Newbie

[Yuti]

Hi i have recently started metformin, i have been on it a few months and the stomach pain and diarrhoea is terrible, any advice much appreciated
Thanks Yuti

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
It is a problem that some people suffer, a few months is too long to be having to put up with symptoms. Taking with food sometimes can help or if you are not on the slow release version ask for that. Otherwise other medications are available.
What is your HbA1C and have you also made dietary changes as that can be a more powerful way of managing blood glucose levels for many people
This link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[Drummer]

Have you told your GP or whoever prescribed the tablets?
I had the same thing in the first weeks after diagnosis, I was the most miserable wretch ever - but when I realised how seriously affected I was I stopped taking them.
I had already started a low carb diet and at the first retest I was no longer diabetic, and normal at the next test, so never needed the medication in the first place, really.

 

[Barrowman]

Hi Yuti
I started on Metformin five weeks ago, didn't agree with me either, spoke to my Diabetes nurse and got it changed to a slow release version called Forxiga (Dapaglifozin) and that seems to work for me.

And the benefit is that its just one tablet a day instead of the four I was on. Hope that helps, definitely worth a try. Good Luck

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Yuti
I started on Metformin five weeks ago, didn't agree with me either, spoke to my Diabetes nurse and got it changed to a slow release version called Forxiga (Dapaglifozin) and that seems to work for me.

And the benefit is that its just one tablet a day instead of the four I was on. Hope that helps, definitely worth a try. Good Luck

That is not the same medication as it works in a different way to metformin. Metformin helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively whereas the Forxiga encourages the kidneys to remove excess glucose via urine. It is important to drink plenty with that medication as you can become dehydrated. Also watch out for UTIs as the urine will be more sugary.
However both medications work more effectively by reducing carbohydrates in your diet.

 

[Barrowman]

That is not the same medication as it works in a different way to metformin. Metformin helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively whereas the Forxiga encourages the kidneys to remove excess glucose via urine. It is important to drink plenty with that medication as you can become dehydrated. Also watch out for UTIs as the urine will be more sugary.
However both medications work more effectively by reducing carbohydrates in your diet.

Thanks for that Information, only just joined the forum and learnt something already. Now all I have to do is find out what 'UTIs are.
Oh, and I was warned about the fluid intake, I'm drinking a minimum of five pints of water and other drinks a day.

 

[Yuti]

Welcome to the forum
It is a problem that some people suffer, a few months is too long to be having to put up with symptoms. Taking with food sometimes can help or if you are not on the slow release version ask for that. Otherwise other medications are available.
What is your HbA1C and have you also made dietary changes as that can be a more powerful way of managing blood glucose levels for many people
This link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

Thank you i will ask the doctor about slow release as its a bit of a problem in work

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for that Information, only just joined the forum and learnt something already. Now all I have to do is find out what 'UTIs are.
Oh, and I was warned about the fluid intake, I'm drinking a minimum of five pints of water and other drinks a day.

Sorry urinary tract infection or thrush which is a yeast infection, as bacteria and yeasts love a sugary environment to thrive.
It can be a problem in both men and women.

 

[Barrowman]

Thank you, I'm a bit wiser already..

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Yuti

Hope the modified release SR / glucophage Metformins suit you better.

And as @Barrowman says, if metfartin doesn’t suit you your Dr may be able to offer one of a range of alternative meds.

Have you also been making tweaks and changes to your menu to try to help your metabolism along?

If you give an idea of some average meals, members here might be able to share their own experiences and perhaps suggest some swaps, tweaks or alternatives that have worked for them 🙂