Ann* Â Â 10 #37 Posted April 29, 2007 Metformin the medication most people use for T2 has some nasty side effects that include gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting and lactic acidosis which is live threatening. The most common is the trots which can be really bad. Â Whoa....hang on....those side effects are rare, and only a small minority of people on the medication are affected. Â I take Metformin, and don't have any problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
steve_m   10 #38 Posted April 29, 2007 Whoa.. I'm on 1500mg and I get the trots at least once a week and when I say it's bad you could pass it thrue a tea strainer and find no lumps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Nigel Womersle   10 #39 Posted April 30, 2007 Whoa....hang on....those side effects are rare, and only a small minority of people on the medication are affected.  I take Metformin, and don't have any problems.  Ann, I also take it twice each day. As yet I have not had any side effects from it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Ann*   10 #40 Posted April 30, 2007 Whoa.. I'm on 1500mg and I get the trots at least once a week and when I say it's bad you could pass it thrue a tea strainer and find no lumps  If it's affecting you that much, then you should go and see whichever professional treating your diabetes, and have your medication changed to something else.  I take 1000mg three times a day (= 3 grams a day), and have none of the problems you describe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
owdlad   10 #41 Posted April 30, 2007 To open up another can of worms.  What kind of back up do you get from the health professionals?  Are you happy with the amount of support you get, or do you feel that most of what you know has been obtained from friends and the Internet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Plain Talker   11 #42 Posted April 30, 2007 the squits is a very common side effect of metformin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
steve_m   10 #43 Posted April 30, 2007 To open up another can of worms.  What kind of back up do you get from the health professionals?  Are you happy with the amount of support you get, or do you feel that most of what you know has been obtained from friends and the Internet?  I get to see the nurse every three months for bloods, feet checked etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
owdlad   10 #44 Posted April 30, 2007 What was the supply of information like when you were first diagnosed though Steve? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Bago   10 #45 Posted April 30, 2007 To open up another can of worms.  What kind of back up do you get from the health professionals?  Are you happy with the amount of support you get, or do you feel that most of what you know has been obtained from friends and the Internet? I can't remember what support my mom was given in the beginning, but I know that she does trust the nurses more than she trusts us, her family. I tried to get her to take cod liver oil, but she refuses. It also depends on the person's individual take on things too. Changing their whole lifestyle and diet can be unsettling.  It's enlightening to read some of the comments here too cos my mom also self diagnosed and reduced her own intake of her tablets from 3 to 2. (I don't know what they are and what doses each tablets were.) But she was talking to others who also took it, and kind of self diagnosed, and that did affect her diabetes too. I didn't realise this until she was asked to go in for her normal diabetes check-up. I think the NHS has some kind of programme to actually monitor the condition now. She normally gets letters for eye tests and blood test by the nurse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
rustybum   10 #46 Posted May 7, 2007 I have just been diagnosed type 2. been prescribed metformin. I realise after reading this thread i may be in denial, i too am thinking theres nothing up with me but blood tests say different. One of my problems is i like a drink or two, don't get me wrong it's not every day but i do like a few at weekend, quite a few actually. Has anybody any ideas on what is the best drink to have? I realise the best thing to do would be to give it up altogether but it aint easy. I would be grateful for any advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
owdlad   10 #47 Posted May 7, 2007 I have just been diagnosed type 2. been prescribed metformin. I realise after reading this thread i may be in denial, i too am thinking theres nothing up with me but blood tests say different. One of my problems is i like a drink or two, don't get me wrong it's not every day but i do like a few at weekend, quite a few actually. Has anybody any ideas on what is the best drink to have? I realise the best thing to do would be to give it up altogether but it aint easy. I would be grateful for any advice.   Gin & Slimline Tonic is ok I think, but beer is sure to screw the levels around, because of the sugar needed for the fermentation process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Plain Talker   11 #48 Posted May 7, 2007 Gin & Slimline Tonic is ok I think, but beer is sure to screw the levels around, because of the sugar needed for the fermentation process.  I would say that all depends, because the sugar is converted to alcohol during the fermentation process.  Also, the ABV %ge will differ because there is more fluid in a pint of beer, than in a small glass of a G&T.  Providing you are sensible, I can't see that allowing yourself a couple of pints, once a week would hurt. It's if you were existing solely on the beer/ lager, and chucking it down your neck every day, and in large quantities.  As someone newly diagnosed, Rustybum, you should be given the opportunity to talk to a dietitian, about healthy eating. s/he should be able to advise you how best to incorporate an occasional treat into your diet, and into your lifestyle. Complete abstinence will only make you want the "forbidden" even more, be it cake, chocolate, a beer, or whatever. remember, "in all things, moderation", and that " a little of what you fancy does you good"  If you havent been offered the chance to talk to a dietitian, have a word with your GP, or if you are under the care of a diabetic-specialist (consultant or diabetic specialist nurse) ask them to get in touch and get you an appointment with the dietitian.  Hope that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...