Metformin :-(

[superstu21]

Hi all

Been a while since I been on but need some advice.

My diabetes nurse has put me on to metformin to help the nova rapid work better have been taking it for a week now and have been glued to the toilet with awful stomach cramps.

How long should this continue. At the minute I am debating not taking it any more because of it.

Can any one shed light on this at all

Many thanks

Stuart

 

[Ellie Jones]

It sounds like you intolleratant or the could have started off on too a large dose..

You need to contact your nurse/gp explain what's happening and could you be changes to the SR metformin (slow release) and if you are on a largish dose can you start off with a low level dose..

Metformin is very well known for causing wind or stomach upsets or as my consultant many years ago when he prescribed it to me (wrong move I was T1 not T2) or should I say prewarned me that he can cause 'bowel rush'😱

Some find that changing to SR metformin, solves the problems others find changing the time they take it after they've eaten rather just before they eat makes a difference.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Stu, nice to hear from you again 🙂 If you are having trouble with ordinary metformin, there is a slow-release version called Glucophage SR which some people can tolerate better. Hopefully, your side effects will reduce as you become accustomed to the new drug, but if not, do go back to your doctor.

Some of the people on here have offered tips about reducing the effects of metformin, so hopefully they will be along to offer you the benefit of their experience! 🙂

 

[superstu21]

Thanks all. I was told it was once a day 24 hour tablet that an to increase from 500mg to 2g slowly. She said it would be the one less likely to cause the side effects but the packet jar says metformin and the pharmasist did question how many times a day I would be taking it?! So maybe she asked for the wrong type to be prescribed?!

 

[Hazel]

I have to take 1,500 of the slow release along with my Lantus, in the evening.

I have found the best results come frrom taking them not long after my evening meal, no later than 8pm, thus minimising the 'wind' aspect

 

[Steff]

Hi Stu nice to hear from you again,sorry to hear about the bother you have been having with metformin its renound for causing people really bad tummy issues, we have jokingly named in metfartin in here LOL.Like has been suggested the SR version is an option so have words with your GP and tell them just how bad its making you feel, generally I would say give it a fortnight as I was just the same when i first started taking metformin.Godd luck hope things settle down soon 🙂

 

[Mark T]

For most people who are not intolerant to it, it's 2 weeks to a month for the side effects to subside.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Instead of using the met have you thought about using a different insulin or working on the timeing of your insulin before meals?
Surely though if the novo isn't working it would be better to try different insulin's and look at other options, rather than adding a drug that gives you the runs like that. Have you looked at your diet as well? If a lot of fat in it this will mean more insulin for most type 1's.

 

[Robster65]

I was thinking along similar lines as Sue and wondered what your DSN had suggested before the metformin.🙂

Rob

 

[Northerner]

I've heard of a few people who take metformin as well as insulin as they suffer from insulin resistance as well as insulin insufficiency so I don't think the combination is that unusual. Stu, what sort of doses of insulin are you on, and will you be reducing them now you are on the metformin?

 

[Marc]

I take metormin with my apidra it lowers my ratio by 0.5 to 1 unit per CP of carb. I have found that different makes of metformin are better for me I'm ok with the ones in the blue or yellow packets, but the ones in the brown packet! 😱 I think they are in a brown packet for a reason.

When I started Metformin I was only to take one a day for the first week, now I take one with every meal.

Marc