Meds side affects

[Louise Jayne]

Hi, I’m hoping someone can help me with my side affects and diet. I was taking Metformin starting with 1 tablet twice a day then moved on 2 tablets twice a day but unfortunately after sticking with the side affects for 7 weeks I’d have enough of trying so my dr gave me Sukkarto. Went through the whole process again but still housebound due to side affects. So now dr has decreased meds down to 1 tablet 3 times a day but I’m still having the side affects. I’m hardly eating 1 due to not having an appetite 2, the other side affect I’m having. Has anyone else had the same problem? Plus how long do you think I should stay on the 3 tablets before I say enough is enough? Thank you

 

[Toucan]

Oh dear @Louise Jayne it sounds like you are having a really bad time with metformin, even with the slower release Sukkarto.
This is quite a common problem, but if it is going to settle down it was usually do so in a couple of weeks or so.
If it is also suppressing your appetite I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about it again.
Have you been able to get your blood sugars re-measured to see what the effect of all this is?

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Louise Jayne,

Sorry to hear that you're having side effects to the medication you're taking. I agree with Toucan, it will be worth having a chat with your doctor about your side affects.

Are you taking any other medication or have any other health challenges that may be impacting your diabetes medication?

 

[Drummer]

I lasted 5 weeks on just one tablet of Metformin a day - but stopped them just before Christmas as it was simply dreadful - by the time I saw a doctor, I had realised that I did not need medication and probably never did.
It might be something to point out to your doctor, that many people only need to stop eating carbohydrates in the usual amounts for their blood glucose to return to normal.
I have now had Hba1c levels at the top end of normal since mid 2017 with no problems.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you have been having a tough time with Metformin, and again with Sukkarto @Louise Jayne

It certainly seems that some people are much more significantly affected than others with the gastric upset.

Some on the forum suggest it helps to take Metformin with a reasonably substantial meal - but one that doesn’t involve too much carbohydrate. I’m not sure if that’s something you could try with your reduced appetite?

 

[Lucyr]

Sorry to hear you have been having a tough time with Metformin, and again with Sukkarto @Louise Jayne

It certainly seems that some people are much more significantly affected than others with the gastric upset.

Some on the forum suggest it helps to take Metformin with a reasonably substantial meal - but one that doesn’t involve too much carbohydrate. I’m not sure if that’s something you could try with your reduced appetite?

I find this helps. If I take my metformin slow release with breakfast I get side effects but if I take it with dinner which is a larger meal I don’t get any side effects. Taking it after dinner works best for me.

 

[Ljc]

@Louise Jayne . I used to take my Metformin during my meal.

However the effects it is having on you sound horrible. Tbh if I was in your shoes I would stop taking them till I have spoken to whoever prescribed them. If you haven’t done so , I suggest you reduce your carbohydrate intake , especially the starchy ones eg, potatoes, bread, rice and pasta . Fruit juice though considered healthy its choc full of fruit sugars.

Their are other meds for diabetes available, if needed.

Metformin was originally designed to help with weight loss by suppressing the appetite, then they started to find it had other health benefits, sadly it also causes gastric troubles in some folks.