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moorejames
12-15-2006, 07:27 AM
I was dxd type 2 on Oct 13 (fasting bs of 303, A1C of 10). I'm 39.

I started taking 500mg metformin 1xday on Oct 18.
Increased to 500mg 2xday on Oct 24
Increased by endo to 1000mg 2xday on Nov 16.

Up until about Nov 30th, I was tolerating it well and had few if any side effects. My 7 and 14 day avgs on my meter are right around 107 now, so it seems to be working well. My blood pressure is also finally controlled, my avg on my BP meter is at 113/62. that's pretty unheard of for me.

Since Nov 30th, I've been having the typical metformin side effects, gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. I was up at 4am today with varying degrees of all of the above (mostly the last one - trying not to get into TMI territory here).

From a search on the forums, I see this is not untypical, and if I stick it out, chances are they will go away. My next appointment with the Endo is early February for follow up bloodwork/A1C.

Guess I just want some reassurance that it's going to get better. I seem to have a really BAD day about once a week (can't pinpoint anything in diet or activity that triggers it).

At what point do you "give up" and talk to the doctor about possibly switching? It seems to be working so well, that I want to stick it out, but it's kind of hard to focus at work when all you can think about is your stomach and intestines.

Oh, and it's interesting how things come shaking out of the family closet when you get diagnosed. Two months ago, I would have said there was no history of diabetes in my family. Now, I find out that 4 of my maternal great grandmother's children had type 2 diabetes and the one that didn't have it died young.

Also, I had to schedule an extremely expensive "executive physical" at OSU medical center to find out I was diabetic. 5 years of dr's visits for BP control issues and not one of the three doctors I saw ever thought to check my blood sugar... the one thing I've learned from all this -- you have to take ownership of your healthcare.

jim

seacomp
12-15-2006, 07:46 AM
Are you taking your metformin with meals or immediately after. Both for the effectiveness of the drug and for the control of its side effects taking it with meals is very important.
When I took ut, I didn't have any side effects so I can't reassure you in person that they will go away.
I do know that there is no substitute for metformin at this time. There are other ways you can go with oral medications but if metformin is working for you, you really don't want to bypass it unless absolutely necessary.

jeggeman31
12-15-2006, 07:56 AM
I was dxd type 2 on Oct 13 (fasting bs of 303, A1C of 10). I'm 39.

I started taking 500mg metformin 1xday on Oct 18.
Increased to 500mg 2xday on Oct 24
Increased by endo to 1000mg 2xday on Nov 16.

Up until about Nov 30th, I was tolerating it well and had few if any side effects. My 7 and 14 day avgs on my meter are right around 107 now, so it seems to be working well. My blood pressure is also finally controlled, my avg on my BP meter is at 113/62. that's pretty unheard of for me.

Since Nov 30th, I've been having the typical metformin side effects, gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. I was up at 4am today with varying degrees of all of the above (mostly the last one - trying not to get into TMI territory here).

From a search on the forums, I see this is not untypical, and if I stick it out, chances are they will go away. My next appointment with the Endo is early February for follow up bloodwork/A1C.

Guess I just want some reassurance that it's going to get better. I seem to have a really BAD day about once a week (can't pinpoint anything in diet or activity that triggers it).

At what point do you "give up" and talk to the doctor about possibly switching? It seems to be working so well, that I want to stick it out, but it's kind of hard to focus at work when all you can think about is your stomach and intestines.

Oh, and it's interesting how things come shaking out of the family closet when you get diagnosed. Two months ago, I would have said there was no history of diabetes in my family. Now, I find out that 4 of my maternal great grandmother's children had type 2 diabetes and the one that didn't have it died young.

Also, I had to schedule an extremely expensive "executive physical" at OSU medical center to find out I was diabetic. 5 years of dr's visits for BP control issues and not one of the three doctors I saw ever thought to check my blood sugar... the one thing I've learned from all this -- you have to take ownership of your healthcare.

jim

Well look at that another Jim from Columbus.


When I took it, I had all the side affects you did. It lasted about a month and I could not handle it any longer. I went off it myself.


On a side note, who is your Endo?

sweetcheeks
12-15-2006, 08:20 AM
i only have the diarreah symptom, and its not very often, but normally its bad when i do have it lol detail i wont give here, but lets say this, it usually involves coming home from work lol

but anywho..... im not going to stop taking metformin just because im inconvenienced of seeing the white porcelain throne a couple of times a day once ever couple weeks, (which frankly could be caused by the sugar alcohol in my hard candy)

its working, my levels are down, and frankly im more worried about that than diarreah, so i would say it depends on the person, and how BAD the symptoms are

moorejames
12-15-2006, 08:20 AM
Well look at that another Jim from Columbus.

When I took it, I had all the side affects you did. It lasted about a month and I could not handle it any longer. I went off it myself.
On a side note, who is your Endo?

I am taking it with my meals, breakfast and dinner. Usually during the meal, sometimes immediately following.

I'm seeing Dr. Rittenberry in Dublin. Diabetes & Endocrinology Center of Ohio ( http://www.decowebsite.com )

jeggeman31
12-15-2006, 07:46 PM
I'm seeing Dr. Rittenberry in Dublin. Diabetes & Endocrinology Center of Ohio ( http://www.decowebsite.com )



I see Dr Reddy

moorejames
12-16-2006, 06:27 AM
I see Dr Reddy

Go Figure! They both seem really nice.

jim

Penny
12-16-2006, 06:52 AM
Hi James, from another Ohio member. I am long past the regular problems with Metformin, but it still pops up once in awhile. It always happens on those mornings I do not take my pills with food. Not often, but sometimes I get up and take all my medicines, so I can keep on schedule, then if I have had a slweepless night, go back to bed without eating. I almost always wake with diarrhea at those times. So if it is working try making sure you eat with the medicine.

moorejames
12-16-2006, 07:21 AM
Hi James, from another Ohio member. I am long past the regular problems with Metformin, ... So if it is working try making sure you eat with the medicine.

Thanks. It seems to be better now. Hopefully the "episodes" will start happening less frequently. Most of time, the only way I know I'm taking them is that my readings are pretty darn close to normal.