1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Metformin side effects

Posted by naiviv @naiviv, Aug 3, 2024

Hello everyone. I have been taking Metformin 500mg for one month now and I have noticed that my Digestive System is acting up, I never had issues before. Also I am experiencing mood swings like never before. I am 72 so I am long pass menopause. Have you noticed any side effects? Thznk you. Vivian N

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

naiviv | @naiviv | Mar 16 4:30pm
In reply to @scottrl "I've been taking metformin for years. I can tolerate 500mg x 2 daily, but beyond that..." + (show)
@scottrl

I've been taking metformin for years. I can tolerate 500mg x 2 daily, but beyond that and I have trouble.
Here's a thought:
Take 250mg x 2 daily. (Break the 500mg tablets in two.) One after breakfast, one after dinner.
See if that helps.
Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you.

REPLY
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Mar 16 11:27pm
In reply to @naiviv "I have been taking Metformin 500mg once a day since Sept 2024. At the beginning I..." + (show)
@naiviv

I have been taking Metformin 500mg once a day since Sept 2024. At the beginning I had some GI issues but I attributed to having oatmeal evetyday for breakfast. Now after 4months I decided to make an experiment by stopping oatmeal to see if my GI issues were caused by it. Well I still have them and even very soft stools, diarrhea in the morning ( I take Metformin after breakfast). Has anyone of you who ate taking Metformin or have taken it have diarrhea and active growling in the intestines? If you stopped it which medication got you better. It is a real nuisance believe me. I have to stay all morning at home until the growling of my intestines and the urge to go to the bathroom are completely gone.
My PCP told me that I have A1C of 6.5 with a blood sugar of 92. I am following a strict Mediterranean diet and exercise everyday. If anyone has any information I would like to know. Thank you in advance.

Jump to this post

@scottrl that suggestion has potential but we members here should not be prescribing or making dose adjustments suggestions to fellow members. It sounds like what you are doing works well for you. @naiviv could you run Scott’s idea by your provider before trying it? All meds have side effects. If you don’t adjust to them, your provider can adjust the dose or perhaps suggest something else that you can tolerate better. Your A1C and blood sugar sound really good. Congrats on the diet and exercise.

REPLY
naiviv | @naiviv | Mar 17 6:41am
In reply to @naiviv "I have been taking Metformin 500mg once a day since Sept 2024. At the beginning I..." + (show)
@naiviv

I have been taking Metformin 500mg once a day since Sept 2024. At the beginning I had some GI issues but I attributed to having oatmeal evetyday for breakfast. Now after 4months I decided to make an experiment by stopping oatmeal to see if my GI issues were caused by it. Well I still have them and even very soft stools, diarrhea in the morning ( I take Metformin after breakfast). Has anyone of you who ate taking Metformin or have taken it have diarrhea and active growling in the intestines? If you stopped it which medication got you better. It is a real nuisance believe me. I have to stay all morning at home until the growling of my intestines and the urge to go to the bathroom are completely gone.
My PCP told me that I have A1C of 6.5 with a blood sugar of 92. I am following a strict Mediterranean diet and exercise everyday. If anyone has any information I would like to know. Thank you in advance.

Jump to this post

Thanks. I will.

REPLY
jllamas | @jllamas | 4 hours ago

I just started Metformin 2 days ago 500 mg twice a day morning and night, I had aspiration pneumonia and I was on prednisone for about 4 months 50 mg a day and it made me a diabetic, I noticed it gives me a lot of body pains and a really bad headache, is that common? I don't have any stomach symptoms at the moment.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @jllamas "I just started Metformin 2 days ago 500 mg twice a day morning and night, I..." + (show)
@jllamas

I just started Metformin 2 days ago 500 mg twice a day morning and night, I had aspiration pneumonia and I was on prednisone for about 4 months 50 mg a day and it made me a diabetic, I noticed it gives me a lot of body pains and a really bad headache, is that common? I don't have any stomach symptoms at the moment.

Jump to this post

All meds have side effects. Metformin is no different. All potential side effects must be reported in the drug information. It is good to be aware before starting a med. you may or may not experience the side effects. If you do, you may adjust to them over time. If not, a dose adjustment by your provider can help. Or there could be an alternative med that is better for you. Don’t give up. You aren’t alone. I’m sorry for the prednisone causing diabetes. steroids are a common cause of increased blood sugar. My hopes and prayers for you are that things will start to settle for you. Make sure these responses get accurately recorded in your medical history so that you get the best care moving forward.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.