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Metformin Side Effects

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
AngelaY9847

AngelaY9847

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
I shouldn't be having side effects 4 months down the line should I?

I don't know what the hell is going on guys. My stomach is really mad with me. I don't know if it's the meds still, or if there is something else going on. I was trying to do a food elimination, and this morning I had eggs for breakfast and a few hours later...........explosion! If you know what I mean :/ I usually eat low sugar Granola from breakfast, but I am trying to lower my carb intake. I have just taken a dose of Immodium, in the hope it will take the edge off.

I'm seeing the nurse of the 26th, should I ask for SR Metformin? Just to rule another possible cause out?

This all started after I got diagnosed and started on meds, so it's the only thing I can think of right now.
 
I would definitely ask for the slow-release version! They only put people on the ordinary type because it's cheaper and people either don't have problems, have problems but can live with them, have problems and think there is no alternative, or have problems so don't take them! 😱 Slightly more expensive, but hopefully a big improvement on your quality of life 🙂
 
Thanks Northener, I will ask about it on my next visit.

I can't go on like this, it's starting to really upset me, and it's pretty embarrassing having to go into our shared loos at work.......as you can probably imagine. I also have to get someone to cover me on reception as it's a secure building. Luckily I have a great manager who totally understands my plight.
 
Angela I find that if I sit still for about 20 mins after taking the metformin tablet then I am usually OK but sometimes I still have your problem. I can't nail it down to any specific food and have learned to live with it but luckily being retired I don't have work issues and as it doesn't happen all the time I haven't asked to switch tablets. I hope your situation improves.
 
My stomach just goes mental with me so much of the time. Popping, churning, bubbling. It's starting to make me crazy.

I can't sit still for 20 mins after though, as mornings for me are all go! Maybe I should take my Metformin to work and take it when I get here? I have to eat at 6.30am, and then I usually let it settle and take my meds at around 7.15, then 10 mins after that I'm out the door to get the bus.

I'm pretty strict on taking it at the same time every day too.
 
I have been told it doesn't matter when I take them as long as it is with or after food. I was on 2 tablets but have now been cut down to one. My advice would be to take your tablet with or directly after your breakfast then let it all settle and see if that makes a difference.
 
Guess I need to get up earlier! Thanks for the advice.
 
I hear you Angela. I was on 2 Metformin daily then cut to one which was much better. Still had to get up 2 hours before work to give my body 'processing ' time but more workable. Still had the 'got to go NOW' issue though. Currently off Metformin altogether as control good so GP and DPN said fine to try without it. So far so good and numbers are fine. I found the drug side effects did not reduce at all over time and I always took them with food . The NOW issue has reduced since being off the pills so life is easier. It is a tough one to live with. I did find that some foods made tummy issues worse (rough nuts etc) but others were fine. This is really an individual thing so you could keep a food diary and note reactions and times etc. eg Good 30 mins after food, problems 60 mins after. Try different things and you may see a pattern develop and can learn what works better for YOU.
 
AngelaY9847 said:
I shouldn't be having side effects 4 months down the line should I?

I don't know what the hell is going on guys. My stomach is really mad with me. I don't know if it's the meds still, or if there is something else going on. I was trying to do a food elimination, and this morning I had eggs for breakfast and a few hours later...........explosion! If you know what I mean :/ I usually eat low sugar Granola from breakfast, but I am trying to lower my carb intake. I have just taken a dose of Immodium, in the hope it will take the edge off.

I'm seeing the nurse of the 26th, should I ask for SR Metformin? Just to rule another possible cause out?

This all started after I got diagnosed and started on meds, so it's the only thing I can think of right now.
Click to expand...
Hi Angela...exactly the same problem...taking Metformin twice daily...get MF revenge regularly...but seem to manage it now...one day made the mistake of taking it on an empty stomach...roughly an hour to hour and a half after eaten...never known anything like it...good advice...take it with your food or immediately after...MF also has reduced my appetite...so hardly eat anything like l previously did...and not particularly interested in food in general...so luckily when it starts...over reasonably quickly...have heard the slow release is better...but hoping when next see GP might get off it...or at least reduce dose..so sticking with it for now...enjoy the fact it has reduced my appetite... weight coming off...good luck...been like that for a couple of months now...I've just got used to it...
 
I've always had a touch of wind, but on metformin....damn!
But I have experimented with taking it before, during and after meals - I have found taking it with the food does it for me, although still get the occasional gust...
 
AngelaY9847 said:
I shouldn't be having side effects 4 months down the line should I?

I don't know what the hell is going on guys. My stomach is really mad with me. I don't know if it's the meds still, or if there is something else going on. I was trying to do a food elimination, and this morning I had eggs for breakfast and a few hours later...........explosion! If you know what I mean :/ I usually eat low sugar Granola from breakfast, but I am trying to lower my carb intake. I have just taken a dose of Immodium, in the hope it will take the edge off.

I'm seeing the nurse of the 26th, should I ask for SR Metformin? Just to rule another possible cause out?

This all started after I got diagnosed and started on meds, so it's the only thing I can think of right now.
Click to expand...

Hey Angela,
I was on Metformin for about 18 months, and I had horrible symptoms for the whole time. I wasn't aware there was a slow release version, and it was never suggested to me. I had very similar symptoms to you :(
I would definitely talk to your nurse about the SR version, and see if that helps xx
 
Thanks all. I would like to maybe cut mine down, but as doc didn't say to, I have just carried on. Maybe the nurse will mention it? Getting down from 102 to 51 surely means I can? Doc told me it probably wasn't doing anything for me anyway!

I still don't buy this type 2 malarkey either! I am still so confused as to my diagnosis. Can I ask for more tests? If they told me I had LADA, then I would not be surprised.
 
i got my doc to switch brands when i had similar issues brand glucophage was a serious brand to avoid for me, i have now found that the cheapest brand sukkarto is just fine for my stomach
 
Well, so far so good this morning. I had a light breakfast, natural yogurt, threw in some berries and just a splash of Granola for some crunch.

I got up earlier, took my medication right after eating and just let it all settle before I got on with getting ready for work.

I did notice however, that on waking I was feeling a bit headachy and run down. Not sure if that's just because of yesterday, or maybe a bit of dehydration, or if I'm maybe a bit poorly in general. I guess if my immune system is broke, I'm more susceptible to office related germs!

I have my Flu jab next weekend! Joy!
 
Glad it went better for you this morning Angela. I have my flu jab booked for 3rd Oct !
 
Thanks Val.

I'm going to attempt eggs tomorrow for breakfast, as it's Saturday I don't have to go anywhere! I can't give up eggs, even though I felt put off after yesterday. I love them too much.
 
I used to have scrambled eggs with no problem but have gone off eggs at the moment. Don't know why but nothing to do with metformin problems. Go for it !
 
I like eggs in all different ways (although I try to keep away from fried now, which is my favourite, of course!) I can't master poached though :/
 
Oh yes! I keep forgetting about the spray oil. I shall get some of that. Fried eggs can be back on the menu.
 
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