.

What I remember from 2021 is that it took me about a month to adapt to regular Metformin before I went onto the slow release version. I haven't yet had any problems with Sukkarto, as it's known.
 
Metformin is well know for causing bowel upsets and cramps. I was fine on 1 slow release Metformin, but with 2 I had exactly the same symptoms as you described, and it didn't settle. So now I am prescribed just 1 Metformin, plus the maximum doses of Canagliflozin and Linagliptin. I must admit I do feel a lot better and hoping I can ditch the Metformin when (being positive) my HbA1c falls.
 
I am on the standard metformin and initially started on one 500mg tablet the week before christmas. I was not sure if I could tolerate it as the stomach cramps and constant runs to the loo was so bad. Think I had the side effectsas my diet was not that great. It has settled down now. I have now managed to increase this to 2x 500mg. My practice nurse has also said if I can not tolerate the meds can change to something else.
 
Your HbA1C is not desperately high and if you are prepared to make some dietary changes then you may be able to bring your blood glucose down without medication or at least the metformin which is causing you so much distress.
Many find a low calorie or low carb regime can have as much impact as some meds.
This link may give you some ideas for dietary change if you want a low carb approach https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
 
Hi, I had a similar reaction to Metformin when diagnosed T2 nearly six years ago. Put up with the stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and lost 1 stone. Went back to the doctor/diabetic nurse and was put on Glicazide until last year when HbA1C was around 106. Now injecting insulin as no longer producing my own. If you feel it is not right for you then go back, you may be able to conrol with diet. Good luck
 
I had huge problems with Metformin and Atorvastatin, so bad that I only lasted 5 weeks. I threw them away and kept to the low carb diet. In a few weeks I was no longer diabetic and have remained off medication for 5 years now.
I do eat a few berries from time to time, and find blueberries are low enough - I stick to foods 10% carbs and under
 
Sorry to hear you’ve hit a bit of a bumpy patch with your increased dose @Snowy9 :(

Sounds like it might be worth sticking with the original dose for a while longer? When are you due a follow-up appointment to see how your HbA1c is doing?
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Sorry to hear you’ve hit a bit of a bumpy patch with your increased dose @Snowy9 :(

Sounds like it might be worth sticking with the original dose for a while longer? When are you due a follow-up appointment to see how your HbA1c is doing?
Click to expand...
To
everydayupsanddowns said:
Sorry to hear you’ve hit a bit of a bumpy patch with your increased dose @Snowy9 :(

Sounds like it might be worth sticking with the original dose for a while longer? When are you due a follow-up appointment to see how your HbA1c is doing?
Click to expand...
Going back 9/2/23 to get bloods done. Going to have to get used to needles . I have a phobia of them. Can take ages to get my bloods done. They can not get my veins easily. Do not know what my HbA1c levels are just told they are to high
 
Try drinking at least a litre of plain water in the hour before you get the blood drawn.
 
Snowy9 said:
Is this a really unusual response to metformin? What have others with similar situations done instead? Or have you fought through those symptoms?
Click to expand...
I had the opposite on regular metformin (tied to the house due to explosive diarreah) then went onto the extended release version which had the same effect as you constipation then followed more more explosive diarreah.
Pills went in the bin I cut out almost all carbohydrates and have had sub 30 HbA1c levels for the past 7 years. A host of other health issues also disappeared.
 
Snowy9 said:
Hi.
So after a long time of being 'pre-diabetic' hb1ac in the low 40s, I was diagnosed type 2 in November with 58.

This happened after I had covid in October, and I think the issue might be that I certainly upped my consumption of chocolate/cake/sweets etc and did zero exercise while I was ill.

Had a chat with the diabetes nurse at our GP and have decided to try diet change. So I've not eaten pasta/rice/potatoes/bananas/blueberries since diagnosis - all things that were staples in my normal diet. Pretty much had no chocolate (couple of bits of 95% lindt), only a few biscuits and small amounts of xmas pudding/sherry triffle over the festive period.

GP prescribed metformin telling me to start with 1 tab a day then move up to 2 after a couple of weeks. Taking the 1, I had a few stomach upsets and felt very tired but nothing too bad. But as by then getting close to xmas held off stepping up to 2 because travel/family visits/etc and reports I'd read of diarrhoea.

Finally got around to going up to 2 tabs/day last Saturday and have had dreadful experience - but not what expected.

Full on constipation, painful trapped wind and really violent vomiting. To the extent that I pulled muscles in my chest and side.
I really have had a torrid week, Didn't really sleep until thursday, couldn't even keep down water monday and tuesday.

GP suggested either modified release version or just give it a couple of weeks to see if symptoms subside.... (I'm sure swearing is frowned on, so I'll omit my view on that one)
For the moment I've said that I'm not prepared to take metformin at the moment and that we can review in a couple of weeks when I am due to have more blood tests. Hoping that the diet change has made enough difference.

Is this a really unusual response to metformin? What have others with similar situations done instead? Or have you fought through those symptoms?

Thanks for reading

🙂
Click to expand...

I find it takes at least two weeks for anything to settle down.
It could be the metformin, it could be the change of diet, it could be a mix of both.
I'd either give it longer to settle down, or ring your surgery in case it's another issue.
 
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