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Posted 3/12/2011 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hello- does anyone take this medicine, or have any wisdom for me regarding side effects? Thank you!
Posted 3/12/2011 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Sera Smiles, I believe there are several members on Metformin. I'm sure someone will be along to help answer your questions. I hope you have a good eating plan to help the medication work, too.
Posted 3/12/2011 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Metformin. When I first started on it, I had a slight rash. My doctor told me to continue the medication, and the rash went away after a couple of weeks. I know it can cause stomach upset in some people, so you should take it with food, but I haven't had any other problems aside from the rash.

It has the big advantage of rarely causing low blood sugar and all the issues that come with that.
Posted 3/13/2011 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was originally put on this medication when first diagnosed. His G.P. assumed that at age 40, he was dealing with type 2. It wasn't until he saw his current endo, that he was properly dx with type 1.

He of course had to change treatment plans, but he had no side effects whatsoever from the Metformin. (I can't remember how long exactly he was on it, but certainly long enough to have experienced some if there were any to be had)

Good luck, I hope that you will do well with this! Diet, exercise and oral meds are certainly preferrable to injectionssmile

Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/14/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Sera,
It's one of the safest treatments for Type2 diabetes. It helps your body utilize its own insulin much in the same way that exercise does. If you combine it with a regular exercise regimen you should really see some great numbers. The downside... as far as carbs go my doc told me, "If you overdo you'll go pooh!!!" And he wasn't kidding! One of the mechanics of metformin is that it causes fermentation of carbs in the intestines leading to gas, bloating and diarrhea. The answer to this predicament is to eat lots less carbs!

Hope this works out well for you. It's pretty inexpensive in generic. Something like $10.00 for a three month supply at most drug stores.
Posted 3/19/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sera,

I was prescribed metformin for type 1 diabetes. After I went on the pump and my control tightened up, I started to gain weight. My doctor prescribed it to increase my sensitivity to insulin, so I could have tighter control without out the weight gain. It seemed to help.

I had some "poo" issues in the beginning, but it went away after a few weeks. Just know where the nearest bathroom is for the first week or two if you decide to give it a try!

Cheryl
Posted 4/1/2011 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
My brother inlaw who is 58 takes medformin, and has been using it for about a year.  He says it helps contol his blood sugar pretty well but he also says he has had some undesirable side effects.  Some have been a bit embarassing for him.  For one he says it gives him terrible gas most of the time causing him to toot at some not so opertune times, such as in church or at the office when he is in meetings.  He also said it also makes his stomach upest at times and makes his bowel movements very soft at times sometimes causing him to have minor accidents once in a while.  He continues to take it, but wishes the side effects weren't so bad.

Linda

Wheelchair Bound 

Posted 4/1/2011 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
I took Metformin for about 8 years before I was switched to injection. In the beginning it effected my potty habits and yes the gas thing as well but it helped.
Posted 4/16/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I fight hard to avoid prescription drugs thru diet, supplements, and exercise. But if I ever needed a prescription drug to control my blood sugar then I would choose Metformin. You cannot take it for Type 1 diabetes or if you have congestive heart failure, kidney impairment or liver problems that increase the risk of lactic acidosis.

Having said that, check out this article on the side benefits of the drug:
Posted 5/7/2011 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Although I am a very new diabetic on Metformin I quickly found life impossible with uncontrolable diarrhoea.
I increased the fibre in my diet and ate almost no obvious carbs, only those in veg and a little fruit. Sadly this still didnt work but my diabetic nurse suggested taking even more fibre in suppliment form 'pysillium capsules'. Within days my problem was solved, I now live normally, enjoy my high fibre low carb diet and lost some weight too, I almost forget I'm diabetic, it is wonderful to feel well again.
regards and best wishes Cherry Cupcake
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