Feeling a bit down today

[Grannylorraine]

Welcome, I think feeling down is perfectly normal after such a diagnosis, I see that you are now on the slow release, as the side effects of Metformin do get you down. I have been on it for 15 months now and still get days when I have severe side effects. I understand the anxiety as I suffer as well.

 

[Billychick]

Thank you Grannylorraine. I have decided that I am going back down to 1000 per day (500 am and 500 pm) and build it back up again, I had assumed that slow release was going to work instantly but that clearly is not the case. It has only been a month on the slow release and things did get better when I was on the low dosage.

 

[Davein]

I have just looked at some of the meds I used to be on and one was Glucophage SR which according to my packaging is Metformin Slow Release. They are 1000gm tablets quite large.
I can only advise you Ion what I would personally do in a similar situation .Firstly it is a little late in the day to make drastic changes to your meds if you're going away to Thailand in 3 days time .I would watch both my food intake and the carb value of those foods. If you have found some relief from the diahorrea by taking 1500mgs they I personally would fall back to that level again temporarily. I am assuming that you are travelling to Thailand for a short period? I am also assuming you have travel insurance. If your diahorrea persists or gets worse whilst in Thailand, if it were me I would reduce the meds further.
Initially, when I suffered side effects from the metformin, I would reduce the amount taken when the side effects became overbearing. I would then slowly increase the dose after the side effects settled down. I was eventually put on gliclazide which then became ineffective and I'm now on insulin therapy. We are all different and different meds and doses affect us all differently. Diahorrea by nature dehydrates so keep drinking fluids.Try not to become too anxious as this makes your situation worse. As I've said to you before, trust your gut instincts, if your diahorrea becomes worse whilst abroad just lower your dose temporarily. Quite frankly if you are going there on holiday then try an enjoy the experience. If you are going for a longer period then seek advice from NHS Direct or your healthcare provider.

 

[Wirrallass]

Please, please, can I have some advise - I am so scared. I was on the original Metformin which played havoc with my tummy and on 22 Feb my Dr switched me to Glucophage Slow release, which I took 1000mg for 2 weeks, 1500 for 2 weeks, my tummy has been better but still get some bad diahorrea days, which I have managed to put to one side ( I had presumed that the slow release would overnight stop the diahorrea - this has not been the case) Today I decided to increase it to 2000 mg per day (1,000 AM an 1,000 PM). I took the tablets at 08.45 and I have just had the diahorrea from hell. Should I decrease again and build up again? I am going away on Thursday to Thailand and I am so so scared that I am going to be ill, I want to stick with the Metformin, please tell me it will get better and some advise. I am sorry to have gone on but I am by nature an anxious person. Thank you so so much in advance.
Billychick

Hi Billychick. I'm sorry to read you're still having adverse affects from the Metfartin! Its absolutely horrible isnt it😱 However I personally believe you should not take it upon yourself to increase/decrease your medication without first consulting either your GP or Diabetes Team. Therefore why not consult either your GP or your Diabetes Team at the clinic and be guided by them? I know you take the Metfartin after your meals but have you tried taking it with your meals instead to see if this makes a difference? Keeping yourself hydrated is a must particularly when sufferring with diarrhoea so do drink plenty of water. I hope you can resolve this problem fairly soon BC as diarrhoea is debilitating particularly if prolonged. Please update us as and when, take care now.
WL.

 

[Billychick]

Davein - very many thanks for your input, I really really do appreciate it. I have decided that I am going to drop back to 500 mg twice a day - and then increase again gradually say 3 weeks and then 1500 and then 3 weeks and then may up to 2,000 which my GP had suggested that I should go from 1,000 to 2,000 within a week! I am by nature a worrier and also have IBS which does not help on the tummy front, its a vicious circle and I expected the SR to be be an overnight fix. I am waiting for an appointment for some counselling for my anxiety. I am going to Thailand for 10 days and really want to have a good time

 

[Davein]

Davein - very many thanks for your input, I really really do appreciate it. I have decided that I am going to drop back to 500 mg twice a day - and then increase again gradually say 3 weeks and then 1500 and then 3 weeks and then may up to 2,000 which my GP had suggested that I should go from 1,000 to 2,000 within a week! I am by nature a worrier and also have IBS which does not help on the tummy front, its a vicious circle and I expected the SR to be be an overnight fix. I am waiting for an appointment for some counselling for my anxiety. I am going to Thailand for 10 days and really want to have a good time

Of course you want to enjoy it🙂I'm sure you don't want to be sitting on the loo most of the time you are there🙂Unfortunately it takes our bodies time to adjust to meds and some take longer than others. I have been through the stages of anxiety and depression and it is a horrible place to be. Luckily, not sure if it was the meds or not, but I managed to escape that hell eventually and I now try not to worry or stress about things as it makes the situation worse. So enjoy Thailand and I hope everyday there is a good one.🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi BC
May I ask what your blood glucose levels are upon waking : pre meals and post prandials. Thanks.

 

[Billychick]

Hi Billychick. I'm sorry to read you're still having adverse affects from the Metfartin! Its absolutely horrible isnt it😱 However I personally believe you should not take it upon yourself to increase/decrease your medication without first consulting either your GP or Diabetes Team. Therefore why not consult either your GP or your Diabetes Team at the clinic and be guided by them? I know you take the Metfartin after your meals but have you tried taking it with your meals instead to see if this makes a difference? Keeping yourself hydrated is a must particularly when sufferring with diarrhoea so do drink plenty of water. I hope you can resolve this problem fairly soon BC as diarrhoea is debilitating particularly if prolonged. Please update us as and when, take care now.
WL.

My levels have been as low as 5.1 and the highest around 13.

 

[Billychick]

Of course you want to enjoy it🙂I'm sure you don't want to be sitting on the loo most of the time you are there🙂Unfortunately it takes our bodies time to adjust to meds and some take longer than others. I have been through the stages of anxiety and depression and it is a horrible place to be. Luckily, not sure if it was the meds or not, but I managed to escape that hell eventually and I now try not to worry or stress about things as it makes the situation worse. So enjoy Thailand and I hope everyday there is a good one.🙂

Davein - many thanks. I hope it will be good, I am meeting my daughter and partner in Bangkok, going to an elephant sanctuary and then to Krabi for a week

 

[CathyB]

Hi @Billychick i am sorry to say I’m in no position to offer advice as I am new to this myself but I did want to offer a virtual hug (((((hug))))) xx

 

[Billychick]

@CathyB - many thanks - hugs make things better xx

 

[Wirrallass]

My levels have been as low as 5.1 and the highest around 13.

I was only wondering that if your numbers are normally in the 5's and 6's now that maybe you could get away with not taking the Metfartin whilst your in Thailand. But as they can be as high as 13 then I don't think it would be wise to stop taking the med ~ I'm not a Doctor so cant give medical advice ~ but thats just my oppinion.
Take care and enjoy Thailand.

 

[Drummer]

As Metformin is doing such dreadful things to you, why not stop taking it so you can enjoy your holiday - it isn't as though it is a glucose lowering medication - you need to alter your diet for that, and it would be so embarrassing to have diarrhoea on the plane or hotel bedroom.
I stopped taking the Metformin and Atorvastatin after five dreadful weeks - and I had perfectly normal readings at 6 months, and as far as I can tell they have just got better and better as my metabolism improved. I just eat a low carb diet - and am not tempted to stray - I just have to consider getting bad enough results for the doctor to be telling me I had to take tablets again and all temptation fades away.

 

[Wirrallass]

I agree with @Drummer.
As I've said in a previous post, I suffered awful side effects with both Glucophage Metformin and Sukkarto SR which kept me housebound for weeks on end. I just couldn't tolerate Metformin. I ended up taking anti-diarrhoea tablets and came off the metformin. My bgs remained the same. I managed my diabetes with diet control and exercise only and my bgs remained the same so much so that I lowered my HbA1c from 53 to 32 (non diabetic) It took me about 16months of determination tenacity and will power.
Think about it Billychick particularly as your'e going away in two days time ~ it will give your tummy a chance to settle down a litle bit before travelling. Maybe keep a pack of anti-diarrhoea tablets handy on your travels just in case. Take care, good luck and enjoy your holiday x
WL

 

[Billychick]

Morning,

Thank you wirralass and Drummer. I have decided to try 500 (twice a day) today and tomorrow. I think that when I started the slow release I was ok on that dosage (I can't remember one day from the next!!!) . I am not sure whether you know the answers but if I cannot tolerate Metformin, what other tablets could I be offered. I am so confused and scared, I am 61 and for the first time in a long long time, I am completely lost.

BCX

 

[Wirrallass]

Morning,

Thank you wirralass and Drummer. I have decided to try 500 (twice a day) today and tomorrow. I think that when I started the slow release I was ok on that dosage (I can't remember one day from the next!!!) . I am not sure whether you know the answers but if I cannot tolerate Metformin, what other tablets could I be offered. I am so confused and scared, I am 61 and for the first time in a long long time, I am completely lost.

BCX

Hi Billychick ~ this diabetes milarky confounds most of us upon being diagnosed ~ and it takes a while to fathom out which meds we can tolerate and which meds we can't. It's understandable that you feel scared and confused ~ diabetes and Metformin is all new to you. I'm really sorry but I can't advise you of an alternative to Metformin because I simply don't know. The best people to speak to is either your GP or your Diabetes Team at The Clinic. I was prescribed 500mg Metformin when I was diagnosed and over the ensuing weeks the dose was increased gradually until I was taking 2000mg per day. 1000mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening. But like yourself I just couldn't tolerate it because it was making me ill.

I can see that have become extremely anxious now and that will impact your blood glucose levels. I would reiterate that you consult a professional medic particularly as your holiday is approaching fast, to give you peace of mind and confidence in taking your medication. I hope you have had a referral by now regarding Counselling to discuss your anxieties. I'm sorry I cant help you more BC. Chin up hun ~ if it's any consolation you'll be advising Newbies yourself in several months time!🙂 Take care now.
WL

 

[Billychick]

Bless you wirralass - I have had my referral and counselling should be in place when I return from Thailand. All this has hit me like a ton of bricks, but I am ok with it and will deal with it. It's just I have a big hang up with my tummy ever since I was diagnosed with IBS 20+ years ago. I will take 500 x 2 per day and then look at it when I come home. I think in the beginning, my GP told me to increase the dosage far too quickly (1000mg for 1 week and then increase to 2000 the next) which played havoc with me. When I spoke the the Diabetic Nurse she really could not understand when this was down - her words, slowly, slowly. Now I am on slow release, I had assumed that I would be free of the "Metformin days" but clearly it takes time, which I am happy to give it. Also to throw a spanner in the works, I had a routine eye test and have been referred to Moorfields eye hospital, and have been advised that I probably have Glaucoma, just need to have one more test! But when you are anxious all sorts of things go thru your mind . I really, really do appreciate your help and advice. BC🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Flippin heck BC that's a mighty big spanner that you could do without😱
Snap ~ I too was dx with IBS some 27yrs ago but I have to say since I have kept to a low carb diet my IBS doesnt trouble me as much or as often. So in one way being dx with Diabetes has not only 'saved my life' but has practically cured my IBS. I truly hope that your new low carb diet does the same for your IBS. Sorry to hear of your eye probs too and I truly hope that Moorfields will confirm that you don't have Glaucoma. You will let us know how you get on nearer the time won't you?
WL

 

[Billychick]

I have an appointment on 1 May - they did tell me that after initial test that there was no damage to the optic nerve which is really good news. The Dr said that they just need to do a few more tests to either confirm/not whether I do or don't and she seemed to think it would either be check every 6 months or eyedrops - we will see. I suppose that some of this is my own fault - I hate hate hate going to the Dr and if I had gone sooner (have not been for over 15 years) - who knows!
BC

 

[mikeyB]

I agree with the later posts. You could reasonably safely stop the medication, but if you’re worried about doing that, then just take the 500mg twice a day during a meal. Don’t try and increase it, just have a great time.

Then when you get back, discuss an alternative treatment with your doc. Some people can never get tolerant to the side effects.