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Gastroparesis & Metformin
It is my understanding that there MAY be a correlation between long-term metformin use and Gastroparesis symptoms like bloating, nausea and delayed gastric emptying. I have been on Metformin for about 20 years and was first diagnosed with gastroparesis 10 years ago. My health care professional just recently suggested a 30-day pause on metformin for me. Has anyone tried this and did it help with gastroparesis symptoms? Did you take any precautions such as a continuous glucose monitoring device? I am not a health care professional and am not suggesting my experience applies to you just asking for you to share your experience.
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Wow… I stopped taking metformin months ago… currently having a major Gastroparesis flare. I’m not diabetic- I was taking metformin for PCOS. I have idiopathic Gastroparesis.
I stopped 20 years of Metformin use in August 2022 after YEARS of food "sensitivities" too numerous to list that caused diarrhea, bloating and nausea. Once I stopped the Metformin, my food "sensitivities" dramatically stopped! I could even tolerate milk products! Definitely long term use of Metformin could be linked with severe gastro issues. It was my endocrinologist that told me to stop Metformin immediately when I told her about my severe gastro issues. I never told her because I didn't think gastro issues were a concern for a diabetes doctor. Who knew??
Wow! That is such good news! I also experience food sensitivities and found eliminating gluten helped some but still have gastoparesis. I am going to try the 30 day metformin pause after my gastric emptying test. I do hope the pause will help. I was able to download the Freestyle 3 app on my phone and got a coupon for one Freestyle Libre 3 sensor so my blood sugar can be automatically monitored every minute without finger sticks. My big fear was having my blood sugar crash without knowing. So happy you found the source of your food "sensitivities"!
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2 ReactionsI share your digestive problems and stopped 1000mg 2x day Metformin about 9 mo ago. The diarrhea is gone. I am also continuing to reduce my daily Toujeo Insulin injections. The Continuous Glucose Monitor has changed my life… I have great control due to ability to react immediately when my glucose numbers rise or fall. I use food to increase numbers and exercise (just walking) to decrease rising numbers and maintain 95-99% within range of 70-180! This tool will make control of diabetes easier and you will be able to avoid health complications later. Medicare and my supplemental insurance cover the cost completely. I urge you to demand your doc prescribe this for you. Many mfg available at varying cost- mine is Dexcom G6 that provides glucose reports and even allows my mate to receive all hi or low alerts. I recommend highly. Bette
Hi Bette!
I am in Total agreement with you!! The CGM has changed my life! I use it to do the same thing as you do. I eat food when it goes low and I hop on the treadmill when it goes high. I am using the freestyle Libre 3 and love it. My insurance doesn't cover it because I'm not a type 1 but I'm a type 2 diabetic. My average glucose has been 118 since I stopped that metformin (after 20+ years at 1000mg BID) and started the CGM. I am going to do it for at least another 3 months. It's so great to be able to see how your body reacts to specific foods. I log everything I eat during a meal and snack on during the day. My GI symptoms have improved significantly! The reports are wonderful to be able to analyze the data. The sensor is so small that it never catches on any thing. I share with my readings with my spouse and both our phones alarmed simultaneously in the middle if the night when my blood glucose dropped to 69. I immediately drank some apple juice and fixed it. I check my blood sugar by looking at my phone about 50 times a day, which would be unrealistic with finger sticks.
All the best,
Annabelle