First day on Metformin

Posted by dhernandz @dhernandz, Jun 20, 2017

Ive been managing diabetes through diet and exercise...until now. A1C just hit 8.0 and Dr. put me on Metformin. 500 mg 1st week. 1000 mg after that. Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea. Will this go away?

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Huntergator | @huntergator | Jun 20, 2017

It took me the first month to adjust... but smooth sailing since! My A1C has been great after six months!

georgi | @georgi | Jun 20, 2017

No‼️‼️

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 20, 2017

Hi @dhernandz, @huntergator and @georgi, welcome to Connect.

Dhernandz, great question about adjusting to metformin. I'd like to bring a few other members into this conversation to talk about their experience with metformin and other medications. Please meet @pdilly @gailb @riveroaksfarm @minda77 @nancywhite @karlson @cdbc @farmerttt @ihatediabetes @nancywhite @amy75 and @iman_im. Some people, like Huntergator tolerate metformin well and others, like Georgi, do not. I assume your emphatic red exclamation marks mean metformin did not work for you, Georgi. (By the way, how did you make those red exclamation marks?)

Dhernandz, do you have Type 2 diabetes? Have you discussed the side effects of metformin with your doctor?

dhernandz | @dhernandz | Jun 20, 2017

Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet and exercise. My A1C ranged 5.9-7.2. This last lab indicated it went up to 8.0, so my dr. started me only this week on metformin. Just curious what other folks have experienced taking it AND how long can you stay on it before moving to insulin? Im experiencing some side effects and wonder if they continue or decrease over time? I see my dr again in 3 months. 🙂

dhernandz | @dhernandz | Jun 20, 2017

In reply to @huntergator "It took me the first month to adjust... but smooth sailing since! My A1C has been..." + (show)

Thank you..light at the end of the tunnel! 🙂

bestgrandmaever1955 | @bestgrandmaever1955 | Jun 21, 2017

I have taken metformin in the past. The side effects were horrible for me. I use humalog on sliding scale and lantus plus glipizide 4mg. It works for me

dhernandz | @dhernandz | Jun 21, 2017

In reply to @bestgrandmaever1955 "I have taken metformin in the past. The side effects were horrible for me. I use..." + (show)

Thank you for the quick response...I also like your username! 🙂

riveroaksfarm | @riveroaksfarm | Jun 21, 2017

Metformin gave my digestive distress. I tried taking it before, during, and immediately after but never really tolerated it well. I am now on Glimperide at lunch and dinner and lantus in the am. Works great for me.