Advice Please

[JMF]

Have type two diabetes and after contacting GP as I was getting thirsty the nurse told me to increase my metformin from one to two a day morning and evening but since increase having tummy problems like a grumbling sensation as if I am hungry. Any ideas as it is rather uncomfortable. My last blood test showed normal range and it was only as I mentioned that I was thirsty that nurse told me to increase dose. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 27171]

Hi @JMF and welcome to the forum. Did you experience any side effects when you first began taking Metformin? Tummy complaints are a common side effect of Metformin and an increase in dose may produce them initially too. How long ago was the increase? Most side effects usually ease after a couple of weeks.
Has the increase helped to relieve your increased thirst?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
Metformin is notorious for causing digestive upset.... in fact they are rather unaffectionately known as Metfartin, so that tummy grumbling is likely gas building up...Probably a good time to self isolate and let rip!..... but be warned that it can sometimes be more than just wind! Colic spasms and diarrhoea are also common. Taking them in the middle of a substantial meal can help to limit these antisocial side effects and since it seems like you have tolerated taking one a day, it is possible that these effects will settle down after a week of two, but if they become difficult to live with, there is a slow release version which is usually better tolerated.
I am a bit surprised that they would just up your medication without a blood test, especially when you are possibly symptomatic. Have you made any dietary and lifestyle changes to help manage your diabetes? Do you possess a BG meter? Many proactive Type 2 diabetics here on the forum self fund a BG meter in order to monitor their BG levels and use it to tailor their diet to their own body's response to carbohydrates and to food preferences, sometimes enabling them to come off medication and manage their diabetes through diet and exercise alone. They are relatively inexpensive to buy @ approx. £15 for a basic meter but the regular purchase of test strips for it can tot up the cost and for that reason, the meters with the cheapest test strips are recommended by members here. Those are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Healthcare Tee2 Blood Glucose Meter. The test strips are £8 for a pot of 50 as compared to double or even triple that for some other meters. It is recommended to test before each meal and then 2 hours after to see the effect the food you ate has on your Blood Glucose levels. If you rise by more than 3 mmols then there were too many carbohydrates in the meal and you need to reduce them. This is usually a much more effective means of controlling your BG than most medication and can also lead to weight loss as an added bonus.

 

[JMF]

Hi @JMF and welcome to the forum. Did you experience any side effects when you first began taking Metformin? Tummy complaints are a common side effect of Metformin and an increase in dose may produce them initially too. How long ago was the increase? Most side effects usually ease after a couple of weeks.
Has the increase helped to relieve your increased thirst?

Thanks for your quick response if I remember I did experience tummy troubles when first on Metformin but told by GP to continue as tummy problems were common and indeed been fine up until increase. Increase about two and a half weeks ago. Yes thirst has gone

 

[JMF]

Hi @JMF and welcome to the forum. Did you experience any side effects when you first began taking Metformin? Tummy complaints are a common side effect of Metformin and an increase in dose may produce them initially too. How long ago was the increase? Most side effects usually ease after a couple of weeks.
Has the increase helped to relieve your increased thirst?

Hi
Metformin is notorious for causing digestive upset.... in fact they are rather unaffectionately known as Metfartin, so that tummy grumbling is likely gas building up...Probably a good time to self isolate and let rip!..... but be warned that it can sometimes be more than just wind! Colic spasms and diarrhoea are also common. Taking them in the middle of a substantial meal can help to limit these antisocial side effects and since it seems like you have tolerated taking one a day, it is possible that these effects will settle down after a week of two, but if they become difficult to live with, there is a slow release version which is usually better tolerated.
I am a bit surprised that they would just up your medication without a blood test, especially when you are possibly symptomatic. Have you made any dietary and lifestyle changes to help manage your diabetes? Do you possess a BG meter? Many proactive Type 2 diabetics here on the forum self fund a BG meter in order to monitor their BG levels and use it to tailor their diet to their own body's response to carbohydrates and to food preferences, sometimes enabling them to come off medication and manage their diabetes through diet and exercise alone. They are relatively inexpensive to buy @ approx. £15 for a basic meter but the regular purchase of test strips for it can tot up the cost and for that reason, the meters with the cheapest test strips are recommended by members here. Those are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Healthcare Tee2 Blood Glucose Meter. The test strips are £8 for a pot of 50 as compared to double or even triple that for some other meters. It is recommended to test before each meal and then 2 hours after to see the effect the food you ate has on your Blood Glucose levels. If you rise by more than 3 mmols then there were too many carbohydrates in the meal and you need to reduce them. This is usually a much more effective means of controlling your BG than most medication and can also lead to weight loss as an added bonus.

 

[JMF]

Thank you for your reply will try taking them in middle of meal rather on empty tummy. I was surprised when dose was doubled but due to current situation surgery closed so basically a telephone conversation with diabetic nurse. These problems only started when metformin increased. Think further conversation needed with GP practice.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope your symptoms settle down soon for you @JMF

Let us know how you get on 🙂