newly diagnosed today

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sazzie23

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Type 2
Hi

I have been diagnosed today with type 2 diabetes, I also suffer with IBS.

The Dr prescribed me Metformin 500mg, which can cause diarrhoea, also a symptom of IBS, along with stomach cramps, & feeling sick, all of which I am suffering from at the moment.

I have tried taking my IBS meds to help with the diarrhoea & cramps, but I don't know if the cramps etc are being caused by the metformin or the IBS.

Dr said to start by taking just 1 tablet for a few days then increase the dose to 2 for a few days then up to the required 3, partly because of the IBS & to help with the side effects. My partner said to call the Dr in the morning to get emergency appt because of how bad I am feeling, & ask them to change the Metformin to something else.

While I realise that anything I take might have side effects, is there anyone that has encountered the same symptoms or has IBS as well as diabetes, what did you do? How did you cope with having both? Any suggestions for dealing with the intense pain & wanting to be sick.

Thank you

Sally
 
Hi Sally, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm pretty sure that we have other members here who have diabetes and IBS, so hopefully they will be able to give you some advice. There is another type of metformin, called slow-release or Glugophage SR, which some people con tolerate better than the ordinary tablets. However, the doctor will want to try you on the ordinary stuff first as it is cheaper - but if you are not adapting to the ordinary stuff, insist on trying something else. The side effects often subside after a week or two.

Please feel free to ask anything - nothing is considered silly, and we'll try our best to help!
 
Sally, here are a few things that should help you understand diabetes and what to expect. I know it must be extremely difficult to take in at the moment, but if you work at it you can live a very full, healthy and happy life with diabetes - many people find their health improves in so many other areas once they get this 'wake-up' call. Try not to be overwhelmed by things and be patient as you learn how to manage things.

What you should expect:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to..._diabetes/diabetes_care_and_you/From_the_NHS/

Maggie Davey's letter to newly diagnosed Type 2s:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5836

and also Jennifer's good advice:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5835

Plus, a book I always recommend, as do many others here: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (amazon link)
 
hi sally welcome to the forum ...sorry to hear about your DX ...metaformin does unfortunately have a habit of upsetting the tummy at first but it usually settles down ...or they will try you on other drugs ...good luck ..x🙂
 
Hi Sally

Metformin and IBS? Poor you, not a great combination. I' not sure exactly why Metformin causes stomach cramps and or the runs, i guess it has to do with it changing the way sugar or carbohydrates are absorbed. I't can wear off after a while (days, weeks, months depending on the body, i certainly had a serious explosive incident to start with, and intermittant but not too serious runny tums for a month of two.) and some people say the effect is worse after a carbohydrate heavy meal, probably where i've gone wrong. Your symptoms are quite consistant with known metformin side effects.
There doesn't look to be any problem with interactions between metformin and anything you may be taking for IBS, or traditional or over the counter remedies, although some may contain sugar. If your IBS meds arn't helping and they normally do that sounds like it may be the Metformin. Some people also find that it helps to take your Metformin after your meal, hitting an empty stomach with metformin is almost guarenteed to send me running for the loo.
I guess your doctor may ask you to persevere for now, but you could ask to be switched to liquid or modified release (not sure how well modified release will work with your IBS, but it might not be a problem, ask your pharmacist) metformin, or there are other anti-diabetic drugs to try.

Hope that's of some help

Rachel
 
Hi Sally,

I wanted to say welcome, I am also newly diagnosed T2 and found the forum last week. The doctor has also put me on metformin (which I had previously tried taking for PCOS and I did not tolerate them well at all). She has put me on the slow release formula, which have not caused the stomach cramps or sickness feelings, although after just over 2 weeks I am still quite good friends with the loo!

I would definitely go back to the Dr and ask to try the slow release formula. Hope that you are feeling better soon. x
 
Welcome from me too. I take metformin and did have a few problems to begin with but it did settle after a while. Make sure you always take it with food and not before. I had the slow release one right from the word go so if it was me I would definately ask to try that as soon as possible. When you feel a bit more relaxed have a look at posts here on diet and the recipes. I wish I had found this forum when I was newly diagnosed as there is so much information so that you can help yourself to be in control.
 
Welcome to the forum, lots of lovely people to talk to, and no question considered irrelevant or silly, so feel free to ask away.
x
 
Hey there...

Welcome......

Diagnosed and straight on here the same day.......amazing................
 
Hi Sally, welcome to the forum.
 
I just want to thank everyone that helped me on Tuesday when I had problems with my newly diagnosed diabetes & problems with meds.

Thankfully, touching wood very hard, crossing fingers etc, the sypmtoms haven't reappeared, maybe it was just a bad day? I realise that I might get them again, at least I know I have the support here if I get bad again.

Thanks again

Sally
 
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