• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Metformin

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

longshanks

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,
I have been T2 for 11 years and have been taking Metformin for about 9 years with no problem apart from changing too slow release and later Dapagliflozin (Foxiga ) was added as well. 18 months ago along came Insulin with the Dapagliflozin being stopped. During the last year I have developed what was diagnosed by my diabetic nurse as a reaction to Metformin. Advised to stop the Metformin for 6 weeks to test this I noticed my twice daily blood readings went up just over slightly so I decided to persevere with the Metformin. It has now got to the point where I am taking Two caps of Imodium a week to help with my regular 4-5 visits too the loo per day.
What I need is advice on an effective Metformin substitute, I have tried Gliclacide, and Pioglitazone but did not get on with them.
 
Have you considered reducing the carbs you eat until your gluocse levels are where you want them?
I reacted at once, and violently to Metformin, but found, as I had already been eating low carb, that I did not need medication.
 
Drummer said:
Have you considered reducing the carbs you eat until your gluocse levels are where you want them?
I reacted at once, and violently to Metformin, but found, as I had already been eating low carb, that I did not need medication.
Click to expand...
Hello, yes I do reduce my carbs, but the problem seems to be my body deciding it doesn’t like Metformin anymore so I am looking for a substitute.
 
@AndBreathe, had a conversation with a Specialist that there are numerous options for Type 2. You seem to have tried the most common ones.
 
I was in a dreadful state for about a month, and would do anything to avoid needing Metformin - on the low carb way of eating I don't need any medication at all.
 
Hi Longshanks, I too am a long time user of Metformin and fell fowl of one of the side effects - impaired vitamin B12 uptake. This is bad - please google the condition. The effects of low B12 are to mimic diabetes!!! Numbness in the lower limbs, higher HbA1c test caused by lower red blood cell count (glucose in blood is thus of a higher concentration). A vitamin B12 test may be right for you - please consult with your GP.
Stay safe.
Tony
 
longshanks said:
Hi,
I have been T2 for 11 years and have been taking Metformin for about 9 years with no problem apart from changing too slow release and later Dapagliflozin (Foxiga ) was added as well. 18 months ago along came Insulin with the Dapagliflozin being stopped. During the last year I have developed what was diagnosed by my diabetic nurse as a reaction to Metformin. Advised to stop the Metformin for 6 weeks to test this I noticed my twice daily blood readings went up just over slightly so I decided to persevere with the Metformin. It has now got to the point where I am taking Two caps of Imodium a week to help with my regular 4-5 visits too the loo per day.
What I need is advice on an effective Metformin substitute, I have tried Gliclacide, and Pioglitazone but did not get on with them.
Click to expand...

Hi
Ive not been able to handle metaformin. Was on 3 but unbearable stomach upsets. So only taking one now. Dont think its helping. Wish i knew an alternative too.
 
TwoTone said:
Hi Longshanks, I too am a long time user of Metformin and fell fowl of one of the side effects - impaired vitamin B12 uptake. This is bad - please google the condition. The effects of low B12 are to mimic diabetes!!! Numbness in the lower limbs, higher HbA1c test caused by lower red blood cell count (glucose in blood is thus of a higher concentration). A vitamin B12 test may be right for you - please consult with your GP.
Stay safe.
Tony
Click to expand...
Hi
TwoTone said:
Hi Longshanks, I too am a long time user of Metformin and fell fowl of one of the side effects - impaired vitamin B12 uptake. This is bad - please google the condition. The effects of low B12 are to mimic diabetes!!! Numbness in the lower limbs, higher HbA1c test caused by lower red blood cell count (glucose in blood is thus of a higher concentration). A vitamin B12 test may be right for you - please consult with your GP.
Stay safe.
Tony
Click to expand...
Hi Tony
Thanks for your reply, I am on a 3 monthly B12 jab, my Hba is under reasonable control albeit with insulin and Metformin plus Linagliptin but it’s the Metformin that’s giving me the trots so too speak.
As I already said I take two a week imodium too help with this, my diabetic nurse said at last visit that there is other drugs she can give me but trying to get an appointment to see her in these difficult times is hard.
 
Hi. Did your nurse offer you Slow Release Metformin (Metformin SR or ER)? If not I can almost guarantee it will solve your problem. The NHS doesn't offer this by default because it costs just a little more and NICE go along with that. Fortunately my GP started me on that 15 years ago so I have never had bowel issues. Gliclazide has a totally different action and Pioglitazone is no longer advised as it can have some adverse side effects.
 
Hi Dave.
I've been on SR for years, I don't get stomach cramps or any discomfort just the regular visits to the Loo, all was fine during the previous yeas. I am very proactive with my diabetes regarding reading materials various websites ect so I know about available drugs in the UK.The last diabetic visit I had I discussed it with the nurse and was looking to change over to some other medication on my next review, blood test all done but I can't get an appointment. I am just looking too see if I am alone with this problem with Metformin on this forum.
 
I think @Ljc, had to stop Metformin because of problems after being on long time.
Has the brand you get changed as some have reported being u able to take one brand but can another.
Can you not get a phone appointment with your Nurse, surgeries are doing what they can via phone or video.
 
grovesy said:
I think @Ljc, had to stop Metformin because of problems after being on long time.
Has the brand you get changed as some have reported being u able to take one brand but can another.
Can you not get a phone appointment with your Nurse, surgeries are doing what they can via phone or video.
Click to expand...
Hi
No Brand change, phone appointment hopefully in the process.
regards
 
longshanks said:
Hi Dave.
I've been on SR for years, I don't get stomach cramps or any discomfort just the regular visits to the Loo, all was fine during the previous yeas. I am very proactive with my diabetes regarding reading materials various websites ect so I know about available drugs in the UK.The last diabetic visit I had I discussed it with the nurse and was looking to change over to some other medication on my next review, blood test all done but I can't get an appointment. I am just looking too see if I am alone with this problem with Metformin on this forum.
Click to expand...
Hi again. OK. I have seen other posts over the years from people who have had long-term issues with either form of Metformin and have just had to stop it. As it only ever has a small effect on BS it's not worth suffering with it.
 
longshanks said:
Hi
No Brand change, phone appointment hopefully in the process.
regards
Click to expand...
It was just a long shot. I am glad you have a phone appointment. I have not for my Diabetes check yet, but have for other things, I have been ok with them as I was initially dubious about them.
 
DaveB said:
Hi. Did your nurse offer you Slow Release Metformin (Metformin SR or ER)? If not I can almost guarantee it will solve your problem. The NHS doesn't offer this by default because it costs just a little more and NICE go along with that. Fortunately my GP started me on that 15 years ago so I have never had bowel issues. Gliclazide has a totally different action and Pioglitazone is no longer advised as it can have some adverse side effects.
Click to expand...

Thx for sharing info. I will ask for this now.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top