Potatoes causing the runs

[louisedavies]

I get the runs and stomach pains when I eat potatoes of any sort. New potatoes seem to be slightly better - is this anything to do with Metformin? I also get the same when drinking milk

 

[Redkite]

Is this a new problem since starting on the metformin? I don't know much about the side effects of this drug (plenty of experts on here though!), but it can cause digestive upsets.

Are you having butter/dairy with all your potato variants? That could be the culprit perhaps?

 

[LeeLee]

Hello Louise, welcome. Even after a year, I still suffer a few of the nether regions side-effects (i.e. force 10 gale) if I have a lot of carbs at the same time as taking the metformin. I tend to have only tiny portions of potato, rice or pasta with my evening meal because that's when I take one of my doses. If I overindulge, I can hardly live with myself!

 

[pav]

As LeeLee has put it metfartin can cause all sorts of tummy / wind problems, if you are not on the slow release version, worth asking to give it a try as its kinder on one.

 

[ch1ps]

I take slow release & it has helped. Still does me up a bit, but I've lost a stone this year on them and my insulin intake has halved since being back on them.

I find if I eat salad it's worse

 

[itsallgood]

Hi louise, I have the same problem with milk, it causes me a lot of upset if I have too much in one go (e.g. a bowl of porridge with milk) and I avoid potatoes as much as possible (low-ish carb diet) but they don't upset me as much as milk. I'm on Metformin SR which is much gentler on the tum.

I have about ten cups of earl grey per working day with a dash of milk but that amount has no effect for some reason, normal builders tea seems to bloat me more.

 

[Caroline]

I started getting the same a while back so cut out potatos and cut down on other sources of carbs. Thing have improvved and am going to have a chat to the nurse on Augut 6th.

 

[Caroline]

should have added before, having cut out potatos I have an extra portion of veg instead or an extra portion of fruit for dessert if I am still hungry.

 

[Andrew]

Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance can cause severe bloating, stomach cramps, an evil incident of the runs, this lasting several days, my wife is getting lactase enzyme from the USA ? at home she has 1 or more tablets every 20 minutes while eating anything dairy -- if out she takes the pills anyway to cover her from problems.

She can cope with 1 or 2 cups of tea with milk in -- she became lactose intolerant a couple of years ago -- it took a while to get a diagnosis. she uses the lactose free milk which is available in supermarkets --- also cheese ? cream etc.

I get the runs and stomach pains when I eat potatoes of any sort. New potatoes seem to be slightly better - is this anything to do with Metformin? I also get the same when drinking milk

 

[Caroline]

for baking and things like home made rice pudding and custard soya milk is great and I even use it for white sauce. Hubby has problems with dairy milk. For me the added bonus of soya is it has less crabs and only about 1% more fat than skimmed milk.

Actually thinking about it the only place I hae mil in tea is at home so I'll stop getting it for me too and only get it for big boy who likes to drink it.

 

[itsallgood]

Caroline, I had no idea milk contained crabs 😱 That's another reason not to drink it.

Seriously though, I thought I might have been becoming lactose intolerant but I can still eat lots of cheese without any problems, so I don't know whats going on

 

[Caroline]

Caroline, I had no idea milk contained crabs 😱 That's another reason not to drink it.

Seriously though, I thought I might have been becoming lactose intolerant but I can still eat lots of cheese without any problems, so I don't know whats going on

I think the carbs are found mainly in the lactose but don't quote me on it. If you only have a splash of milk in tea the ammount of carbs is negligible, depending on wht kind of milk it is.

Different things affect people differently and the milk in things like cheese, butter, cream, ice cream and yoghurt is treated in different ways.

 

[yorksman]

Seriously though, I thought I might have been becoming lactose intolerant but I can still eat lots of cheese without any problems, so I don't know whats going on

The cheese making process removes the lactose. The cheese is made from the curds but the lactose is in the whey. Some cheeses add some back in, usually in the form of cream, but normally cheeses are lactose free.

Most adults in northern europe produce the enzyme lactase which specifically digests lactose. But not everyone does. Very roughly it's about 80% in Britain. All babies produce lactase, in order to digest mother's milk, but production gets turned off usually in the teens. Northern europeans have a genetic mutation termed 13910 C/T. It's much less frequent in southern europe.

 

[PattiEvans]

Metformin was initially formulated as a weight loss drug. It's action is to ensure that your gut doesn't absorb carbs. Potatoes are carbs. Ergo the action of metformin is to make carbs pass straight through you. The more carbs you eat the more upset it will cause your bowels.

 

[Susicue]

Hi,
I also have occasional problems, I have tried frozen yogurt which seems ok, and I have changed to Soya milk, (the plain one), which seems to to have helped.