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Metformin

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Ronald Robertson said:
Started 500mg daily metformin yesterday and got diarrhoea. Does anyone know if Greek style yoghurt or prebiotic multivitamins help ? Thank you.
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Welcome.
It is better taken with food. If the diarrhoea does not settle then their is low release version that some find better. Some people also find the reducing the amount of carbhydrates they eat also helps.
 
I always found having metformin 30 min before eating helped (although did need to move on to extended release - even then the 30 min before food seemed to relieve tummy trouble)
 
Ronald Robertson said:
Started 500mg daily metformin yesterday and got diarrhoea. Does anyone know if Greek style yoghurt or prebiotic multivitamins help ? Thank you.
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Hi Ronald...metformin is a tricky little b***r...I had the same problems when I first started...many of us do...however after the first week or so the symptoms did subside once I got used to them...have you been told to increase your dose gradually... over the next week or so?...if the symptoms persist as grovesy says there is an extended release Metformin which many say is gentler on the system...early days yet...youmay find the side effects settle down...good luck.
 
Thanks guys. I guess everyones body is different. Some find works to take in between meals and others during. I'll just experiment to see what will work for me. Thanks for all replies. Much appreciated you taking time to advise on your experience with this med 🙂
 
@ronald R. Hi. I was on Glucophage Metformin 500mg x 1 daily gradually increasing the dose over six weeks from 500mg x 1 daily to 500mg x 4 daily. (2 in the morning - 2 in the evening)

However, I suffered the same side effects as you 😱 which kept me housebound so my GP changed that Metformin for a slow release one - Sukkarto SR 1000mg x 2 daily. Wasn't long before the same side effects resurrected 😱 My GP withdrew the Sukkarto. Seems I have an intolerance to metformin.

Not every one who take Metformin have side effects. We are all different,

The Patient Leaflet Informstion says *Take Metformin 500mg with your evening meal - and if you miss a dose then take it as soon as you remember unless it's nearly time for the next one. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one.*

Dx Type 2 April 2016
Metformin withdrawn
Diet and exercise only
 
Thanks for that Wirral. Appreciate the info. Still on one tablet and taking mid meal in evening with Calcium tab. No dodgy tummy last 2 days. Fingers crossed same when move to 2 a day. Going to gym 4 times a week and cycling and swimming so really hope can get off them if can be disciplined with diet.Thanks again.
 
Ronald Robertson said:
Thanks for that Wirral. Appreciate the info. Still on one tablet and taking mid meal in evening with Calcium tab. No dodgy tummy last 2 days. Fingers crossed same when move to 2 a day. Going to gym 4 times a week and cycling and swimming so really hope can get off them if can be disciplined with diet.Thanks again.
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You're welcome Ronald. Glad your tum has settled down. Nothing worse than the gripes! You're busy! The exercise that you're doing will help keep your bgls low combined with a healthy diet. Portion size is paramount too, keep them minimised and keep your intake of carbs low too if you're not already doing that.

You have a positive attitude towards your diabetes, thats good. Diabetes is not an easy ride & oçasionally it trips us up. We on here blame the DF (diabetes fairy)! So feel free to rant & rave on here as much as you want, we all listen & help each other. Good luck & take care

DX Type 2 April 2016
Metformin withdrawn
Diet and exercise only
 
I think I might be lucky. Running at gym 4 times a week 5k doing some weights. Walking or cycling weekends. BP way down. No need for BP tablets. No more than 7.2 before meals. List 2 inches of waist. Now 30". Some under 5 bg in morning. Hope 1ac might be good in June. Maybe they let me stay on 1 metformin a day. They didn't like 5.6 cholesterol. Eating carbs but managing handful baby potatoes for dinner with fish and salad. No chocolate or sweets. Occasional crisps. Maize ones. Pasta out once a week. Diagnosed 10 years ago t2. Just need to maintain discipline. No dicky tummy on 500mg metf. Just need the libido to return! 1ac Feb was 98 so looks like can be recovered in some people if time for the exercise. I find short burst interval exercise for minimum 30mins does trick. Totally appreciate doesn't work for all but just mentioning as know some t2 might feel hopeless and what's the point in doing any exercise . Worth trying for say three months and see how your body reacts. Might just keep you off tablets or reduce tablets and associated side effects for a bit longer. Possibly years. Just posting this to try and give someone bit of inspiration.
 
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