[debster]

HELP my husband's Metformin is making him really sick to his stomach... We are on week three and the side effects are really rough.

 

[wdmama]

What dose is he on and when is he taking it?

Sometimes breaking up the dose helps, and they also have an extended release which has been more gentle on the tummy for some people.

It was awful for me... and even months in when I got over the initial GI upset, I started getting stomach pains and had to stop taking it.

Also, if he does continue on the metformin for a long time, make sure he either takes a B12 supplement or has his levels checked - it's a common side effect. No one ever told me it could happen, I found out years later I was B12 deficient and had to get injections for a while.

 

[imabug]

for the first month i was on metformin i found that as long as i ate a decent sized meal with each pill, i didn't have too many problems with the GI side effects.

after about 6 weeks, i got to the point where i don't have too many problems with metformin now.

 

[sallyb]

I was just about to type the same message. I've also just had to start taking this, the Extended release type @ 500mgs twice a day to start, raising to 1000mgs twice a day.

Oh my - even day 1 put me into bed all afternoon (well and on the throne). I can't face another tablet this morning. This mornings BG was lower than normal. I am a light weight and my body does not cope with it!

 

[debster]

He i itially was on 500mg twice a day. And when the doc saw that A1C was 13, she doubled his dose. He is afraid to leave the house since he is in the bathroom all day. Its awful!

 

[d33na]

I have to agree...I started on the ordinary Metformin then had to switch to extended release...it still took a few weeks before my stomach settled down...if he can ride through a few weeks of discomfort it is well worth it...for me it keeps a good handle on my appetite as well as helps my diabetes

 

[debster]

It says Metformin HER is that time released?

 

[jwags]

I take 2550 of the regular metformin. I find if I stay away from most carbs, I am ok. Once I start eating any type of carbs my stomach problems start. Also experiment with the timing. I don't take mine at meals because it upsets me more. I break it up into 3 doses a day. Also many of us find taking extra fiber or a fiber supplement really helps with the GI problems. If after a month or so it doesn't get better he may have to switch to another med or insulin.

 

[sallyb]

I don't eat carbs either. How does your husband manage to go to work etc, that's my worry. That's a big dose to start of with - yikes! I have not taken any today - just can't, I'm still stuck to the bathroom from yesterday and feel like I've been poisoned! I can't eat a thing, it sets everything off.

I want to take it - I just can't do it. I'm a whimp.

Hope he feels better soon!

 

[d33na]

It says Metformin HER is that time released?

mine says XR...I'm sorry I don't know

 

[debster]

Bobby is calling in the morning and see if he can get the gentler one. In the meantime he is taking advice from here and spacing it out.

 

[sallyb]

I'm not what I shall do - recover from the first dose then see...

 

[beefy]

It took me several weeks before the metformin started to ease up on the side-effects (around 6 weeks for me), but I still had adverse gastro-intestinal issues until I switched to the extended-release version.

The downside to the ER version is it costs much more, and some insurance plans don't cover it. But most people with adverse G.I. reactions do tolerate it much better than the regular metformin.

As annoying as it is, give it another two or three weeks to see if it's tolerated better.

 

[debster]

I have to throw this out there... Is this med wreaking havoc like this not going to cause other problems?

 

[d33na]

Bobby is calling in the morning and see if he can get the gentler one. In the meantime he is taking advice from here and spacing it out.

that's a great idea

 

[beefy]

I have to throw this out there... Is this med wreaking havoc like this not going to cause other problems?

Virtually everyone who has problems with Metformin has the same issues - abdominal / gastro-intestinal issues...

Like I said though, most find it subsides after a few weeks - some report being fine after a few days, some take 6 to 8 weeks...

 

[Cadydid]

I feel his pain! They had upped me to 1500 mg a day and by the end of week 2, I was in the ER so sick they almost had to admit me.

It doesnt matter for me wether is it is the regualr version or the ER version.. 1500 mgs is more than I can take. So when I was told this past week to go back on it and to go up to 1000 mg.. the thought makes me cringe...

Even though its too hard for me to take, Im with the others.. break the doses up and try to switch it to the ER version.. then give it a few more weeks and if he is still dealing with, then it would be time to change to another med.

 

[sallyb]

How's your husband getting on today with his med, did he manage to get the ER?

 

[debster]

Thanks everyone! Bobby was a little weak today and constantly hungry. I have a feeling he was just depleted and his body needed to make it up...or something like that! LOL

Anyway I was at the doctors to get my annal bloodwork and asked her what to do. She said he can go back to his original dose of 1000mg instead of 2000. Watch his sugar and try to increase 500 if he can bear it. So far so good. He only dropped to 1500mg.

Having a much better day.

 

[debster]

Oh and BTW he stayed on the regular email.