Coming off Metformin

[Figor81]

Hello,

Thanks for allowing me to join.

I’ve recently been told to stop Metformin I’d been on for 5 years - it was an abrupt stop rather than dosing down.

For the first week off it I have had constipation and wonder if it could be caused by the stopping of this medication.

Many thanks.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Figor81

Sorry to hear about your tummy troubles. I’m not sure how many of our members who have come off Metformin have stopped all at once vs a gradual reduction in dose.

Are you getting plenty of fibre? Have things eased since, or are you considering an over-the-counter remedy? You could discuss things with a qualified pharmacist at your local chemist’s shop (many have a little consultation room for privacy).

Hopefully some of our friendly T2s will be along to share their experiences before long.

 

[harbottle]

Mmm, my experience is the opposite. When my Metformin (500mg) was stopped last year everything worked much smoother in that department.

Metformin alters how our gut digests food, so maybe it’s just taking time to adjust if you’ve been taking it for so long.

If you blood sugar has gone up after stopping it, this could cause constipation as fluids may have changed.

Was it stopped for a reason? My dose was halved when hba1c came when then eventually stopped because the medical folk didn’t think it was doing anything.

 

[Leadinglights]

When people start metformin they can often get stomach issues until the body adjusts and I suspect the same can happen when it is discontinued.
A few things to rebalance your gut, drinking plenty, make sure you have enough fibre, live yoghurt to restore gut microflora.
Have a word with the pharmacist about something like Senna or Lactulose to help.

 

[Pollyanna]

Hello,

Thanks for allowing me to join.

I’ve recently been told to stop Metformin I’d been on for 5 years - it was an abrupt stop rather than dosing down.

For the first week off it I have had constipation and wonder if it could be caused by the stopping of this medication.

Many thanks.

Hi ..
I had the same issue...fibre gel, lots of water, oats and yoghurt, blueberries and a very dark chocolate square or two sorted me.
It does make you feel yukky, aching thighs, cramps and headaches and most pain killers make it worse.
Try massaging tum/bowel on right hand side with hand curled to a fist..not up and down, one way from waist across to above pubic area .
Hope it sorted soon.

 

[Lucyr]

For the first week off it I have had constipation and wonder if it could be caused by the stopping of this medication.

Get some sugar free sweets, that will soon get things going

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Get some sugar free sweets, that will soon get things going

That could, not will, soon get things going.

But better to use a more predictable and more soothing laxative, such as fybogel. Certain sugar free sweets can be dreadful for me and life is too short to spend ages peering at rhe smallest print to find out which chemical might be there that doesn't suit me.

 

[CoolShot44]

Hi , i had the same issue with constipation when i stopped the metformin , i just try to eat plenty of fibre now to help with the constipation as well as drink plenty of water and having natural yogurt with berrys , hope the tummy issues ease for you soon .