Is this normal please.

[thelis]

I have just started taking slow release Metformin. My first one was yesterday morning with breakfast. The only after effects I got from that was wind in the evenings. I took another one this morning with breakfast about 9 a.m. At about 10.45 after visiting the toilet 3 times I went sweaty, my legs went weak and felt really terrible. I took my sugar levels and it was 7.8. (this was 2 hrs. after breakfast). My BP is 135/57 which is about normal for me. Has anyone else felt like this when they start taking metformin slow release and is it likely to be like this every morning.

 

[jalapino]

I have just started taking slow release Metformin. My first one was yesterday morning with breakfast. The only after effects I got from that was wind in the evenings. I took another one this morning with breakfast about 9 a.m. At about 10.45 after visiting the toilet 3 times I went sweaty, my legs went weak and felt really terrible. I took my sugar levels and it was 7.8. (this was 2 hrs. after breakfast). My BP is 135/57 which is about normal for me. Has anyone else felt like this when they start taking metformin slow release and is it likely to be like this every morning.

I personally never have had the symptoms you are having only the normal toilet visits 😉

Here is a link for more info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin
Hope you feel better soon 🙂

 

[LeeLee]

Is the 7.8 lower than you have been experiencing lately? Sometimes it's possible to get 'false hypos' at relatively high levels when there're lower than before.

Were the visits to the loo for the runs or to empty your bladder? Frequent urination happens to a lot of us when blood sugar is high and the excess is being flushed out. This usually disappears when sugar levels stabilise. Diarrhoea and other bowel symptoms are common in the first few weeks on metformin. These usually settle down in time (but the windy problem often remains, especially if you eat a lot of carbs).

What did you have for breakfast?

 

[thelis]

Is the 7.8 lower than you have been experiencing lately? Sometimes it's possible to get 'false hypos' at relatively high levels when there're lower than before.

Were the visits to the loo for the runs or to empty your bladder? Frequent urination happens to a lot of us when blood sugar is high and the excess is being flushed out. This usually disappears when sugar levels stabilise. Diarrhoea and other bowel symptoms are common in the first few weeks on metformin. These usually settle down in time (but the windy problem often remains, especially if you eat a lot of carbs).

What did you have for breakfast?

Hi Leelee

I had 2 weeektabix with 2 small peach slices and a cup of tea. I haven't been taking my blood sugars after breakfast so not sure about the 7.8. The visitsd to the loo were for the runs which I understand is normal when you first take them.

 

[LeeLee]

Weetabix is a cereal, and therefore high in carbohydrates - and they turn straight to sugar as soon as you've eaten. Tomorrow you might try egg, with or without bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms (note the absence of toast). That's my favourite weekend low-carb breakfast!

Yogurt & berries is also a staple breakfast for me. If I do have cereal, it's just one Weetabix or 20g of Grape-Nuts with fruit and yet more yogurt.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

A bit out of my depth about Met, but I gather part of the way it works is to 'push' meals with carbs in them straight through (without touching the sides!). From other experiences I've read, tummy troubles seem to be reduced when carb content of meals is low. Might be worth a try?

 

[PattiEvans]

A bit out of my depth about Met, but I gather part of the way it works is to 'push' meals with carbs in them straight through (without touching the sides!). From other experiences I've read, tummy troubles seem to be reduced when carb content of meals is low. Might be worth a try?

Absolutely right Mike. If you want to reduce the side effects of Metformin then curb the carbs, Thelis that breakfast is very high in carbs.

 

[thelis]

Absolutely right Mike. If you want to reduce the side effects of Metformin then curb the carbs, Thelis that breakfast is very high in carbs.

Thanks Patti and everyone else for your replies. Would porridge be better than Weetabix. Will try it tomorrow.

 

[LeeLee]

Porridge is also a cereal, so try it if you're feeling brave! Some can tolerate it better than others, so it might be better to wait until your tummy settles down with the metformin before trying it.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks Patti and everyone else for your replies. Would porridge be better than Weetabix. Will try it tomorrow.

Porridge is a bit carby too, I'm afraid, but should be better than Weetabix. Best would be something like scrambled eggs and tomatoes 🙂

 

[pav]

Porridge is a bit carby too, I'm afraid, but should be better than Weetabix. Best would be something like scrambled eggs and tomatoes 🙂

Did notice the other day some where, some one said its best to use proper porridge oats rather than the quick / instant stuff as these are more processed containing more carbs

 

[Northerner]

Did notice the other day some where, some one said its best to use proper porridge oats rather than the quick / instant stuff as these are more processed containing more carbs

I think that was me! 🙂 The more processed, the quicker they hit your system

 

[pav]

I think that was me! 🙂 The more processed, the quicker they hit your system

Think I have a memory like a sieve at the moment, full of holes that lets everything out.