About metformin
 

Was curious to know if there is a medication out there better than metformin. It works for me but seems to give me diarrhea all the time, my endroconolgist says that this is common. Not trying to be gross, but rather something I can do to stop this reaction.

Welcome to the Forum! :)

There is no drug that I know of better than Metformin. The stomach problems usually go away after a few weeks, when the body gets used to the meds. This is not always the case, but most times works that way.

Thanks for the welcome... I have been on metformin for two years... I'm getting used to it, but it's rather sort of embarrassing.

10 yrs using metfartin taken qith food Very bad diarrhea that wouldn't go away. I tried other generics which improved it. Still had it. Changed to glucophage recently and diarrhea gone.

My insurance won't cover glucafage.... That's a bummer, maybe my endo will do a prior authorization for me... Who knows, we'll see.

I usually take metformin first thing in the morning with a high fiber cereal. I also take two fiber caps in the middle of the day (between all my meds). That seems to help firm things up. When I first started metformin, I did not have loose diarhea but my stools had a dissolving look to them in the bowl. That only lasted about two weeks. I am only on a 500 mg dose so maybe that is why.

I've been taking Duetact since I was diagnosed with T2 in August 2011. Numbers had gotten stable, if a bit low. 75 before lunch (after a good breakfast) was a bit low, but I felt fine. I did not like the weight I was gaining, though. And that was causing the weight gain, my doctor stopped that medication about three weeks ago and suddenly my prosthesis was MUCH looser. No changes in diet. My numbers have been creeping up a bit, so she is starting me on Metformin tomorrow. I'll start it once a day, with my largest meal and after a week go to twice a day. I'm a little worried about the side effects...a run to the bathroom could be a close thing middle of the night if I have to stop and put my foot on first...does taking a fiber suppiment, especially at first, help with the side effects?

Same issues here with Metformin. The Diabetes Education Nurse said to take Metformin AFTER meal. It has helped.

Just started taking
 

Hi,

I have just started taking Metformin tonight, I was told to take it after food, hopefully that will help.

I have been on Metformin for about 1 and 1/2 months. My Dr. started me out with a small dose and gradually increased the dosage. At first, I had the big D but now I am up to 1500 dosage a day and the big D has stopped. My sugar levels have improved. But the weight I was losing has stopped also. I would almost rather have the big D if I could continue to lose the weight.:)

I take my pills in the middle of my meals.

I've been taking metformin for 3 months now and I'm glad it isn't just me,...I thought I had developed IBS. it's horrible, but I have pooped myself 30lbs lighter lol
My Doc said it would go away after time,...I hope so :-/
I'm really happy I found this app, I'm so new to this "life style" & I don't know anything about anything.
Good luck to you:-) *Lisa*

I've been on Metformin 500mg twice a day. After the first week or two the digestive issues stopped. (actually I'm tending toward a little more in the opposite direction now...) I usually take it during or right after a meal. The bg levels are slowly getting back down again. I really liked the way the Duetact kept my numbers down, but I did NOT like the weight gain or the vision problems.

My big d never went away until I started taking metformon er (extended release

Have you tried Januvia? I have had great success with it. There's also a combo drug with Januvia + Metformin.

Try Diaformin XR. That should stop things

Strange, I take 1000 mg twice a day and have had no problems except a little in the beginning, but things soon got back to normal.

Try Metformin ER. I too was unable to use Metformin but the ER version seems to alleviate most of the stomach and diarrhea issues

I was on metformin for the last 15 years, and I have had the big D for all 15 of those years, now whenever I take diabetes pills I get the big D and real bad stomach aches. Right now I am on novolog mix 70/30 and Actos, neither of those are doing much.

Metformin
 

I feel very fortunate that I have had no problem with metformin. I lost some weight after starting it but had heard I would.

Been on for 2 weeks diarrhea for sure hope it levels out soon

What is the deal with alcohol and Metformin... I have a few Lite beers in the evening, is this going to be an issue?
I am currently taking 1 Metformin ER 500mg at bedtime and will increase to 2 at bedtime... I am new to this Type 2 and Medication...

The problem is Lactic Acidosis. Just don't over do the lite beers.

Thanks Dano,

Is there anyway to monitor this Lactic Acidosis?

There are lab test to determine lactic acidosis. The signs of lactic acidosis are deep and rapid breathing, vomiting, and abdominal pain—symptoms that may easily be mistaken for other problems.

I have seen lactic acidosis caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. Trust me when I say that you don't want it.

Dr Bernstein only recommends two insulin sensitizers and metformin is one.

First week on Metformin ER @ 1 pill at bedtime... So far so good except I am getting frequent headaches, and my hands get really cold sometimes....

Increase dosage to 2 Metformin ER 500 tonight... Have not really seen a big decrease in my fasting numbers yet...

The addition of the 2nd Metformin has really lowered my fasting numbers already... Past 2 mornings are 107 & 99 respectively... Looking Good so far.

I think the Metformin is also lowering my blood pressure, and that is why my hands are getting cold.

Dano

I have had pretty good luck with the Metformin so far, besides occasional cold hands, but I notice that I am always tired... Is this normal?

I take 2000 mg of Metformin per day. I have not noticed the cold hands or the tired feeling.

Confused
 

Big D not a problem but odor is. I have a body odor on Metformin. I guess it is coming from my pores. I smell it and my husband has noticed it.

Ask your doctor about a med called "glipizide" (I think that's how it was spelled). It didn't work for me and I had to return to injecting. But it might work for you.

Was curious to know if there is a medication out there better than metformin.


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My doctor has put me on the extended release version of Metformin and it has done wonders for my stomach.

Big D worse when eating salad. Doesn't really digest well.

My wife's Dr switched her from Metformin to Januvia and the results were amazing. Lowered her readings right away.

Started 2 days ago. Slight stomach issues so far but terrible headaches. Also really tired. Is this normal?

The extended release metformin stopped my digestive issues. My concern with metformin is my hair loss. Anyone with that problem? Am a 52 y o female

So far no big D :) I take 500mg twice a day. I had heart surgery I have COPD and GERD . I been having very cold and numb feet. My head been hurting a lot lately .

I had the same problem and my doctor switched me to metformin ER (extended release). Diarrhea stopped. This change may work for you.