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Metformin

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SueWho

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi
I am a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic and was started recently on 850mgx2 daily . I am having awful wind , and loose stools a lot in the day and the most painful tummy cramps . I read on the leaflet in the tablet box that this was a common side effect but i was wondering will this eventually stop or will it continue ?
 
Hi Sue.

It is not unaffectionately called "Metfartin" for nothing. These side effects of digestive upset are very common. It can help to reduce the effect by ensuring that you take them mid meal with a substantial amount of food and sometimes the symptoms do fade after a week or two but if the symptoms are too severe to tolerate then it is often possible for a slow release version to be prescribed which has a less aggressive effect on the digestive system.

Do you know what your HbA1c reading was at diagnosis? Sometimes GPs are a little too quick to prescribe Metformin when some lifestyle changes can in many cases be enough to push the diabetes into remission.
 
I was put on it after 10 years managing T2 by diet and exercise and frankly it stopped my guts from working. The GP suggested I stop in favour of the slow release version. Thankfully my finger prick test numbers during the interim were so good she and I decided I continue without for now until the next HbA1c test. I had made extra efforts to reduce carbs in my diet thanks to feedback from other forum members.
We are all different so this may not be relevant to you but bear it in mind when discussing with your GPS.
Good luck. Nick
 
Hi @SueWho, i've just started metformin too on top of my insulin, 1000mg twice a day and i have found that like @rebrascora says the side effects are better if i eat some food then take the tablets and then finish the meal. The times i found it was worst was taking them before or after eating.
 
Hi. The problems should fade after a couple of weeks or so. If not, ask the GP to prescribe Slow Release (SR) Metformin.
 
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