Metformin Makes Me STINK!

iStone · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 03:55 PM

I've noticed some posts in a few of the forums here that slightly relate to my post, but not enough to answer my question or help me in any way. Other people have mentioned how their Metformin smells fishy. Some have mentioned how it causes their urine to smell bad. Yet others have mentioned how it causes their breath to smell bad. Combine all of those, and you have my problem, but not completely.

Metformin makes me STINK! COMPLETELY! The odor coming from my breath, urine, feces, and out of my pores 24/7 is atrocious! It is getting so bad that I cannot even stand being around me! My wife doesn't like sleeping in the same room with me. By morning our bedroom smells terrible. The smell follows me (emits from me) everywhere I am, day and night.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the end of February 2008, just under a year ago. Since then I have been taking Metformin twice daily, once in the morning, and once before bed. The dosage is 500MG each time. The smell has worsened steadily since I first started taking the medication.

I was not sure what was causing the odor at first. Since the Metformin itself smells bad, I suspected it was the cause, but was not positive about that. A few weeks ago my suspicions were proven. We went for a week-long trip to the Washington coast. I forgot my Metformin at home. Lo and behold, I did not stink anymore! For an entire week, I smelled wonderful! The room that I slept in smelled as fresh every morning after my sleeping in it each night as it did when we first got to the resort! My breath was fresh. My bodily waste no longer had that rancid odor that had been following me for almost a year. THAT WAS THE BEST VACATION I EVER HAD! A VACATION FROM THE PUTRID SMELL THAT METFORMIN GIVES ME!

Needless to say, as soon as we got home, I went back on my medication, and am back to smelling like I live in the garbage dump in Nairobi. It is disgusting. I have been calling my doctor's office daily, trying to get them to change my medication to something just as effective and inexpensive, but without the smell. Each day, they tell me that they will call me later that day with a new prescription. So far, I am still waiting for that call, still smelling terrible!

Is there a medication for Type 2 Diabetes that is as inexpensive as Metformin ($4 at Walmart for a month's supply) that has no serious side-effects or terrible smells? I would LOVE to hear from someone who is taking something other than Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. I and my entire family need some relief!

Oh, by the way, I have lost 50 pounds so far since discovering that I have diabetes. The weight loss part is easy, but this SMELL is driving me crazy! PLEASE HELP!

Amelie · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 04:35 PM

Wow, I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this. I can imagine how awful it must be.

Caravaggio · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 09:25 PM

I'm taking metformin but haven't encountered smelly metformin tablets and as far as I know I don't smell (but I'll have to give my husband the third degree tonight

).

Could it be the brand of metformin you are using?

iStone · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 11:19 PM

All I know is it is Metformin. If there are different brands, I am not aware of that. The prescription bottle says "Metformin", so I assume it is not generic. It is the same one I've been taking since I learned I have Type 2 Diabetes almost a year ago. I am SO done with this stupid disease! IT HAS RUINED MY LIFE! Now, thanks to the medication, I can't even stand the smell of myself! I'm isolated. IT SUCKS!

HuskerMychal · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 11:28 PM

I don't know if you use it already or not but maybe try the Metformin HCI (i think) time release. May not cure the smell but if it releases longer your body my absorb it more slowly and at least lessen it. I see my Endo tomorrow and I am friends with the PharmD at work, I will ask them about it.

Kanga · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 12:00 AM

Oh you poor thing. I just gave my husband the 3rd degree on whether I smell or not and I don't *phew* I had already pestered him over the armpit thread so now he thinks I am paranoid about smells LoL

I feel so bad for you as this must be so embarrassing. Hope someone comes up with some advice or your dr changes your meds.

mazea · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 12:05 AM

Trying not to find the title to your thread amusing. Not doing very well though.

In all seriousness I can relate as when I eat raw onions I start to smell like raw onions for a few days. The only thing I do is cook the onions a lot. Have you tried cooking your metamophin?

iStone · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanga

L

I feel so bad for you as this must be so embarrassing.

It's not really embarrassing because I NEVER go anywhere! Why WOULD I? That WOULD be embarrassing! I just stay in the house & try to avoid my wife & kids. THIS SUCKS!

Real4 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iStone

All I know is it is Metformin. ...The prescription bottle says "Metformin", so I assume it is not generic.

Metformin IS the generic name. Good luck with your problem, Unfortunately, there's no other drug that meets all your criteria.

P.S. You think you could get a branded, on-patent drug for $4 a month? (Do you invest in real estate?)

davef · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 06:29 AM

Metformin is the generic name. Could you try some different brands, I'm using Glucophage and get no noticable smell from the tablet itself or anything unusual from me (I ask my wife).

Just on the off chance, is there any possibility that there is a food you eat at home and did not eat when you were away?

patricia52 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 07:03 AM

Much sympathy for you but I don't have any advice other than what the others have suggested. I did notice that when I changed pharmacies the metformin from the new pharmacy did not smell as fishy. I liked that. Talk with you doctor there has to be a solution.

vegasvic · #12 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 08:38 AM

When Glucophage first came out I would have to open a large container of it and the fish smell would almost knock me out, it was nasty.

As previously mentioned the brand name for metformin is Glucophage and now you can find it in several combinations with other meds for example: Glucovance, Actoplus Met. Many of which have went generic.

I just went out to opened and smell met 1000, met 850, met 750 xl, met 500, met xl 500. They all had a slight smell to them but none any worse than the other. There are of a few different manufacturers so its not just one in particular. A lot of medications have a smell.

I suppose you could try a different manufacturer but if the odor is caused by metformin I don't think it'll really matter because metformin will be in every tablet. At this time its the only one in its drug class still on the market.

Metformin is such a popular drug I'd be surprised to find a doctor who would be willing to drop it for a different medication, at least not with out an argument. Just remind the doc that its your life and you'd like to not offend the others in your life because of this medication. There are other routes that can be taken.

vic

robbytype2 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 09:30 AM

maybe your doc can give you something else i know met is the generic to glucophage , and met amplifies my gas with a small glass of diet soda i can make walls shake and with chili i can get a ticket to sleep else where ..do you have allergies ? not to compare you to my dog ( he is like a kid) he has food allergies and if he eats anything he is not supposed to he gets a odor on body and ears and breath, just something you may want to talk with doc about ..

iStone · #14 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef

Just on the off chance, is there any possibility that there is a food you eat at home and did not eat when you were away?

There was no diet change while I was away. I rarely eat at all. I have GI problems as well, & avoid eating as much as possible. Normally just toast & Glucerna shakes. That's my life.

My physician changed my medication today. I picked up a prescription of Glipizide 5mg at the pharmacy today. I only have to take one a day in the morning. No side-effects, according to the pharmacist. That's GOOD news! I'm tired of smelling bad.

HuskerMychal · #15 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Istone,
If that doesnt work for you I may have a idea. I noticed you live in Longview, I did for a bit and my wifes family is from and still does live in Longview/Kelso. If it is not to far to drive you may want to try the Harold Schnitzer Diabetic Clinic at OHSU. They did wonders for me. Also the do have some studys going on were you could get paid to participate and get all meds plus testing stuff for free. If you need to know more about it send me a PM.