[dangerkitty]

When I first started Metformin, my body freaked out and lost around 10kgs. Mostly from the side effects I think. It really suppressed my appetite plus I was having poo issues too. So it can cause you to lose weight. I have been on it for a few days again and have noticed a 1 kg drop.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by dangerkitty

When I first started Metformin, my body freaked out and lost around 10kgs. Mostly from the side effects I think. It really suppressed my appetite plus I was having poo issues too. So it can cause you to lose weight. I have been on it for a few days again and have noticed a 1 kg drop.

Thank you for your reply - I have not noticed a large change in the poo department - I have had slightly loose bowels ever since I had my spleen removed 10 years ago. I am convinced Metaformin is the cause of the weight loss and may also be part of the gout story ie joint pains.

I have changed to taking metaformin at night instead of the morning - BG this morning 6mmol/L which is OK!!!!

[jacobsam622]

Diabetes medicine does not cause you to gain weight your body does. When you start losing weight because of the diabetes its because you dump out all the calories into your urine so you start to lose weight. Diabetes meds does one of about three things two of which will make you gain weight. Actos and meds of its kind sensitize the cells so they will accept glucose. Meds like Amaryl tell your pancreas to produce more insulin. Metformin Sensitizes and stops glucose production by your liver. The only way to keep from gaining weight once you start on the meds is to burn the same amount of calories your body was dumping into the urine. Metformin also decreases the amount of sugar the intestines absorb. So some sugar may still be getting dumped into the urine. Just a thought!

[Leavenfish]

Over almost 6 months, I've lost almost 14 lbs. I'm on 500mg Metformin once a day. I really think the weight loss however is a result of a reworking of my diet and about 45 min exercies -brisk walking, hilly landscape 5 days a week. I weigh 145 lbs. I really eat plenty...and more often during a day, just less at one time and I probably take in 45 grams of fiber a day. I do have rather a lot of gas.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by Leavenfish

I really eat plenty...and more often during a day, just less at one time and I probably take in 45 grams of fiber a day. I do have rather a lot of gas.

If you're getting your fiber by eating a lot of vegetables and the gas bothers you, you might try Beano. Beano provides your body with enzymes that you need to help digest certain foods like vegetables and beans.. If your body is lacking these enzymes, it doesn't digest the food properly and gas results.
You can get Beano at most food stores and pharmacies.

[moorejames]

I lost around 25 pounds within a year of starting metformin. Gained about 15 of that back, but my weight has been steady ever since.

Mostly, it was naseau that did it for me, when i switched to a different brand of extended release, the naseau got better, and my appetite came back.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by jacobsam622

Diabetes medicine does not cause you to gain weight your body does. When you start losing weight because of the diabetes its because you dump out all the calories into your urine so you start to lose weight. Diabetes meds does one of about three things two of which will make you gain weight. Actos and meds of its kind sensitize the cells so they will accept glucose. Meds like Amaryl tell your pancreas to produce more insulin. Metformin Sensitizes and stops glucose production by your liver. The only way to keep from gaining weight once you start on the meds is to burn the same amount of calories your body was dumping into the urine. Metformin also decreases the amount of sugar the intestines absorb. So some sugar may still be getting dumped into the urine. Just a thought!

Thank you for the information - metformin and me just do not mix - not only have I lost weight but the elbow and knee pains seem to be related - to cut a long story short I have stopped metformin and measuring BG through the day - on getting up in the morning - two hours after breakfast - after exercise - two hours after lunch the results are very good in my opinion. Today:
7.30am 5.9mmol/L (x18 for mg/dl)
12:30pm 6.5
Lunch
3:00pm 6.5
exercise 60 mins brisk walk
4.00pm 4.4

[moorejames]

Keep a close eye on things. Just like it can take a few weeks for metformin to "kick in" and start working, it can take a few weeks for it to competely leave your system and stop working.

Did you try the extended release versions? I had much better luck with those.

[gleny]

Originally Posted by davef

Hey Don,

Welcome to the forums, its a great place for information. The only thing I can offer in relation to Metformin is that it has helped me lose weight as I honestly feel it is working as an appetite suppressant. I used to be constantly hungry (possibly due to undiagnosed diabetes?) but since I started on Met I don't get hungry, I now eat because it's mealtime and not because I'm hungry.

You mention your A1c is 7.6 and still high, how long are you on Met, what was your first A1c, are you watching carbs etc?

This is my 1st time here.I been trying to control my diabetes with diet but had back surgery and need shoulder surgery this summer, I also stopped smoking.I an 5 ft 2 and weight 180 now,I went to my dr today after having blood tests done as I have for a few years cking my sugar. He wants me to take metformim, 500 mg twice daily.I got the pills and read all the side affects and I was in a panick.I am so scared to start them afraid I will have the side affects.Can any please tell me if they been on it and what they felt like when they started it..I am scared to death...I hate taking meds and am in crestor for cholestrol, and also b/pressure meds..Can someone give me some hope here and couage to take these pills>>?? Thank you so much..have a nice week..Gleny

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by moorejames

Keep a close eye on things. Just like it can take a few weeks for metformin to "kick in" and start working, it can take a few weeks for it to competely leave your system and stop working.

Did you try the extended release versions? I had much better luck with those.

Yes - Diabex XR is what I was on.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by gleny

my name is gleny I am 59 yrs old.I am new here. I have had borderline diabetes for few years. I had bk surgery this winter and stopped smoking last fall..Sept.2007.I have gained weight and I aso need rotor cuff surgery done this summer .My dr put me on Metformin today 500mg 2 times a day.I am so very scared to take this medicine, can anyone help tell me if they been on it and how they felt.I read the side affects and it scraed me to death. I worry alot about meds and this one had alot of side effects.Can anyone help me and tell me what thye felt like when they started it or what side effects they had.I have alot of stress in my life and this sure added to it.I felt angry, alone, and scared..I am starting to eta excatly like I am supposed to and excerise what I can ..walk 15 min 2 times a day for now. I have a bad back and neck so excersie is hard for me right now..I also have pain all the time from my rt shoulder from torn rotor cuff. Hope someone can help me...I need courage!! LOts of it..I am a whimp sorry...Gleny

I recommend you put you concern into a new thread as my possible problems are NOT the experience of millions of people who take Metformin through out the world. Dear moderator please help gleny!!!!

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by gleny

my name is gleny I am 59 yrs old.I am new here. I have had borderline diabetes for few years. I had bk surgery this winter and stopped smoking last fall..Sept.2007.I have gained weight and I aso need rotor cuff surgery done this summer .My dr put me on Metformin today 500mg 2 times a day.I am so very scared to take this medicine, can anyone help tell me if they been on it and how they felt.I read the side affects and it scraed me to death. I worry alot about meds and this one had alot of side effects.Can anyone help me and tell me what thye felt like when they started it or what side effects they had.I have alot of stress in my life and this sure added to it.I felt angry, alone, and scared..I am starting to eta excatly like I am supposed to and excerise what I can ..walk 15 min 2 times a day for now. I have a bad back and neck so excersie is hard for me right now..I also have pain all the time from my rt shoulder from torn rotor cuff. Hope someone can help me...I need courage!! LOts of it..I am a whimp sorry...Gleny

Gleny, click here to take you to a link I created for you.

[jerryn]

I take metformin... and I can tell you some days it gets my stomach rumbling. diahrea more often than not on the drug. I refer to it as a metformin dump. Yes metformin can get you to loose weight this way. I am on metformin and bayetta. So.. it happens even more.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by jerryn

I take metformin... and I can tell you some days it gets my stomach rumbling. diahrea more often than not on the drug. I refer to it as a metformin dump. Yes metformin can get you to loose weight this way. I am on metformin and bayetta. So.. it happens even more.

That was my experience with Metformin also. My upset stomach was severe and made it difficult, if not impossible, to function normally. On the rare occasion I had to be someplace away from home and the metformin caused me problems, I'd have to take 4-5 Immodium AD tablets to stop it, and that only lasted for 12-18 hours, but that was long enough for me to make it back home.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by Hammer

That was my experience with Metformin also. My upset stomach was severe and made it difficult, if not impossible, to function normally. On the rare occasion I had to be someplace away from home and the metformin caused me problems, I'd have to take 4-5 Immodium AD tablets to stop it, and that only lasted for 12-18 hours, but that was long enough for me to make it back home.

I never got the stomach upset, only the rapid weight lose. I had a full blood count last week to ensure it was not the leukemia kicking in after 10 years of PR. Thank God the results were good - same as 6 months ago.

I must say I feel much better without metformin - only been off for 5 days - watching BG very closely, These are the morning BG:
6.30 5.7 6.4 5.9 6.3 5.5 (x18 to get mg/dl)

An example of simple brisk 20 min walk effect was last night when 2 hrs after the evening meal the BG was high (10.3) - 20 mins brisk walk later 6.7!!!!

Glad to see gleny with her own thread.