1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

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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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jul 1, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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Hi @pak55060,

It's so good to hear from you! Welcome back, and thank you for joining this group.
pak55060, do you have diabetes?

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dhernandz | @dhernandz | Jul 2, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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Thank you for the response!

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dhernandz | @dhernandz | Jul 3, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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Thanks for the input! 🙂

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mrlee43 | @mrlee43 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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Ben on metformin for last 8 years and no side effects. And I had my med reduced from 2 1000 mg to 1 1000 per day. A1c is down to 6.7
Happy

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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@mrlee43 Thanks for your encouraging post! Did you make other lifestyle changes as well? Teresa

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mrlee43 | @mrlee43 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

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No Teresa, just did the same things, but watched what I ate. I do eat a lot of fruit.
Hope this helps

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @dhernandz "Thanks Colleen. Yes, I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, but we managed it through diet..." + (show)
@dhernandz

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. 🙂

Jump to this post

@mrlee43 Yes, it is helpful - here at Mayo Connect we all learn from each other. I'm glad that you are doing so well. Teresa

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Don | @archer8119 | Jul 17, 2017

No I will not go away. I have it every morning and have to eat something before taking metforeman.

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GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 17, 2017

I took Metfomin for 3 years. During that time I was in the ER multiple times for dehydration and horrible stomach pains. I kept taking it because my doctor said none of those problems were from the Metfomin. I was finally hospitalized for a respiratory problem, and was given steroids IV. My blood sugar was so high after that that my vision was fuzzy! Upon release from the hospital, they prescribed insulin short term to bring my sugars under control. Suddenly I was free of my stomach problems and dehydration! I stopped taking Metfomin then, and have taken insulin since. That was in 2004.

My mom died from pancreatic cancer, so I decided not to take any medication that "stimulates" my pancreas. I have done OK on the various insulins I have taken. However I was eventually taking 134+ units of long and short term insulin. That's when I decided to have Gastric Bypass surgery so I could lose weight. I was 232 pounds at 5'6", and my doctor actually recommended the surgery for my health. I had the RnY in 2014, and have lost 85 pounds and kept it off. I was hoping my diabetes woul resolve as it has for most people who have the surgery. My blood sugar levels were normal for 3 months and then started rising again. My doctor put me back on insulin after 6 months. I now take 13 units of Lantus long acting insulin in the morning along with 1 Glipizide 2.5 mg. My blood sugar is around 7.0. The surgery is the best thing I have done for myself and my health. I weigh 147 lbs.

My husband is now on Metfomin and is having problems with vomiting when he gets in certain positions. I know it's from the Metfomin but he has resisted changing until recently when he finally read the information about Metfomin side effects. Next time he sees the doctor he's asking for something different. Everyone is different, but there are so many other ways to lower your blood sugar that I wouldn't continue Metfomin if it's making you sick already. I hope this is helpful for you.

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5 replies
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 17, 2017
In reply to @riveroaksfarm "Metformin gave my digestive distress. I tried taking it before, during, and immediately after but never..." + (show)
@riveroaksfarm

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.

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@maurtura. What do you mean when you say you had a big swing in sugar readings? How much do you take (mg), and are the swings constant or occasional? I take 2.5 mg. and have had no problems taking it with Lantus long acting insulin. I'm curious about your experience as I have been thinking about stopping the Lantus in favor of a bigger dose of Glipizide. Thanks. Gail B Ledesma

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