Thank You Metformin .......but whats next ?

[Taffyboyslim]

3 months of metformin since diagnosis

It's really helped

Hbac1 down from 82 to 57

If there were no bad side effects the GP has told me they would ask me to carry on .....and I would agree with pleasure

But I have had lots of abdominal cramping , farting , awful gas and diahorhea, about an hour after each dose

It got so bad I was phoned by the gp today and I am going in for a check up before they consider either lowering the dose or offering me an alternative

Anyone have any experience of this and what they might offer me ?

Metaformin has started to work , it's just the side effects are awful

 

[Leadinglights]

Are you on the slow release version? If not ask for that.
Do you take it mid meal as some find that helps.

 

[Windy]

Digestive problems are a known side effect of metformin, I agree with Leadinglights' suggestion of asking for slow release. You say it's working, but you've also been making changes to your diet and going out for walks. The positive lifestyle changes you've made will have made an impact on your HbA1c reduction, not just the metformin.
As for other medications, I've no idea what they offer you next, but there's information on the main DUK site about medication choices.

 

[Lucyr]

You'd usually swap to the slow release if having side effects, unless you're already taking that?

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Are you on the slow release version? If not ask for that.
Do you take it mid meal as some find that helps.

Yep , on those , I have tried it all ways lol

So frustrating

 

[Taffyboyslim]

You'd usually swap to the slow release if having side effects, unless you're already taking that?

That's what I take , the normal ones were even worse

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Digestive problems are a known side effect of metformin, I agree with Leadinglights' suggestion of asking for slow release. You say it's working, but you've also been making changes to your diet and going out for walks. The positive lifestyle changes you've made will have made an impact on your HbA1c reduction, not just the metformin.
As for other medications, I've no idea what they offer you next, but there's information on the main DUK site about medication choices.

Thank you windy

 

[Leadinglights]

If you were OK on a lower dose then maybe you could go back to that one as you have made some substantial dietary changes.
Your HbA1C is now at a level that people would be allowed to try diet and exercise before medication. That might work for you.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

If you were OK on a lower dose then maybe you could go back to that one as you have made some substantial dietary changes.
Your HbA1C is now at a level that people would be allowed to try diet and exercise before medication. That might work for you.

Thanks , does medication work exponentially in this regard ?

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks , does medication work exponentially in this regard ?

I don't know but I have seen it mentioned that at maximum dose the reduction in blood glucose is 1-2mmol/l. Some people seem to tolerate the low dose but get bad stomach issues as soon as they increase the dose.
When starting on the medication it is usual to start with the low dose and increase over a number of weeks.
You will have to see what your GP suggests.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Great news about the results @Taffyboyslim - but sorry that Metfartin has been giving you some digestive grief. You’ve given it a good go after 3 months - some members find their initial symptoms settle down after a while - but my recollection is that generally happens over a few weeks.

The good news is that there are a number of different branches of the tablet tree these days, from older options like gliclazide to relative newcomers like the ‘gliflozins.

Have a good chat with your Dr and let them tell you which they suggest and why, how they work, and any possible other effects (eg weight loss).

 

[42istheanswer]

3 months of metformin since diagnosis

It's really helped

Hbac1 down from 82 to 57

If there were no bad side effects the GP has told me they would ask me to carry on .....and I would agree with pleasure

But I have had lots of abdominal cramping , farting , awful gas and diahorhea, about an hour after each dose

It got so bad I was phoned by the gp today and I am going in for a check up before they consider either lowering the dose or offering me an alternative

Anyone have any experience of this and what they might offer me ?

Metaformin has started to work , it's just the side effects are awful

If you want more technical information on the options that may be discussed with you, the NICE guidance is online, and includes a table which says among other things which medications are associated with weight loss or weight gain

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/resources/visual-summary-full-version-choosing-medicines-for-firstline-and-further-treatment-pdf-10956472093

 

[Burylancs]

3 months of metformin since diagnosis

It's really helped

Hbac1 down from 82 to 57

If there were no bad side effects the GP has told me they would ask me to carry on .....and I would agree with pleasure

But I have had lots of abdominal cramping , farting , awful gas and diahorhea, about an hour after each dose

It got so bad I was phoned by the gp today and I am going in for a check up before they consider either lowering the dose or offering me an alternative

Anyone have any experience of this and what they might offer me ?

Metaformin has started to work , it's just the side effects are awful

A sulfonylurea such as Gliclazide or Glimiperide is usually the next or even concomittant step on the treatment algorhythm.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I don't know but I have seen it mentioned that at maximum dose the reduction in blood glucose is 1-2mmol/l. Some people seem to tolerate the low dose but get bad stomach issues as soon as they increase the dose.
When starting on the medication it is usual to start with the low dose and increase over a number of weeks.
You will have to see what your GP suggests.

Had enough , stomach pains and loose bowels

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Great news about the results @Taffyboyslim - but sorry that Metfartin has been giving you some digestive grief. You’ve given it a good go after 3 months - some members find their initial symptoms settle down after a while - but my recollection is that generally happens over a few weeks.

The good news is that there are a number of different branches of the tablet tree these days, from older options like gliclazide to relative newcomers like the ‘gliflozins.

Have a good chat with your Dr and let them tell you which they suggest and why, how they work, and any possible other effects (eg weight loss).

Had enough mate , seeing the doctor

 

[Taffyboyslim]

A sulfonylurea such as Gliclazide or Glimiperide is usually the next or even concomittant step on the treatment algorhythm.

Thank you , I will mention these to my doctor , can't go on like this

 

[Drummer]

Thank you , I will mention these to my doctor , can't go on like this

You must have the patience of a saint to go on for so long - mind you - I binned the tablets just before Christmas, as I was so dismal and then was pretty peeved to discover that I never needed them in the first place. By eating low carb my Hba1c went back to normal and I lost weight had more energy etc. I was pretty shattered by the effects of Metformin and Atorvastatin combined, but I did get over them eventually for most purposes.
I do wish that my GP had discussed medication rather than just handing me the prescription without even mentioning side effects - diet change wasn't an option, he expected me to go on with the high carb diet to lower cholesterol. That had been a disaster as well.