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Metformin and cramps

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
ladyengineer

ladyengineer

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I saw a diabetic nurse for the first time recently and after a talking to I'm doing my very best to take my metformin twice a day ass I'm supposed to. A few days in and my digestive system went into overdrive. The last couple of days I've been left with stomach cramps that are driving me to distraction especially at night.
I'm not sure if I need to persevere or if there is possibly something I can do to alleviate the symptoms.
Any advice appreciated.

L
 
Well for some people suffering this effect - a bit of perseverance pays off, cos it wears off after 'a while'. Give it a fortnight if you can. Usually starts to get better after the frist 10 days or so if it's going to I think.

If not - there is an 'extended release ' version available which usually does the trick. Thing is it is more expensive, hence why they try the ordinary first, cos there are more people OK on that than have to take the longer releasing one - whatever we may think about saving the dosh, it does actually make perfect sense. However - it definitely is a common problem.

However - I do have to say this! - if you overload with more carbs than evidently your body can cope with - then the way metformin works - is to get rid of them via the nearest available exit ! (I'm not saying that is the culprit - but it has been known to be!)
 
It took a couple of weeks for it to settle down when I started to take it. I found that taking Wind-eze tablets helped.
 
I suffer with IBS and I found I could not take the normal version. so take the Slow Release version. Like trophywench said I have noticed that since watching how much carbs I eat , if I overdo the carbs i do notice an affect.
 
There's one that's a slow release like grovesy says. Try that. That helps a lot of people.
 
Ah, perhaps that would explain why I never had any side effects from it. I was on a very low carb diet, trying to grapple with huge BG numbers Because I was a misdiagnosed type 1 at the time, it didn't have any effect on my blood sugars either!
 
I have to see the nurse in a few weeks so I guess that's a marker for whether it has settled. If not I shall speak other about the slow release.

L
 
I couldn't tolerate metformin at all. I felt queasy, had stomach pains and even threw up occasionally. They put me on the modified release version and that was so much better!
 
ladyengineer said:
I have to see the nurse in a few weeks so I guess that's a marker for whether it has settled. If not I shall speak other about the slow release.

L
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I have no experience of metformin, but I hope it settles down for you soon 🙂 Just wanted to say it's good to hear from you again, it's been a while! 🙂
 
Northerner said:
I have no experience of metformin, but I hope it settles down for you soon 🙂 Just wanted to say it's good to hear from you again, it's been a while! 🙂
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Thanks. I've been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the last few years and type 2 with no symptoms has fallen down my list of priorities. The result is the referral to the diabetic nurse. When I took the metformin properly at the start I don't recall the same side effects.
 
I must have a cast iron constitution - into week 2 with no ill effects at all 😱:D
 
Makes sence trophywench. Gravity seemed to assist the dumping process for me. As my BG has gone down a wee bit i don't get as many episodes although now on slow release as well. I will keep a record along with food and test results.
 
Helps if you know a bit of history sometimes! LOL

Metfartin was originally marketed as a weight-loss drug. Quite a lot of the overweight for whom the tablets were prescribed, were also Type 2.

They noticed, at first anecdotally and subsequently markedly - that most of the T2's BG reduced as well ! So - they started giving it only to T2s!
 
Thankfully the cramps etc have subsided two weeks in. Just one blip but I put that down to being upset and hence very stressed.

Sometimes you just want that reassurance you aren't losing you mind.

L
 
ladyengineer said:
Thankfully the cramps etc have subsided two weeks in. Just one blip but I put that down to being upset and hence very stressed.

Sometimes you just want that reassurance you aren't losing you mind.

L
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Glad to hear that things have improved for you 🙂
 
Hi
Just found this old thread while searching for answers for my OH - he is on the slow release Metformin and is still suffering from the occasional bout of stomach cramps, he's been on Metformin since December but changed to the slow release in February, he's also on Gliclazide and a statin. He's underweight. Any advice gratefully received, should he go to GP and ask for painkillers for his tum?
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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