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Metformin query

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DollyD37

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Type 2
Hi I am a newbie on this site -only diagnosed with type 2 approx 2 weeks ago. Doctor has put me on lowest dose of metformin (glucophage SR) and I seem to be ok with side effects except I have already had on three separate days the feeling of cystitis (feeling like I wanted to go to the toilet all the time). I did mention this to my doctor at a review but he said it wasn't caused by the metformin. He checked my urine for an infection but found nothing and gave me antibiotics anyway but the feeling persists. Has any one else had similar problems and what advise were you given? Did your doctor recommend any Change to metformin ie a different diabetic medication? I'm not really wanting medical advice here just really want to know if metformin can cause this problem so that I can discuss this at my next reviiew. Thanks
 
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Hi Dolly, welcome to the forum. I'm not sure about Metformin causing water troubles, maybe one of the others will know, but I do know high blood sugar levels can do this and had a few outbreaks myself when I was newly diagnosed. What does the patient information leaflet say?
 
Hi Dolly, I've no personal experience of metformin, but I just wanted to welcome you to the forum 🙂

There should be a Patient Information Leaflet with the metformin which will list possible known side-effects, so worth having a look on there.

I recommend having a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to give you a good outline of Type 2 and how to tackle it, also Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker comes highly recommended by many of our members.

Let us know if you have any other questions and we will do our best to help out 🙂
 
A warm welcome dolly 🙂

The only side effects I had with metformin was having to go to the toilet a lot...i.e number two!! 😉

As far as urine problems none at all, apart from my blood sugars being high on being diagnosed which I was always going to the loo as most of us were before being diagnosed.
 
Have just looked through my Diabetes for Dummies but it does not mention cystitis. It does mention quite a bit frequent urination being a symptom of diabetes but don't think there should be any pain when passing water.

When I started Metformin I had the runs but that settled down after a month or two.

Go back to GP and ask for more tests, say kidney. Good to know you are clear on a UTI.
 
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.

Just to clarify - the symptoms I am having are cystitis like - but no pain when passing water - just a feeling of a full bladder within 10 to,15 minutes of having been to the toilet This means cannot find a comfortable position to sit or lie and sleeping is sporadic as I cannot lie in any position that does not feel as if my bladder is under pressure. Checked info sheets for metformin already but nothing on there except more frequent ruination but not that this comes with feeling of a UTI
Found a couple of other sites where this was mentioned but seemed to be rare -something to do with metformin metabolising in the bladder so causing some irritation

Also i haven't yet got an appointment with local diabetic clinic to discuss my specific diet so everything I am eating at present Is being picked up from sites like this.
 
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Also wanted to note that I have twice in the past 10 years had surgery for kidney stones and do still have some tiny untreatable stones in both kidneys - possibly the metformin could be affecting my kidneys because of this - another point for discussion at my next doctors review
 
DollyD37 said:
Also wanted to note that I have twice in the past 10 years had surgery for kidney stones and do still have some tiny untreatable stones in both kidneys - possibly the metformin could be affecting my kidneys because of this - another point for discussion at my next doctors review
Click to expand...

Poor you!! :(

I would just wait to see your doctor and talk to him about all the problems you are having.

I hope it all goes well for you 🙂
 
Has doc checked for an 'ordinary' UTI ? Or even protein in your wee?

Higher than normal blood glucose figures can make these REALLY hard to shake off.

Sadly just like my knees complaining a lot, bladder stuff is harder to avoid as one gets older .... notwithstanding diabetes.
 
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