Newbie saying hello!

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AliJ

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Type 2
Hi, thank you to all who read this!

I’ve seen lots of great feedback about Diabetes UK so pleased to have joined and look forward to joining in.

I’ve been in denial about diabetes but have had a reality shock with this times blood test results! They’d gone from 48 to 87mmol/mol.

I’d started semaglutide briefly but then couldn’t get them and just ignored it till next blood test appt came through thinking that eating slightly healthier would be ok.

Then the results came!

I’ve now been prescribed Metformin SR - starting 1 a day building over 4 weeks to 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.

I took first tablet this morning with food and this evening have had the worst diarrhoea I think I’ve ever had! I know it can be a side effect but after just 1 tablet???? Has anyone had similar? Any tips??

Feeling quite overwhelmed and also worried with it all!

Thanks in advance for any help
 
Welcome to the forum
The stomach problem is a well known side effect of metformin which is why the dose is increased slowly. People tolerate it better if eaten with food, often mid meal works best. The SR version is supposed to be kinder, hopefully it will settle for you but I can understand the reluctance to take another tablet when it has that effect. Have a word with your nurse or GP if it doesn't settle, you should not have to put up with it.
It is also going to be important to make some dietary changes and this link may help you find a way forward with that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
You are on the SR and had that!!! - that is rather bad luck. I was on the ordinary and it took a couple of days to really kick in. I'm afraid I never found anything that helped, after a month of enduring the side effects, I threw out the tablets and hoped that the low carb way of eating would do the trick in a few years.
Thankfully it took only 6 months and it turned out to be easy. Far easier than enduring the explosive incontinence. Just the thought of needing tablets pushed me into strict adherence to my goals.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum
The stomach problem is a well known side effect of metformin which is why the dose is increased slowly. People tolerate it better if eaten with food, often mid meal works best. The SR version is supposed to be kinder, hopefully it will settle for you but I can understand the reluctance to take another tablet when it has that effect. Have a word with your nurse or GP if it doesn't settle, you should not have to put up with it.
It is also going to be important to make some dietary changes and this link may help you find a way forward with that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
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Thank you for replying and your helpful comments, much appreciated
 
Drummer said:
You are on the SR and had that!!! - that is rather bad luck. I was on the ordinary and it took a couple of days to really kick in. I'm afraid I never found anything that helped, after a month of enduring the side effects, I threw out the tablets and hoped that the low carb way of eating would do the trick in a few years.
Thankfully it took only 6 months and it turned out to be easy. Far easier than enduring the explosive incontinence. Just the thought of needing tablets pushed me into strict adherence to my goals.
Click to expand...
Wow! Well done! I must admit that I can really see how you were motivated to stick to it! Food for thought (no pun intended)! Thank you
 
Welcome to the forum @AliJ

Sorry to hear you had a bit of a reaction to the Metformin. Many on the forum find any side effects settle down in time, but there are also some who find that their body never really gets on with Metformin, and they have much more success with other oral medications. I think @Felinia was talking about this on another thread recently.

It can help to take tablets mid-meal, a reasonably substantial one, but not too high in carbohydrate from what I can gather.

Good to hear you’ve decided to tackle your diabetes in a slightly more ‘front of mind’ way. Hope the forum is able to offer you some practical pointers, support and encouragement.

Let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Hello. I'm new too and not had a dr's appt as yet to discuss any medication . But just wanted to say
 
pinknitwit said:
Hello. I'm new too and not had a dr's appt as yet to discuss any medication . But just wanted to say
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If you HbA1C is only 51mmol/mol then if you are committed to making dietary changes then there should be no need from medication at this stage, so hopefully your GP will be on board with that.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @AliJ

Sorry to hear you had a bit of a reaction to the Metformin. Many on the forum find any side effects settle down in time, but there are also some who find that their body never really gets on with Metformin, and they have much more success with other oral medications. I think @Felinia was talking about this on another thread recently.

It can help to take tablets mid-meal, a reasonably substantial one, but not too high in carbohydrate from what I can gather.

Good to hear you’ve decided to tackle your diabetes in a slightly more ‘front of mind’ way. Hope the forum is able to offer you some practical pointers, support and encouragement.

Let us know how you get on 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you 🙂
 
AliJ said:
It's all a bit daunting isn't it? Good luck when you have your appointment. 🙂
Click to expand...
It really is. Hope yours sorts out soon too. Xxxx
 
As Everydayupsanddowns mentioned, I replied to someone with a similar problem. Metformin is only the first medication tried. For most people it settles down, but for some like me I could never tolerate more than one tablet. It is not true that the only alternative is insulin. I have had success getting my HbA1c down from 88 to currently 57, by taking Linagliptin (no side effects) and Dapagliflozin (wee a lot more), plus following a lower carb eating plan and upping my exercise. Another commonly prescribed medication is Gliclazide. So if your nether regions don't settle, please speak to your DN about alternatives. Of course, sometimes a tummy upset is just a tummy upset and may not have been related to the pill - time will tell.
 
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