Metformin

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Kriscon

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I am on Metformin prolonged release tabs taking 4tabs a day. Still having bad cramps and sitting on loo most of the day . Not going out as much as apprehensive if I need the loo. Any solutions ?
 
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear you are having issues with Metformin.
Firstly, do you definitely need it? Have you been diagnosed very long? If just recently, what is your HbA1c result? This is the blood test result which gives you your diabetes diagnosis. A result of 48 or more gets you a diabetes label but how high above 48 is significant. If you are just into the 50s or even low 60s then most people can make some dietary changes and bring it down without meds. If you are up at 70 or above then medication may well be needed. Metformin will help to reduce your levels a bit but dietary changes are significantly more powerful in lowering your levels. If your HbA1c is very high then yes, medication is needed, but some GPs and nurses reach for the prescription pad, even when levels are not very high and dietary changes would almost certainly be all that is needed.

Another thing which can help is changing brand of Metformin. Sometimes, if people have issues with the slow release version, it is the casing and binding agents which are causing the upset and a change of brand can improve the situation as different brands use different binding and casings.

If problems persist and are preventing/discouraging you from leaving the house, then discuss it with your GP as there are plenty of other diabetes medications..... if you do need medication.

It is important to make dietary changes even with whatever medication you are prescribed. Have you been given any advice on that and if so, what have you been told?
 
Some people have found dropping down the dose can help them tolerate it better but I agree dietary changes may mean you don't need such a high dose.
What dietary regime are you following as there may be some tweaks you can make.
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear you are having issues with Metformin.
Firstly, do you definitely need it? Have you been diagnosed very long? If just recently, what is your HbA1c result? This is the blood test result which gives you your diabetes diagnosis. A result of 48 or more gets you a diabetes label but how high above 48 is significant. If you are just into the 50s or even low 60s then most people can make some dietary changes and bring it down without meds. If you are up at 70 or above then medication may well be needed. Metformin will help to reduce your levels a bit but dietary changes are significantly more powerful in lowering your levels. If your HbA1c is very high then yes, medication is needed, but some GPs and nurses reach for the prescription pad, even when levels are not very high and dietary changes would almost certainly be all that is needed.

Another thing which can help is changing brand of Metformin. Sometimes, if people have issues with the slow release version, it is the casing and binding agents which are causing the upset and a change of brand can improve the situation as different brands use different binding and casings.

If problems persist and are preventing/discouraging you from leaving the house, then discuss it with your GP as there are plenty of other diabetes medications..... if you do need medication.

It is important to make dietary changes even with whatever medication you are prescribed. Have you been given any advice on that and if so, what have you been told?
Click to expand...
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear you are having issues with Metformin.
Firstly, do you definitely need it? Have you been diagnosed very long? If just recently, what is your HbA1c result? This is the blood test result which gives you your diabetes diagnosis. A result of 48 or more gets you a diabetes label but how high above 48 is significant. If you are just into the 50s or even low 60s then most people can make some dietary changes and bring it down without meds. If you are up at 70 or above then medication may well be needed. Metformin will help to reduce your levels a bit but dietary changes are significantly more powerful in lowering your levels. If your HbA1c is very high then yes, medication is needed, but some GPs and nurses reach for the prescription pad, even when levels are not very high and dietary changes would almost certainly be all that is needed.

Another thing which can help is changing brand of Metformin. Sometimes, if people have issues with the slow release version, it is the casing and binding agents which are causing the upset and a change of brand can improve the situation as different brands use different binding and casings.

If problems persist and are preventing/discouraging you from leaving the house, then discuss it with your GP as there are plenty of other diabetes medications..... if you do need medication.

It is important to make dietary changes even with whatever medication you are prescribed. Have you been given any advice on that and if so, what have you been told?
Click to expand...
no advice just take pills and blood test in 3 months.
 
So you have continued to eat as normal, presumably?
If so, can you give us an idea of a typical breakfast, lunch and evening meal?

I take it you don't know your HbA1c result? Do you have access to test results online or can you give the surgery a call and ask for the result? Knowledge is power with diabetes. It isn't like other conditions where you just take the tablets and it goes away unfortunately. Good self management is key to success with diabetes.

Can you tell us a bit about how you came to be diagnosed? Was it just through a routine blood test or were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms?
Do you have much/any weight to lose?
Just trying to assess roughly where you are with your diabetes so we can give appropriate advice.
 
Kriscon said:
I am on Metformin prolonged release tabs taking 4tabs a day. Still having bad cramps and sitting on loo most of the day . Not going out as much as apprehensive if I need the loo. Any solutions ?
Click to expand...
I had that for about a month when first diagnosed. I was taking Atorvastatin as well as Metformin and I got into a right state - I have never been so low before.
I got a nasty jolt when I could not find the car at the supermarket and then realised I'd done all the Christmas shopping twice - so I stopped taking the tablets. I'd have not seen the new year if I'd still been trying to cope, but I did get a really good carpet and upholstery cleaner out of it, so not a total disaster.
With a starting HbA1c of 91 I was shocked to get down to 47 in 80 days, but that seems not too unusual if a very ordinary type 2 which I seem to be.
You must have the patience of Job to keep taking so many tablets - I managed 2 on only two occasions. Were you given the chance to reduce your HbA1c by diet before being put on tablets? It was not even mentioned at my diagnosis.
 
I am horrified that you were not given some dietary advice even though the standard NHS Eatwell Plate is not the best for those who are Type 2 diabetic as it is still too high in carbohydrates.
Taking medication and not cutting down on the very foods which are increasing your blood glucose means you are fighting a loosing battle and could explain why you are getting stomach issues.
Have a look at this link for some suggestions for ways to modify your diet to reduce your carb intake, there are some do's and don'ts as well as some menu plans to suit various tastes and budget. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Welcome to the forum @Kriscon

Sorry to hear you’ve not had much help and support to get you started :(

It’s unfortunate you weren’t given any warning about the possibility of some gastric upheaval before you started :(

It isn’t uncommon to have some stomach upset, but for many people this is thankfully fairly short-lived. Did you start on one tablet and work up gradually?

How long have you been diagnosed?
 
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