Metformin, gastroenteritis and diverticulitis

[Felinia]

I was prescribed Metformin on 15 October, and came down with a really severe case of gastroenteritis the following day, before I ever took a dose. I ended up 9 days in bed and in the first 10 days of the illness lost 15 pounds. I spoke to my GP who told me not to take the Metformin until I was completely well again and my insides functioning normally. He also warned me that once I was able to eat (and retain) I might well get a flare up of my Diverticular Disease and to let that pass as well. He was spot on as I have had all the cramps, runs and constipation I usually get with DD. My legs feel like they currently belong to a jelly baby and I'm still needing several cat naps a day. So no Metformin yet. How do others deal with Metformin when they are suffering from other bowel issues?

 

[Vonny]

That's one way to lose over a stone! Not the preferred way admittedly. I can't imagine metformin doing your bowels any favours; wouldn't you be best just waiting until the flare-up has calmed down? Sorry @Felinia, I have no suggestions, just wanted to wish you well and hope you are feeling better soon x

 

[grovesy]

I was prescribed Metformin on 15 October, and came down with a really severe case of gastroenteritis the following day, before I ever took a dose. I ended up 9 days in bed and in the first 10 days of the illness lost 15 pounds. I spoke to my GP who told me not to take the Metformin until I was completely well again and my insides functioning normally. He also warned me that once I was able to eat (and retain) I might well get a flare up of my Diverticular Disease and to let that pass as well. He was spot on as I have had all the cramps, runs and constipation I usually get with DD. My legs feel like they currently belong to a jelly baby and I'm still needing several cat naps a day. So no Metformin yet. How do others deal with Metformin when they are suffering from other bowel issues?

Sorry to hear this. Hope you get better soon. I have never had problems were I have ended up in bed for days. I have had days were I was bad and not taken but like you. I think in shoes I would be reluctant to take at all and see if there is an alternative.

 

[Ditto]

Get well soon. 🙂

 

[mikeydt1]

it might be worth while you asking for an alternative diabetic medication to metformin esp with the bowel disease you have.

i am diagnosed with the same horrible disease and was first prescribed metformin and it caused me havoc, also tried sr version with no luck. now taking sitagliptin along with gliclazide.

 

[Felinia]

it might be worth while you asking for an alternative diabetic medication to metformin esp with the bowel disease you have.

i am diagnosed with the same horrible disease and was first prescribed metformin and it caused me havoc, also tried sr version with no luck. now taking sitagliptin along with gliclazide.

I am only just over the threshold where my GP will prescribe medication, which is the slow release version. They did say if I had an adverse reaction I was to stop taking it, and they discounted another medication, also because of the DD. Maybe I'm being optimistic, but as I can't take anything at the moment, I'm hoping I can reduce my HbA1c back to 48 with diet like I did last time. Then I won't need Metformin. (As I type my insides are stabbing and grumbling away - you'll know what I mean!).

 

[grovesy]

I am only just over the threshold where my GP will prescribe medication, which is the slow release version. They did say if I had an adverse reaction I was to stop taking it, and they discounted another medication, also because of the DD. Maybe I'm being optimistic, but as I can't take anything at the moment, I'm hoping I can reduce my HbA1c back to 48 with diet like I did last time. Then I won't need Metformin. (As I type my insides are stabbing and grumbling away - you'll know what I mean!).

Sorry to hear you are still suffering.There are many differnt medications for Type 2.

 

[novonord]

metformin is a wonder drug, very useful in patients with central adiposity and associated with longevity, can cause nausea and diarrhoea when you first start it so usually introduced slowly building up to the full dose after a couple of weeks.
half life is 6 hours,
should make sure your renal function, kidneys are ok before commencing.
would not normally complicate diverticular disease as far as I am aware,

 

[mikeydt1]

it is like been on a roller coaster Felinia.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear this @Felinia

Hope you feel better soon.

I think @annealex1 was discussing metformin and diverticular disease fairly recently

Hba1c

Hi and welcome. Please don't wait until you reach that goal before you come back to us.... we are here to support you the whole journey, not just to share your success. Cutting your carbs really can make a big difference. There is conflicting dietary advice for diabetics, and the NHS may be...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Felinia]

Sorry to hear this @Felinia

Hope you feel better soon.

I think @annealex1 was discussing metformin and diverticular disease fairly recently

Hba1c

Hi and welcome. Please don't wait until you reach that goal before you come back to us.... we are here to support you the whole journey, not just to share your success. Cutting your carbs really can make a big difference. There is conflicting dietary advice for diabetics, and the NHS may be...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

I'm pleased to say the gastroenteritis has cleared up but I'm still getting diverticular pains, constipation, and needing paracetemol. So I'm still not taking the Metformin.

 

[grovesy]

Glad to hear you have seen some improvement.

 

[Felinia]

Unbelievably I've had a recurrence of the illness on 13 November, resulting in 8 days in bed and a weight loss now of 21 pounds in 6 weeks. My temperature shot up to 39.4 (just under 104 f). When I emailed in the GP was on the phone immediately and came straight round for a home visit. Full examination and tests, all negative. He thinks the original infection never went, just flared up again, but is related to my Diverticular Disease. So I am still not taking the Metformin, until the DD pain goes. I still feel very washed out and wobbly, and just hope I don't get a 3rd bout. But I couldn't fault the speed of the GP response.

 

[grovesy]

Unbelievably I've had a recurrence of the illness on 13 November, resulting in 8 days in bed and a weight loss now of 21 pounds in 6 weeks. My temperature shot up to 39.4 (just under 104 f). When I emailed in the GP was on the phone immediately and came straight round for a home visit. Full examination and tests, all negative. He thinks the original infection never went, just flared up again, but is related to my Diverticular Disease. So I am still not taking the Metformin, until the DD pain goes. I still feel very washed out and wobbly, and just hope I don't get a 3rd bout. But I couldn't fault the speed of the GP response.

Sorry to hear you have still not recovered. Take care.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Get well soon @Felinia

 

[Drummer]

I have heard of the multiple flare ups of a bug with diverticular disease, as the bug gets into some of the 'diverts' and lurks there before popping out and 'raising Cain' again.
Personally - with a gut that used to work on the same lines as a cement mixer until I took Metformin, and is still a bit touchy almost four years later, I would not take it again for a pension.
Luckily I can achieve good control with diet - but if it was a choice between Metformin and frogspawn, it would be frogspawn every time. Sorry frogs.