Any Diabetics or Pre-Diabetics on Metformin?

SandyCoils
SandyCoils Posts: 164 Member
edited November 12 in Health and Weight Loss
I was started on metformin in September 2014 for my pre-diabetic condition. I'm wondering if any of you who are currently on or have been on metformin would share some of your experiences. I've been experiencing the following since being on metformin:
  • Frequent - almost emergency bathroom trips :o:s
  • Stomach cramps
  • Intolarance to regular potato chips (I think this goes with the next one)
  • Stomach issues after anything "too greasy". I don't always know it's going to bother me until it's too late.
  • Feeling of general ickyness (don't know how else to describe it)
  • Shakes accompanied by cold sweats (if a food doesn't agree with me)

This is all I could think of right now. I am trying to find some ways to cope with this until I lose enough weight to come off of this medicine, and I WILL come off of it! If any of you could share your experiences and how you dealt with challenges or provide advice, I would be so thankful.

Replies

  • Pammeycakes55
    Pammeycakes55 Posts: 108 Member
    Hi Sandy. I have been on Metformin since August, 2014. However, I haven't experienced any of the syptoms you have. I haven't eaten any potato chips or greasy food, either. :) Maybe you should talk to your doctor about these sypmtoms? It wouldn't hurt. I'm sorry you are going through this. Maybe you could eat foods that arent so greasy, fried, or spicy? I wish you luck! :)
  • jodielarms
    jodielarms Posts: 51 Member
    I was on Metformin for about 10 years. In the beginning I had horrible stomach pains and diarrhea multiple times a day. ESPECIALLY if I had anything that contained a lit of sugar. Alcohol is the absolute worst! I was never able to drink anything alcohol unless I wanted to spend quality time with the toilet.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Stomach issues with metformin are common - there's a slow release version which might help, or maybe lower dose more frequently ?
  • stormydaze_02
    stormydaze_02 Posts: 68 Member
    I'm on Metformin too and have had the same problems. I'm on the slow release version and still find the same, particularly in the mornings. Ask your Pharmacist/doctor if you can try taking them at different times, and always take them with food
  • SandyCoils
    SandyCoils Posts: 164 Member
    Thanks for replying everyone. Pammy, I've cut way back on greasy foods and the thing is, not everything bothers me, or I could eat it this week, and in 2 weeks eat the same thing again and catch hell. It's basically trial & error with learning how to eat all over again.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    I am technically pre-diabetic, though my FBS and A1C have been well below that range for several years due to a moderate-carb diet. I've been on Metformin for a long time--more than ten years.

    Are you on the time-release version? That is better tolerated in a lot of people. Taking it with food also helps. In a lot of people, it just takes a few months to adjust and then things are fine.

    Do you still have your gallbladder? The greasy foods thing, the icky feeling and the cold sweats sound more like a gallbladder symptom than a problem with Metformin. Do you still have the issue if you stop eating potato chips and greasy foods?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    edited February 2015
    I was on Metformin for years. It controls blood sugar beautifully, like a silent helper. My dosage was increased very slowly to minimise the stomach/bowel issues.

    Once I lost fifty pounds my blood sugars dropped to normal and I was able to come off Metformin. You may be so lucky, or you may not. Thin people develop type 2 diabetes too. I may need to go back on it again.

    In the meantime, eat like a diabetic. Always take the Metformin with food. Include protein with every meal/snack, and fill your plate with veggies.

    Are you testing your blood sugars regularly? You could then nail down your general ickyness to either high blood sugar or low blood sugar. That's ammunition you can use with your doctor.
  • Snooozie
    Snooozie Posts: 3,465 Member
    edited February 2015
    Sandy.. I have been on it for about 2 years now.. and other than the first week of a few tummy troubles, never had anything like you describe above (and I still eat potato chips and drink wine albeit only occasionally now).

    I think i'm on what my doc referred to as a "half dose"... 500 mg ... I don't know squat about medication levels but could it be possible you need a smaller dose since you're pre diabetic (I was diagnosed with Type 2) but either way you should probably talk to your doc about the side effects; as others have said there are different meds avail ..

    also there is a group on MFP for type 2 diabetes.. I know you're PRE diabetic but theres lots of peeps with much more experience with metformin there who might be able to help as well as everyone else here..

    i'll post the link just in case you wanna post your question there..


    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1772-type-2-diabetes-support-group


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  • SandyCoils
    SandyCoils Posts: 164 Member
    Thanks for your replies. I don't think I'm on the time-released version. Not sure. I have to take 500mg twice a day. After that horrible episode with the potato chips, I don't eat them anymore. If I want chips, I eat baked Lays. I really do love them more.

    I do still have my gall bladder. I've been taking note of all of these symptoms for my next visit. I'm not testing my blood sugar, but I do believe I'm getting that "icky" feeling when my sugar is low. It's been a challenge to eat enough because of the metformin - WITHOUT going over my cal allowance.

    I'm still learning and trying to make all of this work in my best interest. You guys have been so helpful, thanks!
  • cerad2
    cerad2 Posts: 70 Member
    I take Metformin for diabetes. I sometimes have the icky feeling but that's it. There is a somewhat famous blogger from the american diabetes site with good info: http://lizzysdlounge.com/2012/03/14/all-about-metformin/

    And yes, eat like a diabetic. The whole pre-diabetes thing involves quite a bit of hand waving.
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  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    While someone who is pre-diabetic should certainly be eating low carb and consuming minimal grains/only whole grains, it's not something that is going to solve or properly treat the issue overnight.

    Metformin is a VERY good and life-saving drug--it just takes some people a bit of time to adjust to it.
  • Sugarbeat
    Sugarbeat Posts: 824 Member
    Wow, sorry you are having such awful symptoms. I'm diabetic and on Metformin. I generally don't have any side effects unless I eat something too high carb. Then I get nauseous and get a metal taste in my mouth. If it is truly causing you such trouble, you may need to talk to your doc about trying something else. Hope it gets better for you!
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  • SandyCoils
    SandyCoils Posts: 164 Member
    Well, I've been slowly adjusting my foods, and as soon as I eat something that gives me a bad reaction I make a mental note of it and stay away from it. With that said, it's not all sweets or potato chips. I love the little grape tomatoes, and I eat them for a snack, but good grief, they send me running nearly every time. So much so that I thought I was developing some sort of allergy. I am not opposed to the change, I was just wondering how others dealt with similar side effects while getting used to the meds. I'm hoping to lose enough weight to eventually come off of metformin.
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