Metformin and sickness

[DazedSheep]

Last week I was told to double my dose of metformin to 4 a day( my habc1 was apparently sky high) . Didn't want to but started on Sunday. Yesterday I vomited 3 hours after taking 2. I've had 2 infections,flu etc since christmas but I think it was due to having too much metformin in my body. Anyone else had this? I'm seeing nurse soon but would like other Diabetics experiences

[Peter Lee]

One of the known side effects of Metformin is vomiting. It should ease as you get used to it but if it persists then you should consult your doctor.

The jump from two times a day to four times might have been too much and three times a day might be better until you get used to the higher dose and then move onto four times - a gradual increase is a common and generally recommended procedure.

[moorejames]

Last week I was told to double my dose of metformin to 4 a day( my habc1 was apparently sky high) . Didn't want to but started on Sunday. Yesterday I vomited 3 hours after taking 2. I've had 2 infections,flu etc since christmas but I think it was due to having too much metformin in my body. Anyone else had this? I'm seeing nurse soon but would like other Diabetics experiences

When they doubled my Metformin dose, and then doubled it again, I was sick for almost 2 months. Nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea. Fun stuff. It's mostly better now, but I'll still occassionally have an off day.

It's a side effect. It gets better. I doubt the infections had anything to do with the Metformin, infections are common when you have high GLs. The flu-like symptoms very well might have been the Metformin.

[DazedSheep]

Thanks for your replies! It.s disappointing after many months of nausea to become even worse. I'd never produced bile til hospital and now its most weeks. Hope it helps cos don't want to go back on insulin

[barbieguy]

So glad you asked about sickness. I'm glad for the responses too.
I was on Metformin 1000mg once a day for a week----I had stomach cramps and loose bowel movements (sorry to be graphic).
After 1 week, I increased to 2 pills a day. My belly has been rumbling and I have had diarrhea. But it hasn't been too bad. Hope it stops soon.
I really appreciate this forum and the wonderful people here who help everyone, not just us newly diagnosed ones!
Thanks a bunch!

[DazedSheep]

So glad you asked about sickness. I'm glad for the responses too.
I was on Metformin 1000mg once a day for a week----I had stomach cramps and loose bowel movements (sorry to be graphic).
After 1 week, I increased to 2 pills a day. My belly has been rumbling and I have had diarrhea. But it hasn't been too bad. Hope it stops soon.
I really appreciate this forum and the wonderful people here who help everyone, not just us newly diagnosed ones!
Thanks a bunch!

I'm supposed to be on 2000mg a day but taking what I know my body needs cos that's best. Hope you feel better soon!

[barbieguy]

Hey, guess what?
No belly rumblings today! I actually feel wonderful.
I even have great news.
I started watching portions and cutting carbs back in December before I was diagnosed. Today I reached the 10 pound mark! :dancing2:
I have a lot more to go, but I haven't been able to lose weight for the past 15years!
Can't believe what a catch-22 eating carbs is. The more you eat, the more you want! I haven't been hungry and I don't have cravings anymore.
YIPPEE!

[MYDEAR]

congrads on the weight lose barb.

dazedsheep i read that weight lose is also one of the benefits of metformin. hang in there,
mydear

[DazedSheep]

Good for you losing weight! Hope it continues. Been on metformin since April but not lost any weight. Had very ill year though. Forgot my dose last night (unusual) and enjoyed not feeling ill first thing

[mommaterra]

Is there a point with metformin where the side effects start to kick in? I think I've read that when folks kick it up to 1500 mg, sometimes it starts wreaking havoc. Probably a definite YMMV.

I've just taken my second basic, daily, generic 500 mg tablet. Yesterday my first PP BG was a lower rise than usual (3 pts vs. 15) but my fBG this morning was higher. Today my first PP was higher (same amount of CHO), but I walked my pup briskly and it came down more than usual with the stroll. So I'm expecting to have a bit of weirdness as my body adapts, but I'd prefer to avoid the toilet worshipping, either end. I guess, wouldn't we all? --diana

[rwmetcalf]

Hi Diana,

The first time I went to 1000mg of Metformin, twice a day, I don't remember having anything more than a slight upset stomach, never any nausea, vomiting, tin taste, etc. In fact, most of the worst symptoms I experienced were when I first went on it at 500mg X 2 per day. I tried to wean myself off, maybe too soon, maybe too close to the holidays and started to see my numbers go up again. I went back to 1000mg X 2 per day. I've recently seen my numbers returning to good fasting numbers (sometimes <90) and good PP numbers (around 100) again. The second time I went up to 1000mg X 2, I had more symptoms, headaches, tin taste in mouth, nothing too bad and it went away.

I've never really experienced bad responses to medication. My Dad can take 1/4 of a small actifed tablet and feel drunk. I would take a full dose and never feel it. I guess how medication normally affects you might tell you how metformin might affect you. From everything I've read here, even if it doesn't agree with you, eventually the adverse affects stop and you just reap the benefits. As stated, YMMV.

One of the things that Metformin does is help increase your insulin sensitivity again. Exercise also increases your insulin sensitivity. So it makes sense that after being on it awhile that you would see your numbers decrease faster while exercising. Ain't it great!

Regards,
Roger

[moosegirl]

The first time I took Metformin I was lucky to have no real side effects and quickly got to 2000mg.... then I went through a phase of stopping everything I was taking!

I started to take Metformin again last November and could not tolerate it so stopped it pretty much right away.

Now I've been back on it around a month and worked up to 2000mg again and I am doing okay.... touch wood no major side effects!

[Petruchio]

If you make sure to take Metformin with a meal, it will minimize the side effects and the Metformin will work better.